🍂The weeks events in the Adelaide Hills

Plus stories with another perspective, bight nights in stirling, and live blues once a month

Good Morning Hills Lovers. As I was trying to schedule this newsletter on Sunday I accidentally published it live, so if you read that version you may have noticed last weeks events still in there (they get uploaded on the Wednesday before it goes out usually). This version has been updated to include this weeks events. So if you read the Sunday version, you can scroll straight the events, if this is your first time reading any of it, enjoy!

Quick question before we dive in—our newsletter currently goes out at 6:30am on Thursdays. Do you think we should stick with that, or consider moving it earlier in the week? It’s an easy change to make, but I wanted to check with you first.

What would be the best day to read the newsletter?

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Okay, let’s get into it.

First up, a big thank you for your responses to last week’s poll about what you most look forward to in the Pantry newsletter each week. Your answers not only helped guide the kind of content I should focus on, but they also gave me a massive boost of positive energy. Your kind words truly mean the world.

I always want to hear if I miss the mark too—but knowing how much you’re enjoying the newsletter was genuinely heart warming and made my day. So thank you, from me to you. I appreciate you all very much.

The general consensus is that the events are a big drawcard, but it’s the stories—the people, the places, the history of the Hills—that you’re loving the most. That’s music to my ears, because I love uncovering and sharing those stories. I just wanted to make sure this wasn’t a self-indulgent storytelling mission and that it’s actually what you want to read!

With that, I’ve got a couple of great stories for you this week.

Lets get into it!

THE WOMEN’S RIVER
A deeper story flows here

Last week, I shared the story of the old Johnston Brewery in Oakbank, built in 1845 and now home to Karkoo Nursery and Café. After reading it, Jade Brook, founder of Third Camp, offered a First Nations perspective that adds deeper cultural meaning to the river flowing past the site. It’s an element central to its story.

Jade is a proud Kaurna and Narungga woman with ties to Ngarrindjeri and Barkindji Country, and has lived on Peramangk Country for over 20 years. She shared that the river, commonly known as the Onkaparinga, has a Kaurna name: Ngangkiparri, meaning women’s river. In Kaurna culture, this is not just a river. It is a sacred women’s space where ceremony was held, healing took place, and children were born.

Ngangkiparri flows from the southern Mount Lofty Ranges near Mount Torrens, winding through the Hills before reaching the sea at Port Noarlunga. For thousands of years, this part of the river was known as a place for women’s business. It was intimate, powerful, and deeply spiritual. When industry arrived and began drawing spring water for brewing, it changed the landscape and altered the cultural relationship with the river.

A reminder of the rich history and enduring culture held in this place. By listening and sharing, we open ourselves to a deeper, more layered understanding and connection to the region we all love so much.

Third Camp is one of Adelaide Hills Pantry’s Community Partners, guiding how I share stories through a First Nations lens. As a woman, learning that this river was a birthing place, a site of life, strength and connection, feels incredibly moving. I didn’t know before. But I’m so glad I do now. Learn more about Third Camp here. Got thoughts to share? I’d love to hear them, email me at [email protected].

DINNER AT MARSHI’S
Live blues on the last Friday

On the last Friday of every month, something special happens at Marshi’s Kitchen in Stirling. We’d heard about the live blues duo and thought we’d check it out for dinner — kids in tow. It turned out to be one of those unplanned nights that end up being the best.

In the corner, a husband and wife played guitar, harmonica, bass, foot drums, and tambourine — switching between instruments without missing a beat. Just the two of them, yet somehow they filled the whole room. People were nodding along, tapping their feet. It wasn’t loud, just really good — part of the atmosphere.

We always order too much, and this night was no exception. The lamb roti melted in our mouths. The hummus with caramelised onions was one of those dishes you keep dipping into with bread, even when you're full. And when we saw the barramundi arrive at the table next to us, the food envy was real. A good reason to come back.

The place was packed but never felt chaotic — just full of people having a good time. The kind of night where you’re in a room full of strangers, but there’s this easy sense of warmth. A shared recognition that something about this night is special.

It didn’t feel like a big event. And that’s exactly what made it so good. One night a month. That’s all. But it’s the kind that stays with you. So next time the last Friday rolls around and you’re wondering where to eat — now you know.

BRIGHT NIGHT STIRLING
Lanterns, music, hot chocolate

Stirling’s about to glow in the best kind of way. On Saturday 5th July, the very first Bright Night festival is lighting up the main street with lanterns, acoustic tunes, and steaming cups of hot chocolate and comfort food galore!

It’s everything we love about winter in the Hills, bundled into one cosy community night out. Think glowing paper lanterns (thanks to the creative crew from the Hills Winter Lantern Festival), live music floating through the air, fire pits, and local shops flinging their doors open late.

There’ll be three little hubs to explore, each with something slightly different. One minute you’ll be listening to guitar under the stars, the next you’ll be sipping hot choc from Hokey Pokey’s window or ducking into Red Cacao for some of their famous waffles. Miss Emily’s Emporium will be open too, along with plenty more local favourites.

Kids will love the drop-in craft station and face painting, and grown-ups will love the excuse to rug up and enjoy Stirling at its wintry best. It’s all brought to life by the Stirling Business Association, who wanted to create something special for all to enjoy.

So grab your coat, round up the crew, and head to Stirling for a night that’s equal parts heart warming and glowing. The lights in the trees as you enter Stirling look so pretty, its going to be a beautiful night. More info here.

Hello Pantry Friends, Brendan here!

Ride Report: Woodside Providore | Mt Torrens Gravel Loop

Last Sunday nine riders gathered in the quiet chill of a winter’s morning outside Woodside Providore, breath misting in the air, skies heavy with promise. The forecast threatened rain, but the mood was light — this is fast becoming a group well-versed in making the best of any Sunday morning on two wheels!

Three peeled off early to explore the freshly laid ribbon of the Amy Gillett Trail, gliding along smooth bitumen and soaking up the simple pleasure of a new path under tyre. The remaining six pointed their wheels east, rolling out into the soft hush of Hills gravel, bound for Mount Torrens.

What followed was a loop stitched together with backroad beauty — mist clinging to branches, gum trees glistening after early showers, and paddocks swelling with water and life. Kangaroos bounded beside us, cockatoos screeched overhead, and lambs watched curiously from the fence line. The gravel was slick in patches but rideable, and the group found a steady rhythm as the route climbed gently toward Harrogate before curling back to Mount Torrens.

There, a welcome surprise: the Mount Torrens Hotel, cracked open early after a lively night before, with Kaitlyn behind the counter and the coffee strong and hot. A brief pause, a warming cup, and then back into the drizzle-dusted day.

The return leg through Lobethal carried us over rolling hills, legs tested by the climbs, spirits lifted by a friendly tailwind and the soft glow of filtered winter light. The ride finished just as it began — at Woodside Providore, where laughter and coffee flowed freely, and the now-legendary carrot cake, supplemented by egg and bacon rolls once again earned its place in Café Ride folklore.

Ride Reflections:

  • 6 riders on gravel, 3 on the trail

  • Rain held off, against all odds

  • Full dams, soft trails, and a soundtrack of birdsong

  • Gravel rating: 6.5/10

  • Community rating: always 10/10

To those who joined: thank you. These rides are less about the destination, more about the stories spun between tyre and trail. We roll again the last Sunday in July. Come along.

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Almost, Maine at the Stirling Community Theatre
Get ready for a little magic, a few bruised hearts, and a lot of love. Almost, Maine is landing at the Stirling Community Theatre this July — a whimsical, wintery collection of love stories set under the northern lights. It’s sweet, strange, and full of heart. Just like the Hills. July 11-19. Get your tickets here.

2025 National NAIDOC Week Poster: ‘Ancestral Lines’ By Artist Jeremy Morgan Worrall

Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week 2025 - Celebrate Aboriginal culture, heritage, and stories with free workshops and cultural talks during Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week from the 6th to the 13th of July 2025. Events listed below in the ‘On Later, Book Now’ but you can also find events in the Adelaide Hills here and across SA here.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

🍷 Beef and Shiraz Evening
| FOOD & DRINK | Lower Hermitage
📅 Fridays, 4 July – 29 August | Evenings
Indulge in hearty winter meals paired with a glass of Gatehouse Shiraz at this cosy Friday night series at Glen Ewin Estate. INFO

🧀 Grunthal Brew Cheese Making Class
| WORKSHOP | Verdun
 📅 Saturday, 5 July - Saturday, 23 May 2026 | Various Times
Join award-winning cheesemaker Sheree Sullivan from Udder Delights for a hands-on cheese adventure at Grunthal Brew! INFO

🌱 Garden Workshop: Starting a Veggie Patch
| WORKSHOP | Blackwood
📅 Saturday, 5 July | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Learn how to grow your own fresh produce with award-winning gardener Alan Shepard in this free, hands-on adult workshop. INFO

Bright Night
| FESTIVAL | Stirling
📅 Saturday, 5 July | 4:00 PM
Celebrate winter with lanterns, live music, hot food, and cosy community vibes at Stirling’s free night of warmth and wonder. INFO

🎶 Kristian Winther, Timo-Veikko Valve and Aura Go at UKARIA
| MUSIC | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Sunday, 6 July | Various Times
Experience the rare magic of three acclaimed soloists uniting for a powerful piano trio performance spanning Beethoven to Boulanger. INFO

🍽️ Sunday Roast at Glen Ewin Estate
| FOOD & DRINK | Lower Hermitage
📅 Sundays, 6 July – 31 August | Various Times
Enjoy a cosy roast lunch with your choice of chicken, lamb, or cauliflower, served with all the trimmings at this picturesque Adelaide Hills estate. INFO

🧶 Knit 'n' Stitch at The Summit
| COMMUNITY | Norton Summit
📅 Monday, 7 July | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Bring your latest project and connect with fellow makers at this friendly monthly crafting session for all skill levels. INFO

🪘 Didge and Dance with David Booth
| FAMILY | Norton Summit
📅 Monday, 7 July | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with an interactive family-friendly workshop of dance, stories, games, and didgeridoo led by David Booth. INFO

🎨 School Holidays: My Favourite Hills Landscape Acrylic Painting Workshop
| KIDS WORKSHOP | Norton Summit
📅 Tuesday, 8 July | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Kids and teens can paint their favourite Adelaide Hills landscape with artist Rebecca Prince enter their artwork in the SALA Young Artists Competition! INFO

🎬 Monthly Movies at Gumeracha
| FILM | Gumeracha
📅 Wednesday, 9 July | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy a cozy afternoon of curated films, snacks, and complimentary tea and coffee with fellow movie lovers every second Wednesday of the month. INFO

🎶 Musical Storytime
| KIDS | Stirling
📅 Thursday, 10 July | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Little ones aged 3–8 can explore the magic of music through storytelling, songs, movement, and instruments, plus a fun craft to finish! INFO

🚵‍♂️ School Holiday Mountain Bike Skills Clinic
| FAMILY | Mount Barker
📅 Thursday, 10 July | 10:00 AM
Kids aged 10–14 can build confidence and sharpen their mountain biking skills with beginner and intermediate clinics led by accredited coaches. INFO

🎨 Creative Kids Mosaic Workshop
| KIDS WORKSHOP | Gumeracha
📅 Thursday, 10 July | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Kids aged 6–10 can get hands-on with colour and creativity as they design their very own mosaic to take home in this fun, mess-friendly workshop. INFO

ON LATER, BOOK NOW

📖 Fleeced – A Winter Words in Conversation Event
| AUTHOR TALK | Lobethal
📅 Wednesday, 13 August | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join Prudence Black in conversation with Trish Fitzsimons and Madelyn Shaw as they discuss Fleeced: Unraveling the History of Wool and War, exploring the wartime demand for wool and its lasting impact on fashion, industry, and the environment. INFO

📚 Meet the Author: Gavin McCormack
| BOOK TALK | Stirling
📅 Tuesday, 12 August | 7:00 PM
Join acclaimed educator Gavin McCormack for the launch of Raising Resilient Children, a must-read for parents and teachers seeking practical tools to support confident, lifelong learners. INFO

🎻 Michael Collins with the Australian String Quartet at UKARIA
| CLASSICAL MUSIC | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Sunday, 10 August | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
British clarinettist Michael Collins joins the Australian String Quartet for a rich, alchemical program weaving Shakespeare, Tudor melodies, Viennese romance, and Mozart’s iconic Clarinet Quintet in a performance of musical transformation. INFO

🍷 Winter Reds: Deviation Road x Lost Phoenix Farm
| FOOD & WINE | Longwood
📅 Saturday, 26 July – Sunday, 27 July | All Day
Settle in for a cosy long lunch with soulful live music, open braziers, and a three-course winter menu paired with Deviation Road wines. INFO

🎶 Graham Brown and Steve Ashley
| LIVE MUSIC | Bridgewater
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Enjoy an afternoon of acoustic storytelling with celebrated musicians Graham Brown and Steve Ashley as they blend blues, folk, and roots in a soulful mix of solo sets and on-stage collaborations. INFO

📝 I Am
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Join Dave Chapple for a reflective writing workshop blending poetry and prose to explore identity, values, and personal storytelling. INFO

📝 Stop Making Sense
| WORKSHOP | Lobethal
📅 Sunday, 27 July | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Embrace poetic chaos in this playful workshop where language and creativity collide to spark unexpected new writing. INFO

🍷 Winter Reds 2025
| FOOD + WINE | Various Adelaide Hills Locations
📅 Friday, 25 July – Sunday, 27 July | Various times
Celebrate the Hills’ iconic cool-climate reds at South Australia’s biggest winter wine festival, featuring 50+ events and special guest Matt Preston. INFO

🍷 Uncork and Indulge: Wine and Chocolate Tasting
| FOOD & WINE | Stirling
📅 Wednesday, 23 July | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sip and savour a delicious evening of Adelaide Hills wines from Howard Vineyard paired with handcrafted local chocolates from Red Cacao. INFO

🎭 Shakespeare After Dark
| THEATRE | Lower Hermitage
📅 Saturday, 19 July | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Step into a moody night of Shakespearean drama, music, and magic in the historic Pulpshed with Butterfly Theatre. INFO

🎉 Hills Collide Turns 1
| CELEBRATION | Summertown
📅 Saturday, 19 July | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Join the party as Hills Collide celebrates one year with beats, bites, and brews in the heart of Summertown. INFO

🎶 Sjaella at UKARIA
| MUSIC | Mount Barker Summit
📅 Saturday, 19 July | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Experience the soul-stirring harmony of vocal sextet Sjaella as they explore the timeless tension between head and heart through music. INFO

🧱 Lego Car Robotics
| FAMILY | Birdwood
📅 Tuesday, 15 July | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Kids aged 7–12 can build, code, and explore the world of robotics in this hands-on LEGO workshop, free with museum admission. INFO

🎤 Poetry in Motion: The Art of Slam
| WORKSHOP | Bridgewater
📅 Sunday, July 13 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Learn to write and perform spoken-word poetry in this energizing slam workshop led by poet Kathryn Pentecost. INFO

🎄 Christmas in July at Cudlee Creek Restaurant/Tavern
| FOOD & WINE | Cudlee Creek
📅 Saturday, July 12 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy a festive three-course feast, great company, and plenty of prizes at this annual winter celebration in the Adelaide Hills. INFO

🖋️ The Memory Place
| WORKSHOP | Woodside
📅 Friday, July 11 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Explore personal or family history through creative writing in this guided workshop with Caroline Reid, using a treasured object as inspiration. INFO

🎭 Almost, Maine at Stirling Community Theatre
| THEATRE | Stirling
 📅 Friday, 11 July – Saturday, 19 July | Various Times
A heartwarming and whimsical romantic comedy exploring love, loss, and second chances under the northern lights in the town of Almost, Maine. INFO

🎶 Lior with String Quartet at UKARIA
| MUSIC | Mount Barker Summit
 📅 Friday, 11 July – Saturday, 12 July | Various Times
ARIA-winner Lior returns to UKARIA with songs from The Blue Parade and reimagined favourites, joined by a bespoke string quartet from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. INFO

MARKETS

🧺 Mylor Market | Mylor Oval
📅 Sunday, July 6 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Wander through stalls of local produce, handmade goods, and crafts at this charming monthly community market. 

🧶 Uraidla Market | Uraidla Institute
📅 Sunday, July 6 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Shop fresh produce, handmade goods, and local treasures at this vibrant market held twice a month in the heart of Uraidla. 

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

P.S. Adelaide Hills Pantry is growing, and we’re inviting a small number of Foundational Partners to come on the journey with us.
If you love what we’re about — connecting people who love the Hills with the stories, places, and happenings that make it special — and you want to be part of that in a meaningful way, let’s chat! Email me at: [email protected]

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.