The History of Utopia at Waterfall Gully
Utopia at Waterfall Gully history begins in 1912, when the heritage listed stone chalet was built as a national park tearoom beside a natural waterfall in the Adelaide Hills. For more than a century, the venue has welcomed visitors seeking rest, connection, and a unique dining experience in one of South Australia’s most iconic natural settings.
A Century of History. A Place to Gather.
Utopia is more than a restaurant. It is part of the story of Waterfall Gully. We are proud to care for this historic building and continue its long tradition of welcoming visitors to this unique location.
A National Park Tearoom Since 1912
The Utopia chalet was constructed in 1912 as a refreshment room for visitors exploring Waterfall Gully. Designed by Adelaide architect Albert Conrad in the style of a Swiss chalet, the building was commissioned by National Pleasure Resorts, a government body responsible for developing recreational destinations. At the time, hundreds of visitors travelled to the gully each month to walk the trails, picnic by the waterfalls, and enjoy outdoor activities before stopping for tea and scones.
Preserving a Rare Heritage Building
Utopia is considered Australia’s last remaining national park tearoom and one of only a small number of restaurants worldwide located beside a natural waterfall. Many original architectural features have been carefully retained and restored, including hand laid parquetry flooring, exposed timber ceiling beams, decorative leadlight windows, intricate stonework, and the original stone fireplace. The green leadlight shields bearing the initials NPR and the year 1912 remain a visible reminder of the building’s origins.
Stories Woven Into the Gully
Like many historic places, Utopia carries its own stories. One of the most well known is the legend of Tom, a South Australian police constable who lost his life fighting a bushfire at Waterfall Gully in 1926. For decades, locals and visitors reported unusual experiences around the chalet and surrounding trails. While changes to the site following a major landslide in 2016 altered parts of the property, these stories remain part of Utopia’s identity and connection to the landscape.