Horseback Rides, Easter Fairs and the Quiet Charm of Meadows

Good morning, Hills lovers!

This week, we’re taking you from vineyard trail rides to the heart of a country fair, with a few surprises in between. Saddle up for a unique collaboration between Hallmark Farm and Petaluma Wines, where horse riding meets wine tasting in one of the most scenic pockets of the Hills. Then, get ready for one of our region’s most beloved Easter traditions as the Meadows Fair returns for its 27th year. We’ve also uncovered the quieter side of Meadows, with a heritage walk that reveals the town’s layered past.

Plus, community shoutouts, a sneak peek at our upcoming podcast, and how to get your voice, or your event, into the mix.

Let’s get stuck in.

HORSE RIDING MEETS WINE
Ride Through the Vines

In the Adelaide Hills, there’s a stretch of land where two local names quietly converge: Hallmark Farm and Petaluma Wines. One is known for producing elite equestrian talent. The other, for crafting wines that reflect the land they come from.

Together, they’ve created a unique experience: a guided trail ride through the vineyards, followed by a wine tasting that puts regional character front and centre.

Riders are matched with experienced horses from Hallmark Farm, run by Olympian Megan Jones and James Deacon. The ride itself isn’t rushed or overly technical. Just enough to reconnect you with the pace of the land. The trail winds through the Petaluma site, offering views across the vines and surrounding hills.

Afterwards, guests are welcomed into the cellar door for a guided tasting of Petaluma and Croser wines, including their flagship range. It’s an opportunity to experience the vineyard from a different perspective, not just as a backdrop for wine, but as part of a living, working landscape.

Whether you ride or not, it’s a beautiful way to experience one of the Hills’ most iconic wine regions; from the saddle, the soil, and the glass.

👉 Book your ride and tasting here

COUNTRY FAIR
Meadows Easter Fair

Since 1997, the Meadows Easter Fair has been a fixed point on the calendar for locals and visitors alike. Over four days each Easter, the small town of Meadows transforms into a hub of activity, drawing thousands into the heart of the southern Adelaide Hills.

For Hills locals, the fair is woven into the rhythm of the long weekend. As one local put it:

Run entirely by volunteers from the Meadows Memorial Hall Committee, the fair remains one of the few large-scale, community-led events in the region. What started as a modest fundraiser has grown into a well-known gathering that still feels local. More than 100 stalls line the streets each year with a mix of handmade goods, tools, produce, plants, antiques, food and secondhand finds. Live music, a petting zoo and medieval reenactments round out the program.

It is about consistency, connection and showing up for a town that keeps showing up for its community.

👉 Explore the full event here

HILLS HISTORY
The Meadows Heritage Walk

If you’re in town for the Easter Fair, there is another side of Meadows worth discovering. One that is quieter, slower, and rich with history.

The Meadows Heritage Walk is a self-guided loop that brings the town’s past to life. With 34 stops dotted across the township, it highlights the people, buildings and industries that helped shape Meadows from the mid-1800s onwards. You will pass former blacksmiths, timber yards, old banks, butter factories and stone cottages that still carry the marks of their time.

Originally surveyed in 1850, Meadows was once a working hub for trade and agriculture, known for its timber and dairy. This walk reveals the remnants of that early ambition and the layers of community that have been built here since.

The route is easy to follow and surprisingly immersive. Even for long-time locals, something is grounding about seeing familiar streets through the lens of the past.

It is a different kind of experience. Reflective, accessible and well worth an hour or two while you are in town. Click here for the walking guide and map.

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
Opportunity to spread the word

David Hill Cleaning - Job Vacancy in the Langehorne Creek area. After School hours Mon to Fri. Working with Children clearance required. Get in touch via email at [email protected] or call 8272 7199.

Dads of Adelaide Hills - Meet other dads in the Adelaide Hills for regular catch-ups and Dad chat. Join the Facebook group here and register for upcoming meetups here.

Want to spread the word about your business, or a project or share an event to thousands of people who love the Hills?

Let’s Chat

🎙️PODCAST…COMING SOON
A place you always come back to

We’re working on something special: real voices, real stories, and the places in the Hills that pull us back. Not the ones on postcards, but the ones that live within you.

We’ve got two more weeks to gather these beautiful moments. If there’s a memory, a smell, a taste, or anything that draws you back to a place in the Hills, we’d love to include it in our inaugural podcast episode.

Just record a voice memo and text it to 0423 440 258 or email us by 30 April. You can stay anonymous. No need to be polished. Just be you.

Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out and say hi.

The Scenic Hotel in Norton Summit: Perched with a view, it’s a local favourite for more than just the schnittys and footy; it’s where good tunes and great company come standard. Their upcoming lineup is no exception: from Friday night live sets (like the always crowd-pleasing Charlie Ivan Band) to unplugged gigs and quiz nights with a pint in hand, there’s always something happening. Also, The Scenic is one of the few pubs that don't have Pokies! Click here to see the full lineup of events.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

🍳 Vere Kitchen Easter Specials
| EASTER TREATS | Vere Kitchen, 240 Strathalbyn Rd, Mylor
📅 April 19–20 | Sat: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM | Sun: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Hop into the long weekend with Easter bites, blooming vibes, and a FREE kids Easter egg hunt on Sunday at 11 AM! INFO

🎤 Good Friday Tribute To The Songbirds
| LIVE MUSIC | Sinclair’s Gully Winery, Norton Summit
📅 Friday, April 18 | 1 PM
Join Nicolina and Dean Barcello for an unforgettable Good Friday performance and a soulful tribute to iconic female voices from Etta James to Adele in a magical forest setting! INFO

🎶 Easter Monday with Titan and Claudia
| LIVE MUSIC | Sinclair’s Gully Winery, Norton Summit
📅 Monday, April 21 | 1 PM
Relax under the shady gums with a glass of wine and enjoy soulful, feel-good tunes from Titan and Claudia as they bring the spirit of Aretha Franklin and Bill Withers to life. INFO

🧘‍♀️ Adelaide Hills Easter Intensive Yoga Retreat 2025
| WELLNESS | Adelaide Hills Yoga School, Stirling
📅 April 18–20 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM daily
Start your Easter mornings with mindful movement and deepen your yoga practice over three soul-nourishing sessions. INFO

🖼️ Foam Printing at Gumeracha
| KIDS WORKSHOP | Gumeracha Library
📅 Tuesday, April 22 | 1 PM – 2 PM
Get creative with foam, paint and rollers in this hands-on printing adventure for kids aged 5+. A colourful hour of crafty fun awaits! INFO

🍷 Pinot In Private
| WINE EXPERIENCE | Ashton Hills Vineyard, Ashton
📅 Tuesday, April 22 to Thursday, April 24
Step into the world of Pinot with winemaker Liam Van Pelt for an intimate tasting experience featuring current and vintage releases, a sneak peek from the barrel, and a delicious shared platter. INFO

🍁 Autumn Colours at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
| NATURE WALK | Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Crafer
📅 April 17 – May 31
Get swept up in a breathtaking swirl of reds, oranges and golds as the garden transforms into a vibrant autumn wonderland. Breathe in the crisp hills air, wander the winding paths and soak up the seasonal magic. INFO

🌿 Nature Based Wellbeing: Mindfulness in the Gardens
| WELLNESS WORKSHOP | Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
📅 Saturday, May 17 | 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Slow down and reconnect with your senses in this soul-soothing outdoor mindfulness session at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. Let the sights, scents, and sounds of nature guide you to a grounded and peaceful state. INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🎤 Priyanka Luxx Live in the BIG Room
| LIVE MUSIC | Cheese Factory Studio Gallery, Meadows
📅 Sunday, May 11 | Doors 1:00 PM – Music from 2:00 PM
Get ready for an intimate afternoon of live music, cabaret-style seating, and local bites with the sensational Priyanka Luxx. INFO

📿 Paper Jewellery Workshop
| CREATIVE WORKSHOP | Lobethal Woollen Mill, Lobethal
📅 Sunday, May 25 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Craft a one-of-a-kind paper pendant or brooch that tells your story in this hands-on workshop with artist Sahr Bashir. INFO

🎭 Comic Potential, Charity Preview Performance
| THEATRE | Memorial Hall, Blackwood
📅 Tuesday, May 13 | 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Enjoy a night of laughs while giving back! Blackwood Players’ special charity preview of Comic Potential supports refugees with every ticket sold going to Blackwood Circle of Friends. INFO

🚂 Mount Barker Railfest 2025
| FAMILY FUN | Mount Barker Railway Depot
📅 Sunday, May 25 | From 10:00 AM
Explore behind the scenes of Australia’s longest heritage railway with train rides, live steamers, market stalls, food, and fun for all ages! INFO

MARKETS

🧺Woodside Market | Woodside Institute Hall
📅 Saturday, 19 April | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Swing by the Rotary Club of Onkaparinga Market each month for a fun-filled day of local goodies, from fresh produce and baked treats to handmade crafts, plants, books and hidden treasures. There's something for everyone to discover.

🧺 Uraidla Market | Uraidla Institute Hall
📆 Sunday, 20 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!

🧺 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 under the historic elm trees for a vibrant market experience featuring seasonal fruits, vegetables, artisanal breads, cheeses, free-range eggs, and more.

GOOD TIMES, GREAT VALUE

School holiday win: Kids eat free on Tuesdays at Hiro Sushi, Mount Barker!
No lunchboxes, no dishes, no dramas. Just fresh, tasty sushi and happy little humans. Every Tuesday, Hiro Sushi in Mount Barker shouts the kids’ meals when you dine in with any sushi purchase.

Order any sushi plate, roll, pack or platter, and your little one will score a free Sushi Hiro kid set; perfectly portioned, seriously yum, and guaranteed to keep those tiny tummies full. It’s the midweek treat that makes everyone happy.

📍 Hiro Sushi, 18 Morphett Street, Mount Barker

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