Hahndorf's History

 The enchanting town of Hahndorf is recognised as one of the oldest surviving German settlements in Australia.

Indigenous History

The first and traditional owners of Hahndorf, and surrounding areas, were the Peramangk people. The Indigenous Australians have been the traditional custodians of the land for over 60,000 years. Hahndorf was traditionally called ‘Bukartilla’ which translates to ‘deep pool’. The Hahndorf area was an important water and food source for the Peramangk people. The Peramangk people and the settlers had reportable few serious conflicts between the communities, with records demonstrating that the Peramangk people taught the settlers how to utilise the natural resources around them, including how to catch possums and where to find edible native foods and plants. 

Settler History

In December 1838, 38 Lutheran families fleeing persecution from Prussia and East Germany, arrived in Adelaide aboard a ship called the Zebra, which was captained by a Dane called Captain Hahn. Captain Hahn negotiated on behalf of the German families and secured a lease of 60 hectares of land in the surrounding Adelaide Hills. It was a two month walk to reach their new home and in early 1839 they founded their settlement. Nestled in the Adelaide Hills, the area mimics the beautiful scenery, weather, and feel of their homeland of Germany. In honour of their Danish sea captain, they named the town Hahndorf (meaning Hahn’s Village).

 

Hahndorf is Australia's oldest surviving German Settlement, with many of the original settler’s ancestors still living there today.

Life in the small but growing community was based heavily around the Lutheran church. By the 1850s, 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. 

During wartime, the German community of Hahndorf suffered persecution once more. As a result, many Germans decided to anglicise their names, particularly those that joined the Australian Army. Between 1917 and 1935, furthering itself from it's German Ancestry, Hahndorf was renamed Ambleside. Lutheran schools were also closed in South Australia by Act of Parliament in 1917. In 1936 the ‘Hahndorf’ name was restored to mark South Australia's centennial year.

Famous people from Hahndorf

One might be familiar with the works of famous artist Wilhelm Ernst ‘Hans’ Franz Heysen (1877-1968) also known as “Hans Heysen”, a German-born South Australian who became famous for his Australian landscape artwork. His property called “The Cedars” is located just outside the township of Hahndorf and is open to visitors. His daughter, Nora Heysen, who was born in Hahndorf in 1911, went on to become the first woman to win the prestigious Archibald prize in 1938 for portraiture. Her works and studio can also be viewed at the homestead.

 

Behind the bustling Main Street, filled with cafes, wine, German food, retail stores, and art galleries, is a strong knit community comprised of some of the original settler families and, relatively speaking, ‘newcomers’ to our fabulous town.

In August of 2004, Hahndorf was placed on the National Trust of Australia's List of Endangered Places. Today, we still honour our shared Indigenous and German history in this wonderful town of Hahndorf.

Visiting Hahndorf

Hahndorf, situated in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, offers something special every season! Summer is the perfect time for outdoor dining and trying an assortment of German beer, and finishing off the day with some locally made ice-cream. Hahndorf really puts on a show in Autumn with the main street lined with gorgeous trees turning red and gold. Winter is the easiest excuse to snuggle up with a hot chocolate or some warm Gluhwein (mulled wine) in the town's many cafes and restaurants. With numerous buildings sporting open fires, it’ll be hard to leave. Spring is the perfect time to try crisp white wines from the local wineries, enjoyed with a cheese platter from the town's cheesemakers. Or even strawberry picking, only a few minutes’ walk from town centre at Beerenberg Farm.

Hahndorf is a perfect spot to visit on any occasion or season, with accommodation all within walking distance of the main street. Situated in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, it is not only a place where you can spend days wandering up and down the main street, but also to use as a base to visit so many wonderful sites in this beautiful part of the world.

We are the MUST SEE of the Adelaide Hills!