"Settled by the Prussians" Top 5 Page for this destination Hahndorf by balhannah

Hahndorf Travel Guide: 40 reviews and 102 photos

Hahndorf's history

It was in the year 1838 when Prussian Lutheran families arrived on the Ship the "Zebra," from the easter provinces of Prussia.

Captain Dirk Hahn, Captain of the "Zebra," selected this area near the township of Mt. Barker for the immigrants who had endured a terrible journey to Australia.
Between March-May 1839, some 200 people brought all their earthly belongings over the Mt Lofty ranges and laid out a 'Hufendorf' (farm village) settlement, the only one of its kind ever organised in Australia.

This plan dates back to 10th Century Europe and therefore is of historical importance to South Australia.

The good Captain could see they had ardous times ahead, so he stayed and helped them settle before continuing on his journey.

In gratitude to this wonderful man, they named "Hahndorf" after him.

Hahndorf was the first Australian town specifically planned for and settled by a group of non-British immigrants.

It is Australia's oldest surviving Germanic settlement.

Hahndorf today

German Arms Hotel

The Hahndorf founders based their whole life around the church and its beliefs and set to work with quick-growing crops to provide much needed produce for Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.

Throughout the 1840's, many of the original families moved away in search of more and better agricultural land.

By the 1850's, the primitive huts were giving way rapidly to the traditional fachwerk style of farmhouse and barn imported from Germany, together with stone churches, schools and hotels. Some of these can stilll be seen at the settlement of "Paechtown," an area where time has stood still!

A small but influential number of British settlers arrived and began intermarriage with the original German population.

Hahndorf's village life continued without much change until World War I.

In the 1960's it became popular with art lovers visiting local galleries, and then the South Eastern Freeway arrived in 1974 and bypassed the town. This was really a blessing, as the street was too narrow for the modern traffic.

Tourist's began to arrive in amazing numbers to admire the remnants of traditional German architecture and customs, and so Hahndorf survived the bypass.

Hahndorf

Located in the pretty Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf is a short 20min drive from Adelaide, and it is also serviced by Public Bus as well.

These days, a walk along the main street is very enjoyable browsing shops, or enjoying some German Cake at a Cafe.

Don't forget to buy or try the German Wursts and Smallgoods and try the other german food and Beer!

It is a little piece of Germany in South Australia

HOW TO REACH HAHNDORF BY CAR.......
1.Take the Mount Barker road exit and follow as it continues into the South Eastern Freeway (M1).
2.Follow for approximately 15 minutes and take the Hahndorf/Woodside/Birdwood exit (B34) on the left.
3.At the exiting roundabout, take the second exit onto Mount Barker Road.
4.Follow straight for approximately 4 minutes as road continues into Main Street.
5.Arrive at Main Street, Hahndorf.

FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CLICK ON THIS LINK....
http://www.railmaps.com.au/stationdetails.php?StationSelect=3835

DAY TRIP 1 continues to MT. BARKER
DAY TRIP 2 FROM %L [http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/fa47c/1cb1a7/]ADELAIDE%L*.......Please click on this link for our second day trip from Adelaide.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lovely, shady town to enjoy on a hot Summer's Day
Cons:Can be over run with tourists
In a nutshell:An enjoyable town to walk the streets and enjoy the history.

Last visit to Hahndorf: May 2012
Intro Updated Dec 15, 2012
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Reviews (12)

ALEC JOHNSTON PARK Things to Do (12)

Alec Johnston was a local dairyman, who donated time and money to the Town of Hahndorf. The park was named after him in... more travel advice

ST. MICHAEL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH Things to Do (12)

There are two Lutheran Churches in Hahndorf. Founded in 1839, St. Michael's is the oldest Lutheran church in... more travel advice

EARLY PIONEER TRAIL Things to Do (12)

Located near St. Paul's Lutheran Church, is a concrete pathway leading to the next street that runs parallel to the main... more travel advice

HAHNDORF INN Things to Do (12)

There are two Hotels in Hahndorf, one of them is the Hahndorf Inn. This Hotel has some history going back to 1853 when... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jul 17, 2012

7 photos

More historic buildings in Hahndorf main street

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Comments (6)

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CatherineReichardt Jul 24, 2012 at 6:58 AM

Lovely tips on Hahndorf, Dee! Truly Little Germany - and looking especially gorgeous when you visited, judging by the photos.
Regards
Cathy
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thegreynomad Feb 15, 2012 at 2:13 PM

Looking forward to seeing Hahndorf
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willy_wonka Mar 2, 2011 at 6:46 PM

just had a quick weekend in adelaide, but couldnt get out to hahndorf. looks really pretty. thanks for a cute little page!
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yumyum Feb 26, 2011 at 12:15 AM

Many years ago I was taken to Hahndorf by an Australian friend :) Cute place!
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aannee Sep 1, 2010 at 1:34 PM

A favorite town of mine.
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ViajesdelMundo Oct 1, 2009 at 9:01 AM

WOW, bringing back the memories; but I never knew any of this when I lived there.......