Barossa boasts the best Shiraz in Australia, plus a plethora of other palate-pleasing varieties. Fill up on quality local produce (try the Barossa Farmers Market or Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop) to line the stomach before an extended wine-swilling session.
On the way to the Red Centre, take a few days to meander around this remote outback town, where subterranean churches and underground homes help locals beat the summer heat. Got a few thousand to spare? Coober Pedy is the opal capital of the known universe.
Remote, rugged, and hauntingly serene, this windswept peninsula is ripe for campervan exploration. Check out otherworldly geological oddities and cool off on pristine golden beaches. The southern tip is home to two spectacular national parks teeming with curious native animals.
Dramatic peaks, earthy sunburnt hues, and panoramic lookouts abound in this majestic outback mountain range. Hike rugged ridgeline trails or savour the landscape from your camper on a lengthy scenic drive.
Seldom-explored Innes is the highlight of the sprawling Yorke Peninsula. The pristine coastal park blends colonial-era history with untouched natural splendour. Bounce between scenic campsites, secluded beaches and rugged cliff-top hikes.
From rolling pastoral hills to misty coastal heath, this sparsely populated island brings spectacular scenery in spades. Rub shoulders with sea lions at Seal Bay or spot marsupials hopping through Flinders Chase.
Despite being South Australia’s second biggest city, this unhurried hilltop village remains remarkably laid back. Come in summer to see the volcanic Blue Lake transform into deep aquamarine shades. The spectacular sunken gardens at Umpherston Sinkhole and Cave Garden impress year-round.
Tackle this notoriously bumpy track in the South Australian outback, passing blindingly white salt flats and far-flung towns along the way. You’ll want a 4WD for this one—no sane rental company will let you take a motorhome there.
Rugged headlands, barrelling beaches, and a bustling oceanfront promenade lure holidaymakers in the warmer months. Take a horse-drawn carriage to Granite Island for a scenic seaside hike. Just down the road, Port Elliot proudly houses the spellbinding Horseshoe Bay.
While it can’t match Sydney’s iconic landmarks or Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene, Adelaide has plenty to see and do. The city’s beating heart is its historic CBD, a compact district surrounded by vast leafy parklands.
You don’t have to be a foodie to appreciate Adelaide Central Market, a 150-year-old gourmet haunt with 80 street food-style stalls. Rundle Mall is Adelaide’s iconic pedestrian-only dining and shopping strip. It’s worth a wander even if you don’t have any urgent retail needs.
The Art Gallery of South Australia houses a diverse collection of local and international works, including a few uber-eccentric, eye-catching exhibits. Nearby, the sprawling South Australian Museum has five floors devoted to natural history, indigenous culture, and contemporary Australian society.
Of all the expansive parklands nuzzling the city centre, the highlight is the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. This vast 125-acre plot comes chock full of lush exotic species like South American cacti and the Wollemi pine. Don’t miss the Bicentennial Conservatory, Palm House, and the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion.
Northwest of the CBD, Port Adelaide is a charming colonial-era district with a smattering of insightful museums. Take your pick from the Clipper Ship City of Adelaide, the South Australian Maritime Museum, the National Railway Museum, and the South Australian Aviation Museum.
A string of pretty beaches lines the coastline. The crowd favourite is Glenelg Beach, a lively pine tree-fringed stretch flanked by amusement rides and cafes. Further south, Hallett Cove Beach, Christie's Beach, and Port Willunga Beach offer more secluded scenes.
Home to windswept beaches, world-class wine regions, and the ochre-hued outback, South Australia is a diverse state with landscapes for every taste.
Just outside the city, the undulating Adelaide Hills region is awash with leafy forests, scenic vineyards, and laidback towns.
Don’t miss the 19th-century Lutheran settlement of Hahndorf, where German heritage thrives in its traditional architecture and artisanal food. Other worthwhile towns include Crafers, Stirling, and Aldgate— all have pretty campgrounds nearby. Rev heads should make a detour to Birdwood for the National Motor Museum.
Nature buffs should suss out Cleland Conservation Park, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, and Belair National Park. The region comes alive in autumn as the forest foliage transforms into earthy golden hues.
South of the city, McLaren Vale is a world-renowned wine region known for its Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet. Try the Rubik’s cube-shaped d’Arenberg winery for eccentric architecture and sublime sips.
An hour northeast of the city centre lies the Barossa Valley, Australia’s most acclaimed wine-growing region. Barossa is best known for its bold Shiraz—guzzle the good stuff at Peter Lehmann Wines.
Further north, the Claire Valley is a cool climate region famed for its crisp, light whites. Hire a mountain bike for the day and cycle the 35 km Riesling Trail, stopping off at local wineries to “rehydrate” en route.
Near the Victorian border, Coonawarra is a renowned red soil region producing next-level Cabernet Sauvignon.
Three scenic peninsulas lie within an easy road-tripping distance of the capital.
The closest is the Fleurieu Peninsula, home to the summer holiday hamlets of Victor Harbour and Port Elliot—both have breathtaking beaches. For secluded seafront camping, try Rapid Bay instead.
Deep Creek National Park is a picturesque coastal region teeming with native wildlife. Hit Newland Head Conservation Park for sweeping coastal views.
Across the Gulf St Vincent lies the Yorke Peninsula, a sparsely populated farming region punctuated by windswept coastal towns.
Stop off for a coffee (or a sausage roll) at the remote villages of Port Vincent, Stansbury, and Edithburgh before arriving at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park. Perched on the peninsula’s tip, this petite protected area packs a punch. Serene hiking trails, scenic drives, and pristine golden sand beaches beckon extended exploration.
The Eyre Peninsula is a barren yet breathtakingly beautiful detour from the lonely highway heading towards WA. At its southern tip, the seafaring city of Port Lincoln offers fresh seafood and nerve-rattling shark diving tours.
Nearby, Lincoln and Coffin Bay national parks boast beautiful wilderness and pristine beaches. Up the west coast, hit Talia Caves, Murphy’s Haystacks, and Whistling Rocks for geological oddities, as well as Streaky Bay for easy-going beach town vibes. Further north, Lake MacDonnell is an Instagram sensation for its hot pink algae-rich waters.
Adventurers venturing north from Adelaide should stop at Mount Remarkable National Park to hike Alligator Gorge—it’s a great first taste of the Aussie outback. Nearby, you’ll find exhilarating mountain biking tracks at Melrose and tranquil campsites at Mambray Creek.
If you’re taking Stuart Highway towards Uluru, pencil in a stopover at Coober Pedy. This historic opal mining town gets so hot in summer that the locals live underground—keep a close eye on your campervan radiator. Churches, museums, and galleries showcase this unique subterranean lifestyle.
Outdoor explorers could veer east towards the Flinders Ranges. Ancient cliffs, deep craters, and lonely dusty roads define this red dirt-drenched region. Explore the staggering outback landscapes on a scenic drive or hike steep ridgeline trails for an elevated view. The impressive natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound has become a mecca for trekkers from all corners of the country.
Wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island—or KI to the locals—is a highlight of any South Australia road trip. Home to beautiful secluded beaches and a top-notch national park, this unique offshore island is the ultimate campervan destination.
Getting to the island is easy. The SeaLink ferry will whisk you and your camper there in just 45 minutes.
Easy-going Penneshaw and Kingscote are KI’s only sizeable towns. Heading along the northern coast, Emu Bay, Stokes Bay, and Snelling Beach offer spectacular coastal scenery sans the crowds. Stay overnight at the stunning Western River Camp Site.
On the south coast, hit Seal Bay to stroll across the beach alongside wild sea lions. The Little Sahara Adventure Centre has you hurtle a sandboard down steep scenic dunes. Bird lovers should pop into Raptor Domain, a much-loved wildlife park home to eagles, falcons, and other birds of prey. Vivonne Bay offers some of the island’s best beachfront camping.
The jewel in KI’s eco-tourism crown is Flinders Chase National Park, a vast wilderness of coastal heath and towering eucalyptus trees. Regrowth is rapidly occurring after the devastating 2020 fire season. Either way, the surreal geological formations at Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch were entirely unaffected.
Mere minutes from the Victorian border, Mount Gambier is a scenic hilltop village straddling the crystalline Blue Lake. Don’t leave town without exploring the striking Umpherston Sinkhole and Engelbrecht Cave.
A string of secluded seaside villages perches along the windswept southeast coastline. Adelaide locals head on holidays in droves to Robe for its pretty beaches and rugged cliffs. Kingston SE, Beachport, and Port MacDonnell offer similar scenery sans the crowds.
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