Family Friendly Guide to the Adelaide Hills
Best Places to visit in the Adelaide Hills with Kids
If you like rolling hills, scenic views, quiet country roads, bushwalks, good food and wine, fresh air, cooler temps and escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, then head to the Adelaide Hills for a day trip.
It’s only a 20 minute drive up the South Eastern Freeway to reach the Adelaide Hills, making it a natural choice for families to visit. There is so much to see and do – explore quaint towns with charming pubs and playgrounds, ride steam trains and say hello to the local wildlife, see a giant rocking horse and cuddle koalas, shop for treats in a chocolate factory and visit museums and art galleries. Check out some of the places we have visited over the years that will engage and entertain children of all ages.
Take a look through our reviews of things to do and places to visit in the Adelaide Hills:
Glamping Bell Tents at Woodhouse Adventure Park | Review
At Lenswood l Pick Your Own Apples Adelaide Hills | Review
Pik A Pie Bakery | Meadows | Review
Sunflower Picking at Atkins Farm | Meadows | Review
The Brush Bar | Highland Cow Experience | Review
National Motor Museum | Birdwood | Review
Eis Haus | The German Ice Cream Cafe | Hahndorf | Review
Hamdorf Café & Miniature Guinea Pig Village | Review
Grünthal Brew Family Friendly Dining | Verdun | Review
Adelaide Hills Swimming Pool & Splash Park | Woodside | Review
Lennane Orchards Cherry Farm | Review
Hahndorf Lavender Estate | Adelaide Hills | Review
Grew Cudlee Creek | Review
Peregrine Store | Gumeracha | Review
Beerenberg Farm Cafe, Dairy & Strawberry Picking | Review
Beerenberg Farm | Pick Your Own Strawberries | Hahndorf
TreeClimb Aerial Adventure Park | Kuitpo Forest | Mini Course & Nets Adventure
Bridgewater Reserve Playground & Heysen Trail | Review
Matthew Smillie Drive Reserve Playground | Nairne | Review
Hutton Reserve Playground | Kanmantoo | Review
Aldgate Pump Hotel | Aldgate | Review
Lilac Reserve Playground | Mount Barker | Review
Cuddle a Cow l The Farm – Clarendon l Review
Bracegirdle’s Hahndorf | Café and Shop | Review
Bird in Hand | Family Friendly Winery | Woodside | Review
Pioneer Memorial Gardens Playground | Hahndorf | Review
Alec Johnston Park | Hahndorf | Review
Matthew Road Reserve Playground | Nairne | Review
Bill & Peg’s Christmas Lane Lights Display | Lobethal
Charleston Playground | Adelaide Hills | Review
Barristers Block Wines | Family-Friendly Dining in Woodside | Review
The Glebe Playground | Littlehampton | Review
Mawson Café | Meadows | Review
Oak Folk Playgroup | Uraidla | Review
Mick Murphy Park | Nairne | Review
Anembo Park Playground | Littlehampton | Review
Davenport Square Playground | Macclesfield | Review
Charleston Farm | Pick Your Own Flowers | Adelaide Hills
The Big Rocking Horse, Toy Factory & Wildlife Park | Gumeracha | Review
The Bugle Ranger | Heritage Railcar Train Journey | Mt Barker
Protea Reserve Playground | Crafers | Review
Sherry Park Playground and BMX Track | Mylor | Review
Littlehampton Tunnel | Short Walk with a Tunnel to Explore
Keith Stephenson Park Playground | Mount Barker | Review
Junior Keeper Experience l Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary l Review
Battunga Park and Playground | Meadows | Adelaide Hills
Giant Swing, Climbing Adventure Tower & SA’s Longest Zipline | Mount Lofty Adventure Hub | Review
TreeClimb Aerial Adventure Park | Adelaide | What You Need to Know
The Scenic Hotel | Norton Summit | Adelaide Hills Dining | Review
Woody’s Challenge Hill Obstacle Course | Woodhouse Activity Centre | Review
More places to see and things to do:
Apple Picking
During April and May, apple orchards in the Adelaide Hills open their gates to the public for apple picking, such as @Lenswood Pick Your Own. The township of Balhannah has two wonderful apple stalls open year round (Applefields Orchard Shop and The Olde Apple Shed). Both are located on the main thoroughfare through town, so be sure to pop in for some local produce!
Cherry Picking
Pick your own or simply purchase delicious cherries from a growing number of orchards throughout the Adelaide Hills from November to January every year. Click here for more info.
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit Australian animals in their native environment, and see if you can spot what is probably one of the last remaining platypuses on mainland South Australia. Warrawong also hosts fantastic animal encounters for adults and children. Click here for more info.
Littlehampton Twin Tunnels – Childs Rd Tunnel
If you find yourself driving through Littlehampton, take the short detour to the end of Childs Road and wander through the incredible tunnel painted by Hills artist Wendy Dixon Whiley. There are two tunnels – one for the railway and one converted into a pedestrian underpass.
The pedestrian tunnel runs underneath the South Eastern Freeway so if you’re driving, park at the end of Childs Road in Littlehampton. You can then stroll through the pedestrian underpass, then turn right and walk for another 100 metres to reach the tracks.
The 75 metre long pedestrian tunnel street art project is so incredible that it took over 6 months to complete.
Woody Trails BMX Track
Located in the heart of Woodside on Post Office Rd, this fun BMX track makes for a great pitstop if you have the kids bikes with you | Visit the Love Woodside SA facebook page for images and videos
Eating Out & Wineries
Barristers Block Winery | Woodside | A relaxed vibe on the lawns, with kids toys and sandpit plus kids menu | More info here
Bird in Hand Winery | Woodside | Popular cellar door in the heart of the Hills with large outdoor area and lawns | More info here
Golding Wines | Lobethal | A beautiful setting with a family friendly atmosphere and a healthy kids menu | Keep a lookout on their Facebook page for upcoming family friendly events here.
Howard Vineyard | Nairne | Beautiful surrounds, not far off freeway, plus kids menu | More info here
Lot 100 | Hay Valley | Indoor Restaurant plus casual outdoor eating areas. Fab food – think pizza and potato wedges, wine, cider, beer and juice. Grassy area for kids, a great to visit with friends | Read our review.
Lobethal Bierhaus | Lobethal | A micro brewery and cellar door with great food + kids menu, in a family friendly environment | See their facebook page here.
Nepenthe Wines | Balhannah | Stunning views over the vines and hills, tasting platters and beautiful wines. Keep an eye out for their Sundays on the Hill events here. | See their facebook page here
Pioneer Memorial Gardens and Playground | Hahndorf | Located in the main street, the near-new playground is tucked up the back of the beautiful gardens and is a great place for the kids to run around.
Cheeky Monkey Play Café | Mount Barker | A fabulous indoor play café with great food and coffee options. The play café has a designated toddler section and large play area for older kids, with super slides, bouncy castle and soft obstacle course | More info here
Chase Chocolate Notes | Woodside | Excellent coffee, REAL hot chocolates and great food options | More info here
Emma & Ivy | Lobethal | Stylish eatery and florist in the heart of Lobethal offering delicious food, drinks and beautiful bouquets | More info here
Evercream Ice-cream | Hahndorf | Evercream Gelati is renowned for authentic Italian style ice creams and fresh fruit sorbets | More info here
Fred Eatery | Aldgate | Award winning cafe with quality food, hot chocolates and coffee | More info here
Jimmies | Crafers | Great restaurant with lovely outdoor seating area for Summer dining and cosy wood fires in Winter plus fab food. Kids welcomed |More info here
Lovells Bakery | Woodside & Birdwood | Great bakery food and coffee located in the main street of both Hills towns | More info here
Red Cacao | Stirling | Simply the best hot chocolates plus handmade artisan chocolate and delicious desserts | More info here
Rise Artisan Bakery | Nairne | Sensational pastries and breads, coffee and gifts | More info here
Sazon | Mt Barker | Great coffee, hot chocolates, breakfast and lunch in the heart of bustling Mt Barker | More info here
Summit at Mt Lofty | Mt Lofty | Casual dining and great views over Adelaide | Read our review
The Haus | Hahndorf | Great family friendly meal options in the heart of Hahndorf | More info here
Uraidla Bakery | Uraidla | Great pies, pasties, pastries, coffee in a quirky setting | More info here
Woodside Cheese Wrights | Woodside | Cellar door with cheese to taste and purchase | More info here
Woodside Providore | Woodside | An Adelaide Hills café/restaurant with style | More info here
Pubs & Hotels
Balhannah Hotel | Balhannah | Recently renovated with great food and local wines, outdoor dining and lawned area. The fab kids menu includes a drink and ice cream sundae in the price of the meal- perfect | More info here
Bridgewater Inn | Bridgewater | Historic hotel that overlooks a creek and Heysen trail, and caters for families | More info here
Charleston Hotel | Charleston | Charming pub in the heart of the Hills. Stop in and experience good pub fare and country hospitality | More info here
Crafers Hotel | Crafers | Stylishly renovated with mouth-watering food, the Crafers hotel is very popular with locals and tourists alike. Make sure to book so you don’t miss out | More info here
Mount Torrens Hotel | Mount Torrens | Historic hotel in the heritage listed town of Mount Torrens. Offers a good kids menu which includes a drink and ice cream | More info here
Oakbank Hotel | Oakbank | Dine on the outdoor deck while the kids run around on the large lawn area below. Perfect pub for families | More info here
The Barker | Mount Barker | Excellent hotel with a large bistro in the leafy Mount Barker main street | More info here
Woodside Hotel | Woodside | Country hospitality in a friendly town, with delicious pub fare | More info here
Shopping for Unique Gifts, Clothes & Homewares
- Field Trip Balhannah | Balhannah | Quality handmade clothing and gifts
- Matilda Bookshop | Stirling | One of the best independent bookstores in SA, with a great range of books for all ages
- Hahndorf Candlemaker | Hahndorf | Browse the amazing range of candles, or make your own!
- Hahndorf Sweets | Hahndorf
- Pony | Charleston | Clothes and homewares, plus a large grassed area for kids to run around on
- Stirling Markets | Stirling | Held on the fourth Sunday of every month
- The Rose & Radish flowers | Piccadilly | A gorgeous roadside flower and produce stall plus online store
- Hahndorf Academy | Hahndorf | An iconic building in Hahndorf which houses the Adelaide Hills Visitor Information Centre, local art, jewellery and crafts, plus a small informative museum about early German settlers.
Accommodation
Looking to make a weekend of it? Check out the Adelaide Hills Visitor Information Centre website for a comprehensive list of available accommodation throughout the Hills.
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.
Image Source: Play & Go Adelaide
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