Best Day Trips from Adelaide (2024 Guide)

Day Trips from Adelaide

Adelaide is a cultural, eventful, and entertainment hotspot. You can enjoy award-winning eateries in the centre of Adelaide or get to sip world-famous wine just a few minutes away from the city. When it comes to serving up the best, Adelaide has everything you want. Adelaide is a gateway to some of Australia’s best wine countries and is home to Australia’s official best restaurant, hotel, wine, gin, and beach. The city of Adelaide and its inhabitants are referred to as Adelaideans.

The metropolitan area of this city stretches 96 kilometres from Gawler in the North to Sellicks Beach in the south, and 20 kilometres from the coast to the Mount Lofty Ranges’ foothills. The city was established in 1836 as the planned capital of the only free-established British province in Australia and was given the name Adelaide in her honour. One of Adelaide’s founding fathers, Colonel William Light, designed the city centre and choose the area near the River Torrens for it.

Light’s design is today recognised as a national heritage. Adelaide’s numerous festivals and athletic events, its cuisine and wine, its coastline and hills, and its substantial defence and industries have made the city famous today. Through the 21st century, Adelaide’s quality of life has continuously scored highly on many scales; at one point, it was declared Australia’s most liveable city.

Many governmental and financial organisations are located in Adelaide, which serves as the administrative and commercial hub of South Australia. The majority of these are centred in the heart of the city along North Terrace and King William Street, two major cultural thoroughfares.

Adelaide is famous for both locally and internationally best-selling opals. Lighten your wallets by shopping for the best-priced opal for you! Adelaide enjoys cool winters and hot, dry summers. In summer, the highest temperature is often 29°C, while in winter it lowers down to 15 and 16°C.

In this blog, we’ve selected the best place for you to travel from Adelaide. Visitors and seasoned travellers wishing to experience some of the region’s most well-known landmarks will find everything they need to know in our guide, including the must-see sights and the best day trip destinations surrounding Adelaide. We also offer tips on how to get to each place on your own.

1. Burra

Burra

Historical places enable time travel and let us peek behind the scenes of past eras and also enable us to daydream. Burra is a quiet centre and a popular tourist destination located in the northern region of South Australia. It is situated on Burra Creek the east of the Clare Valley in the Bald Hills range, which is a section of the northern Mount Lofty Ranges. Burra, an ancient mining town, is located two hours from Adelaide between the Clare Valley’s luscious vineyards and the Outback’s red soil. This strange town was once a thriving hub for copper mining and attracts travellers today due to its unique history. Before you head to the Burra Regional Art Gallery, use a Burra Heritage Passport to tour the town’s extensive mine sites, underground caves, and historic police station.

About 3 km outside of town, stop for a photo at one of Australia’s most well-known ruin places. Red Banks Conservation Park, located just outside the town, has some of the purest and cleanest water. The state’s finest and darkest skies may be found in Red Banks Conservation Park, which is nearby and is the perfect place to experience sightseeing. The area is recognised as a mining heritage site in Australia. It was designated a State Heritage Town in 1994 due to the abundance of spectacular historic buildings it holds and the opportunities it provides for visitors to have a taste of life in a 19th-century copper mining town. Burra is in a marginal area of land. Tourists can easily spend a full day exploring the town’s rich mining heritage in this picturesque and historic town.

How to Reach

Adelaide and Burra are connected by a 143 km distance. The distance on the road is almost 165 km. You can get from Adelaide to Burra in 3 different ways: by bus, by train, or by car.

  • By Bus: From Adelaide Central Bus Station, take a bus to Burra. It costs between $30 and $35 to travel there in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
  • By Train: You cannot travel by train directly to the place; instead, you must change the train and take a bus to get there. From Adelaide Station, take the train to Gawler Central Station, and then from Gawler, take the bus to Burra. It takes 4 hours and 20 minutes and will cost you nearly $28.
  • By Car: From Adelaide, take a drive to Burra. The trip there takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. It is the quickest way to get to Burra. About $25 – $30approx.

Things to Do

You can have fun doing a lot of new activities in Burra. Burra is a historical town, so you can explore a lot of locations that tie to the past and learn more about them. Visit Time Halls, Art Galleries, Railway Stations, Copper Mines, Museums and much more.

  • Burra Copper Mine: Once you’ve finished exploring the area and finding all the other historical structures and graveyards, enjoy the open-cut mine pool. You can drive up from the Town Lookout to Burra Lookout. Explore the Burra Mine Site, a Nationally Listed Heritage Area, on foot or by self-drive tour. The outdoor museum recreates the thrilling environment of the monster mine using mining activity remnants. Several facilities have been provided there including parking for coaches and public restrooms.
  • Morphett Engine House Museum: The Monster Mine site includes the Morphett Engine House Museum. Many structures and artifacts can be found within the vast, fenced area. Along with safety advice, there is information about other South Australian mining sites that are similar. When the engine house is accessible, a guide is present. Other than that, tourists are free to explore the other remains, which include the 1847 Powder Magazine building, one of the oldest mine structures still standing in Australia. A guide at Morphett’s Engine House Museum will display a scale model that is fully functional to demonstrate the operation of the engine and pump system used to de-water the mine. A scale model of a jinker, mining artefacts, an 1820s pocket bible, and high-quality samples of malachite and azurite are all included in the collection. Outside visitors can access Morphett’s Windinghouse, the pool, the mine offices and cottages, Grave’s engine house, and a glimpse of an open-cut mine by passing via an underground adit and viewing the mineshaft. A Burra Heritage Passport must be purchased to receive a free guided tour.
  • Burra Regional Art Gallery: One of the top Burra tourist attractions, the Burra Regional Art Gallery is situated on the town’s main street and features the creations of numerous local artists. Despite the small size of the gallery, it features some stunning masterpieces, especially some of the smaller ones that are being sold in the gallery. These include silk scarves, miniature sculptures or statuettes, and even a few photographs and books. The Gallery enables artists to display their creations in group and solo exhibitions. It sponsors significant travelling exhibitions, holds competitions, and invites renowned artists to conduct master classes and workshops at the Gallery. Along with its permanent collections, competitions, artist talks, sculpture garden, and events, Burra’s creative tradition is alive and evolving through a calendar of 12 distinct exhibitions each year. You can visit anytime as the gallery is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm.

Food and Drinks

Every city has a few top-notch coffee shops and eateries. The Burra Bakery offers a quality brew, while the Town Square Gallery and Café offers a quality brew along with some light fare and a tiny specialized art gallery. Nevertheless, Gaslight Collectibles and Old Books in Burra serve the tastiest coffee we’ve ever tasted there.

Check out these cool spots also; you’ll adore them.

Places Famous for its
Waters Burra Baker Pastries, cakes and tarts
The Cook O'Burra Takeout Delicious Mexican food
St Just Cafe Delicious coffee and great ambience
Gaslight Cafe, Collectables and Old Books Antiques and collectables to buy

Accommodations

An ideal vacation would be incomplete without a comfortable sleep. Check the finest lodges. An in-room dining option, a private pool, a spa, body massages, and complimentary parking seem to be available for your convenience while on vacation.
Here are some recommendations:

  • Lavender Cottage B&B
  • Burra Motor Inn
  • Paxton Square Cottages
  • Aberdeen Cottage
  • Burra Railway Station B&B

2. Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island

Beautiful islands traditionally dream up visions of palm trees, white sand beaches, and beautiful blue waters. But Kangaroo island totally focuses on historical places and cultural experiences. Australia’s third-largest island is Kangaroo Island, commonly known as Karta Pintingga. It’s located in South Australia 70 kilometres southwest of Adelaide. There are several nature reserves on the island to preserve native plants and wildlife. The island is 145 km long from west to east and 0.94 to 54 km wide from north to south. Its 540 kilometres of shoreline rise to a height of 307 metres in Flinders Chase National Park and Mount MacDonnell, at 299 metres above sea level, is the second-highest point.

There is everything you need on the island: Township, Wine Industry, Agriculture, and many sports facilities. Kingscote is the largest settlement on Kangaroo Island. On the island, sheep grazing has historically been the primary form of agriculture; however, more recent years have seen the introduction of more diverse crops including potatoes and canola. Additionally, cow ranching has increased, with high-quality beef cattle being raised in regions with higher rainfall. There are 12 wineries and 30 wine growers on the island. The famous Kangaroo Island Football League and many more tournaments are also held on the island.

How To Reach

The distance between Kangaroo Island and Adelaide is around 210 km which can be travelled in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. You can get to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide by flight, car, taxi, bus or ferry. However, only by using a flight, you can get to the island without switching modes of transportation; otherwise, you must change between a car, bus, taxi or ferry.
  • By Flight: The quickest way to get there is to take a plane. Take a 40-minute trip from Adelaide to Kingscote, which will cost you between $120 and $260. Visitors can also take a flight on Regional Express or QantasLink from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. Seasonal direct flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Kangaroo Island are also offered by QantasLink.
  • By Bus, Ferry or Taxi: First, you must take a bus from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, which takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Next, from Cape Jervis, you must take a ferry to Penshaw Ferry Pier, which takes about 30 minutes, and finally, to get to the island, you must take a taxi, which takes 1 hour to get there and costs between $116 and $131. Approximately, the travel time is 4 hours and 14 minutes.
  • Cost of Ferry: Each person’s travel expenses vary,
  1. For adults, the approximate one-way fare was $55 and the roundtrip fare was $110.
  2. The approximate cost for students was $45 one way and $90 roundtrip.
  3. For a child, the approximate costs were $28 one way and $56 roundtrip.
  4. It is completely free for infants.

Things to Do

Kangaroo Island is a fun spot to explore where you can experience safaris, motorcycling, snorkelling, and many other activities. Take part in as many things as you can, explore the lovely location and enjoy yourself. All of these activities are reasonably priced. You can choose a trip to Kangaroo Island that includes many of them, this will enable you to take advantage of all of these activities at a much lower price.

  • Kangaroo Island Quad Bike [ATV] Tours: On Kangaroo Island, hop on a quad bike and explore a variety of landscapes. On this thrilling quad bike trip to Kangaroo Island, you will race over dirt roads, splash through muddy paths and travel off-road. As you follow your guide on one of our possible itineraries lasting between 1.5 to 3 hours, see the untamed Australian bushlands from the back of your simple-to-drive ATV. Visit pristine beaches and breathtaking vistas, test your mettle on sand and gravel trails, or take a sunset trip to take it all in. The best aspect is that everybody in the family can participate as neither experience nor a licence is required. Choose from four tours based on your interests, capabilities, and schedule. View native Australian wildlife up close and in the wild. Try out the ATV with the kids for a fun family trip. As you go across a variety of terrain, you can either drive your quad bike (ATV) or ride as a passenger in a buggy (UTV). Every tour starts with a kit and instruction session, followed by practice using the quad bikes safely. The thrill of riding the newest quads from Yamaha, Suzuki, or Honda will be yours to enjoy.
  • Kangaroo Island 75-Minute Ocean Safari: Travel around the historic coastline of Kangaroo Island for the chance to spot dolphins, seals, eagles, and other species. See the crystal-clear waters, breathtaking coastline, and marine life that calls this vibrant environment home. Discover a must-do wildlife adventure that is enjoyable for all ages. When you arrive at Christmas Cove Marina in Penneshaw, you will receive a safety briefing, a wetsuit fitting, a mask, a snorkel, and flippers. After that, get on a boat and explore the coast for aquatic species. Look for playful seals playing in the water or lounging on the rocks and join them in the water! These curious seals are a lot of fun to dive with because they can be very interactive and energetic. In-depth commentary will be given along the way by your skilled tour guide. This wildlife experience is undoubtedly unforgettable! You can still enjoy watching dolphins and seals frolic in the ocean if you don’t enjoy snorkelling. Even just a boat ride is amazing. Keep your camera handy so you can take pictures of the seals relaxing on the rocks. A variety of birds, including eagles, gulls, and cormorants, will be readily visible. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists for you to encounter animals!
  • Kangaroo Island 4 WD Tour: On this customizable 4WD journey, see Kangaroo Island’s natural wonders by taking the less-travelled paths. As you travel across this amazing island, you’ll come across hidden beaches and pristine bays, breathtaking cliff-edged coastlines and iconic rock formations, and rare fauna. Discover the natural beauty of Flinders Chase National Park, home to the renowned Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. In addition, you will explore Seal Bay and Vivonne Bay along the mountainous South Coast. Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park to begin your adventure so you may see the wild colony of sea lions lazing on the beach there. Your guide will bring you very close to them so you can take some beautiful pictures. Visit Vivonne Bay after lunch for a chance to see dolphins swimming around the coast. In the summer, it would be possible to pause here for a dip before continuing to Flinders Chase National Park. This is because this beach is among the most picturesque and secure bathing spots on the island. Remarkable Rocks, which are about 5 million years old, have amazing rock formations that you may explore on foot. You will be able to see the long-nosed fur seals, sometimes known as New Zealand fur seals, nearby as they play in the rock pools beneath Admirals Arch. After taking in breathtaking vistas from every angle during your unique small-group excursion, complimentary shuttles will take you back to Kingscote.

Food and Drinks

Fresh seafood from Kangaroo Island, oysters freshly caught King George Whiting, distinctive Ligurian Kangaroo Island honey, and a wide variety of award-winning wines, beers, ciders, distilled spirits, and liquors will astound and please you. The only thing you’ll do after eating here is licking your hands. You will also receive various amenities, along with the cuisine.

Here are some recommendations:

Places Famous for its
False Cape Wines Great Wines and Ambiance
Castus - Coffee, Food, Bar Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten Free options
Emu Bay Lavender Unique Lavender Products
Hentley Farm Restaurant Premium dining & Wine Tasting Experience

Accommodations

Kangaroo Island offers a selection of top hotels to meet all preferences and price ranges. Rest up at one of these inns, and hotels then get up refreshed and ready to explore the next morning.
Following are some suggestions:

  • Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge
  • Western Kl Caravan Park and Wildlife Reserve
  • Wanders Rest of Kangaroo Island
  • Sunrise On Falie Court
  • Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine

3. Clare Valley

Clare Valley

In the north of Adelaide, there is a wine region called the Clare Valley. It’s a traditional market town. If you’re looking for an Australian retreat with plenty of gastronomic delights, the Clare Valley is a wise choice. Cool afternoon breezes and chilly nights in the Clare Valley balance its generally warm environment. Edward Burton Gleeson founded the town in 1842 and gave it the name County Clare after his Irish ancestral home. The Clare Valley is home to numerous five-star wineries. Visit vineyards and purchase a delicious picnic hamper, or go to a farm gate store and purchase directly from the producer. Finish it all off with lunch while seeing the valley from Skillogalee, Terroir Auburn, or Pikes Wines.

The Clare Valley is well known for its top-notch wine Riesling. Despite only making up about 2% of Australia’s total grape production, the Clare Valley Region takes home more than 7% of all wine medals. Many vineyards are established between 300 and 400 metres above sea level, and some even reach 520 metres. Taylor’s Wines, Annie’s Lane, Grosset Wines, Jim Barry Wines, and Seven Hill Cellars are a few of its most well-known and well-liked wineries. Jim Barry Wines and Kilikanoon were the winners of James Halliday’s Winery of the Year award. It also has a country park with a ruined castle, a moat, a number of trails, and a visitor centre in addition to an old train station. You’ll rekindle your affection for each other in the charming rural pubs of the Valley and also discover some romance and charm in the Clare Valley.

The Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend is a festival honouring food and wine that takes place in late May. Over the course of three days, numerous nearby vineyards and restaurants will hold events, tastings, and entertainment. The Riesling Trail, Rattler Trail, Mawson Trail, and Lavender Federation Trail all include sections in the Clare Valley, which is particularly well renowned for its walking and cycling routes. Visit renowned vineyards, sample locally-sourced foods, stay in accommodation and experience the pleasant beauty of gum trees, kangaroos, vineyards and lots of country pubs.

How To Reach

The distance between the Clare Valley and Adelaide is around 146.8km which takes almost 1 hour and 40 minutes to travel. You can travel via car, bus or travel.

  • By Bus: From Adelaide, take a direct bus to Clare Valley. It costs about $26–$31 to travel there and takes 2 hours and 40 minutes.
  •  By Train: There isn’t a direct metro line that goes to Clare Valley. You must first take a rail from Adelaide Station to Elizabeth Station, and then a bus to Clare Valley from Elizabeth. It costs between $24 and $28 and takes approximately two hours and thirty minutes.
  • By Car: Reach the Clare Valley directly while listening to music and admiring the beautiful drive. You will be even more excited by the route from Adelaide to the Clare Valley, which is incredibly picturesque. Clare Valley is around one hour and forty minutes away from Adelaide by driving. It costs between $18 and $26.

Things to Do

The diverse and unique wineries in Clare Valley are well-known. You can visit a variety of wineries. There are a lot more sights in the valley that you can explore. Try exploring the Riesling Trail, Rattler Trail, Mawson Trail, Lavender Federation Trail, and many other locations.

  • Mawson Trail: The Mawson Track in South Australia is a long-distance cycling and walking trail. The 900-kilometre Mawson Trail connects Blinman in the Flinders Ranges with the Adelaide Hills. It is made for mountain riding, especially in the areas north of Burra, and travels from Burra via White Hut Road into Clare and then down to Riverton. The 900-kilometre-long Mawson Trail, which follows the Flinders Ranges from Adelaide to Blinman, is named for Douglas Mawson, an Adelaide geologist who spent a lot of time in the region but is better renowned for his daring Antarctic expeditions. Following the Riesling Trail & Rattler Trails, the trail travels through the Clare Valley. The Clare Valley is a logical overnight stop for finishing the full-day hike because there are several food and lodging options here.
  • Lavender Federation Trail: In the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia, there is a long-distance walking path called the Lavender Federation Trail. It covers 325 kilometres between Murray Bridge and Clare. The trail starts in Murray Bridge’s Sturt Reserve by the Murray River. Murray Bridge is reached by ascending through Rocky Gully, Kinchina Conservation Park, and Monarto Safari Park. The trail ascends to Mount Beevor’s top as it climbs a ridge with views of the Bremer River valley. To reach Truro, the trail continues north along the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, passing through the Eden Valley wine region. The Mount Beaver fire track in the Sturt Reserve at Murray Bridge serves as the starting point of the 197-mile Lavender Federation Trail, which ends in Clare Valley. This trail passes through several communities on its journey to Clare. It also surrounds the Mount Lofty Ranges and winds through the Barossa Valley. The Medium-graded route is well-marked with luminous silver and green plaques and arrows and is exclusively intended for walking. Typically, it takes 16 days to complete the entire trail, though several factors can affect how long it takes. For those seeking shorter walking paths or family-friendly options, there are alternative shorter loops and spur trails.
  • Riesling Trail: In the Clare Valley of South Australia, there is a 35-kilometre walking and biking trail called the Riesling Trail. The finest way to experience the Clare Valley’s fascinating history and breathtaking scenery is by bicycle. These chic rental bikes are practical, convenient, and ideal for touring incredible vineyards and stunning scenery. It is a 33 km long Riesling Trail. It rises through an ever-changing landscape, passing by numerous wineries and offering breathtaking vistas.The Trail travels past the little township of Leasingham, which is close to the features of cellar doors and an art gallery to explore. Users of the route can explore locations including vineyards, a pub, and the General Store by heading eastward. Trail users may want to stop by the nearby township of Sevenhill, which offers a motel and a bakery. Along the trail, Richardson Park is one of the best playgrounds for kids. The Trail finally arrives at the former Clare Railway Station after passing additional cellar doors. The Trail arrives at Barinia Road, which serves as its northern terminus, after passing through additional vineyards and over White Hut Creek.

Food and Drinks

Clare Valley is famous for one of Australia’s best wines, riesling, which is the region’s hallmark beverage. The Clare Valley is home to a developing gourmet food scene with top-notch eateries.

Check out the places listed below; the food is excellent there.

Places Famous for its
Zest Cafe Quick Service & Delicious Meal
Pancho's Pizza & Pasta Italian Pizza & Pasta
Skillogalee House Ambience & Outdoor Seating
Seed Clare Valley Wood Fired Pizza & Squid Ink Pasta

Accommodations

To explore with more vigour the next day, get some rest. Clare Valley has a lot of fun places to visit. You can find resorts here that provide various services you require. You can take advantage of buffets, free parking, and numerous other amenities.
Here are some suggestions:

  • Brice Hill Country Lodge
  • Clare Country Club
  • Riesling Trail & Clare Valley Cottages
  • Molly’s Chase
  • Neagles Retreat Villas

4. Monarto Safari Park

Monarto Safari Park

The largest safari experience to be found outside of Africa will be at Monarto Safari Park, also known as Monarto Zoo. More than 50 different kinds of local and exotic mammals, birds, and reptiles can be found there. This includes one of Australia’s largest lion pride and giraffe herds together with several of Africa’s most impressive species spread over more than 1,500 hectares. The park is the entry point to the gorgeous Murraylands region and is located 60 minutes (70 kilometres) from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Visitors can board a free shuttle bus at any of the park’s six stops, which are all located nearby. In addition, many of the walking trails can be used by visitors to tour the park. There are a number of tracks accessible that range from easy to medium grade, some of which are appropriate for strong pushers.

These tracks are appropriate for tourists who want to explore the zoo on foot. Additionally, there are the best cafes and gift shops on site where you may purchase food and beverages to help you remember your journey. To complete this task, a whole day is required. The park itself is magnificent; it is large and thoughtfully designed with lots of open spaces for animals to wander. You can view a variety of ticket options on the website.

Tickets for adults cost $40, for kids they cost $21.50, and for families, passes start at $102. All bus tours of the park and ranger talks are included in the admission price. A bonus is encountering interactive animals. Every day, the park is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and the last bus departs from the Visitor Center at 3 pm.

How To Reach

The distance between Adelaide and Monarto safari park is approximately 70 km which takes around an hour to reach. You can travel by train, taxi, bus or drive yourself.

  • By Bus: From Adelaide, there are direct buses that travel to Monarto Safari Park. Bus travel takes approximately 1 hour and 27 minutes and costs between $14 and $30 US. You will be dropped off at the Monarto Safari Park Visitor Center directly by bus.
  • By Train: There is no direct train to Monarto Safari Park. You’ll be dropped off at Murray Bridge by train, and you’ll need to take a taxi to get to Monarto Safari Park from there. It will take about 2 hours and 10 minutes and cost between US$35 and US$60 to get there.
  • By Taxi: A taxi will pick you up from your home and drop you off at the Monarto Safari Park. You can simply book a taxi from your home, eliminating the need to travel anywhere. Taking a cab will save you time because it will drop you off in the park in about 50 minutes, but it will cost you between US$100 and US$130 to get there.

Things to Do

Try to take in as much as you can when you are travelling to Monarto Safari Park. Explore these locations to have fun – Kinchina Conservation Park, Swanport Bridge, Ferries McDonald Conservation Park, Monarto Conservation Park and many more. The following experiences can add even more meaning to your trip:

  • Kinchina Conservation Park: Located on the eastern flanks of the communities of Rocky Gully and White Hill, Kinchina Conservation Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia. It had an area of 4.14 square kilometres. The largest amount of native vegetation in the Monarto Crown Lands region, Kinchina Conservation Park, is 414 acres. Beautiful granite outcrops that are features of the Rocky Gulley creek meander through the park to the north and these features can be enjoyed from the Laven­der Feder­a­tion Trail. The area blooms with orchids, lilies, and lovely spring wildflowers throughout the later stages of the year. At this time, it is worth a visit! You might see some uncommon birds, such as the diamond firetail, restless flycatcher, or hooded robin. One of the reasons the park was established was to protect those species that are endangered in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The Mount Lofty Ranges’ declining habitat, grassy wooded communities, can also be seen here. In the park, there are populations of endangered plant species including Menzel’s wat­tle and Monarto mint bush with over 4,000 plants. This park is the only place where Menzel’s Wat­tle is formally protected.
  • Ferries McDonald Conservation Park: About 10 kilometres southwest of Murray Bridge, in the gazetted locality of Monarto South, is the Ferries McDonald Conservation Park. Ferries McDonald Con­ser­va­tion Park is one of the larger Con­ser­va­tion Parks in the region, measuring about 880 hectares. Over 300 species of plant and more than 80 species of bird are protected by the dense, primarily mallee habitat. If you’re lucky, you might spot western grey kangaroos munching on grass in a nearby pasture or catch a glimpse of a number of raptor species soaring overhead in quest of prey. You can see the park teeming with native orchids, blooming blossoms, and all of the lovely birds this season draws in the spring. Meet magnificent fairy wrens, gold- and rufous-whiskers, yel­low-rumped thornbills, mallee ringneck parrots, several species of robin, and white-browed babblers, among other bird species. Additionally, this park is home to the elusive and federally protected malleefowl, which has been the focus of extensive research and monitoring there. The park’s numerous sandy ridges, which are a component of the Murray Plains and provide evidence of its geological past as an ocean floor, are another intriguing natural feature. Visit the park in the spring to witness it teeming with native orchids, blooming blossoms, and all the lovely birds this season draws.
  • Monarto Conservation Park: Monarto Conservation Park is a tranquil haven located around an hour’s drive from the metropolis of Adelaide. Located in the rain shadow of the South­ern Mount Lofty Ranges to the west, it is considered semi-arid and receives little over half the average annual rainfall of Adelaide, in sharp contrast to the environment of the nearby hills. Both the River Murray and Lake Alexandrina are 15 kilometres away. The area in sections 495 and 496 of the Hundred of Monarto’s cadastral unit makes up the conservation park. It was declared a national park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1972. Sandal ridges in this region of the Mur­ray Plains show that it was previously a part of the ocean bed, providing a hint as to the geo­log­i­cal history of the park. Mallee woods and dry heathlands offer enticing opportunities for people who want to get away from the crowds and meander through the vegetation in the hopes of spotting southern scrub. Visitors may also be rewarded if they are especially patient with a spotted harrier hovering above the nearby pasture lands. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise at this park!

Food and Drinks

Food and beverages are the lifeblood of any establishment. The local cuisine near Monarto Safari Park is well-liked. You may sample the best regional cuisine. The cuisine is delicious, and the atmosphere is beautiful.

The food is fantastic at the locations listed below, so have a look:

Places Famous for its
Hey, yummy diner Delicious Hot Pot Food
Oriental Garden Restaurant Best Chinese Food
Pho 70 Vietnamese Dishes
Zambrero Mexican Food

Accommodations

Finding a comfortable place to stay is essential for a stress-free trip. You may quickly spot cottages that are both luxurious and inexpensive. These offer luxurious lodging with wonderful balcony views. Additionally, there are buffets available, and the food is superb.
Check out these hotels, we are sure you will definitely like them:

  • Murray Bridge Tourist Park
  • Bridgeport Hotel
  • Adelaide Road Motor Lodge
  • Bill’s Boathouse
  • Balcony On Sixth Lodge

“Life is meant for good friends and great adventures” – Anonymous

5. Granite Island

Clare Valley

One of the most well-known ecological attractions in Victor Harbor is Granite Island, which is around 62 acres in size and located about 80 kilometres south of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. This is owing to its distinctive granite formations with crashing white waves, elevated views, vegetation and fauna, and walking routes that provide magnificent panoramic coastline views. The causeway connecting the mainland at Victor Harbor to Granite Island Recreation Park can be crossed by a short stroll or horse tram ride. The island is known for its enormous granite walls that are coloured with orange lichen, and the sound of the waves crashing against the jagged shoreline provides a tense soundtrack to your stay. The best months to travel are from June through October for whale-watching activities.

Every winter, southern right whales travel to Encounter Bay because they discover the local water to be warmer than their sub-Antarctic summer feeding sites. The most desirable time of year to enjoy walking, swimming, and fishing is during the warm months. Every day of the week, the café at Granite Island Recreation Park is open. The Vic­tor Harbor to Gran­ite Island Cause­way provides access to Gran­ite Island. Fishing is not permitted from the breakwater, but you can enjoy the coastal scenery and learn about the island’s fascinating history by taking the Kaiki Walk. Between June and October, a southern right whale might even be seen. The park also provides spots for picnics. The tramway is one of just two still in use daily worldwide. You may explore Granite Island Recreation Park on foot using this 2.9-kilometre trail.

How To Reach

The granite island is 85 kilometres from Adelaide, and it takes 2 to 3 hours to get there using various modes of transportation. There are two methods to get there: by bus or by train. When you take a train, you must change to a bus to get there, whereas the bus will drop you off directly.

  • By Train: Train travel will take approximately 3 hours and cost between $20 and $30. You will be dropped off by the train at Seaford Station; you must then take a bus, which will drop you off in Victor Harbor. Then you have to walk for 8 to 9 minutes to get there.
  • By Bus: Bus travel is a more affordable way of transportation. Bus travel takes about two and a half hours and costs between $15 and $30. You will be dropped off in Victor Harbor, from where you must walk for ten minutes to get to the granite island.

Things to Do

Numerous water sports and amazing sightseeing are accessible on Granite Island. You may interact with whales and fish, as well as observe them up close. If you enjoy water animals, Granite Island is a place you’ll adore. Explore the sites that we have shared as well.

  • Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tramway: On the city’s waterfront in the Australian state of South Australia is the Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram. The city’s visitor centre is connected to Granite Island by a 3.1 km tramway. The majority of its path is a 630-metre causeway. One of the very few remaining horse-drawn tram routes in public transit anywhere in the world is the tramway. Except for Christmas Day, it is open every day of the year. Each Clydesdale horse can pull up to three double-decker tramcars. Similar to all of South Australia’s early railways, the route is constructed using a 5 ft 3 wide gauge. The Victor Harbor Horse Tram Authority, a division of the City of Victor Harbor, was created in October 2018 to manage the service’s operations, commercial growth, and marketing. Take Granite Island across The Causeway in Victor Harbor on the venerable Horse Drawn Tram. The surf zone’s centre, known to Adelaide surfers and local surfers as the “South Coast,” is Victor Harbor. Parsons, Waitpinga, Middleton, and Goolwa are a few of the area’s well-known surf spots. Normal wave protection for the town comes from the Granite Island barrier.
  • Granite Island Recreation Park: In South Australia, 0.6 kilometres southeast of Victor Harbor and 120 kilometres south of Adelaide, there is a protected area called Granite Island Recreation Park that encompasses the entirety of Granite Island. It is said to be “South Australia’s most visited park.” It is an IUCN Category IV protected area and was established in 1999 under the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1972. The little penguin, one of the state’s cutest birds, can be seen on the island. Take a quick stroll or ride on the horse tram over the causeway connecting Victor Harbor’s mainland to Granite Island Recreation Park. The sound of the waves crashing against the jagged shoreline provides a tense soundtrack to your stay. Go fishing from a jetty or causeway or take in the coastal scenery and learn about the island’s fascinating history along the Kaiki Walk. In June through October, you might even see a southern right whale. This island is known for its enormous granite boulders that are coloured with orange lichen and is home to the majestic southern right whale and the enchanting small penguins.
  • Cockle Train: The Cockle Train operates on Australia’s oldest steel-rail railway, which was built to connect the River Murray with the ocean. It starts its daily journey at Goolwa Station. Then the line departs off the main Goolwa to Victor Harbor Road after crossing it, then travels over the plains to Middleton, where it can pick up or drop off people upon request, before continuing on to Port Elliot, at which it reaches the Encounter Bay shore. After departing from Port Elliot, the train climbs to the top of the coastal cliffs, where passengers can take in some of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s most beautiful coastal scenery. You will have a fantastic view of the Southern Ocean, which is the Southern Right Whale’s winter habitat. The train arrives at Victor Harbor Station, in the heart of the town and surrounded by its recognisable pine trees, after a 30-minute journey. The locomotive is then separated from the coaches and rotated on a 30 m long, specially kept electric turntable before being reattached to the carriages for the trip back to Goolwa. Throughout the year, there are varying numbers of trains running. At any of the stations, passengers can purchase tickets for one-way trips in either direction along the line or for a reasonable cost round trip. At Goolwa and Victor, trains pause for roughly 30 minutes, and roundtrip travellers can prolong this time by taking a later train home.

Food and Drinks

Granite island is a hub of the best restaurants and clubs. Some of them are also beachside eateries where you can eat while seeing the most beautiful sunset views. Island offers delectable meals and beverages. The seafood is the star of the menu; it includes a variety of fish, crabs, prawns, and other shellfish.

Check out these restaurants as well:

Places Famous for its
Viet Next Door Asian Fusion Restaurant
Coal Cellar + Grill Local & Grilled Dishes
Vietnam Restaurant Classic Chinese & Vietnamese Food
Godi La Vita Italian Food

Accommodations

Granite Island has a lot to offer, it is important to find a suitable spot to stay. The beach has a lot of lovely locations with picturesque surroundings and appealing rooms. You can get seaside accommodations with many more facilities.
Check out these hotels; we’re confident you’ll enjoy them:

  • BreakFree Adelaide
  • Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites
  • Hilton Adelaide
  • Mawson Lakes Hotel
  • Esplanade Hotel

6. Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide

Located around 14 kilometres northwest of the Adelaide CBD, Port Adelaide is a port-side area of Adelaide. This emerging historic port town has truly come into its own, boasting character-filled streets covered in street art, cobblestone lanes, heritage architecture, and wonderfully restored 19th-century warehouses. Take a walking tour to experience the evocative wharf vibes and the area’s rich marine heritage. Enjoy gourmet hotdogs from The Saucy Sailor or tacos at La Popular Taqueria only 25 minutes from Adelaide. Then, wash it all down with some brews from Pirate Life Brewing.

Port Adelaide is a destination for history lovers also because it is home to the National Railway Museum and the South Australian Maritime Museum. Are you seeking adventure? Navigate the Port River’s sparkling waters while discovering the storied shipyard and getting a chance to interact with the dolphins who live there. Port Adelaide has developed into a location where business, leisure, education, and creativity blend into one exciting and gratifying destination. South Australia’s ancient maritime port is re-emerging as a dynamic waterfront community. This is almost ten years after the state government unveiled its imaginative proposal to revitalise the Port through the ‘Our Port’ restoration project. Because they cater to sailors of commercial ships, Port Adelaide’s 19th-century hotels and bars are well-known for being well-preserved examples of the region’s maritime history. Port Adelaide is also the fifth-oldest club in the Australian football league [AFL] and the oldest professional football team in South Australia.

How To Reach

Port Adelaide is a nearby station to Adelaide. You can commute in a variety of ways, including by car, taxi, bus, and metro.

  • By Train: Every 30 minutes, Adelaide Metro runs a train between Port Adelaide and Adelaide stations. The trip lasts 21 minutes and tickets cost $4 approx.
  • By Bus: Every hour, Adelaide Metro runs a bus from Stop 41 St. Vincent St. on the North side to Stop 1 Port Rd. The trip lasts 28 minutes and tickets cost $4.

Things to Do

Port Adelaide is a town very near Adelaide. It is a historic town where you may learn about Adelaide’s past. It contains a variety of museums where you can see great vintage crafts as well as other things.

  • National Railway Museum: The largest railroad museum in Australia is the National Railway Museum. At its 3.5-hectare site in Port Adelaide, South Australia, there are more than 100 significant items on show, mostly from the South Australian Railways, Commonwealth Railways, and its successor, Australian National. After spending 18 years in the former main locomotive depot of the SAR at Mile End, the museum moved to Lipson Street in 1988. A copy of the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus structure serves as its home. The restaurant portrays how the princely states of India and the British East India Company combined 42 distinct railway firms to establish Indian Railways. The vast outdoor gallery, which is designed to resemble a railway yard, is home to a range of steam, diesel, and electric locomotives as well as an intriguing assortment of waggons, carriages, armoured trains, and rail cars. For years, almost over a century, these original life-size exhibitions have been kept and renovated. In this interesting museum, explore the history of the Australian railways. You will see steam and diesel trains operating as well as other exhibits of various railroad memorabilia.
  • Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary: One of metropolitan Adelaide’s treasures is the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. This marine park, which is only 20 minutes from Adelaide, is home to about 30 resident bottlenose dolphins and 400 transient dolphins who visit at various periods. Explore the river in a variety of ways. Consider taking a kayak or boat trip, the self-guided Port River Dolphin Trail, or both. The greatest times of day to see dolphins are in the middle of the day, from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 2 p.m. until sunset. Wild horses come here to graze, play, interact with one another, and tend to their calves. A 10,000-year-old mangrove forest, seagrass, salt marsh, tidal flats, and tidal creeks are all found inside the sanctuary and all of them provide habitat and food for the elephants. The Sanctuary is a portion of South Australia’s busiest port and is home to a number of historically significant and culturally significant sites from both the United States and Europe. The Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary shares most of its northern coastal habitat with the region, which is also a popular location for bird watching. Several places provide a wonderful vantage point from which to view wildlife. Only 12 kilometres separate the City of Adelaide from the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, which offers a beautiful nature experience unlike any other. Exuberant fauna, including numerous unique bird species, fish, a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest, and a group of bottlenose dolphins with over 400 dolphins visiting throughout the years, call this bustling industrial and commercial port home.
  • South Australian Maritime Museum: Both the local bus terminals and the Port Adelaide train station are close to the Museum. The Museum hosts exhibitions in two adjacent stone bond stores that date back to the 1850s. Visitors have the chance to climb the Port Adelaide lighthouse, which was originally located at the Port River’s entrance and was constructed in 1869. School groups can take cruises in the 1942-built navy launch Archie Badenoch, while the general public can occasionally take cruises in the steam tug Yelta. The Museum offers a robust calendar of events including touring exhibitions, educational programmes, historical dinners, music performances, and tours of the museum and the Torrens Island Quarantine Station. It is known for being an interactive museum with creative programming. The exploration of the southern coast and the ecology of the Port River dolphins are the main topics of the exhibitions. The “Best Bower” anchor, which Matthew Flinders lost in 1803 and the Underwater Explorers Club found in 1973, is one of the collection’s many treasures. The Women Sailmakers loft (1864) and the Commercial Bank building (1888), both on Lipson Street across from the museum, are both preserved by the Maritime Museum.

Food and Drinks

With travel and adventures, tasting new cuisine is essential for learning more about the location. Italian, Greek, French, Indian, and a variety of other cuisines are all available in Port Adelaide. You can find the right ambience, lighting, and music to make your experience enjoyable.

Visit the locations listed below:

Places Famous for its
Carmine And Co. Traditional Italian Staple Food
Low & Slow American BBQ Delicious Barbecue Food
The Banksia Tree Cafe and Restaurant Seasonal specials & creative breakfast meals
Yiros Central Port Adelaide Turkish Food

Accommodations

Luxury and affordable cottages are simple to come by in Port Adelaide. They offer beautiful lodging with stunning vistas. There are numerous services accessible, and you can select a location where you can enjoy the delectable buffets that come with the accommodations.
Here are some recommendations:

  • Largs Pier Hotel
  • Discovery Parks – Adelaide Beachfront
  • Quest Port Adelaide
  • Links Hotel
  • Port Adelaide Backpackers

Conclusion

We aimed to inform readers about spectacular sites in Adelaide that they should visit. It will assist you in discovering the best places in the city. Here, we’ve covered six fantastic spots and have virtually completely informed you about them, including when to go, how to get there, where to eat, and what to see. We can vouch for them as being well worth a visit.

Best Towing Services Gold Coast

Best Towing Services Gold Coast

Mini Golf Courses

List Of The Best Mini Golf Courses in Melbourne