Hahndorf German Community

Just a short scenic drive through the stunning Adelaide Hills in the Barossa region you’ll find yourself at Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement.

The town was settled in 1838 by Lutheran migrants fleeing religious persecution in Prussia. They arrived on board ‘The Zebra’ and named the town after the ship’s captain Dirk Hahn, while 'dorf' is German for village. Hahndorf is now home to St Michael's Church, founded in 1858 and said to be the oldest Lutheran congregation in Australia on its original church site.

Still strong in German heritage this unique town has plenty to offer; from delicious traditional German cuisines to museums, antiques and a must-see leather shop! Walk through history as you wander down Main Street, lined with 100 year old elm and plane trees and intriguing ‘Fachwerk’ buildings maintained and restored to their original state.

Hahndorf is also home to award-winning landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen’s gracious home - The Cedars. Still owned by the Heysen family, here you can take a tour through old home that houses a fine collection of paintings and visit Heysen's working studio fitted with his painting materials, tools, sketches and notes.