Norton Summit

Surrounded by apple and cherry orchards, Norton Summit is home to beautiful 19th century homes and quaint cottages, some of which offer bed and breakfast accommodation. At the centre of the Norton Summit is the Scenic Hotel. Its balcony offers stunning views over the Hills to Adelaide. At nearby Aston, Marble Hill, built in 1878, was the former summer residence of South Australian Governors until it was ruined by a bushfire in 1955. Its ruins are open to the public on the second Sunday of every month. You can wander among the many walking trails, have a light lunch in the tea rooms or take a picnic and enjoy panoramic views from the ranges to the sea. Further afield, bushwalkers will enjoy a visit to the Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, while Morialta Conservation Park is popular with rock climbers. More information on what to see and do in the area can be found at the Adelaide Hills Natural Resource Centre in Norton Summit. One of the oldest towns in South Australia, Norton Summit was settled in 1837 just months after European settlement by Englishman Robert Norton. The town is also a family home of former South Australian Premier Sir Thomas Playford.