"Hahndorf Charm." a Hahndorf Travel Page by australia2

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A touch of (sloping)Europe amid gum trees.

19th century German settlement in Sth Australia.

(Our first overnight stay of our long road journey. How long ? Eventually 17,000 kilometres. That's a smidgen over 10,000 miles !)

There is great variation in the nature of South Australia. Its capital, Adelaide, is one of the prettiest cities in Australia. Situated on the Torrens river it is a well balanced mixture of nature and commerce.
South Australia's rural areas range vastly between the winegrowing district of the Barossa Valley to the harshness of opal-mining Coober Pedy and more.
Travelling from the east, one encounters the village of Hahndorf. Settled in the mid 19th century by mostly German immigrants it carries their influence very strongly.

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Olden German Influence.

Pretty Hahndorf.

The tourist is extremely well catered for in this lovely little Australian/German town.
The late, renowned painter (Sir) *Hans Heysen is a very important person in the History of Hahndorf - and incidentally gives us an interesting sentence to pronounce ! (How are your 'Haitches'?)
His paintings of Australian country scenes are much loved and valued.
There is a small, enchanting museum containing a collection of some of his paintings and also some of his home living memoribilia there.
Unfortunately a number of years ago a fire damaged part of the collection.

Born in Hamburg Germany in 1877, his parents brought him to Adelaide when he was six years old.
Very many years later he settled in Hahndorf and taught the art of painting there as he continued his artistic output .

A short biography is here: < http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090289b.htm >
*His full name is Sir Wilhelm Ernst Hans Franz Heysen.

Next morning we pack up and head for the capital, Adelaide.

Come along with us. Just a VT click away.