Scenic Drives
Drive these Adelaide Hills routes are your own pace. You'll find tree-lined roads winding through hills, orderly vineyards and enticing little towns. Though it's not far from the city traffic, you'll really feel like you're on a country escape.
Onkaparinga River Scenic Drive - Verdun to Birdwood
Distance: 45 kilometres approximately
Starts at the Verdun interchange, just off the Hahndorf exit of the South Eastern Freeway. Follows the beautiful Onkaparinga Valley Road past vineyards, farmland and historic towns like Balhannah, Oakbank and Woodside, where there are good antique shops. It then travels to the historic town of Mount Torrens, before arriving in Birdwood, home to the National Motor Museum.
Angas River Scenic Drive - Stirling to Strathalbyn
Distance: 40 kilometres approximately
Starts in Stirling and winds its way along tree-lined Mount Barker Road to Aldgate, past the Aldgate Pump Hotel. Through farmland and European-inspired scenery, the drive heads for Mylor, the closest village to the Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary. Next stop is Echunga - which boomed during the gold rush era -and then the historic town of Macclesfield. It's then a short drive to Strathalbyn, passing through lush farmland and towering gums.
Torrens Valley Scenic Drive - Houghton to Birdwood
Distance: 28 kilometres approximately
Starts in Adelaide's northeastern suburbs and winds its way past Houghton, Inglewood and the Chain of Ponds reservoirs. Vineyards, pine forests and bushland line the drive, as do picturesque towns like Gumeracha - home to the Giant Rocking Horse. Continue on to Birdwood, one of the most historic townships in the Hills.
Gorge Scenic Drive - Castambul to Birdwood
Distance: 27 kilometres approximately
Take Gorge Road (off Lower North East Road) and head toward Castambul, past the Gorge Wildlife Park and on to Cudlee Creek. It then joins the Torrens Valley Drive, continuing on to Gumeracha and Birdwood.
