Pioneer Women’s Trail is a historical trail from Hahndorf to Beaumont House Adelaide. The trail honors the early German women settlers who walked from Hahndorf all the way to Adelaide to sell the produce from their farm.
The women left Hahndorf at midnight with their baskets of vegetable and dairy products and walked along the bush trails and roads to Beaumont House. After selling the products, the women walked back with their new purchases and two bricks each for building of their church. This regular trips to Adelaide lasted until 1850.
Yearly in May, walkers honour the historic trail. The walking event is organised by Historical society of South Australia . The track follows as close as possible the Pioneer Women’s Trail.
Starting at Hahndorf the trail follows the main road to exit the village , crosses the Onkaparinga River before joining the official trail at Verdun. The trail winds through Bridgewater, follows Cox Creek enters Mount George Conservation Park and detours to Stirling.
From Stirling, walkers follow the road to Crafers , then the trails in Cleland Conservation Park to join Old Bullock track which descends to Beaumont House in Burnside.
The total distance is 26 km long
Verdun to Bridgewater is 3.4 km
Bridgewater to Stirling is 7.0 km
Stirling to Crafers is 1.5 km
Crafers to Measdays Lookout is 3.5 km
Measdays Lookout to Beaumont House is 7.0 km
The route has a total ascent of 473.56 m and has a maximum elevation of 595.44 m. Total time was 5 hours.
History along the trail
Hahndorf
In 1839 , the ship Zebra arrived in Port Adelaide with 38 Lutheran families. The ship’s captain Dirk Meinertz Hahn was able to negotiate a parcel of land in the Adelaide Hills. The new settlement was named in his honour Hahndorf. Hahndorf is a popular tourist german town in South Australia where you can drink german beer and eat the classic sausages with saurkraut and potato. At Hahndorf you can wander on the main street, visiting all the little shops, eat at German Arms Hotel or visit the Cedars.
The Cedars is the historic home of the landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen.
Bridgewater
At Bridgewater you can see the Bridgewater Mill a flour mill which was built in 1860 by John Dunn. Now the Bridgewater Mill is a restaurant.
Stirling
At Stirling you can stop along the trail for a coffee. Stirling is one the best places near Adelaide to admire the autumn colours. Woorabinda Bushland Reserve, is a peaceful place worth a visit if you spend time in Stirling.
Beaumont House
Beaumont House was built for Bishop Augustus Short in 1849 the first Anglican Bishop of Adelaide. Sir Samuel Davenport the founder of the olive oil industry in South Australia was the second owner.Now the house is in the care of the National Trust of South Australia.
More information about the walk you can find : Walking SA www.walkingsa.org.au