Where the Hills Turn Gold

Good morning, Hills lovers!

The sticky heat has gone. Autumn is finally here.

April settles in with woodsmoke, damp leaves underfoot, and a hush that hangs in the valleys. It’s the season for small things; pine cone crackling in the fire, a slow walk through turning trees, a quiet song in a distillery courtyard. It’s also the season for looking back. At the people who showed up and protected the Hills on those scorching hot days, and at the ones still showing up, year after year.

In this edition, we visit Miss Emily’s Emporium in Stirling for a school holiday workshop made from feathers and wonder. We pause to honour 40 years of the Piccadilly CFS. We head to Hahndorf for an intimate set from Chris Cavill and his son, and we let Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens remind us how to slow down.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign sink into the season, this is it.

Let’s get stuck in.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS
Nature, Craft, and Easter Magic

There’s a lovely kind of buzz that settles over Stirling in the school holidays. The leaves start to turn, the air is a little crisper, and tucked inside Miss Emily’s Emporium, something quietly delightful is happening.

Children gather around tables sprinkled with feathers, leaves, soft twine and natural treasures. With gentle guidance from the wonderful Your Wild Books crew, each child sets off on their own creative adventure, making pine cone bunnies and Easter wands using nature’s own craft box to bring a little Easter magic to life.

What ties it all together is a sense of wonder, imagination and the simple joy of slowing down to make something by hand.

🍦 And just when you think it couldn’t get any sweeter...

Every child also receives a voucher for a scoop of ice cream from Hokey Pokey, the much-loved local spot just down the road.

🌿 Spots are limited and bookings are essential. Book your child’s spot here.

HILLS HISTORY
Country Fire Service as the years go on.

Now that the worst of the fire season has passed, it feels like the right time to pause and reflect on the people who hold the line when the Hills heat up.

Before trucks and radios, it was just neighbours with buckets and hoses. For generations, fighting fires in rural South Australia was a community effort, with locals banding together when the flames came too close. The first real legislation arrived in 1847, banning reckless burn-offs. Then, in 1913, councils were given the power to appoint Fire Control Officers.

From there, the service grew steadily over time, gaining strength after World War II with better equipment, two-way radios and, most importantly, volunteers. By 1976, those scattered efforts came together with the creation of the South Australian Country Fire Service, a statewide network built on the commitment of everyday people.

One of those communities was Piccadilly. After the devastation of Ash Wednesday in 1983, it became clear the Hills needed more protection. In 1984, the Piccadilly CFS was established.

It quickly became more than a fire station. It was one of the first to welcome women into the brigade, and over the years, it’s seen three couples meet and marry in service. By all accounts, Piccadilly was one of the most active brigades in the Hills last year, with turnouts second only to Athelstone.

Local support powers it all. Bottles collected, op shop funds raised, hands offered without hesitation.

Forty years on, the station still hums with purpose and people who show up. Always ready. Always local. Check out the celebrations here.

LIVE MUSIC
Chris Cavill at Ambleside Distillers

Just a guitar, a father, his young son, and songs that carry the weight of time. Songs about love, memory, and holding on while everything around you shifts.

For two nights only this April, Ambleside Distillers in Hahndorf will host Chris Cavill as he brings The Hold Tour to the Hills. Known for his warm, soul-baring songwriting, Chris performs alongside his youngest, Jesse, sharing songs that speak to time, memory, and the people we love most.

Opening the night is Netherby, whose grounded acoustic style adds another layer of warmth to an already heartfelt evening.

Set among the barrels and botanicals of one of the Hills most loved distilleries, this is the kind of gig that feels more like a conversation than a concert. If you’ve been craving something real, this is your night. Book your spot here.

GARDENS
The Heartbeat of Autumn in the Hills

There’s a shift in the hills that comes with autumn. A hush in the air. A soft crunch underfoot. And nowhere does the season settle more beautifully than at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.

Set across 97 hectares on Peramangk Country, the garden is a tapestry of colour and connection. Yes, the leaves turn: brilliant golds, deep reds, flame-tipped oranges. But that’s only part of the story. What keeps people coming back, year after year, is something quieter. A pull to walk the same winding paths. A chance to breathe deep and remember what matters.

The lake and duck pond shimmer with reflection. The arboretum glows. But wander a little deeper, into the gullies and up into the woodland, and you’ll find moments that feel entirely your own. A flicker of sunlight through the ash trees. The whisper of wind through Japanese maples. A family, bundled in coats, pausing on a bench in silence.

Mark Oborn, the garden’s horticultural supervisor, has seen twenty years of autumn colour unfold here. He knows when the first reds appear and where to find the best view. His quiet dedication is woven through every leaf. You can read more from Mark here.

On weekends, the Bracegirdle’s van hums in the lower carpark with hot chocolate and chatter. But early mornings are something else. Still. Cool. Almost sacred.

Visit during the week if you can. Wear warm clothes and good shoes. Take it slow.

Let the season catch up with you.

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD
An opportunity to spread the word.

Mylor General Store are hiring a cafe all-rounder for an immediate start. Pop into the shop or email them at [email protected]

Aldgate Veterinary Clinic have opened up enrollments for puppy school. Call to enrol on 870 9383 or email [email protected]

Young Guns Property Maintenance & Revival can take care of keeping your garden tidy and gutters clean. Get in touch on 0427 648 388 for a free quote.

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 starting something new. It’s a podcast, but really, it’s about people.

We’ve been collecting voice memos from locals and long-time Hills lovers about the places they keep coming back to. Not the ones you read about in travel guides; the ones that live in your chest. A favourite tree. A quiet road. The smell of woodsmoke. A roadside stall that reminds you of someone you miss.

The first time I listened to one of the stories, I got goosebumps. The second one made me teary. Not because they were dramatic, but because they were honest and full of heart. And that’s what we’re chasing with this series. Real voices. Real stories. Deep roots.

If there’s a place in the Hills that pulls you back, for any reason at all, we’d love to hear it.

Just record a voice memo on your phone and text it to 0423 440 258, or send us an email here. No pressure to be polished. You can stay anonymous if you want. You can just be you. Deadline is 30 April. All the info’s here.

We can’t wait to listen and share this with you. 💛 

Do you have an event coming up that you’d like featured?

Reach out and say hi.

🍂 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. INFO

🎶 Sue Baker & The Sourdoughs
| LIVE MUSIC | Sinclair's Gully Winery
 📅 Sunday, April 13 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Get ready for an evening of soulful melodies, rich harmonies, and award-winning Adelaide Hills wines under the towering candlebark forest! INFO

🎨 Crafting Art
| CREATIVE WORKSHOP | Fabrik Arts + Heritage, Lobethal
 📅 Saturday, April 12 | 10 AM – 1 PM
Unleash your creativity in the beautiful Adelaide Hills with Crafting Art, a hands-on workshop led by Fabrik exhibiting artist Flossie Peitsch! INFO

🚵‍♀️ School Holiday Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
| ACTIVE KIDS | Aston Hills MTB Park, Mt Barker
📅 School Holidays Starting April 17 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Level up your mountain biking these school holidays! Head for the Hills is hosting fun and supportive skills clinics for kids aged 10–14 at Aston Hills MTB Park. INFO

🎶 Reginald Mobley with Paul Grabowsky
| LIVE MUSIC | UKARIA Cultural Centre, Mt Barker Summit
 📅 Saturday, April 12 | 7:30 PM
Experience a powerful musical collaboration at UKARIA as GRAMMY-nominated countertenor Reginald Mobley joins forces with renowned Australian pianist Paul Grabowsky. Together they bring Because to life, a moving blend of gospel, spirituals, and works by Black composers like Florence Price and Harry Burleigh. A performance rich in beauty, purpose, and soul. INFO

🎤 Majelen | Long Way To Go Tour 2025 – Mount Barker
| LIVE MUSIC | Mount Barker Town Hall
 📅 Friday, April 11 | 7 PM
Get ready for a night of acoustic magic and musical mischief as Majelen hits the road on her first headline Aussie tour, joined by the soulful and unpredictable Tessa Devine. With rich vocals, good vibes, and plenty of laughs, this is more than a gig, it’s an experience. Expect the unexpected and enjoy one unforgettable night! INFO

🍁 Autumn School Holidays with Adelaide Hills Outdoor Playgroup
| FAMILY FUN | The Old School Community Garden, Stirling
 📅 Monday, April 14 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Celebrate autumn in the garden with a magical morning of outdoor play, nature art, and sensory exploration for little ones INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🌌 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

🎨 Contemporary Ceramics with Guy Ringwood | CREATIVE WORKSHOP | Hahndorf Academy
 📅 April 30 & July 5 | 3:00 PM
Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this hands-on eight-week ceramics course with artist Guy Ringwood. INFO

🎭 Early Bird Tickets To Little Women | LIVE MUSCIAL THEATRE | Stirling Community Theatre
 📅 Various Dates in May
✨ 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

MARKETS

🛍️ Oakbank Market | Oakbank Soldiers’ Memorial Hall
 📅 Saturday, April 12 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Enjoy a laid-back day at Oakbank Market, where local creativity and community spirit come together!

🖼️ Bremer Valley Pop-Up Gallery Market
 📅 Sunday, April 13 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wander the scenic Bremer Valley and experience a vibrant celebration of art, creativity and local flair at the second Bremer Valley Gallery Trail and Pop-Up Gallery Market.

🥕 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.

GOOD TIMES, GREAT VALUE

OFFER AVAILABLE FOR ONE LAST WEEKEND - 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
🔗 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.}