Heading to South Australia on your next holiday? We’ve compiled a list of 20 must see places and things to do. This list explores the rugged shoreline of South Australia from the South to North along with the world renowned wine regions.
You will discover the most beautiful beaches and other fun activities for an unforgettable time in South Australia. Read on to explore your way through this beautiful destination.
South of Adelaide – Southern Ocean Drive & Fleurieu Peninsula
Highlights – Mclaren Vale breweries, Langhorne Creek wineries, Snorkelling at Second Valley & Rapid Bay, Maslin Beach and Onkaparinga River National Park.
1. Spend the day at Grange Beach
Our first stop after arriving in Adelaide was Grange Beach which is 20 mins away from Adelaide. Protected by the bay, Grange Beach offers calm and crystal clear waters. Perfect for stand up paddle boarding, kayaking or just for relaxing by the beach on a sunny day.
We were visited by dolphins on both the days we were there and had a close encounter with them while stand up paddle boarding.
The neighbouring Glenelg and Henley beach are dotted with restaurants for an evening out.
2. Do a walk at Hallett Cove Conservation Park
Do the Glacial Hike (2 hrs, 3km return) that starts at the Boatshed Cafe. The Glacial Hike takes visitors inland to the geological points of interest such as the Sugarloaf and Amphitheatre. Interpretive signs along the Glacial Hike tell the Geological, Aboriginal and European story of the area. This is a fairly easy walk.
3. Go snorkelling or diving at Port Noarlunga Jetty
Part of the Port Noarlunga Reef Aquatic Reserve, this unique area is home to more than 200 species of marine plants and animals and more than 50 species of fish. You will experience a temperate reef system that is abundant with marine life. The best access to the reef is via the 3rd set of steps (furthest from shore) along the jetty.
4. Onkaparinga River National Park
Spend the weekend amongst native wildlife such koalas, kangaroos and native birds. In Onkaparinga River National Park, diverse hiking trails from easy to hard grade take you to cliff tops with magnificent views of the spectacular Onkaparinga Gorge. Other fun activities include mountain biking, kayaking and rock climbing.
We did the Gorge Walk (4 hrs, 6km) starting from the Sundews Carpark. This is a hard hike that descends steeply from the Sundews lookout to the bottom of the gorge. You’ll follow the river downstream before returning up the steep slopes to the top of the ridge. There are several other easy to moderate walk options which can be found on the national park website.
Tip: Get the 2 month multiple entry national park pass if you plan on visiting other national parks.
5. Wineries in McLaren Vale
Best known for Shiraz, McLaren Vale also excels in the production of premium Grenache and Cabernet. Mediterranean varieties such as Fiano, Vermentino, Tempranillo and Sangiovese are also very well suited climatically and provide wine lovers with yet another layer of discovery. Some of our favourite wineries in this region include Samuel Gorge, Primo Estate, Hugh Hamilton and Wirra Wirra.
6. Go on a beer crawl
Mclaren Vale and the Fleurie Coast is fast becoming the place to be for craft brewers. There is an ever-growing collection of breweries offering an exciting alternative to the larger traditional breweries. We recommend Shifty Lizard, South Coast Brewing, Kick Back Brewery, and Swell Brewery. Read our blog on Best Breweries in South Australia.
7. Eat authentic Neapolitan pizza at Pizzateca
Set amongst the vineyards of McLaren Vale, Pizzateca serves authentic Neapolitan style pizzas, handmade and fired in a wood oven for that perfect thin and soft airry crust. Should we say more?
8. Visit Willunga Farmers Market
Meet the grower and taste the region’ is the theme for this market, held every Saturday. With more than 60 stalls selling fresh primary produce from regional farms and Fleurieu Peninsula products shoppers experience a diverse variety, showcasing all that is fresh and seasonal.
9. Maslin & Sellicks Beach
We were taken by surprise by the sheer beauty of the rocky cliffs at the southern end of Maslin & Sellicks Beach. Maslin Beach has crystal clear waters and is generally calm for great swimming. Maslin Beach also has a clothing optional area in the Southern end of the beach.
You can drive directly on the beach with a two wheel drive on to Sellicks Beach and be close up against the ocean. Walk past the Southern end of the beach to explore the magnificence of the rocky cliffs.
Read our post on the Best Beaches to visit in South Australia.
10. Second Valley and Rapid Bay
Our next stop was Second Valley. With a cosy beach Second Valley has more to offer in the form of calm waters and a thriving reef system that can be best accessed through the second bay on the left of the jetty.
You can explore tiny sea caves as you move further left along the coast. You’ll need a stand up paddle or kayak. To the right of the beach you can take a short walk up the hills with magnificent views of the valley and the bay.
Rapid Bay offers a unique snorkelling and diving experience with sea life nestled around the remains of the supporting beams of the old jetty. The beach at Rapid Bay is a great spot to spend the day with its soft sand and calm turquoise waters.
On the way to Second Valley stop at Myponga Reservoir Lookout and Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple.
11. Deep Creek National Park
A great place to get away for the weekend. Camp at Tapanappa Campground or Trig Campground to be up close to Kangaroos that aren’t shy to come up right next to you.
We did the Deep Creek Circuit Hike (7 hrs return, 10.9 km). This hike offers some of the best landscape and ocean views in the park – it is also the most challenging. The trail is best taken in a clockwise direction, leading you to the waterfall and down into Deep Creek Cove. There are several other trekking options in the park.
12. Eat Pipis at Kuti Shack
Ngarrindjeri people have been harvesting Kuti (also known as Pipis and Cockles) for over 10,000 years. Nestled amongst the sandhills of Goolwa Beach, Kuti Shack features dishes made with locally caught Pipis along with fresh local fish and many of Fleurieu’s finest ingredients.
Stop over at Port Elliot Beach on a sunny day and visit the famous Port Elliot Bakery serving delicious fresh pies made daily.
13. Visit the wineries in Langhorne Creek
Although not as famous as its other sibling wine regions in South Australia, Langhorne Creek offers a delightful wine experience with lesser crowds and an authentic country feel. Not to mention they serve up some great quality red wines and are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Head up to Lake Breeze Wines or Kimbolton Wines for an afternoon out on the decks overlooking the lush vineyards.
We had the cheese platter and the house made dips at Lake Breeze Wine which was abolutely delicious.
North of Adelaide – York Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula & Flinders Range
Highlights – Wilpena Pound, snorkelling with giant cuttlefish, swimming with seals & dolphins in Lincoln National Park, pristine beaches in Innes National Park and Clare Valley.
14. Barossa Valley
Make the first stop up north in Barossa Valley. The Mediterranean climate of the Barossa (cool summers and rainy winters) is perfectly suited for red wine production, particularly Shiraz and a richly flavoured Cabernet. With over 80 cellar doors you can find some of the world’s best wineries and food experiences in Barossa Valley. Visit Unico Zelo, Ubertas Wines, Thorn Clarkes Wines, Seabrook Wines and Laughing Jack Wines. See the full list of wineries and restaurants in the Barossa Valley region.
15. Clare Valley
If you’re into white wines a visit to Clare Valley is a must with five-star wineries scattered throughout, its signature wine Riesling, is among the world’s best. You’ll find more than 50 cellar doors between the towns of Auburn and Clare, along a stunning 40km corridor. Visit Paulett Wines, Hill River Clare Estate, Sussex Squire Wines and O’Leary Walker Wines.
16. Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
Located at the Southern end of Yorke Peninsula, Innes National Park offers secluded and pristine beaches in the Yorke Peninsula region. You can spend the entire day in the sun at Dolphin & Shell Beach and not care about anything.
If you’re feeling active, take the Gym Beach Hike (4 hours return, 11km), a diverse hike through the unique flora and high sand dune areas between Browns Beach and Gym Beach.
Stop at Cape Spencer Lighthouse and the West Cape Lookout to take in 180 views of the tall cliffs that embrace the ocean floor.
On the way to Innes National Park visit Horse Shoe Bay at Corny Point for Snorkelling, Barley Stack Wines and Watsacowie Brewing Company. If you’re staying in Wallaroo the Bond Store is also worth a visit to sample their microbrewery and distillery serving up some great craft beers and gins.
Read our post on the Best Beaches to visit in South Australia.
17. Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Drive through rugged mountain ranges, deep craters and dusty red roads for an unforgettable experience in the Flinders Ranges and Outback. It’s like you’re exploring a new world for the first time. The main attraction here is Wilpena Pound: a gigantic natural amphitheatre created through erosion over millions of years. You can take a walk to the top to enjoy impressive views of Wilpena Pound.
18. Swim with giant Cuttlefish at Whyalla
During the winter months of May to August giant Cuttlefish migrate to the coasts of Whyalla at Point Lowly. These ‘chameleons of the sea’ are one of the largest species of cuttlefish found, reaching up to 60cm. The cuttlefish can put on spectacular displays of underwater light shows and colourful kaleidoscopic displays with its ability to change colours.
19. Lincoln National Park
Visit Donington Beach in Lincoln National Park to experience secluded beaches frequently visited by Dolphins, Seals and Emus. We spent the time snorkelling and stand up paddle boarding. We saw seals playfully jump in the waters along the rocks to the right side of the beach. We also saw several Dolphins swim by in the evenings.
Spend the night camping at September Beach or the several other campgrounds dotted around the National Park. You will need a 4wd to access most parts of the park including Memory Cove.
Read our post on the Best Beaches to visit in South Australia.
20. Coffin Bay National Park
Almonta Beach and Avoid Point offer some of the most epic views of the rugged coastline of the Coffin Bay National Park. The beaches are secluded with long stretches of dune formations, white sand, turquoise waters and remarkable cliff formations all along the coastline.
You can camp at Yangie campground, the only 2WD accessible campground in the national park.
We ventured further up the coast of Eyre Peninsula and stopped at Talia Caves, Baird Bay and Streaky Bay. These places weren’t the highlights of our trip so we won’t go into detail and would only recommend visiting these places if you were travelling to Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
We are thankful for our time in South Australia. We have explored so many beautiful places and have had many memorable experiences. We would definitely recommend exploring this beautiful state in Australia for a unique experience of pristine beaches and thriving native wildlife. Not to forget the world class wine regions and upcoming craft beer scene.
We will see you again soon.
xo
