Escape to the Hills: A Local Mum's Guide to a Stress-Free Day Out in the Adelaide Hills

If you're visiting Adelaide, or even if you live on the plains, the Adelaide Hills look like a majestic, green escape calling your name. And they are! It's cooler up there, the villages are impossibly cute, and the autumn colours are stunning.

But let's be honest: doing the Hills with babies and toddlers requires a strategy.

As an Adelaide mum who has done the winding drive up the South Eastern Freeway many times with a screaming baby in the back, I've learned a few things. The Hills are magical, but they are also vast, sometimes chilly, and there's a lot of gravel.

If you want a perfect family day out that balances adult enjoyment (good coffee, pretty scenery) with small-child needs (running space, animals), here is my tried-and-tested itinerary.

The Morning Mission: Kangaroos and Coffee

The absolute non-negotiable stop for families in the Hills is Cleland Wildlife Park. It holds a massive 4.6-star Google rating and deserves every star.

Unlike a zoo, Cleland is sprawling natural bushland where the animals—kangaroos, wallabies, potoroos—roam free.

Why it works for littles:

There are no cages blocking the view. Even a baby in a carrier will be mesmerised having a kangaroo hop right past them. For toddlers, buying a bag of animal food and hand-feeding the friendly potoroos is a core memory waiting to happen.

Local Mum Tips:

• Go early: Arrive right when they open at 9:30 am. The animals are hungriest and most active then, and you beat the school excursion crowds.

• The paths: The main paths are sealed, but many of the animal enclosures are compacted gravel. It's definitely stroller-friendly, but you want something with decent wheels, not a flimsy travel stroller that will vibrate your baby's teeth!

💡 Hire Tip: The All-Terrain Advantage

If your current stroller struggles on anything rougher than a shopping centre floor, consider hiring one of our all-terrain prams for your Hills day trip. The suspension makes a huge difference on gravel paths like Cleland's, meaning a much higher chance of a peaceful stroller nap while you enjoy the scenery.

The Lunch Stop: Chic and Child-Friendly in Stirling

By lunchtime, you'll be ready to leave the bushland. Head to Stirling. It's arguably the most beautiful village in the Hills, especially when the leaves turn in April/May.

Park behind the Woolworths (it's usually easier than street parking on the main drag) and wander down to The Organic Market & Cafe. It's got a solid 4.5-star rating and a fantastic, bustling vibe.

Why I love it:

It's noisy in a good way—you won't feel stressed if your toddler drops a spoon. The food is healthy, delicious, and very kid-friendly (great toasties and smoothies).

Local Secret:

If the cafe is too busy or you just need a quiet moment, the beautiful Coventry Library is literally next door. They have wonderful, clean toilets, great nappy changing facilities, and an excellent children's area for a quiet 20-minute reset.

Afternoon Vibes: The Best Bakery and Playground Combo

If you still have energy in the tank after lunch, drive over to Uraidla. This little town has become incredibly cool in the last few years.

Stop at the Uraidla Bakery (an impressive 4.6 stars). The coffee is strong, and the pastries are unbelievable. Grab a takeaway coffee and a treat, then head directly across the road.

There you will find the Uraidla Showgrounds playground.

It is gold dust because it has a specifically fenced-off area for smaller toddlers with age-appropriate equipment, while the bigger kids have free rein on the larger structures outside the fence. You can sip your coffee while the kids burn off that last bit of energy before the drive down the hill.

A Final Note on the Hills Climate

Don't get caught out! The Adelaide Hills are almost always 3-5 degrees cooler than the city. Even in summer, if the sea breeze comes in, it can get chilly quickly in the afternoon.

I always pack a jumper for myself and an extra layer/blanket for the kids, just in case.

💡 Hire Tip: Safety on the Bends

The roads up here are beautiful, but they are very winding. If your little one gets car sick, take it slow. And crucially, ensure their car seats are fitted perfectly. If you're visiting and have hired a car, our professional car seat installation service gives you total peace of mind for those twisty Hills roads.

Enjoy the fresh air up there! It really is a special part of our world.