Best Adelaide to Port Lincoln road trip: SA adventure

Hear the seafood calling? Want to dip your toes into crystal clear waters? Keen to tackle some mountain biking trails? Then get ready for the ultimate Adelaide to Port Lincoln road trip and enjoy rugged coastal cliffs, sprawling sand dunes and plenty of ocean along the way.

Below, we’ve put together a roundup of the best places to visit on an Adelaide to Port Lincoln road trip. Trust us, you won’t want to miss these seven incredible stops!

Best road trip from Adelaide to Port Lincoln: 7 places you can’t miss

Total distance: about 741km | Recommended days: from 7 to 10 days | Best time to do the route: between June and August | See route in Google Maps

1. Adelaide

If you have a couple of days up your sleeve, it’s well worth spending a few days in Adelaide before beginning your journey to Port Lincoln. Start the day with a morning walk along the river before heading over to check out 50 hectares of botanical gardens!

Get to know this charming capital with a heritage walk that takes you through its architecture and how the city has been shaped into what you see today. Then end with a spot of shopping at Rundle Mall, while enjoying the outdoor gallery featuring a set of life-sized bronze pigs!

If you’re hunting for another culture fix, then head to the Art Gallery of South Australia, Ayers House Museum or The South Australian Museum. Alternatively, head to the National Wine Centre, which features more than 200 cellar doors all within a one-hour drive! If you still have time, make a trip to Adelaide Zoo, which is well-known for its Giant Pandas.

2. Port Broughton

Your next stop is Port Broughton. Welcome to this popular seaside town, where you can spend as little as an hour or days on end exploring and relaxing. If you’re a lover of seafood, then get ready to feast on the local snapper, which has a golden reputation throughout Australia. You can also head to the Broughton Jetty, where you can throw out a line and try your luck, or simply meander through.

This small town is perfect for strolling, where you can discover all of its hidden gems. There’s the Encounter Walking Trail, which starts at the jetty and takes you through historical events. Meanwhile, the Port Broughton Historical Walk brings you to some of the older buildings. Finally, the Port Broughton to Fisherman’s Bay walk takes you 5km between two towns.

Got your steps in for the day? Settle onto Port Broughton Beach and enjoy everything on offer, from swimming to the kids' playground, BBQ facilities and more. And don’t forget to grab the fish and chips!

3. Melrose

Established in 1853, Melrose takes the title of ‘oldest town in the Flinders Ranges’. This is the perfect spot to stop a little off the tourist beaten track and really dive into some rich history and culture.

Start off with a tour of the beautiful old buildings in the area. Head to North Star Hotel and Mount Remarkable Hotel, then onto Jacka’s Brewery, the Post Office and School, before finishing up at Melrose Heritage Museum, where you can brush up on your local knowledge.

If you’d rather walk in the great outdoors, then make your way to Mount Remarkable National Park and hike to the top, which sits at 960 metres. You can choose from several different trails, all with varying difficulties, which will get you to the peak.

Finally, if you enjoy a bike ride, then you’re in for a treat! There are between 75km and 100km of bike tracks around the area, where you can ride around Greener Pastures, Weaving Camels, the Big Rhua and more. Check out the trails.

4. Port Augusta

Known as the entry point for the Outback, Port Augusta gives you the chance to really check out regional South Australia. There’s no better place to start than at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, which has walking tracks dotted throughout for you to take. There’s more than 150 bird species to spot and plenty of plants!

The Wadlata Outback Centre is another must-stop, where you can plan your sightseeing of the area. Take a look at the Tunnel of Time, which walks you through the Aboriginal history of the area, through to present-day communities. From there, you can set off on your Port Augusta Heritage Walk and look at many of the buildings in the area and the role they played in history. If you’re after a good vantage point, head up the Water Tower Lookout at the end.

Find your sense of adventure and head for a swim with giant cuttlefish that you will find between June and August. It’s just an hour’s drive to Stony Point for this experience of a lifetime - well worth fitting into your trip!

From March to November, you also have the chance to jump on the Pichi Pichi railway, where you can ride in vintage carriages and learn about the history of this passenger train.

5. Cowell

This charming little town is located on Franklin Harbour and has attracted many tourists over the years thanks to its sheltered waters that are perfect for fishing for all kinds of sea life, from snapper and squid to garfish and blue crabs.

Take off on the Cowell Foreshore Boardwalk, where you can stop and swim in the enclosed tidal aquatic area, or sit back and spot local marine and birdlife while you eat some fish and chips. Afterwards, get to know a little more about the town at the National Trust Folk Museum, where you can step back in time.

Finally, enjoy a little local humour with a walk to the black stump, which as the plaque explains: "The Black Stump. As a New Year prank in 1972, a large stump was placed between two hotels on which signs read 'Best pub this side of the black stump'.’’

6. Eyre Peninsula

Welcome to Australia’s seafood hub! More than 65% of Australia’s seafood comes from this area, so you are guaranteed to feast on some delicious local delicacies during your stay.

If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junky, then you will find your fix here! This is the perfect place to take part in some once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You can swim with dolphins and sea lions, cage dive with great white sharks, or head off on some whale-watching tours.

You can also get up close with more of the wildlife at Mikkira Station and spend the day cuddling the koalas. Alternatively, visit Gawler Ranges, Lincoln National Park or Coffin Bay National Park for more wildlife encounters.

7. Port Lincoln

Wrap up your Adelaide to Port Lincoln road trip with a final dose of adventure. From yachting, windsurfing and kayaking to kitesurfing, paddle boarding and 4WD tours, Port Lincoln offers plenty of exciting outdoor activities to keep you busy!

Of course, you can also enjoy some relaxation in between - lay on the sheltered, sandy beaches and take a dip in the calm waters.

When you’re ready to head back to Adelaide, getting back is a breeze. If you’re looking to break up the final leg, then stop off at Whyalla and Crystal Brook on the way. You can stay a night, or simply get your legs out for a stretch and enjoy a bite to eat before continuing your trip back to the city!

Organise your Adelaide to Port Lincoln road trip with Camplify

From Melrose to the Eyre Peninsula, an Adelaide to Port Lincoln road trip is a great way to experience some of South Australia’s most stunning destinations.

Once you sort out campervan hire in Adelaide, take the time to explore this amazing city before setting off on your road trip. There are also plenty more road trips from Adelaide you can take to explore even more of the surrounding region! For example, check out our ultimate Adelaide to Uluru road trip itinerary!

Why Camplify?

Camplify is the fastest-growing camper vehicle sharing community in Australia. We proudly include the following advantages with all Camplify rentals:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

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Plus, by hiring a vehicle through Camplify, you are directly supporting local families and companies who share their vehicle through our platform!

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