“Valley of Praise”
Lobethal, a village in the Adelaide Hills is 33 kms from Adelaide. The town is a popular visitor destination on weekends and public holidays with its markets and attractions. Lobethal is on the Torrens Valley Scenic Drive (turn off a couple of kilometres on from Woodside), or follow Magill Road from Adelaide via Norton Summit, or from the north via the Scenic Drive from Gumeracha. The surrounding countryside is scenic with undulating pastures and a number of vineyards, contributing to the renowned Adelaide Hills wines. There are also cherry, apple and pear orchards with some market gardens and potato farms.
Lobethal is well served with attractions, hotels, two banks, a supermarket, shops, businesses and sporting facilities. There are churches and two schools and even a picture theatre that screens the latest movies on Saturday nights.
The Mill
The huge old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills complex was once a hive of activity employing hundreds of people. For many years large looms converted top quality marino wool into magnificent woollen blankets and other products. The name “Onkaparinga” was well known for its unsurpassed quality. The original building began life as a brewery. Later the building was converted into the Lobethal Tweed Factory, which evolved into the Onkaparinga Woollen Company. The mill closed its doors in 1992 and now houses weekend markets, a gallery, boutique wineries and other businesses.
Christmas Lights
Every year at Christmas Lobethal puts on a spectacular display of Christmas lights. People come from near and far to see the ”Lights of Lobethal” and join in the festivities.
Town History
Lobethal had its beginnings in 1842, just 3 years after settlement and celebrated its sesqui-centenary in 1992. The village was settled by German immigrants. Eighteen families later left Hahndorf and followed Paster Fritzsche to the valley where on May 4th 1842 the village was named Lobethal (Village of Praise) after the Old Testament passage.
Lobethal Village was laid out in the German style Hufendorf settlement pattern. The district prospered and many townsfolk worked around the area. A brewery was built. Hops, grown for breweries in Oakbank and Lobethal, was one of the main local crops. Lobethal area became productive with apple and pear orchards, potato farms and dairies. More
Grand Carnival
Historic racing returns to the Adelaide Hills, 2009 marked the 70th Anniversary of the 1939 last and fastest Australian Grand Prix before the War. The exciting Lobethal Grand Carnival on the October long weekend, brought historic racing cars from the era.
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