Autumn in the Adelaide Hills
Autumn leaves a lasting impression in the Adelaide Hills.
Every year, North American 'leaf-peepers' travel hundreds of kilometres to New England and Quebec for their annual fix of autumnal foliage. Locals and visitors to Adelaide are rather luckier - their riotous display of seasonal colour awaits just 20 minutes' drive from the city.
European trees and shrubs thrive in the cool-climate towns and rolling valleys of the Adelaide Hills, a fact not lost on generations of gardeners for whom a lavishly landscaped estate has always been an essential part of Hills living. More recently, properties have become rich with another deciduous favourite - the grapevine. Result? Come the months of March-May, the displays of red, brown and gold are among the most dramatic in the nation. Here are a few prime 'leaf-peeping' locations:
Stirling
About as close to Adelaide as it gets in the Hills, and it's here that you can eat among the falling leaves of Main Street and Druid Avenue. Take breakfast, brunch or lunch outside a string of fine eateries, including the famous Organic Market, the revamped and ultra-chic Stirling Hotel, Ruby's (for an Italian twist) and Tranquillo's open-fronted cottage. A perfect day to visit is 19 April, when some of the town's most prized private gardens will open to the public for the Stirling Autumn Garden Festival. A market will also run in Druid Avenue, with stalls featuring garden designers, nurseries and garden art.
Mount Lofty House
Enjoying quite possibly the most magnificent view of all, this landmark boutique hotel looks back over the Piccadilly Valley where patchworks of deciduous trees and vines repaint the landscape. The restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering great food and amazing views. The award-winning accommodation is first class too.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
Next door to Mt Lofty House is Adelaide's 'other botanic garden', specialising in cool temperate plants and perfect for a stroll year-round. With its steep gullies, duck-filled lake, amazing views and dazzling deciduous trees, it's a perennial autumn favourite. 
Hahndorf Main Street
The drive into Hahndorf from the freeway is magnificent at any time of year, with a sweeping arc of plane trees seeming to wrapping you in colour. Come autumn, though, it's a truly breath-taking tunnel of gold, with charming cafes, pubs and shops waiting patiently at the other end.
Mylor
This little village is as cosy as it gets when the temperatures starts to fall, and a fine collection of deciduous trees close to the school lends it some extra autumnal piquancy. Coffees out of the Mylor General Store, Asian curries out of the Mylor Café Restaurant and the living time capsule that is the Cooper's Rural and Hardware Store (1892) makes this an unusual and rewarding seasonal escape.
St Githa's Garden
A beautifully kept secret just off the Bridgewater turn-off, this landscaped two-acre garden (entry $2) enjoys stunning autumn colours, with the maples putting on an especially fine show. After viewing, stroll towards Bridgewater Oval, where you'll enjoy a bold stand of ash trees showing scarlet and gold.
Lobethal, Birdwood and Gumeracha
This trio of tempting tourist towns is situated at the eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills, so the scenic autumn drive is a great part of the charm. Birdwood has the National Motor Museum; Gumeracha has the Big Rocking Horse and Chain of Ponds winery (great views, wine, food and accommodation); and Lobethal has the Lobethal Bierhaus micro-brewery (we recommend sitting out the front, sipping the brew that tastes a bit like banana), the Onkaparinga Woollen Mill and the Adelaide Hills Market and Gallery, from Friday to Sunday. 
Nirvana Organic Farm, Heathfield
Home to 150 chestnut trees that never fail to impress when the sap runs low. From April to June, owner Quentin Jones keeps a fire going where you can roast (what else?) chestnuts.
And if that wasn't enough reason, there are some fun events taking place over coming months to check out:
Sinclair's Gully Winter Warmers
Bay to Birdwood Classic
Lobethal Grand Carnival
