The Mount Lofty Ranges are a low lying range immediately to the east of Adelaide. The highest point is Mount Lofty, though at 727 metres it is hardly lofty. The Ranges are, however, big enough and well enough situated to attract significantly higher rainfall and cooler temperatures than the surrounding plains. These hills are colloquially known as the "Adelaide Hills" and are within a half hours drive from most of the city. As such they have become a popular "escape" from the "City Rat Race" and have given birth to a new breed of "farmer", the Rundle Street Cocky. 

These hills stretch from the tip of the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island up the Mid North of South Australia including the towns of Burra and Clare. Covering a full spectrum of climates, they are commonly divided into 2 regions, The Northern and Southern Ranges. Relatively speaking these hills are quite small with Mt Lofty being the highest point in the southern region at 727 metres asl. The northern extremities are much higher rising to above 900 metres in a few places. Having a significantly warmer and drier climate these northern peaks are well worth a visit.
As a resident of the Southern Mt Lofty Ranges and located on the Fleurieu Peninsula I have concentrated on my local area which centres around the following towns and districts:

 

Echunga is a small town 10 km south of the popular tourist town of Hahndorf. At approx 370 metres above sea level, Echunga happens to be in a rain shadow of sorts from Mount Lofty and has an average rainfall of approx 808mm (32 inches). Mt Lofty is over 1100mm or 44 inches and less than 25 km away! Rainfall variability throughout the ranges is huge with the really wet regions side by side with dry, semi-arid regions. As you leave the ranges the locals will tell you that the rain drops "an inch a mile". The town has its beginnings around 1839 and its name is derived from the native word "eechungga", which loosly translates as meaning "near, close by, or at a short distance".