🍂Kids, retreats & hikes in the Hills

Good morning, Hills lovers. The school holidays are almost here, the trails are drying out, and the Hills feel wide open again. Whether you’ve got kids to keep busy, a body that’s craving a proper 10km stretch, or you just need a day that’s about you (and not everyone else), this week’s line-up has you covered. From big adventures at Woodhouse, to a wellness reset in the Hills, and a handful of hikes that’ll get your legs moving again — it’s all inside.

Let’s get into it.

P.S. Puzzles arrive in a few of weeks. Pre-order yours here: Shop Puzzles

KIDS LOVE WOODHOUSE
Holiday adventures worth it

I usually book my kids into Woodhouse for at least one day in the school holidays to break things up. Coincidentally, my son went to Woodhouse on a school excursion just the other week and he hasn’t stopped talking about it since. When he got home he was already begging me to book him in again.

What I’ve loved about the visits my kids have had at Woodhouse is that it’s not just “holiday care” – it’s a day full of adventures and new experiences. Also, I love that they get to hang out with new kids and make new friends that are outside their usual circle – kids from all over the Hills and even down the hill too.

Their UNPLUGGED program runs every day of the holidays, for a full day from 9am-5pm (you can drop kids off from 8:30am). Each day has a different theme, one day the kids might be learning survival skills and cooking over a campfire, the next they’re busting myths with science experiments, or charging around in a laser tag battle. My kids tell me they love the afternoons the most as this is when they get to choose their own adventure between activities like tackling Challenge Hill or going on the tube slide (weather permitting).

It makes me feel good too, because not only do they come home tired, grubby and brimming with stories but even just one day makes the holidays feel a little more special – and guaranteed they are desperately trying to talk me into letting them go back for more days.

Woodhouse is a community-minded not-for-profit that’s all about giving kids in the Hills big adventures and plenty of fun. They’ve passed on a special code for Adelaide Hills Pantry readers – PANTRY5 – which gets you 5% off, for as many kids and as many days as you’d like.👉 Book your kids in here

SPRING WELLNESS RETREAT
A Day To Reset & Create

These days, it’s rare to find even a two-hour wellness package for what this full-day retreat offers. Pottery, yoga, meditation, journaling, a sound bath, nourishing food and more — all inclusive for just $224. This intimate retreat is all about connection, creativity and calm. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Adelaide Hills in Crafers, it’s an invitation to pause, breathe and embrace the season.

Your journey begins with mindful nature journaling, guided to notice the colours, textures and rhythms of spring. A keepsake journal will be yours to continue the practice long after the day ends. A restorative yoga flow with Jas from Kind Mind Wellness, gently awakening the body before settling into stillness.

After a nourishing seasonal lunch, the afternoon unfolds into creativity and connection. You’ll be guided through a heart-opening meditation and sound bath, before moving into a hands-on pottery workshop with Sheena from Earth & Soul Pottery Co. Together, you’ll craft a nature-inspired piece while overlooking lush gardens from the balcony.

Throughout the day, herbal teas and light refreshments will be on hand, and all materials, expert facilitation and a lovingly prepared menu are included. Gluten free options are available, and yoga mats and bolsters are provided. Simply bring a blanket and anything else that makes you comfortable.

Spaces are limited - this retreat is a rare chance to slow down and truly immerse yourself in the beauty of spring. Book your spot here.

10KM HILLS HIKES
Shake Off Winter

If you’re anything like me, there is a moment every spring when your body says enough hibernating. The sun feels warm on your face, the wattles are buzzing, and your legs itch for a stretch. Ten kilometres is the magic distance. Long enough to feel like a proper walk, short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon. The Adelaide Hills are full of tracks that sit right in that sweet spot, here are five 10km hikes worth lacing up for:

🌿 Wine Shanty Hike – Cleland
A 10km circuit through tall forest and open gullies, with bird calls overhead and the ruins of an old wine shanty along the way. Cleland always delivers koala sightings if you keep your eyes up. Hike Map Here

🌿 Mylor to Aldgate Loop – Heysen Trail
This 10.2km loop stitches two Hills villages together via the Heysen. Expect creek crossings, mossy stone walls and a steady track that leaves you right on Aldgate’s doorstep for a coffee stop. Hike Map Here

🌿 Onkeeta Trail – Kuitpo Forest
Flat, steady and just over 10km. Plantation pines mix with native pockets, and yellow-tailed black cockatoos often cut across the track. A reliable circuit when you want a no-fuss wander. Hike Map Here

🌿 Chambers Hike – Cleland
At 9.6km it nearly misses the cut, but Chambers makes up for it with everything: waterfalls, old ruins, koalas, and a ridge line view back over Adelaide. Hike Map Here

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Matilda’s Bookshop Present: Meet the Author: Bob Brown for the launch of his new book, Defiance: Stories from Nature and It’s Defenders. Bob Brown, environmental and social justice campaigner and former senator, will be in conversation with Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, talking about stories of courage and conviction from the environmental frontline. Matilda’s will be presenting Bob and Sarah, in partnership with the Burnside Library at 7pm on Thursday October 23rd at The Regal Theatre, 275 Kensington Road, Kensington Park. Book Your Ticket Here.

Stirling Players are giving Adelaide Hills Pantry readers a special treat this Thursday! Free access to an exclusive preview of Hansard, the sharp and witty play that stormed London’s National Theatre. Part domestic drama, part political comedy, it follows a Tory MP and his left-wing wife locked in battle over marriage, politics, and power in Thatcher’s Britain. The preview is on Thursday 11 September, 7.30 pm at Stirling Community Theatre (doors from 6.45 pm, with sherry on arrival and a full bar). Use code HILLSPANTRY to book your tickets — and if you can’t make it, the season runs 12–27 September. Book tickets here.

WEEKEND MARKETS

🌿 Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
| MARKET | Mount Pleasant
📅 Saturday, 13 September | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Spend your Saturday morning exploring fresh seasonal produce, gourmet goods, and handmade delights at this beloved country market. With live music, coffee, and local charm, it’s the perfect weekend outing.

🥕 Adelaide Hills Farmers Market
| MARKET | Mount Barker
📅 Saturday, 13 September | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Set under the elms at 23 Mann Street, this weekly market is the heart of the Adelaide Hills, bringing together fresh produce, local artisans, and a vibrant community spirit.

🛍️ Oakbank Market
| MARKET | Oakbank
📅 Saturday, 13 September | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Browse a mix of local stalls inside and out, from handmade candles to pet treats, enjoy live music, kids' activities, and support the Oakbank Soldiers' Memorial Hall.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

📚 Maths Meets Storytime: Fun in Every Tale
| KIDS & FAMILIES | Stirling
📅 Thursday, 11 September | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Spark your child’s curiosity with this playful storytime series that brings numbers to life through picture books and simple problem-solving fun. INFO

🍷 A Taste of the Estate – Wedding Long Table Experience
| FOOD & WINE | Oakbank
📅 Friday, 12 September | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Experience an unforgettable long table dinner at Cobb's Hill Estate, featuring a signature wedding menu by award-winning chef Adam Bishop, live music, and the chance to meet select wedding suppliers. INFO

🎭 HANSARD
| THEATRE | Stirling
📅 12–27 September | Various Times
An intimate drama and sharp political comedy set in 1988, Hansard follows a long-married couple navigating clashing ideals, buried tensions, and a life-changing revelation. INFO

🌿 Composting/Worm Farming Workshop
| SUSTAINABILITY | Norton Summit
📅 Saturday, 13 September | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Learn the ins and outs of composting and worm farming with expert Alan Shephard, and discover how your food scraps can nourish the earth and reduce landfill waste. INFO

🎶 Record/CD Fair at the  Pump Hotel
| MARKET & COLLECTIBLES | Aldgate
📅 Saturday, 13 September – Sunday, 14 September 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dig through vinyl, CDs, DVDs, books, memorabilia, and more at this all-weekend fair. Entry includes good vibes and a chance to enjoy a pub meal while crate-digging.

🎻 Anthony Marwood and James Crabb at Ukaria
| CLASSICAL MUSIC | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Sunday, 14 September | 2:30 PM
Violinist Anthony Marwood and classical accordionist James Crabb return to UKARIA with a captivating program spanning Scottish folk, Haydn, Sally Beamish, and a fresh take on Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending, joined by Rohan Dasika and a dynamic ANAM string quartet. INFO

🎨 Inky Fingers Comic Book Gang
| KIDS WORKSHOP | Mount Barker
📅 Monday, 15 September | 4:00 PM
Led by local comics artist George Rex, this monthly drawing club at the Mount Barker Library invites young artists aged 8–14 to dive into character design, speech bubbles, and comic-making fun with all materials supplied. INFO

🧀 Home Cheesemaking Class with Mitch Lloyd
| FOOD & WORKSHOP | WEA centre
📅 Wednesday, 17 September | 6:00 PM
Make your own marinated goat feta, watch a halloumi demo, and enjoy cheese and wine in this hands-on class led by Head Cheesemaker Mitch Lloyd. INFO

🥗 Karra Watta Cafe Community Lunch
| COMMUNITY | Norton Summit
📅 Wednesday, 17 September | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Enjoy a two-course lunch prepared by volunteers and local students, supporting Fred’s Van and the Cancer Council with a gold coin donation. INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

🎻 Chamberfest 2025 at UKARIA
| CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Friday, 31 October – Sunday, 2 November | Times vary
Brooklyn Rider curates five extraordinary concerts celebrating twenty years together, weaving Haydn, Beethoven, Bach, and Schoenberg with new commissions, Australian works, and collaborations with dancers, vocalists, and rising young quartets. INFO

🧵 Self-Doll Workshop: A Journey of Self-Reflection
| CREATIVE WELLBEING | Lobethal
📅 Sunday, 26 October | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Artist Ada Rovai invites you to craft a meaningful self-doll through guided meditation and intuitive making, blending personal storytelling with fabric and thread in a safe, reflective space. INFO

🚗 Bay to Birdwood
| VINTAGE VEHICLES | Birdwood
📅 Sunday, 19 October | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Step back in time with over 1,500 historic vehicles parading into Birdwood for a vibrant finish festival filled with classic cars, local food, Adelaide Hills wine, and family fun. INFO

🎸 Bridgey Battle of the Bands
| LIVE MUSIC | Bridgewater
📅 Saturday, 18 October, 6:30 PM - Sunday, 19 October, 12:30 AM
Get ready for a night of epic local talent as bands battle it out on stage in Bridgewater, bringing high-energy performances and serious sound. INFO

🎧 Deep Listening to Nature’s Resilience
| ECOLOGY | Mount Barker
📅 Friday, 10 October | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Join acoustic ecologist Andrew Skeoch for an immersive soundscape journey, exploring how birdsong reveals the deeper resilience and interconnectedness of nature. INFO

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

Acknowledgement of Country

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.