The German Arms Hotel

Hahndorf
Major tourist attraction in the Adelaide Hills. Well preserved township with strong German origins.
Located 28 km south-east of Adelaide, Hahndorf is a major tourist destination. It is a little piece of Silesia, Prussia and Germany in the Adelaide Hills. It is characterised by beautiful shady, tree-lined streets, lots of advertisements and shop signs in Teutonic script, and lots of German tourists being entertained in cafes, bars and restaurants run by the descendants of the town's early German settlers. The town is 330 m above sea level, has a rainfall of 990 mm and promotes itself as 'Australia's Oldest German Town'.

The history of Hahndorf starts in 1838 when George Fife Angas went to London as a director of the South Australian Company to try and promote colonisation. While he was there he met Pastor August Ludwig Christian Kavel who was trying to organise for Lutherans (who were being persecuted by the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm III) to emigrate. Angas was moved by the plight of the Lutherans and not only persuaded Kavel that South Australia was a suitable place for emigration but also financially assisted them with a generous £8,000. The first German settlers arrived on 25 November, 1838 at the unfortunately named Port Misery. These settlers were to establish distinctly German villages at Klemzig, Glen Osmond, Lobethal and most famously Hahndorf.

The monument to Captain Hahn after whom Hahndorf was named

Hahndorf's history is connected to the arrival at Port Adelaide, on 28 December, 1838 of the 344 ton ship, Zebra, under the control of Captain Dirk Hahn. He was impressed by his passengers to such a point that upon their arrival in South Australia he was determined to help them. Although a Dane it is he who is honoured with his name being the basis of the town's name.

The ship was carrying 187 German immigrants. For a time the immigrants lived in tents at Port Adelaide then Hahn came to an agreement to rent 150 acres of land (this was the present site of Hahndorf) which would be divided up so there was 38 acres for living quarters and the rest for farming. Later the grant was expanded to 240 acres. A group of twelve men on horseback and some ladies in a carriage travelled to inspect the site and Hahn was so taken by it that he declared 'It seems to me as if nature had lavished her choicest gifts on South Australia, I should like to end my days here and never return to the busy world.'

The conditions for settlement were generous. The Germans were given provisions for the first year. They were also provided with a preacher and a substantial amount of livestock. All that was required was that they worked hard and produced a reasonable return on the land and livestock.

Not surprisingly the early settlers worked hard planting crops and grazing the cattle they had been given. They all contributed to the construction of a church which was completed within a year of the settlement. It stood where St Michael's Church now stands.

Within the first decade the town prospered. Vineyards were established, the women worked as shepherds, the men hired themselves out to the surrounding landowners as cheap labour and slowly substantial houses, many of which still stand, were built.

The town was struck by intense anti-German feelings during World War I (rather stupid given that most of the residents could trace their origins back to 1839) and the name was changed to Ambleside by a 1917 Act of Parliament. The German Arms Hotel, for example, became the Ambleside Hotel and did not change its name back until 1976.

Today it is one of South Australia's premier tourist attractions. There are few places in the country where you can drive through typically Australian countryside and, quite suddenly, enter a world which seems to have been lifted from Central Europe.

Things to see:  

Exploring Hahndorf
Guided Tour of the Town
This tour starts at the bottom of the main street where Ambleside Road joins the main street. It is useful to accompany the tour with a good map. 'A Guide to Historic Hahndorf' is perfectly adequate for the purpose. Only the village's most significant buildings are mentioned here. It is recognised that there are well over 50 buildings of importance in Hahndorf. The best brochure on the town is that titled 'Hahndorf - State Heritage Area' and published by the Department of Environment and Planning in 1989.

Hillstowe Wines
Located on 104 Main Street, Hahndorf this cool climate winery with an historic cellar door in Hahndorf was established in 1980 and specialises in both red and white table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, merlot, sauvignon blanc, riesling and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days for tastings and sales. For more details contact (08) 8388 1400.

Thiele's Cottage and Thiele's Flower Shop
Located at 100 and 102 Main Street, these two buildings comprise a simple cottage which was built by Friedrich Thiele and his wife Anna Schmidt. They were the first couple to marry in Hahndorf and, because there was no church at the time, they were married under a gum tree in the main street. Next door is the old Thiele's Flower Shop (now Cherry's Antiques) which remained in the Thiele family from 1839-1991.

The Old Mill
Located at 98 Main Street this old flour mill was built in 1853 and operated continuously crushing everything from mill to quartz and bone for fertiliser until 1912 when it closed down. In recent times it has been used as the Old Mill Restaurant which is part of the Old Mill motel.

Detmold House
Located at 85 Main Street this was the residence of the Wittwer family (they ran the mill over the road) and was built in 1861 and called Detmold after the town in Germany where the family originated from.

Haebich's Cottage
Located at 75 Main Street this is a typical example of a half-timber family home, in classic German style, from the early years of the village. The land was purchased by the local blacksmith, George Haebich, in 1850 and the cottage dates from around that time.

Storison Arts and Crafts
Located at 73 Main Street this is the site of the town's first blacksmith's shop. The original building was constructed in the 1850s by George Haebich. His son August took over in 1872 and the present building dates from around 1880.

Pioneer Gardens
Located on Main Street just up from Storisons this garden commemorates the 39 families which settled the area. In recent times it has included the notable addition of a monument to Captain Dirk Hahn.

German Arms Hotel
Located at 69 Main Street this is the centre of the town. An attractive hotel, distinguished by its typically German flower boxes, it was first established on this site in 1861 by the local publican Robert Hunt. It is now a popular destination for tourists wanting to watch other tourists walk up and down the main street.

St Michael's Lutheran Church

St Michael's Lutheran Church
Located on the corner of Balhannah Road and Church Street just one block away from the Main Street, St Michael's is the oldest Lutheran Church in Australia dating to 1858 and dedicated on 3 July, 1859. In fact the first church in the town, built of pug and consecrated in 1840, operated on this site. It is one of two Lutheran churches in town and indication that there were doctrinal disagreements between the residents.

Hahndorf Academy
Back to the Main Street and located at 68 Main Street is the Hahndorf Academy, a rather dour building which was completed in 1883. It was here that T.W. Boehm opened a private primary school in 1857. He added a secondary school in 1871. It was restored in the 1960s and now operates as an art gallery. For more information contact (08) 8388 7250.

Hahndorf Inn
Located at 35 Main Street this was originally the Union Hotel which was built in 1863 by Benjamin Gray. It has been operating as the Hahndorf Inn since 1972.

St Pauls Lutheran Church
Located at the southern end of the main street this church was constructed at the end of the 1880s and opened in 1886 for a congregation which had previously worshipped in the Hahndorf College.

In the District

Hans Heysen's studio

Hans Heysen's House and Studio
'The Cedars', the delightful home of the famous Australian landscape and still life painter, Hans Heysen is definitely worth a visit. It is easy to find being located in Heysen Road which is off Ambleside Road. There was a time, now fast disappearing, when no Australian middle class home was without its reproduction of a Heysen gum trees painting with a name like 'Droving into the Light' or 'The Roadside Gum'. Regardless of your feelings about the man and his art a visit to the home is full of wonders. Heysen's studio, complete with very familiar gum trees across the paddocks, is virtually untouched. The house, still owned by the family, is in pristine condition and the art on display is much more diverse than the man's ubiquitous gum trees would suggest. It is open every day except Saturday and there are regular tours of the house and the studio. Contact (08) 8388 7277 for times and details.

Beerenberg Strawberry Farm
Located on Auricht Road south of Hahndorf this is on one level a tourist attraction where visitors can buy strawberries and their by-products. On another level, although it is now a modern complex, it is part of the historic Paech farming settlement which was established in this area as early as 1839. In recent times the jams from the farm have become so popular they are common in many upmarket hotels around the country.

	Tourist Information
	Hahndorf Tourist Information Centre Old Mount Barker Rd Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 1185
	Motels
	Hahndorf Old Mill Motel 98 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7888 Facsimile: (08) 8388 7242 Rating: ***
	The Hahndorf Resort 145a Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7921 Facsimile: (08) 8388 7282 Rating: ***
	The Stables Restaurant & Inn Motel 74 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7988 Rating: ***
	Hahndorf Inn Motor Lodge 35 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 1000 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	German Arms Hotel Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7013
	Hahndorf Inn Hotel 35 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7063
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Evelyn's Bed & Breakfast 15 Auricht Rd Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8188 0181 Facsimile: (08) 8388 1242
	Zorro's Hacienda 60 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 1309
	Cottages & Cabins
	Amber Cottage Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7711 Rating: ****
	Elderberry Cottage Mount Barker Rd Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7997 Facsimile: (08) 8388 1242
	Carinya Cottage Lot 54 Peachtown Rd Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7266 Facsimile: (08) 8388 7266
	Fairview Kanyana Cottage Fairview Rd Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 1005 Facsimile: (08) 8388 1005
	Caravan Parks
	Hahndorf Resort & Caravan Park 145a Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7361 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	German Arms Hotel Bistro Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7013
	Gourmet House Chinese Restaurant Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 1389
	Hahndorf Bistro 145a Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7921
	Hahndorf Chinese Restaurant 63 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7448
	Karl's German Coffee House Restaurant Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7171
	Old Mill Hahndorf 98 Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7888
	Zorro Char Grill Restaurant Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 1309
	Cafés
	Cafe Assiette Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7379
	Caffe Casalinga Main St Hahndorf SA 5245 Telephone: (08) 8388 7877