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Published: March 3rd 2015
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You may have noticed that we only rarely go on a photo spree in commercial and residential locations. However, we have crossed Hahndorf three times previously, but due to lack of parking have not stopped to take a closer look at this town in the Adelaide Hills region. So we decided to set out on Monday morning reasonably early so we could get a park in the town centre. We were in luck with parking across the road from the Visitor Information Centre.
We were able to get a street map of Hahndorf from the Visitor Info lady, and a couple of pointers as to where to go as well.
Now Hahndorf has not always been known by that name. The local indigenous people, the Peramangk Aboriginal people, lived in this region for nearly 2500 years. Their name for the area was 'Bukartilla' reflecting the number of streams that flowed through the area. The Peramangk people didn't build as Europeans do, but many artefacts have been discovered through the Adelaide Hills confirming the oral traditions passed down the generations. Sadly, there is little or no ongoing history of the Peramangk people after 20 years of European settlement in the
No Humour?
Who said that German's were udderly devoid of humour? 1850s. Seems they dwindled away or merged with other Aboriginal people in the wider region.
The European settlement here has as much intrigue as the Aboriginal peoples story in the region. The town is named after Captain Hahn, a Dane who brought emigrants, Lutheran Christians, fleeing from oppression by the King of Prussia. As I understand it, around 38 families came on the Zebra, and started farming the area. Hahndorf is the oldest German settlement in SA, and has been recognised for its historical value having been listed as a heritage site for nearly 30 years now.
Autumn was just two days old when we visited, and already colours were changing in the trees lining both sides of the main street. I hear greenies say that we should only plant our regional native trees. Bunkum I say. The mix of Oaks, Acers and Gum trees to name just three groups of trees in this little town makes for a beautiful environment, not to mention a seasonal work force of street sweepers when the oak trees and Acers drop their leaves.
We even noticed that people colour co-ordinated their parking to match the trees with their highly polished
cars.
We spent around 2.5 hours just walking the main street, and of course discussing cuckoo clocks, cheese and wine. You will be shocked that we didn't sample the wines. Well, drink driving is an offence, and we were both apparently the designated driver for the day.
Enjoy the photos - a rare look on my blog of a little rural town.
So much for the basic history. Today, the town bustles with tourists, lovers of fine food, particularly German food (and beer), artists, both Aboriginal and European, and opportunities to taste and buy the fine produce of the area.
Guys need to keep their gals on a tight leed too if they don't want to leave the area with the girls fully remodelled and possibly unrecognisable after the transformation (as would be the shape of the credit card) from the many boutiques. Marg had to force my hands back into my pockets when I was looking closely at the top end cuckoo clocks for sale. (I just love them clocks. An old aunt had one when I was a child, ruining me for ever.)
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RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew
Street photography
Hi Marg and Rob! I'm so glad you decided to photograph this little town - it is gorgeous. I would love to see more picture of towns that you visit. Hope you are both well.