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South Australia

The perfect road trip in South Australia

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The perfect South Australia Road Trip

South Australia is one of the most underrated states in the country, and it’s often overlooked by travelers chasing the big highlights on the East Coast. But if you love wildlife, word-class wineries, rolling hills, dramatic coastline and the raw beauty of the outback, you will love this road trip.

Best time to go: September–November is ideal for green rolling hills and pleasant weather. November to March gives perfect beach temperatures on Kangaroo Island, but Flinders Ranges can be extremely hot (check the forecast if you plan to visit in summer).

Trip length: 10–14 days, depending on how long you spend on Kangaroo Island and if you plan to visit Flinders Ranges. With three weeks you can incorporate the Eyre Peninsula in your itinerary.

The Route

This 1–2 week South Australia itinerary starts in Adelaide and takes you from the Fleurieu Peninsula’s rolling hills, wineries and beach towns to the wildlife paradise of Kangaroo Island, before heading inland into the rugged heart of the state: Ikara–Flinders Ranges. To round it all off, you’ll return south via Innes National Park on Yorke Peninsula, a coastal gem packed with cliffs, shipwrecks, and some of the most beautiful beaches. Like most of our itineraries, we recommend exploring the region with a campervan for maximum freedom. A 4WD can be fun, especially for certain beaches, campsites and tracks in the outback, but it isn’t necessary for this route.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a calm, leafy city and the perfect place to ease into your South Australia road trip. It’s known for its beautiful universities, grand old buildings, and lush green spaces. This is also usually where you’ll pick up your vehicle and stock up on supplies before heading out.

Start your day with a walk through the university precinct. We loved strolling from the University of Adelaide, crossing the Adelaide University Footbridge, and continuing straight into the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Don’t miss the Bicentennial Conservatory, an impressive glasshouse filled with tropical plants. For lunch, Exchange Coffee is one of our favorites. In the afternoon, head into the city centre for Victoria Square, the Adelaide Central Market, and Chinatown.

TIP: If you want a short hike close to the city, Morialta Conservation Park is a great option. The gorge is beautiful, and if you keep looking up into the gum trees, you’ll almost guaranteed to spot koalas resting in the branches.

Fleurieu Peninsula

The Fleurieu Peninsula is under 2-hour drive from Adelaide’s CBD and marks the start of your journey south toward Cape Jervis for the Kangaroo Island ferry. While we’ll properly explore Deep Creek National Park and the McLaren Vales wineries on the way back, and focus on coastal stops on the drive down. Grab a coffee at Goodness Coffee Co (Aldinga), visit the golden cliffs of Port Willunga, and stop at Sellicks Beach for sweeping coastal views. If you have an early morning ferry, Rapid Bay is a stunning place to camp by the ocean, with nearby caves and plenty of cockatoos. Just 5 minutes from the ferry terminal, Morgan Beach is a beautiful final stop or viewpoint before boarding.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is one of the main reasons to do this road trip, and it absolutely delivers. If you have the time, we recommend staying 4–5 nights so you can explore at a relaxed pace. Two nights is the minimum, but it does feel rushed. The Sealink ferry to Kangaroo Island departs from Cape Jervis and arrives in Penneshaw, and takes around 45 minutes. Alternatively you can fly on Kingscote and rent a car on the island.

After arriving in Penneshaw, ease into the island pace. Grab a coffee at Fat Beagle or Millie Mae, then head out for your first wildlife-filled coastal walk. Ironstone Hill Hike is an amazing introduction to the island: a 4.2km return trail (around 1.5 hours) that follows the coast and often has kangaroos and other wildlife along the way. If you’re looking for a campground close to the ferry area, Antechamber Bay is a lovely place to settle in for the night.

From Penneshaw, work your way west toward Flinders Chase National Park, with some iconic stops along the way. Seal Bay is a must. You can see Australian sea lions either on a guided beach tour or from the viewing platforms. Continue toward Vivonne Bay, a perfect place to swim and relax. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is another great stop for koalas and kangaroos before you reach the national park. Spend the night at Rocky River Campground inside Flinders Chase. It’s a super convenient base and completely rebuild since 2024, with great facilities (including hot showers).

From Rocky River, it’s a short 20min drive to two of Flinders Chase‘s most iconic sights: Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks. Admirals Arch is a dramatic natural rock formation carved by the sea, with boardwalks leading to viewing platforms where you can spot fur seals playing among the rocks below.

After Flinders Chase, head north across the island. Stokes Bay is a must if you have the time, a beautiful beach hidden behind large boulders. If you are down for a fancy meal, Fig Tree KI is a lovely option for lunch or dinner, but make sure to book in advance! Emu Bay is another favorite, calm and spacious with clear water, and you can drive your car on the beach here if you have a 4WD. Kingscote is a great base for tours, and if you’re keen, you can consider a swim-with-dolphins experience. For wineries Dudley Wines is perched on a cliff next to the ocean, probably one of the most unique winery locations in the world! Alternatively, False Cape Wines is another beautiful stop.

Back to Fleurieu & McLaren Vale

After returning from Kangaroo Island, it’s very convenient to spend a night back on the Fleurieu Peninsula before heading inland. Cobbler Hill Campground in Deep Creek National Park is a convenient and peaceful place to camp just 15min from the ferry terminal. There’s a stunning hike from the Cobbler Hill area down to Blowhole Beach, with sweeping views over the ocean all the way back toward Kangaroo Island. Fleurieu is also home to the McLaren Vale wine region. We loved Down the Rabbit Hole and Coriole Vineyard, both with gorgeous settings that feel a bit like Tuscany with an Australian twist, but you’ll find plenty of wineries to choose from depending on your taste.

Ikara-Flinders Ranges

After Fleurieu, it’s time to head inland toward Ikara–Flinders Ranges, where the coastline gives way to the stunning outback landscapes. From Adelaide, it’s around a 5-hour drive, and it can be nicely broken up by stopping in Clare Valley (another wine region) along the way. There are loads of great farm stays and Hipcamps in this part of the state, with Edgehill Farmstays being a great option.

As you approach the ranges, make sure to fuel up in Hawker (24/7 Fuel), the last town before the Flinders. From Hawker, consider a 45-minute unsealed road (2WD) detour to take the Moralana Scenic Drive for your first dramatic glimpse of the landscape. It’s a gorgeous drive and you’ll see plenty of emus and kangaroos along the way. Rawnsley Park Station is a great campground for exploring the Flinders Ranges. It has a small shop, fuel station, solid facilities, and even a pool to cool off. The bush camp section is especially beautiful, with views straight toward the pound.

TIP: Flinders Ranges is best done in cooler months. Summer temperatures can push into the 40s, but there are windows of colder, lower 30s days. So it’s doable with flexibility and a careful eye on the forecast. If you’re travelling in warmer months, bring a fly net, as it will dramatically improve your experience.

On your second day, the main starting point for exploring is the Ikara-Flinders Discovery Centre, in the heart of Wilpena Pound, just a 20-minute drive from Rawnsley Park. This is the best place to get information on current track conditions and setting out on one of the most iconic hikes: St Mary Peak (ideally done early in the morning before the heat). On your way to the discovery centre take a quick stop to view the famous Cazneaux Tree.

After your hike, spend the warmer part of the day exploring by car. Get back and drive North on the highway, and turn onto Bunyeroo Road to drive deeper into the ranges. About 30 minutes in, you’ll reach Razorback Lookout, an incredible viewpoint that is the postcard image of the Flinders (and this post!). Continue 30 minutes toward Brachina Gorge to spot the yellow-footed rock wallaby colony. We managed this drive in a 2WD campervan without issues, and took the same way out as we came in.

TIP: If you’re craving a good dinner, The Woolshed Restaurant in Rawnsley Park is amazing with beautiful views over the pound. Definitely try the kangaroo, and make sure to book a table with a view in advance as they have limited capacity. For a stunning 360° sunset over the ranges, head to Pugilist Hill, just 15 minutes drive from the campground.

Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park

From the Flinders Ranges, the road heads south again toward the Yorke Peninsula. It’s a long drive, and if you have time you can break it up with beach stops, but if you’re short on days you won’t miss a must-see by going straight to the end goal: Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park, right on the southern tip. The park is beautiful and easy to explore by car, and you can drive from the entrance through to Dolphin Beach in under an hour with stops along the way. Some of our favorite spots are Spencer Lighthouse, Inneston township and Ethel wreck.

Further north in the park, Royston Head Hike is great (if it’s not too hot), and Dolphin Beach Cove was our favorite beach to relax and cool down. With its red-tinged rocks and crystal-clear water, it reminded us of Tasmania’s Bay of Fires. We set up our van for dinner at West Cape Lighthouse at sunset, an underrated experience with unreal views across scattered islands. For camping, there are plenty of national park campgrounds, Pondalowie is a great option near the coast and only a short drive from West Cape. From Innes, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive back to Adelaide, and just like that, your 2 week South Australia road trip comes full circle!

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