🍂 Hills Happenings | Jan 7 - Jan 13

Hello everyone. This week blends the quieter, thoughtful side of summer with the joy of getting out and about in the Hills, from the Adelaide Hills Roadside Stalls tote bags popping up at local stalls to Stirling coming alive for a special summer edition of the Laneways Market. With the heat settling in, it is also a good moment to think about how we care for our patch, with the Adelaide Hills Council’s guide to low flammability native gardens offering practical, local advice on plants that support wildlife and protect the landscape we share.

Let’s get into it.

One of the things I mentioned recently that I’ve been working on is finally out in the world. The Adelaide Hills Roadside Stalls tote bags have landed at selected stalls, bringing the illustrated Roadside Stalls map to life in a very practical way. You can now pick one up directly from some of the stalls while you’re out and about, turning a simple stop into something a bit special.

Haaseford Garlic Farm in Iron Bank is one of the first on board, and after getting a behind the scenes look at the care and passion Renae puts into every product, it felt like a perfect fit. If you visit Haaseford Garlic Farm this month, you can grab a tote and receive a complimentary packet of their Certified Organic Garlic Powder as a gift with purchase. More stalls are joining soon, making this a lovely, tangible way to support local and explore the Hills. Check out Haaseford Garlic Farm here.

Little Daisy Stall in Norton Summit is one of those Hills roadside stops that instantly lifts your mood. Set up in a lovingly restored vintage caravan, it’s filled with fresh bunches of locally grown flowers alongside thoughtful handmade pieces and small gifts that feel genuinely special. It’s the kind of place you slow down for, chat for a bit, and leave smiling. You can now also pick up an Adelaide Hills Roadside Stalls tote bag at Little Daisy, making it a lovely mix of practical and pretty while supporting a local stall with plenty of heart. Check out Little Daisy Stall here.

Mel’s Garden Pantry in Strathalbyn is one of those roadside stops that quietly makes your day better. Run by local beekeeper Mel, the stall is stocked with beautiful jars of honey, beeswax candles, balms and other hive made goodies, along with fresh free range eggs. Everything is produced with care and a real connection to the land. You can now also pick up an Adelaide Hills Roadside Stalls tote bag at Mel’s Garden Pantry, with a beeswax lip balm included as a gift with purchase, making it a lovely way to support a local maker while you’re out exploring the Hills. Check out Mel’s Garden Pantry here.

STIRLING LANEWAYS + SPIN SOCIAL
A summer Sunday made for wandering in Stirling

There is something about Stirling in January that invites you to slow down. Dappled shade, long afternoons, and that familiar village buzz when people linger a little longer.

Stirling’s much-loved Laneways Market is kicking off 2026 with a special one-off summer edition that feels like everything we love about the village rolled into one joyful day.

On Sunday 18 January, Stirling Laneways shifts from its usual fourth Sunday slot to a special third Sunday celebration, teaming up with a new community event called Spin Social on the Stirling Library Lawns. It is all part of getting the town ready for the Tour Down Under, which rolls into Stirling the following weekend.

Expect the familiar magic of Laneways. Market stalls tucked through the village, live music drifting between spaces, colour and discovery at every turn. This time, the day opens out onto the shady oaks of the Library Lawns, where families can settle in for a relaxed summer afternoon. Think giant lawn games, Storytime, hands-on craft sessions and face painting, alongside making pinwheels to help decorate the town for the Tour.

The January theme is Think Pink, a cheerful nod to summer and cycling season. Food is front and centre too, with a handpicked line-up of food trucks joining Stirling’s cafés and restaurants. Vegan Greek, Turkish street food, locally made ice creams, donuts and the return of Cart & Soul coffee all feature.

Live music will flow throughout the day, curated by Hills Folk Music, adding to the easy, festive feel.

If you love Stirling in summer, this is one of those days that captures it beautifully. Slow, creative, community-minded and full of heart. Check out the full line up of events here.

Living in the Hills means learning the rhythms of this place. Warm days, dry air, and the quiet awareness that fire is part of the landscape we call home. Our gardens can be part of how we care for this place, offering beauty, habitat, and a little extra protection for the land around us.

The Adelaide Hills Council has released a thoughtful guide to low flammability native gardens, helping locals choose plants that naturally hold moisture, slow the movement of fire, and catch embers, all while still looking lush and inviting.

You will find familiar favourites throughout the guide. Correas nestled close to the house. Pig Face spilling over edges with its cool, fleshy leaves. Soft Flax-lilies and hardy Saltbush quietly supporting birds, butterflies, and small creatures along the way. These plants feel at home here, and they tend to grow that way too.

One local standout is the Sticky Hopbush. Fast-growing, resilient, and loved by parrots, it earns its place quickly. Running Postman is another gentle hero, hugging the ground and adding flashes of red when everything else feels dusty and tired.

The guide is also a timely reminder that summer care matters. Light pruning, clearing away dry material, and giving plants a drink during hot spells all help gardens stay healthy and resilient.

Right now, as the heat settles in, it is a good moment to look at what is already growing in your patch. A garden that is well chosen and well cared for can feel like a quiet refuge, for you, your neighbours, and the life that shares this place with us.

If you’re thinking about planting natives or adjusting what you already have, the Adelaide Hills Council has a solid range of resources to help. They’re practical, local, and written with Hills gardens in mind. You can find them here.

Lobethal Road Greek Mezze Weekend is here for one glorious summer weekend only. On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January, Chef Ali Seedsman is bringing the flavours of Greece to the Hills with a generous mezze feast made for long, lazy afternoons and plenty of summer wine. Think halloumi, calamari, moussaka and other Greek classics made for sharing. Bookings are essential. Yamas, let’s eat. Book your table now.

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers is blooming at Atkins Farm in Meadows from Monday 12 to Sunday 25 January (keep an eye on their socials here for exact opening times). Wander through rows of golden sunflowers, soak up the summer calm, and pick your own locally grown blooms to take home. It’s a simple, feel good Hills experience that’s as pretty as it is wholesome. Head to Atkins Farm to plan your visit.

🌽 Adelaide Hills Farmers Market | Saturday 10th January | Mount Barker
Meet local growers and makers while enjoying fresh seasonal produce and a warm community atmosphere. INFO

🧺 Meadows Country Market | Sunday 11th January | Meadows
Enjoy a friendly country morning browsing local crafts, produce, and handmade goods at this much-loved monthly market. INFO

🥋 Girls Self Defence - 3 Week Program | WORKSHOP | 📅 Wednesday, 7, 14  – Sunday, 21 January | Mount Barker
Empower girls aged 10+ with confidence, awareness, and practical self-defence skills during this supportive three-week school holiday program. INFO

🚗 Drawn to Drive: The Great South Aussie Road Trip| FAMILY | Birdwood | Thursday, 8 – Monday, 19 January
Kids can design and draw their own car, then watch it come to life in a fun digital race across South Australia in this hands-on creative workshop. INFO

🎶 THE VASCO ERA | MUSIC | THE SCENIC HOTEL, Norton Summit | Thursday, 8 January
Catch the return of acclaimed Aussie band The Vasco Era performing their new album live with raw energy and dynamic extremes at a stunning pub venue. INFO

🍽️ Greek Mezze Weekend | FOOD & WINE | Lobethal Road, Mount Torrens | Saturday, 10 – Sunday, 11 January
Settle in for a generous Greek-inspired mezze feast by Chef Ali Seedsman, designed for slow summer lunches paired with seasonal wines. INFO

🎨 Mandalas, Meditation & Music | WELLBEING | Aldgate | Saturday, 10 January | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Enjoy a gentle morning of guided meditation, watercolour mandalas, and soothing harp music with Emma Howard. A nurturing space to rest, reflect, and reset after the festive season. INFO

🌱 Sowing the Seeds for Intentional Living | WELLNESS | Trees Of Trenance, Bugle Ranges | Saturday, 10 January | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Join a friendly, welcoming group for relaxed cribbage games and great company, with all skill levels welcome and pay-on-the-day entry. INFO

🌿 Glen Ewin Estate Open Day | COMMUNITY | Houghton | Sunday, 11 January
Explore Glen Ewin Estate’s gardens and venues, enjoy drinks and food, and meet event specialists to plan your perfect celebration. INFO

🎷 Jazz Under The Gums with Courteney Hooper | MUSIC | Sinclairs Gully, Norton Summit | Sunday, 11 January
DRelax under the candlebark gums with soulful jazz, local wine, and enchanting melodies by Courteney Hooper in a magical Adelaide Hills forest setting. INFO

🎶 Sacred Sounds In The Hills - Sound Journey | HEALTH & WELLNESS | Mount Barker | Sunday, 11 January
Immerse yourself in a deeply relaxing sound journey with Chris from Harmonic Essence, using gongs, singing bowls, and more for stress relief and meditation. INFO

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers | FAMILY | Atkins Farm, Meadows | Monday, 12 – Sunday, 25 January
Stroll through vibrant sunflower fields at Atkins Farm and take home the rustic beauty of locally grown blooms in the Adelaide Hills. INFO

🎨 Kids Summer School Art Classes | FAMILY | Stirling | Tuesday, 13  – Friday, 23 January
A joyful school holiday program where kids and teens explore watercolours, clay, drawing, metal embossing and more in guided sessions that nurture imagination and creative confidence. INFO

🎭 Seussical the Musical by HYT | THEATRE | Stirling | Tuesday, 13 – Sunday, 18 January
Step into the colourful world of Dr Seuss as nearly 100 young performers bring Horton, the Cat in the Hat and the Whos to life in a joyful, family-friendly musical full of heart, imagination and toe-tapping songs. INFO

🎨 Art for Cards Workshop | WORKSHOP | Aldgate | Tuesday, 13 January
Create your own artwork and turn it into a professionally printed card pack to use for birthdays and celebrations all year. INFO

💇 School Holiday Program – All Things Hair | FAMILY | Mount Barker | Tuesday, 13 January
Kids aged 5+ can design and decorate their own hair accessories using ribbons, beads, gems and more in a fun, hands-on creative workshop. INFO

_{Thanks for reading Adelaide Hills Pantry. I hope it added a moment of enjoyment to your day.}

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the traditional custodians of our land. We recognise Peramangk and Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the place where the content in this newsletter is featured and where the newsletter is created. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future and to the cultural authority of First Nations Peoples from other areas of this country.