Travel guide Hahndorf

TakeABreak Awards 2009
Winner, Hosted accommodation: A Rainbow’s End Bed & Breakfast

The winner of TakeABreak’s 2009 Hosted Accommodation Award was difficult to choose because Australia is home to thousands of quaint, unique, warm, and friendly B&Bs. With so many outstanding hosted accommodation options vying for the title, the winner needed to stand out with exceptional service. A Rainbow’s End in the Adelaide Hills did just that, with many extras and special touches leaving guests feeling truly cherished.

Upon arrival at A Rainbow’s End, visitors are treated to a charming afternoon tea on the patio, where they can enjoy the beautiful views of the valley. Hosts Pam and Dave go out of their way to make guests feel welcome in their home, and many rave reviews show that their warm, friendly approach is appreciated.

If you are someone who needs to wake up feeling well-rested each morning, then you’ll be delighted to discover that the beds at A Rainbow’s End are each fitted with very soft, high-quality linen perfect for a good night’s sleep… but after a cosy slumber, there’s nothing better than waking up to a delicious breakfast, and the hosts of A Rainbow’s End take great pride in preparing the most important meal of the day. They’ll even cater to special dietary requirements, and allow you to choose whether to have it served early or late in the morning, so that you can decide whether you want to be up with the sun or slumber the morning away. Flexibility is key, and if you request an early check-in or late departure, they’re happy to accommodate whenever possible.

Pam and Dave are not the only friendly residents of A Rainbow’s End; some welcoming alpacas delight in greeting visitors each day and will happily stick around to be fed. These exotic creatures add to the ambience of the place and enjoy the attention of guests.

Strolling around the gardens or sitting by the tranquil water features in this 5 acre setting you can truly let your worries dissipate as you give your senses a relaxing break. There is a lovely garden view from each bedroom and the guest lounge is a pleasant place to curl up with a book or chat with friends before heading to the games room for some pool, darts, or chess. If you want to unwind in front of the television, they also have a good selection of movies available.

Stray off the property, and you head into some of the region’s most beautiful areas. Nearby Hahndorf is a historic 19th century German settlement nestled in the hills. Scrumptious cakes and pastries are available at the local bakeries, traditional German cuisine and beers, as well as souvenir stores abound.

Mt Barker has plenty of historical sites dating back to 1878 worth exploring. After taking a stroll, immerse yourself further in the history by boarding a vintage steam-powered train, the Steamranger, which travels along the Fleurieu Peninsula to towns like Strathalbyn,  Goolwa, and Victor Harbour.

Pack a picnic, or visit one of the many cafes scattered across the Adelaide Hills and enjoy the views of wildflowers, bushland, and frequently – spectacular gardens. For example, Mt Lofty has some beautiful Botanical Gardens well worth exploring. Nearby Cleland Conservation and Wildlife Park offers guests the chance to get up close and personal with Australia’s native flora and fauna, including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and koalas.

And if you want to escape from the hills for a while and bring back some wine to enjoy, the Barossa Valley is only a short drive away, with plenty of enchanting vineyards to explore.

After a day of exploring the many wonders of the Adelaide Hills and surrounding valleys, it’s comforting to know that you have a place close by that you can call home. Returning to A Rainbow’s End, you’ll be welcomed back like one of the family, and can once again unwind with some tea on the patio, snuggle into your cosy bed, and know that every morning in this charming B&B brings a hearty home-cooked breakfast.

For more information or to make an enquiry, please go to A Rainbow's End B&B listing on TakeABreak to contact the operator direct.

About the Author
Kylie-Jane Degeling is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide, Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a rotating basis.

Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveller, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex, and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.”  Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.