A little bit of Bavaria in Adelaide’s backyard, Hahndorf is proud of its German heritage. In 1839, fifty-two Lutheran families fled Prussia to escape religious persecution and ended up in Hahndorf. The tightly-knit community prospered, but when the First World War broke out German-speakers encountered hostility from other Australians. For a while, Hahndorf changed its name to Ambeleside to disguise its German origins, but reverted to its original name in 1935. Other German villages in the Adelaide Hills also changed their names, but not all were changed back to their original ones after the war.
It is located about 30 minutes southeast of Adelaide. Hahndorf won’t let you forget where you are; almost every restaurant includes the word "German" in its name and many of the original structures have been preserved. Hahndorf is included on the World Heritage List as a Historical German Settlement. One of the best bakeries is the German Cape Shop, and then there is Karl’s German Coffee House.
The Cedars on Heysen Road was the home of Australian artist Hans Heysen and has been preserved in its original state. The Hahndorf Academy on Main Street includes a museum, a craft shop and an art gallery with some of Heysen’s collection.
At the Beerenberg Stawberry Farm on Mt. Baker Road, you can pick your own strawberries, October- May. Jams, pickles and other strawberry ideas are all on sale in the farm shop open Monday through Friday.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church was built in 1890. In the late 19th century, brides sometimes arrived at this church in a wagon wearing the traditional black wedding gown and a wreath of green and white leaves in their hair. Couples married there today are often fourth or fifth generations of their family to do so.