Mount Lofty Range Things to Do

The Big Rocking Horse & Toy factory is located in Gumeracha, in the Adelaide Hills, just a 40minute drive by car.

As you pass through Gumeracha, you will see it on your right, you can't miss it, as its 18metres high. Years ago, I climbed to the top for views, done it once, that will do for me! On the way to the top, there are three viewing platforms located at different levels, so you don't have to go right to the top.

If you want good quality wooden toys, then this is the place. The toys are made and sold in the factory, and there is a huge selection. There is also a cafe and outdoor eating/picnic area, and a wildlife park, where the children can feed and pat the animals.

Its open from 9-5pm daily and Admission is FREE.

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You can visit both of these places on the same day.
Depart from Adelaide following Glen Osmond road, that goes into Highway 1, and continue to the town of Crafers. Here you turn off ,and at the end of the exit, take the Summit road on the left at the roundabout. As you drive along, you will see the historic beautiful "Mt. Lofty House" which is a Grand Mecure Hotel now.
A little further on is the Summit, here there is a restaurant, cafe and gift shop. The views are excellent, on a clear day, you should see Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula.

Next, head in the same direction, and take the turnoff to the left to Cleland Wildlife Reserve, a favorite park of mine when my children were smaller!
Its lovely here, you wander around in amongst the Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emus, and through large walk through Avairies.
You might find feeding the Emus a bit scary! but they do not hurt you.

YOU CAN ALSO CUDDLE A KOALA, and have your photo taken, there is an extra charge for this. This is held between 11-12 and 2-4pm daily.
You can also have a professional photo taken, these are put into a special folder which makes a nice souvenir.
Cost in 2011 is $30 per person

Coming out, head in the same direction and this will take you to the Greenhill road, which will take you back to Adelaide. The views from this road are excellent, and coming down it at night, you get a fantastic view of the twinkling lights of Adelaide.

Cleland is open 9.30 - 5pm daily.

Admission in 2011........
Adult$17.00, Child $10.00, Family $46.00

The Gorge wildlife park is located at Cudlee Creek which is on the Gorge road scenic drive. This is a great place to see the Australian Animals, all in one place, as well as lots and lots of Birds. Also, a rare Albino Kangaroo and Wombat.

What makes this park different, is that you can buy food and feed the animals, and...............

You can CUDDLE A KOALA WITH NO EXTRA CHARGE, and TAKE PHOTOS WITH NO EXTRA CHARGE
This can be done at 11.30, 1.30 & 3.30pm, unless it's an extremely hot Adelaide day, when its too hot for them to be held, so its only available once.

I know my children loved this park, and not only children, but oversea's visitors and local's alike enjoy it too!

The drive to the park is scenic as you follow the Gorge road. It really makes a nice, day's outing.

Open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9am - 5pm.

Admission Prices in 2011.........
Adults $14
Children (3-15yrs) $8
Students and Concession (Age & Disability) $11
Family passes start at $38 (2 Adults & 2 Children

Private service which departs from Modbury Interchange at Tea Tree Plaza.

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This is a beautiful time to visit the Adelaide Hills.
Head up the South Eastern Freeway to Stirling, you have to exit off the main highway, this makes the town a lot quieter. Stirling has lots of huge Oak Trees, these were planted in 1890. Druids avenue is a beautiful spot. Stirling is known for the well -off people, with their large stately old homes amongst beautiful gardens. Because of the Climate, 4 distinct seasons, in Spring the bulbs are in full bloom. Some gardens are open to the public.

Further on is Aldgate, another pretty spot with lots of Autumn leaves, and the historic Aldgate Pump Hotel, built in 1864. The Hotel does good meals.

Next, Bridgewater, and here is the Old water Mill, that is now a restaurant.

The Mount Lofty Botanic gardens are a picture at this time of the year too. They are located on Piccadilly road, Piccadilly.

FREE GUIDED WALKS are given, leaving from the carpark at 10.30am during Autumn and Spring.
Open weekdays from 8.30 - 4pm and weekends from 10 -5 pm

This is a beautiful days outing if you have a car.

Marble Hill is a small town in the Adelaide Hills, but it is probably more well known because of its ruins. These are of the former summer residence[built 1878],of the Governor of South Australia, which was destroyed in the Black Sunday bushfire of 1955. Only the tower was ever restored.

Its ruins are open to the public on the second Sunday of every month. You can wander around, have a light lunch in the tea rooms or take a picnic lunch and enjoy the views from the ranges to the sea.

Norton Summit is one of the oldest towns in South Australia, being settled in 1837 just months after European settlement by Englishman Robert Norton. The town is also a family home of former South Australian Premier Sir Thomas Playford.
Set amongst lots of Orchards, you can buy fruit fresh from the Orchadist, and if you come in Springtime, [Sep/Oct/Nov], the orchard's will be ablaze with blossom.
There are lots of lovely homes and quaint cottages, this is one very pretty area.

Autumn [Mar/April/May], also is a lovely time to visit, as this is when the leaves colour. Remember, you are in the Adelaide Hills, and it is cool in autumn and Spring, cold in Winter.

In Norton Summit is the Scenic Hotel with a balcony which offers stunning views over the Hills to Adelaide.

A pretty, must visit area of the hills

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This is....
THE WORLD'S LARGEST CONTINUING MOTORING EVENT.
It is held every every 2nd year on the last weekend of September. It was held this September, so the next one will be in 2010, 2012, etc.
1200 vehicles entered in the one this year, all of them have to be built before the end of 1955.

The day starts early at West Beach, Adelaide, where you can enjoy a "breakfast with the cars"
This is a good opportunity to have a look at the cars.
At 9am, the cars are flagged off, one at a time, with the majority of owners dressed in the outfits of the era of the car, a great sight to see. They head up Anzac Highway to North East road to Birdwood, where they finish at the Motor Museum.
Pull up on the side of the road anywhere where there is room, put a rug down on the grass, and sit and watch the Vintage and Veteran Cars, Trucks, Caravans and Motorbikes go past.

We really enjoy seeing the old cars!
Once you see the crowds lining the roads, you soon realize this is a great spectator event, and of course, its FREE, unless you go into the Museum where they finish.

Birdwood is 44kms from Adelaide. This is where the museum is located in the Old Blumberg Flower mill, which is in the main street
Over 300 different cars and motor cycles are on display. Also, you can buy a catalogue, which has descriptions & photos of the cars etc. on display.
Exhibitions of different car groups are held at different times.

Open from 10 - 5pm daily....Closed: Christmas Day

Admission in 2011......
Adult: $9.00
Child: $4.00 (children under 5 free)
Family: $24.00 (2 adults, up to 6 children)

Oakbank is located in the Adelaide Hills, not far from Hahndorf.

The area of Oakbank was opened up by James & William Johnston who came to Sth. Australia by ship in 1839.
They built the Brewery "Johnston's Brewery" by the Onkaparinga river. They also had an english stonemason come out to build their two houses which are standing today. One is "Oakbank house" and the other "Dalintober"
The Brewery still sells to the public, only its cordial and soft drinks now.

A second brewery was founded in 1885 by Henry Pike, and was known as "Pike's dorset brewery"
This is still a landmark today, only now it houses the "Oakbank weavers and crafts"

In the main street is an old Oak tree, which is said to have come from an acorn that was carried in James Johnston's pocket when he came out from the Oak Bank district of Glasgow.
There are quite a few large Oak trees around this district.

Oakbank is situated in the pretty Onkaparinga valley, and is only a short drive from Adelaide, and there are many round tours that can be done so you don't cover the same ground twice.
Dairy cattle, vineyards, olive groves, Apple, Pear and Cherry orchards, vegetables and horse studs, this is a fertile, scenic valley.