Need a holiday but only have a day to spare? The Adelaide Hills are only a short 20-minute drive from the CBD. Grab your besties, put on your favourite tunes and embark on a quintessential girl’s day out that’d make Thelma and Louise proud. Go on, be pampered in luxury and indulge in the finer things in life – you know you want to.
Day Trip Highlights
Start your morning with the ultimate pamper session at Gate Keeper’s Day Spa, Mount Lofty House. Prepare to leave relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for the day ahead. Discover incredible seasonal flavours and inventive combinations at Summertown Aristologist, catching up over coffee, and say ‘cheers!’ with a glass of local biodynamic wine at Ngeringa. After daydreaming of living in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, check out the large blocks of land and beautiful environment at Newenham, then head to Storison to treat yourself to some local shopping, and finally browse the Stirling Market or the meander the main street. Stay for a luxury sleepover in their villa accommodation and drive to work the next morning so you can tell the work crew all about your stellar weekend away.
Newenham Drive_Maps_Besties_Day_Out
Click here to download a copy of the map.
Day Trip Itinerary
First Stop: The Ultimate Indulgence
Gate Keepers Day Spa (Mount Lofty House)
Two of our favourite things about Mount Lofty House – it’s just 20-minutes from Adelaide and it’s home to the beautiful Gate Keeper’s Day Spa. Start the day here. Trust us, you’ll have bestie brownie points forever. The spa opens at 9am, so you can wake up from within the warmth of their clay body wraps, or from under the seasoned hands of their massage therapists. Customise your rejuvenating sensory journey to relax and unwind like never before, with treatments and rituals up to three hours-long. Go on, you deserve it.
Stop 2. A Culinary Catch-Up
Hop back in the car for a 10-minute drive through the scenic Hills route, winding past the Botanic Gardens and Cleland Conservation Park, before arriving at the Summertown Aristologist. Here you’ll find a seasonal lunch menu with a spotlight on fascinating ingredients, guaranteed to ignite your tastebuds. Grab a coffee while you decide on a few flavourful dishes to share and compare, finishing off with a sweet treat for dessert. There’s nothing like good food, great company and conversation, to remind us of the important things in life.
Lost in a Forest of Uraidla (closed January 2024)
Unfortunately this amazing location serving heaven on earth pizzas has closed. Your alternative in the same location and just across the road would be the Uraidla Republic Cafe, Bakery & Brewery.
Stop 3: Wine and Recline … Ngeringa
To continue on with your indulgence, why not sit back, sip and relax at a local winery? Ngeringa is a favourite for foodies and wine-lovers alike, with all wines grown, made and bottled on their property. The property is also a certified biodynamic farm, once part of the Jurlique property, which not only produces biodynamic wine but also amazing produce as well. While the cellar door is open for tastings, you can also join the team for a special paddock-to-plate experience held on occasional Sundays throughout the year.
Stop 4: Snap up a vintage find … Little Ms Waste-Not Vintage
Pop in and check out this quirky little store with a passion for pre-loved vintage items. The staff adore making people feel fantastic by helping you create a new style and look that makes your smile bigger and your walk “swaggier” – you never know what treasures you and your bestie will find in here.
Stop 5: Discover the tree-change … Newenham Adelaide Hills
Are you in love with the Adelaide Hills yet? Head to Mount Barker and discover Newenham – a place designed for wellbeing, where nature, thoughtful design and community values combine. From larger allotments and a focus on natural open spaces and active lifestyles living at Newenham will be something truly special. A beautifully restored cottage is where you’ll find the Newenham Information Centre, pop in and see how easy it is to make your home in this beautiful pocket of the Adelaide Hills.
If you arrive before 3.30pm on the weekend you can also pop into The Kitchen Farm Pantry now located in our lovingly restored barn, open seven days a week Monday – Friday: 8am – 3pm and Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 3:30pm, serving a delicious range of fresh local produce including light brunch options, juices, hot coffee and sweet treats.
Stop Five: Browse a boutique … Storison Hahndorf
A day out with your bestie wouldn’t be quite complete without a little retail therapy. This lovely little store has long been a staple on Hahndorf’s main street and definitely worth a visit when you hit the Hills for the day. Well known for stocking a unique range of locally crafted goodies as well as beautifully designed homewares, jewellery and giftware, you’ll find it hard to peel yourself away from its loveliness. Owner Carolyn is always up for a chat, and you’re sure to walk out with a treat or two to remember your trip.
Stop Six: Meander the Stirling Main Street … Stirling Market / Main Street
If you happen to be here on a Sunday, make sure you take the time to wander the beautiful Stirling Markets (held on the fourth Sunday of the month). Browse the local stalls, chat with the creators and producers, and pick up some goodies for yourself along the way. If the markets aren’t on, simply peruse the leafy Stirling streets – the main drag (Mount Baker Road) is stunning at every time of year. With gift stores the likes of Three Birds and Milan Rouge, and providores like The Organic Market, you’ll be spoilt for choice on your afternoon stroll. Green thumb? You could even pop into the popular Cleveland nursery to get some tips and take home a new leafy friend.
After your fun-filled day, head back to Adelaide, only 20-minutes via the South Eastern Freeway, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and start planning next weekend’s day trip to the Adelaide Hills.
View our four other themed day trips here:-
Read and download the map for An Ultimate Family Day Out
Read and download the map for A Nature Experience
Read and download the map for A Food & Wine Experience
Read and download the map for A Mates and Motors Day Out
