The Adelaide Hills - Living, Working, Visiting, Enjoying!

Tilbrook Estate Cellar Door - Lobethal

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:03:00 +0000

The Adelaide Hills have developed a fantastic reputation for producing distinctive, high quality wines. And deservedly so. With over 50 cellar doors and more than 90 wine labels, the Adelaide Hills is Australia's most vibrant cool climate wine region, all set against a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Like me, you probably love a good wine. But with so many Adelaide Hills cellar doors and so many labels where do you start to sample the best that the region has to offer?

A particular favourite of mine is Tilbrook Estate. Tilbrook Estate is a boutique winery (one of the smallest grape to bottle wineries in the Adelaide Hills) producing fantastic wines in the rustic ambience of the Old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills in Lobethal (40 minutes from Adelaide). The Tilbrook Estate vineyard is located only a short drive from the cellar door, between Lobethal and Lenswood. Lenswood is known Australia wide for its quality apples and pears, but it is also one of the coolest wine grape growing areas in the Adelaide Hills. This results in some breathtaking wines of a very high standard, with the winery probably best known for their Reserve Chardonnay and Late Harvest Botrytis Pinot Gris.

The philosophy behind Tilbrook Estate is simple: "Hand made by our hands". In this day and age that is an increasingly rare commodity. A visit to Tilbrook's cellar door offers the visitor the opportunity to view a working winery, talk directly with the winemaker and sample the range of award-winning wines.

In an addition to the existing range, Tilbrook Estate recently released a sparkling variety named Moneypenny - a reference to the character from the James Bond novels (James' mother worked for British Intelligence). In keeping with the "hand made by our hands" philosophy, this sparkling is made in a very traditional French style using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. These are whole bunch pressed, fermented in tank, with the second fermentation in bottle and then disgorged by hand. The result is a very fine sparkling indeed!

For a unique Adelaide Hills experience, I highly recommend Tilbrook Estate's "Licenced to Chill" package. This includes a structured tasting of their range of wines, private tour of the winery, barrel and tank tasting, and disgorging your own sparkling! Follow this with a cheese platter and your own bottle of personally disgorged sparkling Moneypenny - a very chilled way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon! You'll need to book in advance but I highly recommend it.

If sparkling isn't your thing, Tilbrook Estate produces a range of reds and whites, including a stunning Reserve Syrah and my personal favourite, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. All wines are available for tasting at the cellar door, and for purchase by the glass or by the bottle. In addition to being a skilled winemaker, James Tilbrook can also whip up a brilliant coffee which you can enjoy with a range of Emmalines cakes and biscuits (also produced in Lobethal). It all makes for a perfectly relaxing afternoon!

The cellar door also welcomes groups if you want to gather some friends together, book ahead and make a day of it. Group bookings will be treated to a unique Adelaide Hills Wine Region experience including a tour of the winery with barrel and tank tasting. This unique opportunity allows visitors to experience how wine develops differently depending on whether it is matured via tank or barrel. You'll experience how different French oaks influence the flavour of wines, and during vintage period discover how wines taste at different stages of development. For the wine enthusiast this presents a unique opportunity to be immersed in the process and bask in the passion of a craftsman winemaker.

Tilbrook Estate is one of the Adelaide Hills best kept secrets. The ambience of the Old Woollen Mill and the passion of the winemaker make this a must-see destination on any Adelaide Hills itinerary. Highly recommended!

Visit Tilbrook Estate website

Tilbrook Estate, Building 17, Old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills, Lobethal. Phone 8389 5318

Stirling Market

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:45:00 +0000

I don’t know about you but it’s usually about this time of the week that I start to get excited about the weekend. The Adelaide Hills are in full autumn glory at the moment- leaves changing colour, grass turning to lush green, that slight chill in the morning air. One of the best spots to enjoy this blaze of colour is Stirling, and this Sunday is market day!

Despite many efforts to the contrary, Adelaide isn’t renowned for its market culture – the plethora of market failures in recent years are testament to this. Stirling Market has bucked this trend and become the benchmark for other markets to be measured against by having a strongly held vision which they have remained true to, resulting in a market of exceptional quality.

On the fourth Sunday of every month Druid Avenue closes to traffic and the street becomes abuzz of market umbrellas and gazebos as the market traders move in. More than just a market, a visit to the Stirling Market is shopping heaven if you’re looking for something different, something handmade, something special…

Among the stallholders you’ll find original artworks, sculptures, furniture, homewares, clothing, fresh baked products, skincare, as well as cutting edge fashion and jewellery by local designers, all guided by the ethos of “make, bake, grow, sew”. This is a market forged on quality – no mass-produced, tacky, imported junk here. In most cases the person selling you the item is the person who made the item, and they’re all more than happy to talk to you about their product. You will find things here that you won’t find elsewhere. Personally, I’m not the mass-produced, Ikea-loving type. I like decorating with unique pieces and that’s what brings me back here time after time.

Quality food and produce is my passion. Foodie’s in particular will love this market – homemade pies, German gourmet hot-dogs, curries, wine. There is a wealth of fresh produce – including fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly baked breads and locally made cheeses. There’s also a fine offering of plants from various growers – all great quality and fabulous prices.

Being just off of the main thoroughfare of Stirling, banks are plentiful so access to cash at ATMs is easy. Stirling is also a great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you want to spend some time in this beautiful town. You’ll find me having breakfast with the family at Tranquilo every market Sunday. The food is always brilliant (the Salt and Pepper Squid and Open Steak Sandwich are lunch favourites), but it is the attentive customer service that keeps me coming back. For coffee lovers, this is probably the best coffee hit you’ll get in the Adelaide Hills and they do a fine breakfast that will power you on for most of the day! The Stirling Hotel is also fabulous having recently undergone a major refurbishment. A fine selection of local beers and ciders on tap, and a fabulous menu coupled with beautiful surroundings makes this a place to wile away a lazy Sunday in the Adelaide Hills.

Stirling is less than 15 minutes from the CBD via the freeway. From here you’re within easy reach of Mount Lofty, Bridgewater and Hahndorf. Whether you come just for the market or make it part of a hills daytrip, a visit to the Stirling Market is a must for this weekends itinerary!

Who said the best things in life aren't things?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:43:00 +0000

To my regular followers, this is not a post about the Adelaide Hills. I promise to get back on track with a cool Adelaide Hills blog later today, but I firstly needed to share a confession.

I crossed an invisible line yesterday. The line between not being the owner of an iPhone and being the owner of an iPhone. For the past 19 months since starting my latest mobile phone contract, I’ve convinced myself that I don’t NEED an iPhone. I’m not anti-Apple. It’s not like I’m a crazed neo-Luddite. My Samsung phone is perfectly fine. Why do I NEED an iPhone?

I’ve watched as people around me have become indoctrinated into the Apple family. At work it’s not much of a concern – I work alone in my Lobethal office 4 days out of 5. Sure, the clients who visit, the tenants on-site, the winemakers, the businesspeople and most of the tourists who come in have the mark of the Apple beast. In social circles it’s worse – people comparing apps and ringtones, merrily networking across tables and laughing at the in jokes that only the cool people know. But even with all that, I’ve still managed to convince myself that I don’t NEED one.

It’s funny because I was always the innovator or at least the early adopter. In 1994, I had a part-time job delivering KFC (yep, for a little while there in the mid-90’s KFC did home delivery – those were the days!). I drove a 1978 Datsun 280ZX, listened to Nirvana, worked hard and played hard. I had a large social circle and I was always the first in the pool. So being the cool hip thing I was I just had to have one of those new mobile phones. It was the first thing I ever had on credit - I can’t remember what I paid for it back then but it was a small fortune. It was the ironically named Motorola 9660 Ultra Sleek (aka The Brick). 33cm tall and weighing over a kilo this thing could cause serious blunt force trauma if swung correctly. I was the first of my friends to own one and I thought I was shit hot. I still have the phone – it makes a cool conversation piece now.

I later became a Nokia owner and went through five or six different models – always staying one step ahead of everyone else, always the innovator. But then in 2000 I moved to Brisbane. My social circle changed and so did my priorities. I stopped being the innovator. I stopped being the early adopter. I still liked to have a phone – it’s a necessity, right? It just didn’t have to be the current flavour of the month. I became the early majority. I got into a Nokia rut and didn’t care too much about the features. Then we had kids and priorities changed again. It wasn’t until 18 months ago that I upgraded and got a Samsung (not even a good Samsung), because I still didn’t think I NEEDED an iPhone. I was officially the laggard.

Until yesterday. I won a competition. One of those in 25 words or less tell us such and such about our great product (so great I don’t remember what I said or what the product was!). I became an iPhone owner.

Has my world changed? Yeah! Like George Costanza said in the Seinfeld massage episode: “I think it moved”. Just like in the Bible I was blind but now I see.

People have told me that’s why there’s a bite out of the apple in the Apple logo – it symbolises something you are missing, something the product will supply, something that once tasted you want more of. Others say they put the bite in the logo so it would look less like a cherry. Well my cherry has been popped baby. I’m no longer the Apple virgin. I have arrived.

Things that go bump in the night

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:40:00 +0000

A few nights back we were sitting in the lounge watching TV when there were sounds of movement from our fireplace. Scratching and scurrying. We’ve got a fireplace with an old cast iron insert and a flue door that closes in the summer months. Being the Adelaide Hills and with the cooler night time temperatures I dismissed it as being a mouse. Happens every year – until it gets cool enough to light the fire – they don’t hang around for long then! Not a big fan of mice; they’re dirty, smelly, diseased little creatures that shit everywhere! They make me feel unclean. My dogs love them – it’s the Jack Russell instinct.

Same noise happened the next night too, and the one after that. I was about to put a packet of Ratsac on my list of essential purchases on my next shopping trip.

But last night was different. The scratching and scurrying gave way to a chirping and squeaking. A pang of guilt swept over me. It must be a bird stuck in the chimney! I didn’t care when it was a mouse – I figured you got in, you can get out (those things can squeeze through some crazy gaps!). But a bird? What if it has a broken wing? What if it’s in pain?

Not having a torch I used the next best thing and grabbed my phone (thanks for the flashlight app!). I pushed open the little cast iron door in the fireplace and shone the light in. Staring back at me from the darkness was this:

A ring-tail possum! Poor little bugger must have been running across our roof, lost his balance and fallen down the chimney. And I’d ignored him for days!

Being the manly man that I am I instantly jumped into action mode. I closed the flue door, and got prepared for battle. I knew I had to get him out but I wasn’t just going to stick my hand in there and pull. Have you seen what a possum can do to a man? They’re savage little bastards when backed into a corner! I pictured claws, razor sharp teeth and shredded flesh. I quickly donned two long sleeve tshirts, a hoodie, two pairs of trackies, my hiking boots and a pair of riggers gloves. I moved the leather lounge out of the room – I had this image of an hysterical possum getting out of my grasp, swinging from the curtains and tearing strips off my furniture as retaliation for my ignoring his plight.

Meanwhile, my better half has calmly rung the lovely volunteers at Native Fauna Rescue SA. If you don’t know about them you should look them up, and if you’re an animal lover with some space in your home and free time on your hands you should consider volunteering. We were referred to a local volunteer who was only too happy to come out and assist with the rescue. Only problem was they had just had a call from another person who had just found a koala which had been hit by a car – obviously a life and death situation. They would come out and assist us later in the night – they estimated around midnight!

We decided to chance opening the chimney flue door and bribing the possum with fruit. I opened the front door of the house and we sat quietly in the corner waiting for any sign of movement. After about 20 minutes a little furry face appeared, and my possum friend crawled out into the fireplace and onto the lounge room floor. He looked at us and we looked at him. I was still picturing an episode of “When Animals Attack”, or the scene from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation when a psychotic squirrel launches itself from the Christmas Tree. But our friendly possum only wanted one thing – freedom. Without a wave goodbye, he sauntered casually to the front door, onto our driveway and up the nearest tree. And we haven’t seen him since.

It was a different way to spend a Sunday night! Much better than watching TV. It gave us a story to tell and my wife got yet another opportunity to laugh at my calmness under pressure! Gotta love living in the Adelaide Hills!

The Adelaide Hills - Price Marks, Trust Marks and Love Marks

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 04:37:00 +0000

In brand management we’ve been discussing what a brand is from the perspective of Price Marks, Trust Marks and Love Marks (as per Uncles text “Perspectives on Brand Management”). You’re probably wondering what this has to do with a blog on the Adelaide Hills. Everything and nothing I suppose. I just thought it might be cool to try and keep with the Adelaide Hills theme and mix a travel blog with some marketing insight. Happy to take the criticism....

Price Marks

It’s apple and pear season in the Adelaide Hills and harvest is in full swing. Excellent quality and above average yields, but a depressed market brought about by a high Aussie dollar impacting exports and price pressures from supermarket discounting campaigns. Apples and pears are examples of price marks.

Whilst an apple may carry a sticker denoting the name of the orchard or grower, they are otherwise brand free. Attempts to differentiate the product lay in the form of promoting the region, variety and, in fruit market circles, the orchard. To Mr Mum and Dad consumer these variations go largely unnoticed. Sure, we care if it’s a Fuji or a pink lady, and the locavore within us probably cares if it’s locally grown (New Zealand apples and fair trade agreements are four letter words in the Adelaide Hills). But that’s where it ends. The consumer in the supermarket or greengrocer isn’t going to demand apples from Joe Smith’s orchard over those of Fred Bloggs. In the end, at the point of purchase, it mainly comes down to a price driven purchase decision. Price too high and you’re just the rotten fruit at the bottom of the tree (metaphorically speaking..).

Trust Marks

Living in the hills I love good wine and good food. It’s hard not to when you’re surrounded by it. Cheese is one of my biggest weaknesses (that’s almost a cliché job interview answer). There are a few award-winning cheese producers in the Adelaide Hills, but none rocks my world more than Udder Delights.

Udder Delights make fantastic cheese and I highly recommend it (in fact I’ll make my next Adelaide Hills blog about Udder Delights). They produce a whole range of cheese varieties in my home town of Lobethal, and sell via their own branded cheese cellar in Hahndorf, as well as via gourmet stores and supermarkets nationally. The logo, branding and package design is distinctive and consistent across all products in their range.

Trust marks are borne from projecting and building a confidence in a brand through consistency – consistency in labelling, consistency in quality, consistency in customer service, etc. It’s about consumers sampling your brand, enjoying the experience, recalling your brand, repurchasing your brand and being similarly satisfied, and repeating. Attitudes form and consumers come to trust your brand.

Udder Delights do a bloody good job of this. I haven’t managed to get through their entire product range, yet somehow I know that it’s all good. It’s reliable. It’s quality. It’s consistent.

Oh, and do yourself a big favour......grab an Udder Delights triple cream brie and a bottle of Bird In Hand Chardonnay, and sit back, relax and listen to that soft harmonious note which is the universe turning smoothly on its celestial gyros...

Love Marks

It’s interesting what Adelaideans recommend to interstate or overseas visitors as suggested destinations that they simply must visit while in South Australia. Even more interesting is that, more often than not, the usual suspects are suggested – irrespective of whether the suggestor has been there recently, or ever been there at all. If a place can be a brand, and a brand can be a lovemark, then in terms of Adelaide Hills destinations I would go so far as to declare Hahndorf as South Australia’s love mark.

The idea of lovemarks is that they are bigger than brands. A lovemark is about passion, love, emotional connectivity. It’s about the heart more than the mind. Brand image, brand awareness and brand equity are all products of the mind. Lovemarks are products of the heart.

South Australians LOVE Hahndorf! Despite various bastardisations including a number of dubious developments, the entry of multi-nationals and the loss of the traditional German feel that made the town unique, Hahndorf remains on the top of many people’s itinerary, thanks in part to the recommendations of others who have elevated the town to lofty heights (many of whom have not been there in years). I can see how it’s possible. Good company, good food, good wine, good service and good experiences all combine to create good memories. Stick this in the repeat cycle and enjoy these experiences several times and it can work to create intimate and emotional connections, from which commitment is borne.

Don’t get me wrong – I like Hahndorf! It has many cool shops, and many a fine eatery. I eat there regularly. I take my interstate visitors there too. And I recommend it to interstate and overseas visitors. It’s just Hahndorf is not the be all and end all of the Adelaide Hills to me. Just as you can’t say you’ve seen all of France because you’ve been to Paris, you can’t say you’ve seen the Adelaide Hills because you’ve been to Hahndorf. We’re so much more than that, despite what the fanbois may say. Hell, are the Adelaide Hills MY lovemark???

What do you think? Is Hahndorf South Australia’s love mark?

Melba’s Chocolate Factory Woodside

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:23:00 +0000

Being surrounded by fantastic gourmet foods, wines and produce is one of the luxuries of living in the Adelaide Hills. And there’s always something here for the kids too (or the kid in all of us!).

35km’s from Adelaide on the Onkaparinga Valley Road is the town of Woodside, and just outside of town you’ll find Melba’s Chocolate Factory. Using 1940s era confectionery making equipment, Melba’s manufacture their large range of chocolate and confectionery products on-site.

From the moment you walk through the door you’ll be overpowered by the aroma of chocolate, liquorice and other confectionery being made fresh on the premises. The interior is decorated with a myriad of antique signage, heritage shop-fittings and old packaging in keeping with the heritage status of the building and the 1940s equipment being used. Surrounding the main shop area are rooms where the manufacturing occurs. These are barricaded off, but otherwise open, allowing visitors the opportunity to view the traditional confectionery making techniques being used.

Melbas produce a wide variety of confectionery, from liquorice sticks and chocolate frogs to scorched almonds and rocky road. If you have kids prepare for the onslaught!

If you are a sweet tooth then Melba’s Chocolate Factory is an ideal destination or stop during your next visit to the Adelaide Hills.

Visit Melba's website

Like Melba’s on Facebook to get a $10 discount voucher.

Old Tailem Town Ghost Tours

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:09:00 +0000

Just when I think I know all the cool, unique things about the Adelaide Hills, something else comes my way that gets me excited! This one's not strictly Adelaide Hills (it's a little further out), but well worth a mention as a unique experience!

90km’s from Adelaide you’ll find Old Tailem Town – Australia’s largest Pioneer Village. Featuring over one hundred buildings dating from the late 19^th Century. Old Tailem Town is worthy of a visit at any time, and I’ll review it in another blog. But, it’s what happens when the tourists go home and darkness falls that has me intrigued.

Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons conduct weekly ghost tours at Old Tailem Town! Every weekend, these paranormal field investigators will guide you through Old Tailem Town’s haunted places. Guests will hear the chilling tales from the group’s investigations of the site and question whether ghosts really do exist and do they continue to haunt these buildings. Paranormal Field Investigators are long established ghost hunters in Adelaide. During the ghost tour they will not only discuss their investigations but will also play possible evidence captured during their investigations of not only Old Tailem Town, but other haunted places in South Australia.

If you don’t believe in things that go bump in the night, or you are a believer wanting to put your own ghost hunting skills to the test, then the Paranormal Investigations Tour may be just what you’re looking for! These tours differ from the traditional ghost tours as guests get to try their own hand at ghost-hunting! Guests stay back after the guided tour, and spend some time with the paranormal investigations team to experience what it is like to spend some quiet time in the dark in the reportedly active areas of the township for an hour or two!

If nothing else, it's a fun and unique way to spend a night with some friends in the Adelaide Hills. Well worth a try!

Ghost tours are $28, and the Investigations Tours are $65. Can’t find a gift for that hard to please friend? Why not buy one of the Ghost Tour Gift Vouchers?

Bookings can be made with Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons via the following:

Tel: 0407715866
Email: alison@adelaidehauntedhorizons.com.au
Adelaide Haunted Horizons
Paranormal Field Investigators
Facebook: Adelaide Haunted Horizons

Where is Old Tailem Town?

Morialta Conservation Park

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:53:00 +0000

So, it's a long weekend coming up in South Australia and you're looking for something to calm the nerves from all the Mad March shenanigans! Put on your walking shoes, and refresh your mind and soul with a walk through Morialta Conservation Park.

Morialta Conservation Park is located 10km north east of Adelaide (take Magill Rd, turn left onto Norton Summit Road, left into Glen Stuart Rd and right into Morialta Rd. Once in the park gates you can continue on to the car park situated at the start of the walking trails, however parking fees do apply. Personally, I prefer to park at the Morialta Road entrance carpark and walk to the Morialta Falls walking trails (it's only about 750 metres and I'm going to be walking anyway so why not start with a warm up?).

The park is open to vehicles from 8.30am until 15 minutes before sunset, however, walkers are able to access the park from sunrise to sunset.

There are a number of walking trails meandering off in various directions. Paths are well signposted but you may prefer to obtain a map from the Department of Environment before starting off - Morialta Falls website. On my last visit, we tackled the Three Falls Grand Hike - a 7.3 km loop which takes you above the cliffs, then down through the various valleys and canyons.

The scenery is spectacular with rugged cliffs, deep gorges, seasonal waterfalls and native flora and fauna. The park is popular with walkers and runners, particularly on weekends, but peaceful none the less. Considering you're only 15 minutes from the city centre the serenity of the place is staggering. The climb to the top can be quite steep in places but the view from the various lookouts is well worth it. There are various viewing platforms along the walking trails which overlook the gorge and Adelaide skyline and coast. Great photo opportunities abound and wildlife are in abundance.

To see the falls at their finest it is obviously ideal to go in winter or early spring, but some water still flows during the summer months. The first two falls are the most spectacular as they cascade over the sheer quartzite cliffs of the park.

There are many combinations of walking trails throughout the park, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. The more adventurous can walk right through to Norton Summit, whilst others may prefer the short climb to the Giants Cave and First Falls. For something more adventurous the rock faces in the Morialta Gorge provide some of the best local rock climbing and abseiling. The rock climbing and abseiling area is located off Norton Summit Road between Second and Third Falls, with climbs of varying difficulty. Various companies in Adelaide can provide info on this - Adelaide Rockclimbing

Picnic spots are plentiful, and there are barbecue facilities at the entrance to the park. It's a great spot to get away from life and clear the mind. It's also FREE, and a great way to get the kids outside. Why not check it out this weekend?

Wine Barrels

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:40:00 +0000

It's vintage time in the Adelaide Hills. It's the time of year when pickers and harvesters descend upon the vineyards. Word is that bunch sizes are small and yields are down but quality is top notch, meaning it will be a year of exceptional quality wines from the Adelaide Hills region.

Passing by Simon Greenleaf Wines in Lobethal today I noticed he had barrels for sale for $45! It would be even better if they were full of wine for that price! It's great marketing for the winery too - on such a prominent corner passers-by are drawn to the display (and great price). They then meet the winemaker and are introduced to a new brand they may not have otherwise. Basic but effective!

It's a great price for wine barrels considering how much Bunnings or some of the landscaping stores charge for them. A great addition to your home bar or courtyard. Cut in half they make for great planters too. I know where I'm stopping on my way home today! That's what's great about living in the Adelaide Hills - I never know what I'm going to stumble across next!

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:28:00 +0000

One of my favourite things about living in the Adelaide Hills is the array of fresh produce which surrounds me. Whilst there are times where for pure convenience sake I find myself shopping at one of the duopoly supermarkets in Mount Barker, more often than not I seek out fresh, seasonal produce from local markets. The latest addition to the Adelaide Hills market scene is the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market (only 45 minutes from Adelaide, following North East Road).

The Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is a community owned and run food market that supports small family farms and businesses. This fantastic market operates from the Mount Pleasant Showgrounds every Saturday morning from 8am – 12pm, offering a diverse range of produce to an adoring public. A good deal of the market is undercover in one of the large showground pavilions, so the market can operate irrespective of the weather conditions.

Our family are able to almost complete a week’s worth of grocery shopping from the market, and best of all we know that the quality of the produce is first rate and fresher than anything available from the big two supermarkets. Fruit and vegetables come from the farm to the market, eliminating the middle man, distribution and storage of supermarket produce. A number of the producers are certified organic – I’m no greenie, but there is definitely a taste difference between organic and commercially grown vegetables!

The diverse range of product makes a visit to the market a must-do Saturday morning adventure. On our most recent visit we were able to purchase a fantastic assortment of fruits, vegetables, meats, fresh pasta, jams, cheese, spices, organic flour, breads, olive oil, coffee and milk. I highly recommend Spice For All Seasons from Lyndoch, for their fabulous range of spice blends and Udder Delights for their fabulous cheeses at special market prices (love the blue cheese – heaven!).

All the stall holders are local producers. One of the great things about this is that the person selling you the produce is the person who can make changes to product range, labelling, pricing, etc. The stallholders relish the opportunity to talk about their products, and for those looking to expand their business, customer feedback is invaluable.

For those attending the market regularly, becoming a member of the farmers market is highly recommended. Membership will help support the market operations. For only $50 per year members receive: free on-site parking, 10% off all stalls, Farmers Market shopping bag, special offers and discounts.

The market organisers also have occasional special guests – celebrity chefs and authors, demonstrating their skills and knowledge whilst utilising the local produce. Breakfast and fantastic organic coffee is also available on-site to add to the day! On the way home, stop off at some of the brilliant Adelaide Hills wineries or grab a bite to eat in one of the hundreds of fantastic Hills eateries. A visit to the market is highly recommended!

When: Every Saturday, 8am – midday. Rain, hail or shine

Where: Mount Pleasant Showgrounds, Melrose Street, Mount Pleasant.

Parking: Onsite by gold cold coin donation (free for market members)

Cost: FREE

Money: Bring cash – no ATM facilities on-site (yet)

Website: http://www.mpfm.org.au/

Twitter: @MtPFM

Echunga Goldfields

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:40:00 +0000

Few people know that less than 10 kilometres from Hahndorf was the scene of South Australia’s own gold rush in the 1800’s. The now sleepy town of Echunga was once home to thousands of people seeking their own piece of fortune. The remnants of their searching still remain and the areas of Jupiter Creek and Chapel Hill, just out of Echunga, make for an interesting and exciting day. Fossicking and panning are popular ways of adding some fun to a day in the bush and a great way to spend some time in the great outdoors. There’s still gold in those hills and with a little patience and a lot of luck you might go home with more than a smile on your face!

The Chapel Hill Diggings are a few kilometres out of Echunga (about 30 kilometres from Adelaide via the freeway and Hahndorf). In 1852, 600 miners were scattered through the scrub in this area, sinking shallow shafts in search of alluvial gold in buried ancient gravels. On the Chapel Hill bushwalk you will find holes everywhere! Some have collapsed, but others present a real danger - not much bigger than a car tyre at the top, they sometimes drop several metres. Sticking to the walking trail will take you safely past these, but be careful if straying off the path - especially with kids.

A few minutes walk from the road are the ruins of an old engine house – built by the National Gold Mining Co. in the 1860's to service deeper shafts. The nearby National Dam is fairly choked with reeds, but provides an idyllic spot and is perfect for trying your hand at gold panning (any good army disposal store will sell gold pans for less than $20).

The better and more exciting site though is Jupiter Creek. From the Hahndorf Road turn right at the entrance to Echunga (next to the golf course) and a well signposted road takes you to the Jupiter Creek Goldfields. The Heritage Trail here is very informative, with detailed signs, and makes for a great day of bushwalking and prospecting. There is a very large carpark area on what was once the 1800’s mining camp, with a variety of traders catering to around 1200 miners.

Amidst the eucalypts, stringbarks and wattles, are the tell-tale signs of mining, fossicking and tunneling – clay, gravel, mounds of mullock, and literally hundreds of mine shafts. The trail leads past many significant sites, many of which are well signposted. The majority of mineshafts in this area are well fenced. Some people do ignore the fences, and tackle these shafts with ropes and torches but it is not recommended.

The Cornish-style round stone chimney built in 1868 by the Beatrice Mining Company is the most significant relic of the golden days of Jupiter Creek. It stands on the side of a hill above the company shaft and Battery Creek.

On the southern side of the diggings, are the remains of the Crystal Gold Mining Company. In 1887, they did very well, taking $350,000 worth of gold at today's value out of the first 25 tonnes of ore. The old horse puddles ditch is still in place – a round trough full of water into which miners would pour clay and ore mix. A horse would then trudge endlessly around dragging rakes that broke up the clay, so it could be washed out and down the gully, leaving the gold and rock behind. Nearby are some deep shafts and ruins of old structures.

During the Great Depression miners returned to Jupiter Creek to once again explore these fields. It was during this time that the New Phoenix Shaft was dug - a tunnel cut horizontally into the side of the hill towards the old Phoenix mine. The floor in this tunnel has been restored and the shaft declared safe by the Department of Primary Industries and it is open to all who wish to explore it – you will need a torch! The tunnel runs eighty metres into the hillside and ends with a steel ladder to climb up to the top of the hill. The tunnel does continue further beyond the ladder but is fenced off and not intended for further public exploration (not that that stops some people).

The Jupiter Creek diggings trail can be a bit of a maze – some parts are very well signposted, and other parts aren’t. It’s hard to get lost though and the exploring is part of the fun. You’ll find yourself staring at the ground in hopes of kicking that elusive nugget as you head down towards Long Gully Creek and then back through the gullies. The signs in the carpark contain a map of the trails. You can explore the area in a couple of hours, but it’s more fun to take some goldpans, a small spade, the metal detector and a picnic lunch and spend the day in the bush. It’s a great way to get the kids outside and makes for a unique Adelaide Hills experience.

Both sites are registered as State Heritage Items. Fossicking is permitted at both sites but mechanical implements are not allowed and holes must be back-filled. The Department of Primary Industries and Resources produce an excellent brochure on the area which contains the background history, details on trail points and a map. Cost is $2 and is available here.

So, get the family together and do something different this weekend!

Cudlee Creek - Gorge Wildlife Park

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:35:00 +0000

30 kilometres from Adelaide on the beautiful Gorge Road, lies Cudlee Creek - home to the Gorge Wildlife Park.

This family owned wildlife park covers 14 acres of meandering Adelaide Hills landscape in a natural bush setting. You can really get up close and personal with the wildlife. The kangaroos and wallabies have a large sprawling area which visitors can walk through allowing you to handfeed them. This is pretty much open range so visitors are able to get eye to eye with many of the kangaroos - fantastic for overseas visitors! With many rare albino species this is a truly unique experience.

Koala holding sessions are conducted three times daily. Visitors can hold, cuddle and be photographed with the koalas at no charge. Kids will delight in this experience and overseas visitors will be thrilled at the opportunity to get so close to our natural fauna. In addition, the park hold "unleashed" sessions on the last Sunday of each month, presenting a variety of animals, birds and reptiles for handling by adoring visitors. This may mean an opportunity to pat a dingo, hold a snake or meet one of the native cockatoos.

It's not all Australian native animals either. There are also many exotic species such as monkeys, alligators and ostriches. There is also a fantastic "kid's zoo" for the little ones, featuring goats, pigs, sheep and a variety of poultry.

The park is a particularly good place to visit on a weekday when crowd numbers are down and there is greater opportunity to interact with the animals - you'll often have the park to yourself. Admission is well priced, and certainly much lower than the Adelaide Zoo or Cleland Conservation Park - the interactivity with the animals and general ambience of the park is also of a better quality.

This is not your average wildlife park - the open setting allows visitors and animals to truly get together. There is an on-site cafe, but there are also plenty of places to sit and eat if you prefer to BYO as well as a sheltered barbecue area. There's also the fantastic Cudlee Creek Tavern nearby and The Cudlee Cafe just a little further down the road on the way to Lobethal.

A great place, whether you're an Adelaide local, or interstate or overseas visitor. Bring your walking shoes and your camera, and prepare for a fantastic day. For more information you'll find the Gorge Wildlife Park website here:
Gorge Wildlife Park website

Birdwood

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:48:00 +0000

So, the weather is a bit drab for the last day of summer. That doesn't mean you should cross the Adelaide Hills off your agenda for the day. There's still plenty to do without getting your feet wet!

Birdwood is 40km's northeast of Adelaide (just follow North East Rd out of the city, through Tea Tree Gully and up through Chain of Ponds). Formerly known as Blumberg, the name of the town was anglicised in 1917 due to anti-German sentiment as a result of World War 1. Unlike other towns such as Lobethal and Hahndorf which reverted to their original Germanic names at the end of hostilities, the name Birdwood remained.

Birdwood is home to the National Motor Museum, housed in the old Birdwood Mill. Here you will find the nations most comprehensive collection of motoring history in Australia. Ranging from permanent displays of cars, trucks and motrbikes, to various interactive displays and exhibitions.

Opening in 1965 the centre is not only a museum but a place of preservation and an important education tool for the young. The Holden Pavilion of Australian Motoring offers 3700 square metres of some of Australia’s most important motoring icons including a 45 metre long road train as well as some very impressive fire engines and commercial vehicles.

The museum hosts the famous Bay to Birdwood run every year (in October - for all vintage vehicles), as well as the Rock N Roll rendezvous in April (for 1950 onward vehicles).

The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

While in Birdwood check out the Top of the Torrens Gallery, which promotes and displays the work, in mixed mediums, of Adelaide Hills artists. The Gallery Shop offers an extensive range of well made individually hand crafted items suitable for gifts and souvenirs. The Gallery has regular exhibitions throughout the year covering a diverse range of works, both in two and three dimensions.

You'll also find some greeat cafes and eateries in the Birdwood main street so you won't go hungry!

Getting here: Adelaide to Birdwood map

Lobethal Bierhaus

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:06:00 +0000

The Adelaide Hills are renowned for their wines, but not all of us are partial to a drop of vino. Many people prefer a good amber liquid, and the Lobethal Bierhaus produce some of the finest beers to come out of South Australia.

The Lobethal Bierhaus is located on the Lobethal Main Street, on the site of the former Onkaparinga Woollen Mills. Boasting a small all-grain micro brewery (12 Hecto-Litre Brew Length) with accompanying cellar door tasting facilities, off-license bottle sales and a restaurant with matching beer themed foods built around unique local produce.

Lobethal Bierhaus produce true hand crafted character beers in a variety of styles. Currently on tap are German Wheat Beer, an American style Pale Ale, an India Pale Ale, a Porter and my personal favourite Devil’s Choice (a Belgian style strong golden ale; 10% alcohol, fruity in character, gentle on the hops, with a smooth creamy finish).

A visit to the Lobethal Bierhaus includes an introduction to the considerable history of brewing in the local area, which dates back to the 1850’s. In fact, the former Onkaparinga Woollen Mills was built on the site of the original Kleinschmidt brewery. The proprietors have a passion for sharing both their love for brewing and the equipment / techniques used, whilst also providing an opportunity to taste great beer in a friendly environment.

You can buy the beers by the schooner or pint. Not sure what to try? Why not try a tasting paddle? $12 gets you a wooden paddle of six beers in order of depth of flavour, from the Bohemian Philsner through to the Chocolate Oatmeal Stout. All beers are available for purchase to take home, ranging from 6 packs through to the 2 litre Growler bottles.

If beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry – the menu is fantastic, and they also stock a comprehensive range of wines, soft drinks and other beverages. You won’t find big brand soft drinks here – all products are locally sourced.

The menu is great – for a light meal you can’t go past the best Buffalo Wings you’ll ever taste, crunchy chips (plain or with Cajun spices) or the bruschetta. The brewer’s plate or local cheese plate is also well worth a try. For a more substantial lunch or dinner try the Coorong Angus Tenderloin (served with semolina leek gnocchi, roasted root vegetables and wholegrain mustard jus), or the Berkshire Pork Belly (Berkshire Pork Belly – herb and garlic stuffed, served with roasted dutch cream potatoes, dill pickles, capers and cherry tomatoes).

There’s a lovely inside dining area, with tables and chairs or leather couches for wasting away a lazy Sunday afternoon (in front of the roaring fire in winter is the perfect place to spend a dreary winters day). Out the front is an outdoor dining area, perfect for a lazy summers day in the fresh Adelaide Hills air!

The Lobethal Bierhaus is open Friday – Sunday and well worth a visit. Check out their website here:

Lobethal Bierhaus website

Lobethal

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:50:00 +0000

A place I know well - my hometown and workplace. So much to see and do you'll need more than a day and I'll need to bring you my Lobethal series in several parts.

Lobethal is the kind of place where people still smile and say hello when they pass you in the street. Lobethal is a small community of around 2000 people located approximately 35km from Adelaide in the picturesque Adelaide Hills. The town is known internationally for its annual Christmas Lights Festival.. However, Lobethal has much more to offer than Christmas Lights and is a worthy addition to any trip to the Adelaide Hills. It may seem that all roads lead to Lobethal with various possible routes – my favourite being Gorge Road via Cudlee Creek. Travelling to Lobethal along rambling country roads winding through vineyards and orchards you leave the stress of city life behind. The air here is crisp and clean. The township of Lobethal is situated within a valley which enhances its village feel.

Both in and nearby Lobethal you will find heritage buildings, wine tasting, boutique beers, fantastic foods and fresh seasonal produce such as apples, pears, strawberries and cherries.

In my next blog, I'll take you to the Lobethal Bierhaus - the best micro-brewery and restaurant in South Australia!

You know Lobethal is in the Adelaide Hills but you're not sure exactly how to get here? Check the map - click on the link below:

Lobethal Map

If you are planning a trip to Lobethal it's wise to check the weather forecast as the temperature is often several degrees cooler than Adelaide (particularly in winter). Click on the link below for up to date details on the weather:

Lobethal Weather

Welcome to the Adelaide Hills!

noreply@blogger.com (Scott McCarten) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:10:00 +0000

The Adelaide Hills. To some they are a nice backdrop to the city of Adelaide. To others a nice spot to visit for a lazy Sunday lunch, a spot of wine tasting and a drive through winding country roads. To me, they are my home and where I work. It’s sometimes easy to take it for granted but when I sit back and reflect, I realise that I am truly blessed to live in such idyllic surroundings.

The tourist brochures will show you the usual things to do and places to visit – cuddle a koala, have a great meal at Hahndorf, visit some local wineries. All good stuff. But I want to dig a little deeper. I want to show you some of the roads less travelled and introduce you to the secret places only locals know about. I want to shine a spotlight on some great Adelaide Hills businesses and locations. Along the way I’ll give you some great ideas for weekend get-aways, unique gifts and fantastic experiences. Strap yourself in! I’ll be updating daily and am also happy to answer any questions you may have about the Adelaide Hills.