Hahndorf's attraction lies in the
historical value
of the
town and has plenty to offer the tourist or day tripper. It
is the ideal place to buy traditionally made wursts and German smallgoods,
there are also museums, galleries, antiques, soaps, fabrics, and a crazy
leather shop which
must not be missed.
After you take in all that, try a relaxing afternoon tea break at The
German Cake Shop.
Hahndorf has motels,
hotels (like the famous German
Arms - Left - and the
Hahndorf Inn
- below), a caravan park, bed and breakfast places and camping. The main
Carnivals are the Founder's Day, on Sunday of the Australia Day long weekend
and The Hahndorf Band Festival and Musikfest in May.
Beerenberg Farm
Hahndorf is also home to the famous and historic Beerenberg Farm which dates back to the 1830's when the Paech family along with many other German immigrants, settled the village of Hahndorf. Since then five generations of the Paech family have lived and worked on the Beerenberg Farm which is currently owned by Grant and Carol Paech. It will be found at the eastern end of Hahndorf on the right of the hill which takes the road towards Nairne and Mount Barker.
The Beerenberg Farm
boasts traditional crops which are grown on the farm and include strawberries,
sweetcorn and mixed vegetables, but more recently Beerenberg has established
an international reputation for its interesting and varied jams, home style
pickles, chutneys and sauces. Beerenberg jams are now served on major airlines
within Australia, and on overseas routes, and in many leading hotels.
Beerenberg products are now found in 23 countries.
There is plenty for the family to do at Beerenberg including picking your own strawberries in season (Oct. to May), watching the strawberry packers at work, or enjoying the beautiful rose gardens, from which the roses are harvested in the production of the Beerenberg Rose Petal Jam.
Misty Hollow Fantasy Cave
A
wonderful treat for the
young and young at heart can be had at Misty Hollow Fantasy Cave, built over the stream
which crosses the Main Street underground, near the Council Chambers. The
storybook displays feature dioramas and working models of the people and
animals who live at 'Misty Hollow'.
The clever use of the stream in some of the displays adds reality and the characters and settings will leave the little ones in wonder and the 'grown-ups' in admiration.
The Hahndorf Academy
Built in 1839, it was one of the first permanent buildings in Hahndorf and is the largest regional art gallery in South Australia today. It's central location is indicative of the importance attached to the cultural, scholastic, artistic and religious pursuit of the early German settlers.
The
Academy was established as a
school by the first
headmaster, Mr Boehm. At one stage, over 200 students attended and as it's
reputation as an educational
institute of excellence
flourished, it became a boarding school in 1863. Boehm left in 1886 and
Douglas Byard became headmaster. He was educated at Eton and had a great love
of music. The Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide was
founded by former Academy pupils. This early commitment to the arts and
education attracted students
throughout Australia extending
to the Gulf country in Queensland and south to Tasmania.
After Byard sold the Academy in 1912, the building passed through a period of diverse and changing uses. Roles include a maternity hospital, Council Chambers, betting shop, dental surgery and rented flats for dwelling.
In 1960, locals worked to protect the building from falling into disrepair. Walter Wotzke ran the Academy as an art gallery and German Folk Museum. The Hahndorf Academy Foundation Incorporated has since maintained the running and preservation of the building.
The Cedars
Enjoy a visit to one of
Australia's unique national treasures: "The Cedars", Hahndorf home for 56 years to the renowned artist Sir Hans
Heysen. The historic house, studio and gardens are now open to the
public.
An extensive collection of the artist's work still owned by the Heysen family is on view, displaying Heysen's remarkable versatility, not only in his varied medium, but also the broad range of his subject matter.
