Discover Mount Barker

Discover Mount Barker through a range of interests: the history of Auchendarroch and Dunn Mill, the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market, and the nature of the Laratinga Wetlands. If you are planning a stay, you can use these themes to help guide your choice of destination.

Historic sites: Auchendarroch and Dunn Mill

On the site of today’s Auchendarroch at 17 Adelaide Road, Lachlan Macfarlan built the Oakfield Hotel in 1860. Robert and Joanna Barr Smith bought the property in 1878 and extended it into a summer home. Architect John Grainger designed alterations costing £10,200. Furniture by William Morris was acquired for Auchendarroch; the owners also laid out an extensive garden.

Its later history reflects changing uses. During the Second World War, the Red Cross and the Royal Australian Air Force requisitioned Auchendarroch. In 1976, the house was sold to a group of families, who divided it into residential units. Wallis Theatres bought the property in 2000 and at that time restored the building as a modern tavern and entertainment centre with an adjoining cinema complex.

Dunn Mill on Cameron Road offers a different historical perspective. John Dunn built it in 1844; it was the first steam mill outside Adelaide and the first brick commercial building in Mount Barker. It initially served as a family home, until the adjoining mill house was built. The mill ceased operations in 1894. Its history therefore encompasses both early industrial use and a period as a residence.

Saturday market and regional produce

The Adelaide Hills Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at 23 Mann Street, beneath historic elm trees. The range includes fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and cheeses, free-range eggs, pasture-raised meat, local honey, jams and sauces, as well as plants, flowers and handcrafted products.

The market also features live music, hot food, coffee and activities for families. There are also demonstrations on cooking, gardening and environmental topics, as well as craft and cooking activities for children. Growing and cooking competitions round out the program. The regular Saturday time slot is a helpful guide when planning your visit.

Walking trails and birdwatching

The Laratinga Wetlands are in the heart of Mount Barker. You can go for a walk there, and the trails are suitable for prams. Several observation shelters are provided for birdwatching. More than 150 resident, migratory and nomadic bird species have been recorded in the wetlands. The number may change as species records are updated. Walking trails, observation shelters and documented species diversity offer nature lovers different points of interest for their visit.

The Mount Barker Linear Trail is a seven-kilometre shared-use walking path between the Laratinga Wetlands and Keith Stephenson Park. It follows the local creek. For specific planning, check the distance and route before setting out. This helps you understand the trail in terms of its stated distance and endpoints without confusing it with the walking trails within the wetlands.

The SteamRanger Heritage Railway also operates at selected times throughout the year between Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills and Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Check the train times before your trip, as the railway does not operate continuously throughout the year.

Gawler Street: dining and independent shops

Historic Gawler Street in Mount Barker offers pubs, bakeries, cafés and restaurants, as well as independent shops selling homewares and clothing. It complements the nature and history on offer with a range of dining and shopping options in town. Individual businesses and their offerings may change, so it is worth checking what is available for your visit.

Discover more destinations: Littlehampton, Kanmantoo, Echunga.

View the wider travel guide: District Council of Mount Barker.