A Cracking Weekend in the Hills

Good morning, Hills lovers!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along to the Adelaide Hills Pantry exclusive preview of the Stirling Players’ latest production, Life Without Me. I loved the chance to meet some of you in person, and as always, you were so kind and generous with your comments and feedback.

Together, we raised nearly $500 for the Stirling CFS, which is a wonderful cherry on top of a great night. Huge thanks to the Stirling Players for opening their doors and sharing the show with our community; it was a real treat.

Now, onto this week’s edition. I’ve rounded up four peaceful hikes for when you need fresh air without the foot traffic, and there’s a brilliant little art trail out Bremer way that’s shaping up to be something special.

Add in some live music, good food, local markets and a few events flying under the radar, and you’ve got yourself a cracking weekend in the Hills.

Let’s get stuck in.

OUTDOORS
4 Peaceful Hikes in the Hills

We all know and love the Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty trail, but if you’ve ever tried to find a moment of zen on that track on a weekend, you’ll know it’s more like a highway than a hike.

This week, I’m sharing four of my favourite lesser-known Hills hikes that are perfect if you’re craving a couple of hours in the bush without the crowds. These trails are still stunning, still accessible, but way more peaceful.

These aren’t the usual hotspots. Think hidden ruins, valley lookouts, and the kind of quiet where you can hear your footsteps (and maybe a koala grunting in the distance).

From the underrated beauty of Mount George to the ridgeline trails near Norton Summit, these are the walks I do when I need space to breathe.

💬 Grab the full list (with trail maps) here:
👉 Read the full article 

Chuck on your boots, pack a snack, and remember: leave no trace.

MUSIC
The Lofty Mountain Band

There’s something about the Adelaide Hills that holds a song long after it’s finished. The way sound carries through the gums. The hush that falls when people listen. Maybe that’s why this band could only have come from here.

The Lofty Mountain Band wasn’t built. It gathered. A few friends with strings in their hands and something quiet to say. Just the slow unfolding of something that felt old and new at once.

Led by Max Savage, the band formed in 2020. A year where the world got still enough to hear its heartbeat. Fiddle, banjo, cello, mandolin, guitar. Just breath and wood and gut instinct.

The music they make is hard to name. It slips between folk and bluegrass, with shades of Celtic melancholy. But it’s not the genre that matters. It’s the feeling. The way the songs seem to rise from the soil. The way they leave space for the air to move.

Fresh off the stage at WOMADelaide, the band is riding a quiet wave of something real. Their set may be over, but the sound is still echoing through the people who were lucky enough to be there.

You can listen to them HERE and follow along HERE.

MAKE & CREATE
A Trail of Treasures

Something special is happening out Bremer way. On Sunday 13 April, a string of humble galleries tucked across Hartley, Callington and Kanmantoo will open their doors for the second Bremer Valley Gallery Trail. It’s well worth the wander.

Each stop offers something different. At Gumwood Fluid Art in Hartley, swirls of colour reflect the parched landscape outside, raw, dry, and honest to the land. In Callington, you’ll find two very different kinds of magic: one, a lush African-inspired garden filled with art, light refreshments and cocktails; the other, a delightfully odd studio where bones, feathers and found things are given new life.

The trail ends in Kanmantoo at the Britannia Wine Bar & Gallery, home to the evocative works of Garry Duncan. It’s a fitting place to pause, sip something local and let the whole experience soak in.

Threaded through it all is the Pop-Up Gallery Market, with smaller makers, slower conversations, and the kind of pieces you’ll remember long after the day ends.

Art in its many forms meets country charm in this pocket of the Hills. Take it slow and see where the trail leads.

📍 Bremer Valley (Hartley, Callington & Kanmantoo)
📅 Sunday 13 April
🕙 11am to 5pm
🔗 INFO

Want to spread the word about your business or event to thousands who love the Hills?

Let’s Chat

🌿 SA Landscape Festival 2025
| GARDEN SHOWCASE | Various Locations
📅 Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 April 2025 | 10AM – 4:30 PM
Discover the artistry of South Australia's finest gardens during the SA Landscape Festival 2025! Gain insights from skilled professionals as they share their secrets, tips, and tricks, inspiring your own outdoor transformations. INFO

🎨 Spark Social Collage Art Workshop
| CREATIVE WELLNESS | Woorabinda Environment Centre
📅 Friday, April 4 | 10AM – 12PM
Set in the serene Woorabinda Bushland, this soul-nourishing experience will help you tap into your creativity, express yourself, and connect with like-minded people. All materials are provided. INFO

✨Spark Connection | All over the Hills
Various Dates and Times
Come along to Spark Conversation! Spark is a community and academic collaboration dedicated to co-designing initiatives that combat loneliness and foster genuine human connection. Everyone is welcome to join their friendly sessions across The Hills, where connections grow, and new friendships begin! 💬💛 INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🎭 Early Bird Tickets To Little Women
| LIVE THEATRE | Stirling Community Theatre
 📅 May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7:30 PM
 📅 May 11 & 18 at 2:00 PM
✨ A timeless tale of love, ambition, and sisterhood takes the stage! Experience the heartwarming journey of Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March in this captivating musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel. Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now! INFO

🍂 Nature Play SA Pop-Up
| FAMILY FUN | Coventry Library Lawns, Stirling
📅 Friday, April 11 | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Kick off the school holidays with a FREE outdoor adventure! Bring the family for an afternoon of creativity, connection, and hands-on fun in the heart of Stirling. Craft your own nature crowns & masks, build & design cubbies, play giant wooden Jenga and so much more! INFO

🌌 Dark Sky Astrophotography Tour
| PHOTOPGRAPHY | Murray River Dark Sky Reserve
📅 26 April & 30 May | 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Step into the cosmos with an unforgettable night of astrophotography in the breathtaking Murray River Dark Sky Reserve! ✨📷 Join Adventure Art Photography for an exclusive, hands-on experience capturing the Milky Way in one of Australia's best stargazing locations. INFO

MARKETS

🥕 Mount Pleasant Farmers Market | Melrose St, Mount Pleasant
📅 Every Saturday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Your one-stop destination for fresh, local goodness! Stroll through the market and discover farm-fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, artisan cheeses, baked treats, and more.

🛍 Adelaide Hills Farmers Market | 23 Mann St, Mount Barker
 📅 Every Saturday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Experience the heart and soul of the Adelaide Hills at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market, a vibrant community gathering since 2011.

🐓 Mylor Market | Mylor Oval
📅 Sunday, 6 April | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A much-loved monthly market set under the gums at Mylor Oval. Stroll through stalls
bursting with local produce, handmade wares, plants, preserves, and second-hand
gems.

🧺 Uraidla Market | Uraidla Institute Hall
📆 Sunday, 6 April | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join the Rotary Club of Onkaparinga Market each month and browse stalls of fresh,
local produce, delicious home-baked treats, arts and crafts, plants, second-hand items,
books and more!

GOOD TIMES, GREAT VALUE

Enjoy dinner and a show in Stirling!
Heading to the Stirling Players’ latest production, Life Without Me? Pop into Marshi’s Kitchen before or after the show and enjoy 10% off your meal when you show your ticket.

Located right in the heart of Stirling, Marshi’s Kitchen is a bright, plant-filled space serving up bold, feel-good food that blends Sri Lankan roots with modern Australian flavours.

🕒 Open daily from 7.30am
🌙 Dinner from 6pm Fridays & Saturdays
📍 49 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling
🔗 Dinner Bookings

Discount offer applies to food only. Drinks not included.

_{Thanks for reading Adelaide Hills Pantry today. I hope it added a moment of enjoyment to your day.}