Hahndorf, SA
Hahndorf is regarded as Australia's oldest German town and is located in Adelaide Hills, just 25km from the states capital city of Adelaide. The town's main street is lined by stately elms and chestnut trees and boasts a wide selection of specialty boutiques, museums, galleries, antique stores and German smallgood stores.
History, heritage and hospitality are all on offer in Hahndorf and the town's German influence is still visible today in the architecture of the historic buildings, many which remain as homes and shops.
Mark Cambridge Chairman of the Hahndorf Business and Tourism Association says
Hahndorf's unique charm not only attracts tourists but also a high majority of locals from surrounding towns who choose to shop in the town instead of the city.
"Tourism in Hahndorf is very strong. It's one of the most popular tourist towns in south Australia. Hahndorf is only 25km from Adelaide so it tends to be a day destination place as well. We have a lot of Adelaide visitors who come up here to shop."
Cambridge also says the majority of businesses in the town are individually owned and operated. "Hahndorf is not a shopping community or a shopping town. It's a boutique village. Dress shops, clothing shops and shoe shops tend to be specialty shops. The town is full of specialty and boutique shops."
Longtime retailer Julie Wellington has been trading in the town for twelve years and puts the success of her store down to concentrating on the community, not the tourism industry.
"I've been successful due to my ability to respond to the communities needs with regard to clothing.
"Hahndorf is an outer suburb of Adelaide and because of the interesting stores that are here they attract regular clientele from local communities," says Wellington. "The people that buy from me are locals (not tourists). I don't stock specialised knick-knacks. There are numerous shops that specialise in hand crafted jumpers, hand knitted jumpers and pure wool, but I am one of several shops in Hahndorf that is commercially driven with commercial brand lines." Hahndorf Village Clothing is located on the town's main shopping strip and stocks a selection of casual and leisure wear brands by Yarra Trail, Gordon Smith Basics and Dolina.
LOCATION: 25km south east of Adelaide.
POPULATION: 3,500.
STORES: Hahndorf Village Clothing.
BRANDS: Yarra Trail, Gordon Smith Basics and Dolina.
ATTRACTIONS: Hahndorf is home to Hans Heysen, a famous Australian artist, whose house and studio (The Cedars) is open to the public. Hahndorf is also home to several 19th century churches, the Pioneer Gardens, Model Train Land, Misty Hollow and an antique clock museum.