An Adelaide Hills wellness trail worth the road trip

Kick off your wellness road trip by taking Mount Barker Road towards Stirling, the quintessential gateway to the Adelaide Hills. This leafy village, with its heritage streetscapes and café-lined avenues, is the perfect place to ease into the slower pace of the region.

For a stylish home base, check into one of the stunning villas at Sticky Rice Cooking School, where Japanese-inspired luxury meets culinary adventure. If you’re after something ultra-exclusive, Sequoia Lodge offers a boutique adults-only retreat with panoramic valley views, mineral hot pools and curated wellness experiences.

From Stirling, drive just ten minutes to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and an artistic and cultural hub of the Hills. Stroll beneath the elm-lined streets, popping into treasure troves like Grass Roots Vintage and Hahndorf Antiques & Collectables, or wander through heritage homes turned galleries, such as Hahndorf Academy and Bamfurlong Fine Crafts.

Don’t leave without visiting The Cedars, the former home of renowned landscape artist Hans Heysen, where you can walk through his historic gardens and see the landscapes that inspired his iconic works.

After a restful night, start your morning with a soul-warming coffee and a bite to eat at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market in Mount Barker. This vibrant market brims with organic fruits, handmade pastries, local olive oils and artisanal cheeses – perfect for stocking up on picnic provisions. From there, take a scenic drive to Balhannah, where you can indulge in a slow-food brunch at Lost in a Forest, a quirky wine lounge set inside an old church, serving up wood-fired sourdough pizzas and natural wines.

Next, make your way to Lobethal, a village where wellness and creativity intertwine. Here, Emma & Ivy, a botanical sanctuary and café, serves up wholesome, seasonal fare in a space filled with lush greenery. After lunch, stretch your legs on a mindful walk through Lobethal Bushland Park, a stringybark forest home to echidnas, koalas and an abundance of native birdlife.

Tonight’s stay is at Barristers Block Vigneron Villa, a boutique vineyard escape offering private accommodation overlooking the vines. Spend the evening unwinding with a wine tasting at their cellar door, or simply sit back and watch the sunset with a glass of their signature Shiraz.

Ease into your final day with a visit to @Lenswood to pick your own apples before a scenic drive to Gumeracha, a town surrounded by rolling olive groves and farm gates offering fresh produce straight from the source. If you’re craving an outdoor adventure, detour to Mount Torrens, where the surrounding trails offer breathtaking hikes through rugged bushland.

Before heading back to the city, make a stop at Paracombe Premium Perry, where you can tour the pear orchards and try your hand at blending your own cider – an experience that’s as refreshing as it is rewarding.

Finally, wrap up your Adelaide Hills escape with a feel-good meal at Topiary, a sustainability-focused restaurant nestled within Newman’s Nursery at Tea Tree Gully. Here, the menu is a love letter to the land, with ingredients grown in the surrounding gardens or foraged from nearby bushland. It’s the perfect last stop before making your way back to Adelaide, feeling refreshed, reconnected and already planning your next trip to this stunning wellness haven.

Jurlique Farm: If you love botanical beauty and natural skincare, a visit to the Jurlique Farm is a must. Wander through fragrant lavender fields, rose gardens and herbal plantations while learning about the biodynamic practices behind one of Australia’s most iconic skincare brands.

Mt Lofty Wheels and Wildlife e-mountain bike tour: For something a little more adventurous, Bike About will take you through the stunning trails of the Adelaide Hills on an electric mountain bike, making the ride effortless and enjoyable. Along the way, spot native wildlife, soak in breathtaking views and enjoy a guided journey that blends fitness, nature and fun.

Woodhouse Adventure Park: Perfect for families, this outdoor adventure haven offers everything from climbing challenges and ziplines to orienteering courses and epic tube slides. With plenty of space to roam and explore, it’s a great way to get active while surrounded by the beautiful Adelaide Hills bushland.

Morialta Wilderness and Wildlife Hike: This three hour guided walk with Pure SA takes you through rugged gorges, waterfalls, and stringybark forests, where koalas and native birdlife are a common sight. The hike offers the perfect mix of adventure and mindfulness, immersing you in the untouched beauty of Morialta Conservation Park.

Ayurveda Village: The ideal spot for an Adelaide Hills retreat, Ayurveda Village offers personalised wellness programs rooted in ancient Ayurvedic healing traditions. Enjoy rejuvenating treatments, nourishing meals and expert guidance designed to restore balance to the body, mind and spirit.

Longview Vineyard and Day Spa: A luxurious escape combining the best of wine and wellness, Longview Vineyard offers stunning vineyard views paired with indulgent spa treatments. Sip on award-winning wines, unwind with a relaxing massage in the day spa and soak in the tranquillity of this scenic Adelaide Hills retreat.