Little Lolly's Small Adventures: Port Adelaide. Excursion: Hahndorf & the Adelaide Hills.

Singers welcoming guests on arrival at the port terminal.

It was a lovely sunny day, good for a day out. Soon after the Maasdam docked guests went ashore to explore the nearby town, others went on tours.

My assigned tour group was soon on its way, leaving the Port Adelaide for a brief drive through the city of Adelaide. We passed by places such Government House, the University of South Australia, the Botanic Gardens and St Peter’s Cathedral before heading up Adelaide Hills. In the hills we eventually reached Mt Lofty where we were able to take pictures of the views over Adelaide and out to sea. I remember the last time I visited Mt Lofty it was drizzling a bit and misty. Today was way better and the views were pretty.

View from Mt Lofty

From Mt Lofty we continued along the winding roads in the Adelaide Hills to the German town of Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. The history about the village is interesting. You can read further about it on this website which I found: http://hahndorfsa.org.au/history.html There is still quite a bit of German influence in the village today: some cafes and restaurants serve German cuisine as do the local bakeries and the old style architecture of the buildings is lovely. There are a few 19th-century churches; a souvenir shop was once the blacksmith’s shop and the Hahndorf Academy is now an Art Gallery.

Hahndorf - a figure in his cart but no horse!

As I wandered around the village I came across a range of different shops: antique, books, clothing, shoes, minerals, cuckoo clocks, hand-crafted leather goods, hand made soaps, candle makers and much more. It is a quaint village and I enjoyed walking down the tree lined street, visiting the shops and taking in the sights. There were 3 home-made fudge shops in the village and I ended up getting some fudge before we left. Yes, disgustingly nice! There was only just enough time to walk around the village but I think more time is needed to appreciate the place. I didn't get time to visit the museums or memorial gardens but maybe I will be back there one day. Guests boarded the bus, loaded with all sorts of gifts and goodies. A few had had a meal in one of the cafe's and restaurants.

Sleepy koala

On our way back to Adelaide our driver took us via a different route back to Adelaide and the Port of Adelaide. It was a chance to catch a glimpse of koalas in the wild. Two koalas were spotted along the way and our driver brought the bus to a stop at rest stop at the side of the road where we were able to see them. Guests were delighted.

Some guests wanted to be dropped off in Adelaide to do a bit of sight-seeing and shopping so our driver made a brief unscheduled stop; and our guide gave them instructions on how to get back to the port. Fortunately the ship is leaving quite late tonight so guests will also have time to have an evening meal in town. I feel sorry for Paul because he will be working very late tonight, not to mention an early start tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow the Maasdam will set anchor just off Kangaroo Island. We hope the weather holds. Last year we had to cancel going to the island because of bad weather.