Adelaide is an easy-going city and the perfect base to visit South Australia’s most celebrated regions. Leave the city behind and venture north, south, or east to discover scenic vineyards and taste distinguished wines at more than 200 cellar doors, spot native wildlife in spectacular settings, and tour the winding, breathtaking coastline.
From the seaside suburb of Glenelg to tasting your way through the famous Barossa Valley, there are so many great places to explore just outside Adelaide. Here are our top six one-day trips from Adelaide.
Jump to:
Glenelg | 20-minute drive
Located only a 20-minute drive from the CBD and accessible by tram, the seaside suburb of Glenelg is an easy one-day trip from Adelaide. Don’t miss the chance to head to the coast, where you can relax on the beach, dine at one of the many restaurants and cafés, or shop along the kilometre-long stretch of boutique shops on Jetty Road.
Finish the day watching a golden sunset, gazing out at the glittering ocean and enjoying an ice-cold drink. It’s even sweeter when you’re at Adelaide’s urban beach bar, The Moseley Beach Club, with your shoes off and feet in the sand. It’s open during the warmer months, but out of season, you can head to the Surf Club or The Grand Bar instead.
Staying nearby? Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites puts you just steps from the sand, with the city centre only a short tram ride away.
Hahndorf | 30-minute drive
Enjoy a taste of European heritage with a visit to Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. Just 30 minutes from the city, uncover the rich history of Hahndorf. With its German-style architecture, this charming small village is packed with boutique shops, cafés and restaurants lining the Main Street.
Enjoy free cheese samples at Udder Delights, wine tasting at Landhaus Cellar Door and a hearty German lunch at Haus. Plus, you can even pick your own strawberries between November and April at Beerenberg Strawberry Farm. On the way back, take the scenic route and stop off at Mount Lofty Summit, Adelaide's highest peak and soak up spectacular panoramas of the city and the coast.
Adelaide Hills | 30-minute drive
A good glass of wine at the source is never far when you’re in Adelaide. Venture out to the Adelaide Hills, a 30-minute drive east of the city, where internationally acclaimed wines, fine dining and brilliant food producers continue to define the region’s culinary reputation.
More than 60 cellar doors showcase outstanding cool-climate wines, plus there’s gin at Ambleside Distillers and toasty ales waiting at Prancing Pony Brewery. While you’re over this way, drop by Cleland Wildlife Park to meet the furry locals.
After a day exploring cellar doors and wildlife encounters, returning to a comfortable room in the city makes the experience even easier. Stay at Oaks Adelaide Embassy Suites within easy reach of the Adelaide Hills, making day trips like this simple to plan.
McLaren Vale | 45-minute drive
If you can’t decide on an Adelaide day trip between a coastal adventure or vineyard hopping, choose McLaren Vale. Head out to the Fleurieu Peninsula, where you can dive into the cool waters on the sandy beaches, hike through gorges and dense bush at Deep Creek Conservation Park, or tour vineyards set against coastal backdrops.
There are more than 70 cellar doors dotted through the region, with favourites including the artistic d'Arenberg Cube, the stylish Down The Rabbit Hole, the organic Gemtree Wines, and the alternative Alpha Box & Dice.
Barossa Valley | 1-hour drive
Just an hour's drive away, the Barossa Valley is an ideal day trip from Adelaide. Renowned for its picturesque scenery, award-winning wineries, gourmet food and produce, it’s South Australia’s internationally recognised wine region. You can explore its famous reds by car, bike or a guided tour. The Barossa is best known for its Shiraz, so meet the winemakers and sample this flagship varietal at big names such as Penfolds.
While the Barossa is all about wine, you can also pause in historic towns like Tanunda and complete your wine tasting journey with a visit to Maggie Beer's Farm Shop. Enjoy lunch while overlooking the farm, stock up on gourmet food or grab a picnic to enjoy later.
Murray River | 75-minute drive
Australia’s longest river, the mighty Murray, is calling. It flows for 2,508 kilometres from the Australian Alps, eventually reaching Lake Alexandrina before emptying into the Southern Ocean via the Murray Mouth.
Head to Mannum, 98 kilometres from Adelaide CBD, for a taste of riverside life. Start with lunch on the balcony of the Pretoria Hotel and soak in river scenes, or join the Proud Mary for a lunch cruise along the Murray itself. Step back in time at the Mannum Dock Museum and board the PS Marion, a restored paddle steamer built in 1897.
Whether you’re chasing cool-climate wines, coastal sunsets or riverside charm, these day trips from Adelaide prove there’s plenty to discover just beyond the city. And if one day doesn’t feel like enough, staying with Oaks Hotels gives you a comfortable base in the CBD to explore it all at your own pace.
