Exploring Blackwood’s Main Road | Review
Blackwood is home to one of Adelaide’s most underrated main streets, offering all the charm of an Adelaide Hills village without the long drive. Just ask the Hilltop Hoods who grew up around the area.
Review by Carla Caruso
When you think of a weekend drive with a hills vibe, places like Hahndorf, Stirling or Crafers probably come to mind.
Blackwood? Maybe not. But it should.
Just 13km from Adelaide’s CBD, Blackwood’s leafy streets and foothills setting make it feel a world away. Expect a winding drive up with scenic views, cooler temperatures, cosy cafés, vintage shopping and a laidback village atmosphere.
Blackwood also has a claim to fame: Hilltop Hoods founders Suffa (Matt Lambert) and Pressure (Dan Smith) attended Blackwood High School and named the group after the area.
We visited on a sunny winter afternoon after my 12-year-old twin sons had finished a soccer match – and were reminded just how easy it is to escape the city without travelling far.
Our first stop was lunch at Brass Monkeys Café, where we tucked into chilli scrambled eggs, pancakes and Korean-style fried chicken burgers. I even managed a leisurely flick through the Sunday newspaper while we waited.
After lunch, I ducked into Bracegirdle’s to stock up on Belgian milk chocolate buttons while my thrift-loving son searched for hidden treasures at the nearby RSPCA Op Shop.
A wander along the main road revealed plenty more gems, including the goldfish greeting visitors inside greengrocer Waggon Wheels and a stop at From The Earth Health Foods to pick up our favourite locally made Bellis Fruit Bars. Sadly, Shakespeare’s Bookshop was closed on Sundays, but that simply gave us another reason to come back.
We also explored Tiwu Kumangka, the impressive community hub that houses the Blackwood Library, Toy Library Service and Community Centre. With its makerspace, art room, study spaces, community kitchen and meeting rooms, it’s a destination in itself. I’ve already added it to my list of places to return to for a quiet writing session.
Just opposite the hub, Waite Street Reserve features a small playground for younger children and is set for an upgrade.
Before heading home, we made one final stop at Windy Point Lookout, just a few minutes’ drive away, to soak up panoramic views across the city and coastline.
If you’re craving a hills escape close to the CBD, Blackwood is well worth rediscovering. Cue the Hilltop Hoods for the drive up!
Nearby attractions:
- Wittunga Botanic Garden – Historic gardens showcasing Australian and South African plants.
- Treetop Park – An adventure playground in Blackwood Park, close to Joan’s Pantry café.
- Ossie Goldsworthy Reserve Playground – A great playground for younger children.
What we like about it:
Blackwood offers the peaceful feel of country living just minutes from the city.
Things to consider:
The temperature is often a few degrees cooler than on the plains, so bring a jacket – and a brolly, just in case!
Coffee and food options nearby:
The Lost Pantry Coffee House is a local favourite for gourmet sandos, build-your-own smoothies and great coffee, while Banana Boogie Bakery is known for its award-winning, freshly baked treats.
Next door, Belair Fine Wine boasts its famous ‘Great Wall of Beer’, boutique wines and spirits, plus gourmet produce and artisan cheeses.
Families will also love the Belair Hotel, with its children’s menu, six-level outdoor playground and dedicated kids’ chillout zone. Tip: Kids eat free on Monday nights.
Location:
Main Road, Blackwood
See our Top Parks & Playgrounds Around Adelaide
For more information and all enquiries, please visit the City of Mitcham website.
All photos by James Elsby and Carla Caruso for Play & Go Adelaide
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (unless specified).
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