Hahndorf is a small German town in South Australia. It is about 28 kms or half an hour away from the city of Adelaide. Nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills.
Hahndorf is a peculiar topic as it can be tackled in 2 ways. History of the people behind Hahndorf or just tourism. Tourism is now prominent because it is different from the usual Australian towns. Both are interesting. Quaint and historical.
History
Hahndorf was settled 184 years ago in 1839, by 54 Lutheran immigrant families. They came from a Prussian village called Kay. Now called Kije within Poland. They fled religious prosecution and found the freedom to practise their religion in Australia.
The first lot of immigrants arrived at Holdfast Bay on 28th December 1838 on a ship called the Zebra. They landed in Port Adelaide on 2 January 1839. The trip taking 129 days.
It would take the new arrivals another 3 months to make multiple treks into the Hills moving their belongings to begin farming and start a new life.
The town Hahndorf is named after the Zebra’s Danish Captain Dirk Meinerts Hahn which brought them to Australia from Denmark. It was also Captain Hahn who secured 100 acres of land in the Hills for the families. So not a surprise that they were beholden to him for taking them across the World on a near perilous journey and then securing land to ensure a future.
I have brought friends, relatives and overseas visiting colleagues to Hahndorf. Their response is very much the same. They liked it, did not expect it to be like that and could not fathom how Hahndorf came to be. The German heritage was unexpected. Some were keen to find out more as it did not factor in Australia’s DNA in everything they had read before. So it was not just tourism, it is a riveting history as well.
Prussia and Lutheran origins
Hahndorf is the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia. More than 15,000 kms from the home village in old Prussia that their forefathers came from.
It is now a South Australian legacy, heritage and a treasure. The early settlers and the generations that followed have contributed immensely to the State. A gift to the State.
The old World German architecture, the Lutheran landmarks especially churches dotted in the Hills, the names of roads and other other places nearby have history.
Farming and trek to Adelaide on market days
When you read up on the early origins of this settlement, you are impressed by both the men and women of the early community, taking their produce to the markets in Adelaide, 28 kms away.
There were no roads then and traversing the hills with their produce is a remarkable feat. And dealing with a larger Anglo community who set the rules and governed over the colony.
What did help were trails and pathways created by resident aboriginal mobs of the area. The aboriginal residents created the routes to the sea to trade for goods.
It is not a surprise their descendants and subsequent generations have done well. Evident when you look at their German / Prussian origin surnames that still thrives today.
Generations tempered by their forebears who came to these shores. What about the females lines that did not carry their surnames and married outside their community?
One among many – Paech and Beerenberg
This is one story, one among many of successful stories of this immigrant group. It is a story of perseverance and pride.
The first time I came across the name Beerenberg was on a Qantas flight.. One of the condiments served with the meal came in very small yet wonderfully designed glass jar. The brand name on it was Beerenberg.
It was quality strawberry jam. I admired the product and the tiny jar it came in. At that time, I had not known of Hahndorf or for that matter much of Australia as we had not moved across.
Years later I did wonder why the national airline picked a jam producer from the Hills outside Adelaide. Why not Sydney, the base of the airline.
The Paech family continues to own and run the Beerenberg family farm and business a short mile away from Hahndorf along Mt Barker Road.
Established in 1839, the year when the settlement began, it is now in the hands of the 5th generation with the 6th and 7th generations helping out. Many working in the business and waiting in the wings to take over.
Do visit their Farm shop and the Cafe in it. They serve all the way to 4pm and the cafe style food is excellent. Genuine and wholesome value. The food presentation is eye catching and whets the appetite. To me it is a genuine effort by the culinary team that the food is special.
Tourism Hahndorf
More than anything else, Hahndorf is well known for tourism. It has a lovely cooler climate than Adelaide, set in lush surroundings and its German origin and heritage adds to the nuance of novelty.
To me the 4 things that makes Hahndorf special as a tourist site is the rich history , the charm, the food and the accomodation.
Popular with Adelaide locals who head to the Hills during weekends and drop by Hahndorf for lunch with many food establishments offering German fare and more. Within locals, bikie groups and vintage cars enthusiasts are a common sight. The motorcycles and cars adding to the sights.
A visit to Hahndorf is also on the agenda for the famed Indian Pacific Rail Journey from Sydney to Perth. Day 3 is an Adelaide stop-over and passengers can opt for a day trip to Adelaide and Hahndorf.
Not the usual tourist trap
There were no touts, no sharp practices, just residents of the surroundings areas doing their best and are proud of their heritage.
Dotted with little shops, cafes and food place plus a dozen short-stay accommodation all pleasant and relaxing. The German heritage theme is never far away.
Hahhdorf Inn was a well known family run business popular for their weekend breakfast menu with a German theme. But there has been a recent change in ownership and I suspect in time, things may change.
Reunions, weddings and staycations
I did notice a rising trend over the years that Hahndorf has become a staging point for family gatherings, wedding parties and school reunions. Surrounding vineyards are popular for weddings due to the scenic surroundings.
So groups patronise the various food establishment and some have expanded to accommodate the bigger size of groups.
I have seen the German Arms Hotel develop over the years from a traditional pub with german theme food to a full gastro restaurant. Pictured as the headline photo, it remains as the well known sentry to the town of Adelaide.
Hahndorf continues as a tourist draw and a comfortable weekend retreat for locals. It is an indelible part of South Australian and Australian DNA as migrant destination country.