Mt Lofty House’s cheaper new restaurant Martha Hardy’s Kitchen caps Hills tourism boom

Adelaide Hills tourism is booming – and this new restaurant in swish Mt Lofty House, with lunch menu mains around $30, is yet another reason to visit. Check how it looks inside.

Australian holiday makers are flocking to the Adelaide Hills, with local tourism operators reporting a boom in visitation and length of stays.

It comes as new figures from the South Australian Tourism Commission reveal the “best July on record” for regional occupancy.

Mt Lofty House in Crafers this week opens a new restaurant in response to the demand, Martha Hardy’s Kitchen – an a la carte option to complement the estate’s existing degustation diner, Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant.

“We’ve noticed our guests are increasing their length of stays at both Sequoia (premium lodging) and Mount Lofty House, so we wanted to offer them more dining options on the estate,” owner David Horbelt said. While a meal at HVR starts at $179 for four courses, mains on the lunch menu at Martha’s hover around the $30 mark.

Mt Lofty House has opened a new a restaurant called Martha Hardy’s Kitchen. Picture: Matt Turner

The Retreat at Stirling owner Bridget Wallace, who took over the accommodation in December 2021, has also invested in local tourism with the $200,000 renovation of the four apartments on site.

She said bookings were up 40 per cent on pre-Covid levels, the majority of tourists Australian.

“We have noticed a big trend of South Australians holidaying locally, and that has continued even after borders have opened,” she said.

Main courses at Martha Hardy’s Kitchen are around the $30 mark for lunch. Picture: Matt Turner.

One of the dishes at the new Martha Hardy’s Kitchen. Picture: Matt Turner

Jason Duffield, of The Haus restaurant and accommodation in Hahndorf, agreed, adding that the coronavirus pandemic encouraged Australians to “explore their own backyard”.

“From an accommodation point of view, we’ve been stronger than pre-Covid levels and the restaurant is not far behind,” Mr Duffield said.

Mt Lofty House has opened a new a restaurant called Martha Hardy’s Kitchen. Picture: Matt Turner

“What we’re hearing from people is, for a lot of them, this is their first time in SA and they’re blown away by how beautiful it is, how friendly the people are, and how good the food and service is.”

Latest SATC visitation data shows SA’s regions experienced the best July on record in 2022. Wine regions of Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley recorded a combined average occupancy of 60 per cent – up from 54 per cent in July 2019.

Other new venues to have opened in the Adelaide Hills in recent months include Grünthal Brew in Verdun and Longview Vineyard’s day spa in Macclesfield.

Adelaide Hills Tourism executive officer Tanya Jarman said new experiences and properties “provides our visitors with more reasons to stay longer”.