Good wine is a given in the Adelaide Hills, but what about those travellers seeking a spot of wellness to precede their Pinot Noir? Well, Body+Soul writer Rachael Martin went to find out and may just have discovered South Australia’s best kept secret…

What to do 

Hike the Heysen Trail

Stretching from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula all the way to the Flinders Ranges, at 1,200 kilometres in length, the Heysen Trail offers something for all levels of hiker, whether you’re looking for a way to spend a day enjoying some of South Australia’s most breathtaking scenery or have a multi-day hiking adventure in mind.

In the Adelaide Hills the trail includes a 7.9km circular walk taking in the spectacular Mount Lofty Summit, with views down over the city of Adelaide to the St Vincent Gulf beyond, and also a side trail down to the historic town and heritage area of Hahndorf, that are well worth lacing up your walking boots for.

Explore on an E-Bike

If taking to the trails on foot isn’t your style, how about getting around on two wheels instead?

Family-run business Bike About offer small group guided tours around the Adelaide Hills on e-bikes, meaning that everyone can enjoy pedalling around the sites no matter what your cycling fitness level is, and the battery powered bicycles certainly come in handy for tackling the aforementioned hills that are the area’s namesake.

Guided tours on offer include 'A Taste of Hahndorf' which will see you work up an appetite as you pedal around the pretty town and surrounding areas, visiting vineyards to taste wine, local cheese suppliers to refuel and the Beerenberg farm (purveyors of the tasty chutneys and jams you may have seen in your local supermarket), where you can pick your own strawberries, straight from the fields. 

Find calm at the Jurlique Farm 

Not all outdoor experiences in the Adelaide Hills involve putting away thousands of steps or pedalling up hills. For a relaxing way to spend an afternoon surrounded by nature, take a trip to the serene and beautiful farm owned by skincare brand Jurlique.

The Aussie beauty icon has been based in the area for over three decades and grow the natural ingredients used in their products on site. Book in to take a tour of the farm, learning firsthand about the ingredients, care and knowledge that go into each one, or get even more hands-on with Jurlique’s ‘Handpicked Masterclass’ experience, picking flowers in the farm’s working fields (forest bathing eat your heart out – this is flower bathing at its finest) and creating your own essential oil blend to take home.

Where to stay

Soak away stress with a stay at Sequoia Lodge

Nestled in the grounds of Mount Lofty House Estate is the luxurious Sequoia Lodge; 14 sumptuous suites with panoramic views over the Piccadilly Valley.

The whole focus here is relaxation and rejuvenation, from the private artesian spring-fed hot pools you can soak in whilst taking in the view, to the roaring fires in the exclusive lounge full of cosy spots for reading, playing chess or enjoying a slow morning coffee.

The focus on wellness starts from the moment you wake up – with sunrise yoga sessions and the option to enjoy breakfast from the comfort of your temperature controlled, ambiently lit suite – to the moment you go to bed, with Sequoia’s own take on turn-down, which includes pyramids of their custom, calming ‘Sleep Blend’ tea and a pillow mist with lavender and rose hip essential oils left next to your bed. And don’t worry if you’re a traditionalist – you still get a chocolate on your pillow, too. 

Go at your own pace in Pavilions at Lenswood

If self-catered accommodation is more your style, do things at your own pace with a stay at Pavilions at Lenswood.

Consisting of six different accommodation options, each pavilion is surrounded by lush countryside and is luxuriously finished inside with plush furnishings, king beds, freestanding baths and either a private Japanese Cedar Hot Tub, plunge pool, indoor heat room or spa.

If you can peel yourself away from the comfort of your pavilion, there’s complimentary bike hire for all guests to explore the surrounding area and a Bocci Court and outdoor fire pit on site for long evenings relaxing by the fire with a glass of local wine.

Where to eat 

Feast on fresh, homegrown fare 

You’ll be spoiled for refuelling choice in the Adelaide Hills. Home to world-renowned wine, some of the best produce in Australia and award-winning restaurants, the hardest part will be trying to fit it all in. For a laid-back lunch, stop by Fourth Hill Providore in the small town of Verdun for great coffee and food in a picturesque old stone building, or enjoy a multi-course affair 400m above the Onkaparinga Valley at The Lane Vineyard.

For a memorable end to your trip, get yourself a reservation at the three-chef-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant at the iconic Mount Lofty House Estate – the ultimate Adelaide Hills dining experience.