Hahndorf is the oldest surviving German settlement in all of Australia. Its earliest Lutheran residents began arriving from 1839 on. Within minutes of stepping foot into Hahndorf, this strong German heritage will become evident as you take in the surrounding buildings.

Very clearly there are traces of Germanic architectural features, even underneath the more recently added Australian architectural touches in some of the buildings.

Most of the early settlers came from Prussia. The reason for their plight to the complete opposite side of the world was to avoid persecution which they were experiencing because of their devout Lutheranism. At the time the King of Prussia was head of the State's Calvinist Church and so Lutherans were not in favour.

Captain Hahn was more than simply the man who sailed these people from Europe, he also was the one who ended up assisting them in their search for suitable farming land once they had arrived. He came upon land which was owned at the time by three men Dutton, Finnis and MacFarlane. Hahn immediately saw the potential and drew up a contract with the owners. So grateful were the fifty two families they named their settlement Hahndorf which translates as the village of Hahn.

Going back to 1839, the plan was originaly for a U-shaped small settlement consisting mostly of farmsteads and a Lutheran church. A decade later it took on a more regular village shape, with a more distinctive street layout. The town's name changed to Ambleside in 1917, although by 1935 it returned to its original name.

Historical Attractions

With a past going so far back, it is not particularly surprising that one of the major attractions of Hahndorf is its wonderful examples of heritage buildings which are dotted around Main Street mostly. There are well over fifteen of these to be seen. The Old Mill dates back to the year 1864 when it was used as a flour mill. It went on to become the scene where wattle bark was crushed and thereafter ore was crushed there from the nearby gold mines. It was purchased from the original owners, the Wittwer family in the 1970s and converted into a restaurant. Today it is a motel and convention centre.

In 1857 an institute of higher learning was opened by Traugott Wilhelm Boehm. This was the beginnings of the Hahndorf Academy which remained in operation until 1916 when it was sold because the appearance of Department of Education schools undermined its role. It then was used for a number of different things until it seemed that the building had no future at all with a demolition order being placed on it. It was saved from this fate by the artist Walter Wotzke who developed it as a museum and art gallery.

St. Michael's Lutheran Church dates back to 1859 and was constructed around the settlement's original pug church. This is in fact the ldest continuing Lutheran congregation in all of the country. It is located on the corner of Church and Balhannah Streets. A lutheran Church somewhat older is St. Paul's which was constructed in 1890. It was built to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the first Lutheran Church in Australia. It is located in the Main Street.In days gone by brides used to arrive at the church wearing black wedding dresses with wreaths of green and white leaves in their hair.

Museums

The famous artist Sir Hans Heysen lived in a home called The Cedars for over fifty years. This house dates back to 1858. The garden has some fine examples of Cedar pines, not surprisingly given the name of the property. There are numerous other trees, perennials and roses. Within the home itself has some fabulous works of art, furniture and rugs. It is open to the public and for more information on opening times please the Adelaide Hills Infrmation Centre, tel. (08) 388 1185.

For a museum with a difference, the Hahndorf Antique Clock Museum is the place to visit. The proprietor has been collecting clocks for over thirty years now and it is here that you will find the largest collection of such clocks in Australia. An impressive fact which highlights the size of this collection is that the even British Museum does not have as many antique clocks as this museum in Hahndorf. The museum also is home to the world's largest cuckoo clock which is an amazing 8 feet by 5 feet.

Natural Attractions

The Pioneer Memorial Gardens were opened by Mr. H. Homburg in celebration of Hahndorf's centenary in 1939. The Memorial gates have inscribed upon them the names of those first fifty two families who arrived out here in the last century. The park is to be found on the Main Street.

For a taste of delicious pure fruit jams, pickled onions and sauces why not visit the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm. The season for pick-your-own strawberries is November to May.
It is located 0.5 kilometres through Hahndorf itself.

The Hahndorf Berry Farm is where you will be able to enjoy picking your own strawberries (Nov. - Dec. And Feb. - April), rasperries (Dec. and March - May), Boysenberries, Loganberries and American Brambles (Dec. And Jan.).

Other Attractions

German Model Train Land is where you will find an unusual gold train. It is made of 18c gold with 190 diamonds and carriages also made of gold, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The smallest electric train in the world is also here to be seen. You can drive a big train, have a go on the carosel or visit the button faced people. Located at 47 Main Street and open seven days a week.

Misty Hollow is a must for families who are visiting the area. This is where you and your family will encounter the world of Lord Rufus T. Badger and the Colony of Loveable Animated Characters in their own little village. It is a magical fantasy world which also has a book and toyshop.

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