Must Do Adelaide Hills Experiences 2021
Luxury self contained stays and central location at Sticky Rice Villas, Stirling SA
Adelaide Hills Day 1
Stirling, Botanic Gardens, Wine and Chocolate

Book in for a cooking class here



Adelaide Hills Day 2
Cycling, Cheese, Wine and Gin



Here are some other articles on day trips in the Adelaide Hills.
With South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall announcing the state’s borders will open to the rest of country from next month, it’s time to check out what to see, where to stay and what to do in the state that’s home to the City of Churches.
But if you’re after an escape from city life, there’s really only one place to log into your GPS.
Just 25 minutes out of the Adelaide CBD is the Adelaide Hills where the hardest thing you’ll have to do is decide where to start and what you can fit in, so here’s a beginner’s guide to the region.
Where to start
I always like to start at the top – Mount Lofty Summit.
Here you can see Adelaide stretch out before you – all the way to the coast.
No trip to the Adelaide Hills is complete without a stop in Hahndorf.
During winter, getting cosy anywhere in front of a fire goes without question. But if you’re wanting to cuddle up to something other than your partner – head to Cleland Wildlife Park or Gorge Wildlife Park to meet some of the cute local koalas.
Where to stroll
The beauty of the Adelaide Hills is the ever changing food and wine scene. But between meals – and trust me, there will be a lot of them – there’s plenty of places to stretch your legs and work off lunch.
Start at Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, which offers a hillside amble through 97ha of manicured, rare and cool-climate plants. Entry is free as are guided walks every Thursday. You can set the pace with a leisurely walk around the lake or a strenuous hilly hike.
If you’re really keen … and I mean really keen … hike from Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty. Past First and Second Falls, there is a 3.9km serious uphill trek to the top. Thankfully, there is coffee at the summit and the views are some of the best in the region.
For something a little less strenuous, Hahndorf offers great walking tours that make for a great jaunt around town. If you’re feeling peckish, try the food and footwork combo with the Strudel and Stroll tour. Learn how to make strudel then, while it’s baking, walk the town with Sharon Pippos learning about its German history along the way.
Where to Stay
Sticky Rice Villas is award winning accommodation situated in picturesque Stirling in the heart of the Adelaide Hills Wine region with 50 cellar doors nearby.
There are 3 unique villas to choose from; Yoko, Bali and Zen. Each one exclusive yet affordable and drawing architectural inspiration from luxury holiday villas often seen in Bali, Thailand and Japan.
Every Villa offers a spacious 2 roomed 70m2 of indoor living area with luxurious touches such as underfloor heating, free standing baths and top of the range chefs kitchens.
Floor to ceiling glass and giant sliding doors connect you with the private walled courtyards and gardens where you can relax and enjoy the Balinese Daybed, Japanese Tea house or Winter Fire pits.
There is an abundance of hiking and biking activities and boutique food and wine experiences close by and onsite is the famous Sticky Rice cooking school where you can take a hands on class under the tutelage of a professional chef. If private dining is more your thing, you could engage one of their personal chefs to cook you a romantic dinner or deliver a private cooking class in your Villa.
Walking
Here is the link to the walking and bike trails http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/regions/adelaide-adelaide-hills/ and there is a lovely walk from the cooking school to Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens. Turn right outside the cooking school entrance and walk along until 1st left turn down Carey Gully Road. Follow the road all the way to the bottom of the hill and you will come to Spring Gulley rd. Turn left and walk up the hill to the top. Turn right onto Piccadilly road and continue down until you reach the signs of the Botanic garden entrance on the left. As an option, as you walk towards the entrance there is Sprigg rd on the right which is a beautiful moderate climb up to some great views and tranquillity. Just follow the road and then dirt track straight all the way to the top and when you reach the main road turn back. From Bottom of Sprigg Rd return to bottom of Sprigg Rd this takes me about 50mins and is almost 6kms. Walking from here to the Botanic gardens will take about 45 each way so if time is short drive there and have a walk when you get there.
Here is a selection of maps for short walks with directions around Stirling area. And also the council website for tourism.
There is also a wetlands conservation area which makes for a nice walking track up in Mt Barker also . Here is the link.
Our Best Value packages are below for planning your next trip to the Adelaide Hills
#1The "Private Chef Stay Package" $860is a winner if you are looking to have a short escape to some secluded luxury accommodation but with the addition of a personalised cooking class or private chef cook you a romantic dinner for 2. With flexible itinerary choices, for day and evening activities, it makes it even easier to hit the right spot as a gift or couples retreat.Lunch BookingEscape and Unwind Day 1. Head up to the Hills and start to reconnect with your loved one straight away by enjoying a mid morning cooking class exclusively to yourselves in the cooking school. Our professional chefs and staff are there to spoil you and you can chose your menu in advance making sure you learn those dishes that really do inspire you. Your lunch will be long and lingering and include boutique matching wines from SA. No need to drive anywhere as you will be checking into your villa which is onsite and tucked privately away behind enclosed courtyard walls with gorgeous gardens awaiting. Snuggle up with the underfloor heating and enjoy the winter sunshine as it streams in through the floor to ceiling glass. Play a movie, take a deep bath, enjoy a siesta and some tunes as your personalised playlist follows you from room to room through the top notch sound system. Dinner can be a lazy affair in front of the TV or cook up a surprise for your partner in the chefs kitchen. There's always delivery if you can't be bothered. Light up that fire pit and open a bottle of red..you deserve it after all. Day 2. Head out for a yummy breakfast and then explore the magical Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens 5 mins from the villas. Follow the walking trail up to the summit and take in the views of Adelaide. Alternatively book yourself in for a couples spa package at Cocos and forget the exercise. Enjoy some wine tasting and lunch at one of the many vineyard cellar doors in the area and you'll still have time for a little boutique shopping in Stirling or a browse through Aptos Cruz Art gallery. Or Evening Booking
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#3Our "3 Day Immerse Package" $2200Is an exclusive residential retreat immersing yourself in French cuisine skills under the tutelage of iconic chefAlfonso Ales
Chef Alfonso Ales
Includes Luxury Villa accommodation, breakfast and lunch.
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#4Advanced Masterclass course $1700You will be learning under the expert tuition of Chef Genevieve Harris who has extensive industry, restaurant and international experience as a professional chef in Asian cuisines. A 25 plus-year career in hospitality that began at the Grey Masts restaurant in Robe on the Limestone Coast in South Australia. In the late 1980s Genevieve moved to Sydney where she worked at the Blue Water Grill in Bondi, and at the Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral, two Sydney beachside dining benchmarks at that time. In between working in these, and other iconic Sydney restaurants, she spent time travelling (and eating) around South East Asia before spending two years as executive chef at the luxurious Amankila Resort, Bali.
Food critics have lauded her as a perfectionist,a chef of incredible finesse and refinement with a rare understanding of ingredients and spices. Returning to Adelaide in the late 1990s she owned and ran the highly regarded Nediz restaurant with her business partner. genevieve is an inspiration to learn from, a teacher of highest calibre and has a wealth of cultural and industry knowledge to share.
email us today and we will send you further infomation about gifting this package ( open dates) or next available dates to attend. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mastering Thai Cusine on this 2 day residential course
Yoko Villa |
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#5The "Weekend Cook and Stay Package" $1040Make the most of a weekend stay and combine a 2 day Adelaide Hills intinerary with luxury accommodation and a cooking class at the award winning cooking school.Bali Bath
This is a best value package which includes plenty of flexibility and day trip options whilst ensuring that you are booked into your top pick cooking class. During your stay you will have a choice of morning and evening classes and can add extra classes at a huge discount as part of this package for those wishing to do more. For those wishing to explore the Hills outside of cooking times there are 5 planned day trip itineraries to choose from which will have you ticking off all the hot spots and best eateries without having to waste travel time working out the route.
Package inclusions for 2 people.
Package Costs $1040 per couple Available Fridays-Sundays All year round
To purchase this as a gift with an open ended booking date, simply order your voucher for the $1040 package. Purchase a voucher for this package here and book a date later Check the Class Calendar to pick your ideal cooking class menu. Luxury accommodation- See more of Bali Villa, Zen Villa and Yoko Villa here 5 Fantastic Day trip itinararies to choose from as part of your 2 day stay. See the choice of day trips here. |
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#6A Flexible Pick and Mix Gourmet Getaway Packagewith chauffeur transport $2800This is 3 day package giving you a chance to experience the highlights of the Adelaide Hills food and wine scene with the add on of chauffeur transport to each destination.
Day 1 includes a Choco Vino experience, a boutique wine tasting trail and lunch, cheese tasting cellar door experience, afternoon coffee/cake, dinner. Day 2 includes scenic drive through the picturesque hills and local townships incorporating a minimum of 6 stops at our recomended shoppping, food and wine experiences. Lunch and Dinner included. Day 3 includes a walking guided tour of the historic German town of Hahndorf including making your own German studel, 'pick your own' produce experience at seasonal orchard/farms and a private cooking class. Lunch and Dinner.
Package price $2800 per couple/villa Dates are not set for this package. This allows you to nominate your preferred dates for this experience
email us today and we will send you further infomation about gifting this package ( open dates) or next available dates to attend. Hidden foraging and orchards
This is 3 day package giving you a chance to experience the highlights of the Adelaide Hills food and wine scene with the add on of chauffeur transport to each destination.
Strawberry picking at Beerenberg |
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#7Longer stay Romance Package from $960This 3 day stay package gives you the chance to experience all the highlights of the Adelaide Hills with the flexibility of self drive to each destination.Day trips are worked out for you so you don't miss a thing but include everything you desire.Privacy, special touches, candle lit dinners, enough time to bond and reconnect or celebrate a proposal or wedding.. this is the prefect couples package. This is 3 day stay package giving you a chance to experience the romantic highlights of the Adelaide Hills food, wine, nature, outdoors, art and culture with the flexibility of self drive to each destination.
Cooking Class options or private chef dinners can be incorporated into this package at discounted rates. Couples massage can be arranged. Champagne breakfasts and scenic picnic spots, deep baths together and warm cosy fire pits. Candle lit dinners in fabulous fine dining restaurants or heart warming fare and local wine in cosy pubs
We can arrange your secret proposal.
It is includes a 3 night Stay in your choice of luxury Sticky Rice Villa. Highlights and add ons can include.
Let us know what your heart desires.
Base Accommodation Package price Mon-Thursday $960 per couple/villa plus add ons for your optional tour costs.
email us to start planning your itinerary today. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
3 nights in a luxury villa with the chance to explore and uncover the secrets of the Adelaide Hills with your loved one. The award winning Bali Villa, Zen Villa or Yoko Villa are available for your 3 night stay. Access the official Adelaide Hills Visitors Guide Flip Book Here |