Wander into wellness this April in the Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills will celebrate all aspects of wellness over a three-day event in April called Wellness Wander. More than 60 unique events and experiences have been scheduled across the region giving wellness seekers plenty to choose from to help them escape, unwind, relax and refresh.

The weekend-long program will traverse the Adelaide Hills from Stirling, to Hahndorf, Mount Barker to Lobethal, Crafers to Paracombe and the greater surrounds, with organisers collaborating with a wealth of passionate operators to curate a program that either enhances, kickstarts or increases an individual’s mental, physical and social wellbeing.

Martin Radcliffe, Chair of Adelaide Hills Tourism Board said that it was fitting that the Adelaide Hills was the first region in Australia to be home to the inaugural Wellness Wander event.

“This is the perfect platform to explore a meticulously curated program that delivers bespoke experiences, with a focus on five main wellness pillars that are abundant in the region: Provenance, Relax & Unwind, Nature, Learn & Create and Stay. Launching with so many events that fall under one or more of these pillars, the program is as rich as it is diverse, and celebrates the natural wave of operators that are already authentically operating in this space,” he said.

Locals in the Adelaide Hills are throwing open their doors, farm gates, studios and shops to offer an immersive exploration of wellness for couples, families and individuals of all ages.

Spend all weekend in a state of bliss with famed Sequoia Lodge’s Reconnect and Discover at Sequoia package. Enjoy the couples hot pool and spa experiences, guided nature walks, sunrise yoga, a chef’s table lunch and of course a stay in one of Australia’s most noted luxury accommodation lodges.

Get a little closer to the land you’re standing on with Ngalimi Yunggudya Wellbeing Retreat by Warida Wholistic Wellness, an immersive day long experience based on reciprocity and connection to self, others, and Country. Or join Horticultural Therapist, Emma Lewellyn at Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens Botanical Tea-Blending or Nature Journaling Workshops for an intimate and mindful workshop to learn how to make your own botanical tea blends or learn the restorative well-being practice of nature journaling.

Head to one of the country’s most intact and best-preserved historic homes, The Cedars to discover your inner artist. From forest bathing to botanical art classes, flower arranging and lunch – there are four beautiful events to explore. Connect deeper with your mind as Tilbrook Estate presents Nourish - A Mindfulness Experience, where two health professionals will take you through guided mindfulness exercises, followed by a tasting of delicious local canapes and Tilbrook wine.

Perhaps wellness to you means adventure and action with the whole family. Plan a day-trip or stay overnight. Get the heart rate racing and reinvigorate the senses with an experience filled with rock climbing, abseiling and ziplining across the treetops at The Great Family Unplug by Woodhouse Activity Centre.

Join a yoga class in the vines followed by wine tasting thanks to Roaming Zen at Sunsets, Sips and Salutations at Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard or Balance - Yoga, Bubbles and Brunch at Golding Wines or head to the farm and pick your own pears or blend your own cider with Paracombe Premium Perry. Follow the yellow brick road in Stirling at The Farmer's Market | From Paddock To Plate event or dive deeper into indulgence with a cheese-making class at Udder Delights, where you’ll get to eat everything you create – make sure you book the Easy Cheesy Home Cheesemaking Class.

Ukaria Cultural Centre have sublime events merging music, mindfulness and their gorgeous grounds for the ultimate wellness experience across three events; The Silence of Music and Trees, Garden Tour | The Music of Nature & the Cyanotype Printmaking Workshop or collect your complimentary Adelaide Hills native flowers from the Botanic Poetry Studio in Woodside.

“Over the years the Adelaide Hills and it’s businesses have naturally formed a strong Wellness tourism offering. As a region that emphasises sustainability, the Adelaide Hills is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature and take some time to rest, play and unwind.

“We have been delighted to partner with Wellness Tourism events specialists ‘Droga & Co’ on delivering this inaugural event. Their experience, capability, and innovation in this space leads the market.” said Radcliffe.

Katherine Droga, Founder of Droga & Co and Chair of the Global Wellness Institute said that it was undeniable that the pressure and fatigue of the last few years has left many feeling rudderless.

“Research just released from the Global Wellness Institute’s Wellness Tourism Initiative, found that 56% of respondents intended to increase their focus on their own wellbeing, with 42% intending to travel for wellness as COVID restrictions lift.

“While Wellness Wander events may only run for a few days, each hosting region will be positioned as an incubator for wellness experiences, driving immediate and long-term visitor and community benefit,” Droga said.

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the Adelaide Hills was a perfect location to focus on wellness tourism.

“With wellness tourism a burgeoning sector and so many operators in the Hills already offering incredible experiences in this space, there is a real opportunity here as domestic tourism recovers and the regions works to meet its 2025 target of $245 million,” he said.

Wellness Wander runs from Friday 1 April to Sunday 3 April. Visit wellnesswander.com.au for more information and the full event program and ticketing.

Adelaide Hills Tourism Association and the South Australian Tourism Commission are proud partners of Australia’s first Wellness Wander event.