A Taste of the Hills: A Festival Bringing Adelaide Hills to One Place
For lovers of fine food, local wine, and live music, A Taste of the Hills Festival is quickly becoming a must-attend event in South Australia’s vibrant festival scene. The brainchild of Holly Stratton, this two-day celebration showcases the best businesses from across the 1,500km Adelaide Hills region—all in one picturesque location.
A Festival Born from Passion.
Holly Stratton’s deep connection to the Adelaide Hills and its community inspired her to create a festival that not only celebrates the region’s flavours but also provides economic support to local businesses still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19 and the Cudlee Creek fires. After returning home in 2023 from six years interstate, she saw an opportunity to bring businesses together in a single venue, allowing visitors to explore, taste, and purchase the region’s finest products without having to travel from place to place.
The inaugural festival, held in Mount George, attracted 300 attendees per day. Its success led to recognition from the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), which later provided funding through the Regional Event Fund. By 2024, the event had moved to The Cedars in Hahndorf, drawing 2,400 attendees over the weekend—a 400% growth from the previous year. Not only did this expansion boost local tourism, but it also brought in an estimated $600,000 in revenue for Adelaide Hills businesses.
A Bigger and Better 2025 Event
With rapid growth and increasing demand, the upcoming 2025 A Taste of the Hills Festival promises to be the biggest yet. Set to take place at LOT.100 in Hay Valley, the festival is expected to welcome 6,000 attendees over the weekend. The event will feature an impressive lineup of stallholders, a headline performance from Kingswood, and an exclusive helicopter giveaway each day for one lucky ticket holder to arrive in style.
The 2025 festival has also attracted a strong list of sponsors, including Jurlique, Nepenthe, SAFM, RAA, The Courier, GLAM Adelaide, Power FM, and Mount Barker District Council. Additionally, partnerships with local accommodation providers have expanded, offering visitors pre- and post-festival activities, complete with bus transfers to venues around South Australia.
The Journey of an Independent Business Owner
Despite its rapid success, A Taste of the Hills Festival remains a one-woman operation, with Holly overseeing everything from marketing and grant writing to event furniture construction. While the event has yet to turn a profit, its growing impact on the region has secured increased SATC funding for the next two years, ensuring continued expansion and success.
Holly credits much of her business development to the Women in Business Foundations Program, a support initiative by Adelaide Business Hub. Through this program, she learned effective marketing techniques, refined her branding, and grew her Instagram following from 600 to 6,000 in just two years. The program has helped her streamline operations, increase ticket sales, and develop automated workflows that improve efficiency.
A Must-Attend Event for 2025
As A Taste of the Hills Festival continues to evolve, it’s more than just a weekend of tastings and entertainment—it’s a movement that brings businesses together and highlights the best of the Adelaide Hills region. Whether you’re a long-time supporter of local producers or a first-time visitor, this festival offers a unique experience filled with delicious flavours, live music, and a strong sense of community.
For more details and ticket information, visit:
www.atasteofthehills.com.au
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