Outdoor Gear Repairs, Lost Swimming Holes & Watercolours

Good morning, Hills lovers!

There’s something special about breathing new life into old things, whether outdoor gear, forgotten history, or creative pursuits. This week, meet Sue from Trail Threads, turning torn tents and tired backpacks into brand-new adventure gear. Dive into the long-lost Loftia Park swimming hole, once the go-to summer escape in Stirling. And if you’re feeling inspired, local artist Rebecca Prince is running a hands-on watercolour workshop, perfect for bringing a little colour into your week.

Let’s get into it.

HILLS PEOPLE DOING COOL THINGS
Trail Threads – Giving Outdoor Gear a Second Life

Most people see a broken tent, a ripped backpack, or a busted zip and think, that’s the end of the road. Sue from Trail Threads sees something completely different.

Sue sees potential.

In her small but mighty workshop in the Adelaide Hills, Sue isn’t just repairing outdoor gear, she’s giving it a second life. A surf-branded backpack that’s traveled for twenty years with its owner? It’s about to become something new for the next adventure. A tent too far gone to be patched up? The clips, the fabric, and even the stitching can be repurposed into something useful. Every piece of gear holds a story, and Sue believes those stories shouldn’t end in landfill.

Raised by parents who never wasted a thing, Sue grew up fixing, making, and reimagining what others might throw away. She still carries that mindset today, turning discarded materials into bespoke, made-to-order gear for people who care about sustainability as much as she does. And when she’s not repairing hiking packs and jackets, she’s dreaming big, of outdoor gear libraries, skill-sharing workshops, and even making her own equipment from scratch for a long-haul adventure.

Sue’s philosophy is simple. Look after your gear, maintain it, and when it needs repairing, don’t toss it, fix it. Or, better yet, let her transform it into something entirely new.

I sat down with Sue to talk about how she’s rewriting the way we think about outdoor gear. Watch the interview here: Watch Now

👉 Got a piece of gear that needs a second chance? Sue’s ready to work her magic. Find Trail Threads here.

Big thanks to Michelle Spiel (@thespinningspiel) for bringing this interview to life!

HILLS HISTORY
Loftia Park – Stirling’s Lost Swimming Hole

Once upon a summer in Stirling, Loftia Park was the place to be. Before backyard pools and air-conditioned homes, families packed picnics, kids ran barefoot over dry grass, and the best way to beat the heat was a dip in the cool waters of the Loftia Park swimming pool.

Nestled among towering gums, the pool was a true community hub. More than just a place to swim, it had tennis courts, picnic pavilions, and even a kiosk. And if you swam there, you might remember the giant concrete frog perched at the side of the pool, watching over the water like an unofficial lifeguard.

By the 1950s and 60s, the pool was still in use, though the water quality was questionable.

"The water was grey-green and turbid and probably toxic but we swam in it!" recalled one local.

It wasn’t crystal blue, and it likely wasn’t chlorinated, but that didn’t stop people from diving in.

Then came the 1955 bushfires, which reportedly left the concrete pool cracked and broken. Over time, nature crept back in, reclaiming the space. By 1996, the area was officially designated Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, named after the esteemed physicist and former Governor of South Australia. Today, traces of the old swimming hole are barely visible, but if you know where to look, you can still make out where it once was.

Would you have jumped in for a swim? Or would the murky water have kept you on dry land?

MAKE & CREATE 
Dive Into Watercolours with Rebecca Prince

Ever wanted to try your hand at watercolours but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe your old paint set is gathering dust, waiting for a comeback? Either way, this beginner-friendly short course is your chance to get those creative juices flowing.

Local artist Rebecca Prince is hosting a four-week, hands-on watercolour series, perfect for anyone keen to explore this wild and wonderful medium. Across four relaxed 2.5-hour sessions, you’ll:

🎨 Master colour mixing and create your own colour palette
🖌️ Experiment with brush techniques to make natural, loose, and expressive marks
💦 Embrace the unpredictable magic of watercolours
✨ Learn layering techniques and how to add detail without overworking your piece

Whether you’re a total newbie or just need a refresh, Rebecca will guide you through the process in a way that feels easy, fun, and a little bit freeing.

This is your chance to get playful with paint, meet like-minded creatives, and make something beautiful. Whether it’s your first time or you’re picking up an old passion, this course is all about exploration, expression, and maybe a little bit of happy mess.

Ready to paint? Come along to Miss Emily’s Emporium in Stirling.
Spots are limited, so book in now!

JUST FOR FUN
No cheating, definitely no Googling!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Piccadilly Valley Wine Trail 🍷 | WINE | Various locations in the Piccadilly Valley
📅 Ongoing, until the cellar doors close
Sip your way through five iconic Piccadilly Valley wineries, known for cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and premium sparkling wines.
🎟️ Visit all five, buy a bottle at each, collect stamps & redeem a set of Riedel Pinot glasses! INFO

Uraidla Sustainability Fair 🌿🌏 | FAIR | Uraidla Show Grounds, Uraidla
📅 Sun, Mar 16 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Uraidla Sustainability Fair is a community celebration focused on sustainability, connection, and action. Enjoy live acoustic music, great food, a sustainable market, and kids' activities alongside panel discussions and issue-based conversations. INFO

African Soul Drumming Workshop 🥁🎶 WORKSHOP | Stirling Library
📅 Sat, Mar 15 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Experience the rhythm of African drumming in a fun, family-friendly workshop. All ages are welcome. No experience is needed. Drumming has been used for centuries to connect, celebrate, and communicate. Feel the beat and be part of the energy. INFO

Forest Bathing 🌿🚶‍♀️ | WELLNESS WALK IN NATURE | Belair National Park
📅 Sat, Mar 15 | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Slow down and soak up the healing power of nature with this guided Forest Bathing experience in Belair National Park. Led by Lisa Murphy (Big Heart Adventures), this gentle, mindful walk is perfect for unwinding and reconnecting. Bring comfy shoes, water, and an open mind. INFO

Design & Crochet a Beanie 🧶 | WORKSHOP | Fabrik Arts + Heritage, Loberthal
📅 Sat, Mar 15 | 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Learn to crochet your own beanie (or textile bowl!) with expert guidance from Kristin Phillips & Lianne Gould. Ideal for those with basic crochet skills (12+). INFO

Acoustics in the Forest 🎶🌿 | LIVE MUSIC | Sinclairs Gully
📅 Sat, Mar 15 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Settle in under the candlebark gums for a twilight concert with the multi-award-winning Courteney Hooper. Blending alternative folk, baroque pop, and jazz, her soulful vocals and keys will create a truly enchanting forest experience. INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

Vintage & Vinyl 🎶🍷 | EVENT | Sidewood Estate, Hahndorf
📅 Sat, Apr 5 | All Day | 18+ Event
Celebrate Vintage 2025 with the ultimate vintage celebration in the Adelaide Hills at Sidewood Estate. Enjoy a day filled with wine, music, and fun, featuring the Grape Stomping Competition with prizes up for grabs, a mouthwatering food lineup including wood-fired pizzas and Korean chicken, and the chance to experience a Sabrage session, where you can pop open a bottle of sparkling with a traditional sabre. GET TICKETS

Flower Pounding & Embroidery 🌸🧵 | WORKSHOP | Fabrik, Loberthal
📅 Sat, Apr 26 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Create bold floral artwork using flower pounding techniques with Pennie from Hummingpea. Using home-grown flowers and pre-treated fabric, you'll hammer, press, and print vibrant botanical designs before optionally adding embroidery for extra detail.🎨 No experience needed (15+) | 🌸 All materials provided | GET TICKETS

Mother’s Day Lunch 🍷🌿 | WINE | The Lane Vineyard, Hahndorf
📅 Sun, May 11 | Lunch Service
Treat Mum to a five-course seasonal menu at The Lane Vineyard, paired with handpicked wines and stunning Adelaide Hills views. Enjoy special surprises from the chefs and a gift for Mum with every booking. After lunch, relax on the terrace or stroll through the vineyard for a truly memorable day. INFO

MARKETS

🧺 Woodside Market | Woodside Institute Hall
📆 Saturday, 15 March | 8:00 am – 1:00 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!

🧺 Adelaide Hills Farmers Market | Mount Barker
📅Every Saturday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
A certified farmers market packed with fresh, local produce. Stock up on fruit and veg, baked goods, meat, dairy and pantry staples, all direct from the growers and makers.

🧺 Mount Pleasant Farmers Market | Mount Pleasant Showgrounds
📅 Every Saturday | 8 AM – 12 PM
A vibrant market with seasonal produce, small-batch products and a welcoming country feel. Grab a coffee, meet the makers and soak up the relaxed weekend atmosphere.

CHEAP DATE

Take Away Pizza Deal 💘🍕 | Crafers Pizza Bar
📅 Ongoing | Dine-In & Takeaway
Good food and a great deal- what more do you need? Crafers Pizza Bar is serving up the ultimate cheap date night with 2 pizzas + garlic bread, and if you can’t be bothered leaving the house they’ll even deliver it to your door. INFO

Quiz & Parmy Night 🧠🍽️ | The Scenic Hotel, Norton Summit
📅 Wednesdays | 7:00 PM
Put your trivia skills to the test at Quiz Night, hosted by @theweeklyfifty, while enjoying a pint & parmy deal for $30. Great food, good banter, and prizes up for grabs! Gather your team, grab a parmy, and let the quiz games begin! INFO

Taco Tuesday 🌮🍻 | Hagen Armsm, Echunga
📅 Every Tuesday | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Taco Tuesday is calling! Choose from Fish, Chicken, or Pumpkin Tacos for $7 each or 3 for $27, plus enjoy a free tap beer or house wine with your order. Happy Hour is extended from 4 PM – 7 PM, so grab your crew, grab a taco, and settle in for a good time. INFO

Bottomless Pasta & Cocktails 🍝🍹 | Spaghetti Head, Aldgate
📅 Every Sunday | Bookings essential
Sundays just got better with bottomless pasta & cocktail jugs at Spaghetti Head! Enjoy garlic bread, endless pasta, and rotating cocktail jugs, with a chef’s selection of pastas changing weekly. Come hungry, leave happy! INFO

Let’s Chat

Hills Brain Teaser 🌿answer = 1500 🤯 

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