6 Amazing Day Trips From Adelaide

Spending time in South Australia’s capital city? There’s loads more to explore on your doorstep beyond the CBD! In this guide, discover six top day trips from Adelaide, including my own top recommendations!

During my year living in Australia, I actually spent some time basing myself in Adelaide. And don’t get me wrong, I loved the laid-back vibes and artistic culture – but it’s a small city with a limited amount of tourism in the central area. If, like us, you’re spending longer than a couple of days in Adelaide, chances are you’ll be keen to get out and explore some of the surrounding areas.

Luckily, Adelaide has some amazing places to visit a short drive away, from wineries to wildlife spotting!

The Barossa Valley is an ever-popular wine experience, and for me, the Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf are an absolute must! I also loved the coastal scenery at the Fleurieu Peninsula, and the spooky, historical sights of Old Tailem Town.

Read on to discover the best day trips from Adelaide, with self-drive and group tour advice for each one!

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Barossa Valley Wine Region

One of the most-talked about day trips from Adelaide, a visit to the Barossa Valley is a must for wine-lovers!

South Australia has a reputation for producing some of the world’s greatest wines, and the iconic Barossa Vallery is home to over 150 wineries, many of which offer tours and cellar door tastings.

The best way to explore the Barossa Valley is via a wineries tour. Yes, you can drive to them yourself – but the driver won’t be able to get involved in the tastings, so where’s the fun in that?!

Most of the wine tours will visit 3-4 different wineries in the region, and include tastings and lunch, combined with some scenic drives and sightseeing along the way. If you prefer to travel at your own pace, a Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour does give some flexibility, as you can choose from 10 different wineries on the route.

For a more luxurious experience, you can also book a private Barossa Valley tour for groups of up to 4.

Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf

Driving through rolling green landscapes, dropping in at charming small towns and even a mountain summit – the Adelaide Hills offer the perfect day trip, less than an hour from Adelaide’s CBD!

On your way out of Adelaide, stop by Morialta Conservation Park, where the suburban streets dissolve into lush South Australian natural landscapes. The easy, flat First Falls Trail takes around 45mins out-and-back from the trail car park, crossing bridges and passing by Giant’s Cave. We actually parked at the main Morialta car park by the road, which includes some extra walking along the Fourth Creek Trail – around 1.5hrs total). If you’re looking for something a little more challenging to start your day, hit up Plateau Hike (1.5hrs, Grade 4).

Next up, make a quick stop at Mount Lofty Summit to enjoy the views before heading to one of my favourite places in South Australia…

Quite honestly, my European heart fell a little in love with Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving. Quaint, historic brick buildings; a tree-lined main street with quirky boutiques; and German inspired beers – what’s not to love? There’s plenty to do in the surrounding area too, including some of South Australia’s best wineries and the estate of renowned Australian artist, Sir Hans Heysen.

You can also combine visiting Hahndorf with a visit to two exquisite Barossa Valley wineries on a Hahndorf and Barossa Valley tour, including lunch and tastings.

Fleurieu Peninsula & Victor Harbor

When we originally booked a night’s campground stay at Cape Jervis, we were hoping for seaside charm. Unfortunately we discovered there’s not much to actually do at CJ, other than get a ferry to Kangaroo Island…luckily, our day was absolutely saved by a road trip around the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The Fleurieu Peninsula is an easily achievable day trip from Adelaide, and while there’s a direct route to Victor Harbor, I’d recommend taking the B23 along the coast first for some gorgeous ocean views. The HMAS Hobart Memorial Lookout is perched on a beautiful stretch of ocean and Deep Creek National Park ($13.90 entry per vehicle) has some really picturesque hikes and walks.

Victor Harbor had the seaside charm we were looking for, with vibrant waterfront area and inviting boutiques. We grabbed some fish and chips for lunch before walking across the causeway to Granite Island Recreation Park. On this tiny island, you can walk along cliffside paths through rugged granite boulders, looking out for pelicans, penguins, dolphins – and even whales, if you’re there at the right time!

On your way back, head to Port Eliot for views of the stunning Horseshoe Bay, and drop by Goolwa, a historic port town.

Kangaroo Island

For wildlife and nature lovers, Kangaroo Island is an ideal escape from city life to an island filled with magical nature reserves and wild ocean views.

If you’re doing this trip self-driving, I’d recommend at least spending a night or two here to make the most of the trip and ferry cost. Short on time? Either plan for a very long day with some hefty driving, or leave it in the hands of the professionals with a guided day tour including transportation. Honestly, I’d choose this option as the most cost-effective, as the price of the ferry for just a day trip put us off!

The variety of wildlife is one of the most popular reasons to visit Kangaroo Island, with an abundance of marine, land and bird life to observe in a rugged and wild setting.

At Seal Bay Conservation Park ($20pp entry), you’ll have the chance to observe a rare colony of Australian sea lions. Flinders Chase National Park ($14.40pp entry) is home to fascinating geological features and long-nosed fur seals. On dry land, the iconic Australian animals reign supreme, with kangaroos in the grass and koalas in the trees.

Aside from amazing wildlife spotting opportunities, you can explore the sand dunes of Little Sahara by ATV or sandboard, visit a working lavender farm and taste locally made products including honey and wine.

Clare Valley

Another wine region in South Australia, the Clare Valley is best-known for its Reisling wines. A little more under-the-radar for Adelaide city trippers than the Barossa Valley, but well worth the drive for some spectacular scenery and delicious wines!

We spent an afternoon in Clare on our way towards Adelaide, and enjoyed a scenic drive drinking in the vine-covered rolling green hills.

To start your day trip, visit the small town of Clare, which is home to a handful of charming boutiques and cafes. Just outside of town, the Clare Valley Art Gallery showcases striking works by aboriginal artists. You’ll also see also some fun street art pieces in Clare itself, so keep your eyes on the walls!

There are various ways to tackle the famous ‘Reisling Trail’ here, and one of the best ways is getting in the saddle and cycling your way around the area’s best wineries! You can hire a bike in Clare, with rates starting from $30AU per half day.

Following an old railway corridor along a mostly flat path, there are multiple sections of the full 33km trail to choose from. The route north to Barinia (8km) covers some of the most picturesque landscapes along the trail, whereas the longer southbound route visits historical Sevenhill (6km from Clare), the iconic Watervale Hotel (15km from Clare) and the southern end of the trail, Auburn (25km from Clare).

Murray River & Old Tailem Town

For a lesser-talked about day trip from Adelaide, visit a section of Australia’s longest river! The Murray River spans 2508 km from the Snowy Mountains to the South Australian port town of Goola. To start your day, head out to the town of Murray Bridge to get exploring.

Visit Captain’s Cottage Museum to learn more about the town’s history, and visit the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery which highlights local and aboriginal artists.

Of course, you’re on the Murray River – so water activities are easy to come by! Take a river cruise to discover the history and wildlife along the water, or rent a kayak to discover it under your own steam. On land, there are plenty of heritage trails in the surrounding area.

There are also some great attractions around the area to check out. I’d highly recommend a visit to Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village, a fascinating and slightly spooky roadside attraction. With over 100 historic buildings and recreations, it’s a fascinating insight into South Australian settler history. And also, a bit like what you’d imagine a wild west/apocalyptic steampunk video game theme park to be like…

Read more: What to expect at Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village