Best road trip around stunning South Australia guide

From McLaren Vale to Adelaide Hills, South Australia is one of those hidden gems that doesn’t attract flocks of tourists yet has so much beauty and culture to explore. And the perfect way to see everything on offer is on a South Australia road trip. Hire your campervan in Adelaide, and check out these amazing places below, which will take you to some of the best sights for exploration!

Distance: 1,561km | Travel time: 20 hours 15 minutes

Best Road Trip Around South Australia: 9 places you can’t miss

1. McLaren Vale

After you have sorted out yourcampervan hire in Adelaide, it’s time to hit the open road. First stop, McLaren Value, is just a 40-minute drive from Adelaide. One of the most famous things to do during your stay is to walk or cycle the Shiraz Trail, which is an 8km trail that follows an old railway line between McLaren Vale and Willunga. You can enjoy some great wine along the way at Wirra Wirra and Hardy’s Tintara.

The region has more than 80 cellar doors for you to explore, including Beresford Wines, Alpha Box and Chapel Hill. It’s also home to some of the best playgrounds for kids. The Jubilee Adventure Playground has a great wooden fort, and Willunga Playground has dirt bike jumps.

Head to Onkaparinga River National Park and try one of their many trails to see some amazing sights.

2. Cape Jervis

This is the perfect stop on your next South Australia road trip, taking in some amazing sights along the way. There’s a plethora of white sandy beaches for you to soak your toes into. Head to Morgans beach or Fishery Beach, where you can enjoy the surf and also camp for the night.

If you’re looking to stretch your legs, there’s also plenty of walks for you to test out. Take off down the Heysen Trail and treat yourself to some stunning views, or head up to Cape Jervis Lighthouse, where you can check out the building and immerse yourself in the history of the area. The Deep Creek Conservation Park is another great place for hiking.

3. Kangaroo Island

From here, you can head onto the famous Kangaroo Island, which is well worth the ferry ride you have to take to get there. As you might expect, there’s a fair bit of wildlife for you to spot during your stay.

Over one third of the island is protected in nature reserves, and home to birds, koalas, sea lions and so much more. You can head off on wildlife safaris, check out Flinders Chase National Park, or head to the wildlife park or wildlife sanctuary.

4. Victor Harbour

If you’re a lover of both wine and adventure, then this is the right itinerary for you. Start in the coastal town of Victor Harbour, where you can take a horse-drawn tram to Granite Island, which is home to a wild Penguin colony.

Make sure you pack the camera ready to head off whale watching between May and October, you can book a cruise and learn more about the town’s history in the process. You can spot more wildlife at the Urimbirra Wildlife Park, which is home to more than 400 native animals.

Make your way along the Encounter Bay Bikeway, which stretches for 30km between Victor Harbor and Goolwa and is well worth the ride. Or jump on the Cockle Steam Train for a little bit of fun and history.

5. Robe

Next, head to Robe, where you can head over and visit Long Beach, and take a drive! There’s 12km of sand where you can hop in a 4WD to explore and make the most of.

The main street is the perfect destination for a spot of shopping. Or you can step back in time at Customs House, which is now home to a big museum where you can learn about the Chinese migrants who came during the gold rush.

6. Mount Gambier

Finally, head to Mount Gambier where you can check out the Umpherston Sinkhole, where the limestone cave’s roof collapsed in 1886. AT the night, the possums arrived to say hello, and are quite the attraction.

Another great place is The Blue Lake, which is one of four crater lakes in the area. You’re not allowed to swim in the lake, so instead, take the 3.5km trail right around.

You can also check out some garden caves, which are right in the middle of town. You can see the waterfall and the sinkhole from a viewing platform. If you need to stretch your legs then take a hike to Valley Lake and pay a visit to Dingley Dell. ****

7. Barossa Valley

From here, head on to Barossa – one of the most famous destinations on the itinerary. You can really take your time here and enjoy plenty of food, check out some cultural events and enjoy some hands-on experiences.

Take a drive to the Barossa Heritage Trail, which takes you through main towns where you can learn about their mining history.

Take a hike in their conservation parks, follow the Kapunda Mine Trail or visit Lyndoch Lavender Farm.

8. Clare Valley

The next stop is Clare Valley, where you can jump on a bike and cycle the sights. Head to Spring Gully Conservation Park, stopping at Stone Bridge Wines and Sussex Squire Wines on the way. Time to see the sun go down over the Wakefield Plans and the Gulf St Vincent.

If you love movie sets, then head over and check out Martindale Hall which was featured in ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock’. It is now set up as a living museum, showing off how the house would have been in the past.

You can also go and have some fun at Mintaro Maze, which is made up of more than 800 hedge plants, including plenty of twists and turns to keep you busy.

9. Adelaide Hills

Next stop is Adelaide Hills, where you can treat yourself to Hahndorf Hill’s ChocoVino, which is an incredible combination of chocolate and wine that you are sure to love.

If you're after a bit of cheese, then be sure to stop in at Udder Delights. You won’t be disappointed.

Get out in nature and take the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Walk, which is a challenging 9km return. You can even head to the Laratinga WEtlands, which is the perfect place for a bike ride while spotting dozens of bird species in the area.

Just 40 minutes from Adelaide, your trip back is nice and easy.

Organise your road trip with Camplify

South Australia is the perfect hidden gem just waiting to be explored down under, and there are so many different routes you can take to see the sights. Planning your South Australia road trip is easy, simply sort out yourcampervan hire in South Australia and then hit the open road, visiting the amazing places mentioned above.

If you find you have a little more time on your hands, there’s so much more worth exploring in this area. You can head to the exclusive Arkaba Station for a magical outback experience, check out the amazing beaches on the Eyre Peninsula, head over to see the Pink Lake in Meningie, or enjoy the picturesque Rapid Bay in Fleurieu Peninsula. Once you set off and see what South Australia has to offer, you’ll find yourself coming back time and time again!

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