Following the Adelaide Hills sculpture trail is a great way to explore the region. Completed in 2019, the trail takes you to some of the Adelaide Hills most picturesque towns and beyond.
The Adelaide Hills is also well known for its wines. As you make your way around the sculpture trail, we mention a few of the wineries you’ll be near. They are the perfect place for a lovely meal and, of course, a very nice drink.
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Read More: All the best things to do in the Adelaide Hills
Contents
Bridgewater
As you follow the main road out of Stirling you’ll soon arrive in the village of Aldgate (no sculptures but a great pub, coffee shop and bakery) then Bridgewater. You’ll find the sculpture in the playground adjacent to the Bridgewater Mill.
Things to do around Bridgewater
- Have a fine dining experience at the historic Bridgewater Mill
- Walk along Cox Creek to Arbury Park. The walk begins near the Mill. It’s about an hour return trip. Highlights are the birdlife and walking through the tunnel under the train track.
- After the walk relax in the beer garden at the Bridgewater Hotel. Or, skip the walk and go straight to beer garden – it works either way!
Bridgewater Wineries
Read More : Click here for a detailed Adelaide Hills Accommodation Guide
Hahndorf
As if you needed another reason to visit the German themed town of Hahndorf, it also has a couple of sculptures. One is in the main street. The other is in The Cedars – the Hans Heysen museum.
If you are determined to tick off all the sculptures, the one in The Cedars could be the trickiest. It was tucked away on a hill at the time of writing but is apparently going to be relocated. Best do what we did and ask the staff in The Cedars where it is.
Things to do around Hahndorf
- Explore the German heritage in the main street of Hahndorf
- Since you are there, go through the Hans Heysen museum at the Cedars
- Visit Beerenberg for strawberry picking and a farmhouse full of yummy sauces, marinades, and jams
Hahndorf Wineries
Read More : Spend the Day in Hahndorf
Mount Barker
Mount Barker is rapidly becoming one of the largest cities outside of Adelaide. There are 8 sculptures scattered between housing developments, parks and the main shopping precinct. Leave those in Keith Stephenson Reserve to last. It’s a nice place to relax.
Things to do around Mount Barker
- Laratinga Wetlands. There are some lovely walks around and over the wetlands. There is abundant birdlife. At the right time of year, the frogs are almost deafening!
- Mount Barker is home to the Steam Ranger Heritage railway. Take the Cockle Train to the coastal town of Victor Harbor and back
- Enjoy the views from Mount Barker Summit
Littlehampton & Nairne
Just out of Mount Barker are the adjoining townships of Littlehampton and Nairne. The sculptures for each town are on the main road.
Things to do around Littlehampton
- Laratinga Wetlands. There are some lovely walks around and over the wetlands. There is abundant birdlife. At the right time of year, the frogs are almost deafening!
- Mount Barker is home to the Steam Ranger Heritage railway. Take the Cockle Train to the coastal town of Victor Harbor and back
- Enjoy the views from Mount Barker Summit
Balhannah
Balhannah’s sculpture is in Johnston Memorial Park right next to the oval. It’s a great looking piece that honours the Adelaide Hill’s cycling culture.
Things to do around Balhannah
- Harben Vale cherries – go cherry picking in December and January
- Go for a bike ride on the Amy Gillet Bike path which begins in Balhannah
- Visit Left Barrel Brewing – they make beer, but not as you know it!
Balhannah Wineries
- Nepenthe
- Shaw + Smith
- Romney Park Wines
Read More : Explore Adelaide Hills, Barossa or McLaren Vale with a Mystery Picnic
Woodside
This attractive sculpture is in a park on the main road into Woodside near the town’s sporting precinct.
Things to do around Woodside
- Melba’s chocolates – it’s a South Australian institution!
- If you don’t have a sweet tooth, next door to Melba’s, is Woodside Cheese Wrights
- Book a Mystery Weekend Away
Lobethal
Lobethal’s sculpture is right outside the old Wool Mills. The historic precinct is a great place to start your look around Lobethal. The area has recently become a craft hub – Fabrik – that regularly holds events and exhibitions.
Things to do around Lobethal
- Try a craft beer at local microbrewery the Lobethal Bierhaus
- Lobethal is best known for its Christmas lights display. It’s a must see if you visit in December
- Head a few minutes out the road to visit the Big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory at Gumeracha
Read More : Visit Gumeracha’s Big Rocking Horse
Mt Torrens
Mount Torrens is a quiet little town settled in 1830. It has the distinction of being declared a state heritage area. The town’s sculpture is easy to find on the main street.
Things to do around Mt Torrens
- Follow the self-guided 1.5km Mount Torrens heritage trail and learn about the history of the town and see many of its historic buildings
Mt Torrens Wineries
- Lobethal Road
- Mt Bera Cellar Door
- Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard
Meadows & Macclesfield
These towns, less than 10 minutes apart, both have lovely main streets with great hotels and bakeries to try. Meadows’ sculpture is on the main street, Macclesfield’s is located just out of town at Crystal Lake Park.
Things to do around Meadows
- Crystal lake was once a local swimming pool. Crystal Park was home to the Stone Sculpting Symposium. Around the park, as well the official sculpture trail piece, you will find other works done at the symposium
- In Meadows, walk the 2.5 km self-guided heritage trail
- The state managed timber plantation Kuitpo Forest is 10 minutes from Meadows. It is a great place for camping, walks and off road cycling
Meadows Wineries
- Longview Vineyard
- Karrawatta Wines
- Perrini Estate Winery
Mount Compass
While also not strictly a Hills town, Mount Compass is set in a nice valley and, for what it is worth, had one of our favourite sculptures. It is off the main road. Look for signs to the Mount Compass Wetlands near the IGA supermarket.
Things to do around Mt Compass
- Walk around the wetlands and look out for rare plants and animals like the emu wren
- Visit Harvest the Fleurieu for a mouth-watering range of local fresh produce
Strathalbyn
Strathalbyn is just out of the Adelaide Hills but still gets a sculpture. It is one of the bigger towns on the trail, but it still has loads of charm and a lovely riverbank precinct.
Things to do around Strathalbyn
- If you enjoy antiques, Strath’ is your town. Explore the many antique shops around High Street
- The 5km return River Angus Walkway – especially in spring
- Buy lunch or take a picnic and enjoy the Soldiers Memorial Gardens
Strathalbyn Wineries
- Sandergrove Estate Wines
- Early Day Vineyards
- Belvidere Winery
Langhorne Creek
This is another town that finds itself not in the Adelaide Hills but on the Adelaide Hills Sculpture Trail. The town is midway between the Hills and the Coorong. It has a nice sculpture and even better wines.
Things to do around Langhorne Creek
- Langhorne Creek is all about wineries. A few of the many in the area are listed here!
Milang
Situated on the shore of Lake Alexandrina, it’s anyone’s guess what Milang is doing on the Adelaide Hills Sculpture Trail. But here it is, and what a great place for a sculpture!
Things to do around Milang
- Visit the Port Milang Historic Railway Museum
- Have fish and chips on the bank of Lake Alexandrina and look out for some Coorong pelicans
- In late January, go to the Yesterdays Power Rally on the Milang oval
Milang Wineries
- Old Mill Estate Wines
- Matilda Plains Winery
- Brothers in Arms Winery
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