6 Top Day Trips From Adelaide
Adelaide is a wonderful city – and a brilliant base to explore southern South Australia. Wave goodbye to the city and venture north, south or east to uncover endless rolling vineyards and taste world-class wine at more than 200 cellar doors, cross paths with native wildlife in spectacular settings, and tour the winding, breathtaking coastline.
From the seaside town of Glenelg to drinking your way through the famous Barossa Valley, there are so many great places to explore just outside Adelaide. Here are our top six day trips and destinations to explore from Adelaide.
Glenelg | 20-minute drive
Finish the day watching a golden sunset, staring at the glittering ocean and enjoying an ice-cold drink. It’s even sweeter when you’re at Adelaide’s only beach bar, The Moseley Beach Club, with your shoes off and feet in the sand. Only open in the warmer months, try the Surf Club or The Grand Bar out of season.
Hahndorf | 30-minute drive
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 hills, a 30-minute drive east of the city where award-winning wineries, world-class dining and brilliant food producers are busy making a name for the region.
There are more than 60 cellar doors cracking the tops off cool-climate vinos, 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 locals – local wildlife, that is.
McLaren Vale | 45-minute drive
If you can’t decide between a coastal adventure or vineyard hopping day trip, choose McLaren Vale. Journey out to the Fleurieu Peninsula where you can dive into the cool waters on picture perfect beaches, hike through gorges and dense bush at Deep Creek Conservation Park, or tour a wine country framed by coastal views.
There are more than 70 cellar doors dotted through the region, with favourites including the striking d'Arenberg Cube, Instagram-favourite Down The Rabbit Hole, biodynamic Gemtree Wines, and the alternative Alpha Box and Dice.
Barossa Valley | 1-hour drive
A wine lover’s heaven and only a one-hour drive from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is renowned for its picturesque scenery, award-winning wineries, gourmet food and produce. South Australia’s best internationally known wine region, you can explore the region’s famous reds by car, bike or a guided tour. The Barossa is best known for its shiraz wines, so meet the winemakers and taste this top grape 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 hop 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 Murrary, is calling. This mega river flows for 2,508 kilometres from the Australian Alps until the ocean at Lake Alexandrina in South Australia.
Make your way to Mannum, 98 kilometres from Adelaide CBD, to get a taste of life by the river. Start with lunch on the balcony of the Pretoria Hotel pub and soak in river scenes, or join the Proud Mary for a lunch cruise along the Murray itself. Load up on history at the Mannum Dock Museum and board the PS Marion, a restored paddle steamer built in 1897.
