Mount Barker South Australia is a town located 33km East of the city of Adelaide. Established in 1839, Mount Barker has become a bustling hub for families wanting to escape the rat race of the city. It is the largest town in the Adelaide Hills and one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. With a population of over 16,000 people it is fast becoming one of the most sough after places to live in the Adelaide Hills due to its beautiful landscape and ever growing infrastructure.
Mount Barker lies at the base of a local eponymous peak which is called the Mount Barker Summit It is almost 50km from one of the main rivers, the Murray River. Mount Barker was a farming area, and many of the lots just outside the town area designated for farming crops and beef, although some of them have been replaced with new subdivisions to build residential houses in recent years.
Mount Barker is very close to some smaller towns such as Nairne and Littlehampton, although not apart of Mount Barker, they are extremely close. A lot of the people that live in Nairne and Littlehampton will usually send their kids to one of the 3 schools that are located in Mount Barker as they are bigger and generally have more resources.
Mount Barker is home to the Laratinga Wetlands which is a beautiful are that is unspoiled by human intervention and provides amazing wetland scenery as well as a diverse array of wildlife. The parks provide some of the most beautiful wetland areas with a few walking/biking trails & boardwalks, plus picnic & bird-watching areas that can be enjoyed by the people of the city.
Mount Barker is generally surrounded by a vast array of hills and native trees but has become home to farmland for farmers they grow and produce food for the local residence as well as the residence of Adelaide and has become one of the main hubs in which most local farmers set up their farms and Mount Barker and the surrounding areas provides some of the most fertile and natural soil in the region.
Things to do in Mount Barker
Let your mood guide your choice of activities. There’s plenty to do in Mount Barker. From food experiences, wineries and cellar doors and festivals to trail walks, historic landmarks and family-friendly activities, Mount Barker has a lot to offer.
For food and drinks, head to Prancing Pony Brewery, Ngeringa Vineyards, the Adelaide Hills Farmer’s Market, Auchendarroch House, Giovanni, The Barker Hotel, Sazon Espresso, Gawler Street Café, Brother Bear Wholefood Café, and BLVD Eatery.
To be out in nature, visit the Laratinga Wetlands, Mount Barker Summit, Hills Sculpture Trail, Totness Recreation Park or drive 20 minutes to do the Mount Lofty hike. There’s also a number of parks in town to walk around, picnic at, and let the kids burn off energy. For family-friendly activities, check out the SteamRanger Heritage Railway, Wallis Cinema, and Mount Barker Shopping Centre. During the school holidays, there’s events and activities on for the kids to enjoy.
Compared to the national average age of 37, Mount Barker’s average population is 34. The town has a growing economy, with plenty of new shopping districts, businesses and residential developments opening up. Mount Barker is the largest town in the Adelaide Hills. It’s also conveniently connected to other parts of the Hills, as well as the city – with direct bus lines into Adelaide. Within 30 minutes, you can be in the CBD. To travel to Murray Bridge, it’s also 30 minutes. Goolwa and Middletown are a 45-minute drive.
Point of Interest #1 BLVD Eatery, The Lakehouse, 2 Red Gum Cres, Mount Barker SA 5251
Point of Interest #2 Minters Fields at Mount Barker, 165 Heysen Bvd, Mount Barker SA 5251
Point of Interest #3 Metricon Homes Mount Barker, 74 East Pkwy, Mount Barker SA 5251
