Like most states in Australia, the area is divided into touring regions. Each of South Australia’s ten regions offers fantastic short breaks, but they are well suited to stringing together for a longer road trip.

South Australia was never a penal colony and attracted free settlers from England first, then Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece and Poland; the beginnings of multicultural Australia.

This post contains affiliate links. Our full disclosure policy is here.

Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills

Adelaide is Australia’s unsung hero. Great food, quality museums, wineries, and beaches within 30 minutes of the city’s centre. It’s hard to beat a morning stroll along the river followed by breakfast at the Adelaide Central Market.

Top 5 things to Do on Your First Visit to Adelaide

• Adelaide Central Market – be sure to treat yourself to breakfast or lunch here.
• Glenelg Beach – take the tram from the city centre to this popular seaside town.
• Explore the city streets – check out some of the Adelaide’s amazing street art
• Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute – after exploring the latest exhibition stop in the shop.
• Tour and climb the roof of the Adelaide Oval – a must for sports lovers

Local Tip: Time your visit to Glenelg for sunset – you won’t be disappointed.

Barossa Valley

Located just 50km from Adelaide in the Mount Lofty Ranges and primarily known for its award-winning red wines, the Barossa Valley delights with its array of quaint villages.

Things to Include on Your Barossa Valley Itinerary

• Tanunda – pop into the Barossa Visitors Centre for the latest updates and some maps.
• Angaston – walk the main street for its artisan shops and in spring the stunning jacarandas
• Seppeltsfield – visit one of the oldest wineries in South Australia established in 1850.
• Maggie Beer – buy some goodies from this much loved Aussie chef at her Nurioopta shopfront.
• Nuriootpa – stop for a tasting at Penfolds, and visit the biggest town in the Barossa

Local Tip: If you are visiting in spring, schedule a stop at the Lyndoch Lavender Farm.

Shiraz grapes from the Barossa are a key ingredient used in Penfolds Grange, Australia’s most famous wine.

Clare Valley

Cute towns packed with history and charm are dotted throughout the Clare Valley. This is Reisling country and a must if this is your favourite drop.

Magical Spots on the Clare Valley:

• Lake Bumbunga – another of South Australia’s famous pink lakes
• Check out the Midnight Oil house in Burra
• Mintaro Maze – find your way through this fully accessible and dog-friendly maze.
• Walk or cycle the Reisling Trail, a 35km-section of an old railway line between Auburn and Clare.
• Pop into the Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre and let the staff direct you to the best new spots.

Local tip: You can visit the “Midnight Oil” house featured on the album Diesel and Dust.

Related: Check out our guide on the Wine Regions of South Australia for more wine tips

You cannot bring fruit and vegetables into South Australia. On-the-spot fines of $400 are payable if you are caught, so eat up or throw them in the bins at the borders.

Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula forms the shore of the Great Australian Bight; this is where the Nullarbor Desert meets the sea.

Highlights of the Eyre Peninsula:

• Port Lincoln – are you brave enough to dive with great white sharks
• Streaky Bay – make the detour to Murphy’s Haystacks above while you are there
• Coffin Bay National Park – stop off at Templetonia Lookout for 360-degree views of the landscape
• Lake Macdonnell – one of South Australia’s famous pink lakes
• The Nullarbor Plain – watch out for camels, over 100,000 of them can be found here.

Local Tip: Don’t miss Baird Bay, where you can swim with both dolphins and sea lions

Fleurieu Peninsula

Fleurieu is the jumping-off point for a visit to Kangaroo Island and home to some of the best food in the state, all less than an hour from Adelaide city centre.

Highlights of Fleurieu

• McLaren Vale – wine and of course the giant Rubix – D’arenberg Cube
• Victor Harbor and Port Elliot – excellent surf along this section of the coast; try Petrel Cove or Boomer Beach.
• Port Noarlunga Reef – cliffs of red sandstone line this pretty Beach, a popular diving spot you can drive onto the sand
• Sellicks Beach – after your visit, check out the nearby statue of Kuan Yin overlooking the sea at Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple.
• Port Willunga – join the Instagram crowds and photograph the rotting timbers of the 1888 wreck of the Star of Greece iron cargo ship.

Local tip: Need a challenge? Walk or cycle the 269km Kidman Trail, from Willunga to Echunga.

Flinders Ranges and the Outback

The largest region in the area and home to Coober Pedy, the state’s most famous outback town, the Flinders Ranges offer landscapes as stunning as the red centre.

Popular Things to Do in the Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia

• Wilpena Pound – take a tour with a local experienced Yura guide to learn the Adnyamathanha people’s history.
• Port Augusta – stop at Matthew Flinders Red Cliff lookout.
• Pichi Pichi Railway – travel the original Ghan route between Port Augusta and Quorn.
• Coober Pedy – a compulsory stop, the opal capital of the world – where the population lives underground to escape the heat
• Innamincka – drive the Birdsville Track to the iconic Birdsville Hotel.

Local Tip: Fancy a challenge? Try the Heysen Trail, a 1200km walk that crosses through Flinders Ranges.

Kangaroo Island

Australia’s third-biggest island is a must for nature lovers, and while it was severely damaged by the bushfires in 2020 summer, they are ready for visitors to return. There is plenty of the island that was not affected. This Kangaroo Island itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors.

Kangaroo Island Highlights

• Cape du Couedic – meet some of the 7000 plus fur seals who live here.
• Cape Borda Lighthouse – it’s short and square – that’s odd, right- worth a look.
• Flinders Chase National Park – must-see Remarkable Rocks, those rocks you see in almost every photo of the island
• Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park – home to over 150 different species of Australian animals
• Penguin Interpretive Centre – head to Penneshaw in the evening to meet the little penguins.

Local tip: Be sure to hunt down Kangaroo Island Spirits, winner of the “Best Contemporary Gin” in the World. Check out our Kangaroo Island trip planning advice, or follow our five-day KI itinerary.

Limestone Coast

For us, the standout in the Limestone Coast region is Mount Gambier and its sinkholes and blue lakes. The whole area is lovely, but Mount Gambier is etched in my memory.

Limestone Coast Favourites

• Mount Gambier – Umpherston Sinkhole and the Blue Lake must be seen
• Naracoorte Caves – a heritage-listed cave system of more than 60 caves
• Robe – a beautifully preserved town with a reputation for excellent crayfish
• The Coonawarra wine region – an Aboriginal word meaning “Honeysuckle” and home to some exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon

Local tip: Don’t miss Larry the Lobster – another of Australia’s big things.

Yorke Peninsula

Locals head to the Yorke Peninsular for their summer breaks. It’s one of the most popular fishing spots in South Australia.

Yorke Peninsula Highlights

• Five historic lighthouses along this dangerous coast
• Innes National Park – a must for birdwatchers with 140 species found here
• Wardang Island Maritime Heritage Trail – dive the eight shipwrecks
• Marion Bay – fish from the historic jetty at Stenhouse Bay
• Salt lakes – there are more than 200 salt lakes to find in the Yorke region

Local tip: Walk the Yorke is a lesser-known but stunning 500km walking trail consisting of sixteen shorter walks.

Murray River and the Riverland

The best way to explore this part of South Australia is on a houseboat or a paddle steamer. You can join a tour or rent and drive your own boat along the mighty Murray River and past the gorgeous river red gums.

Towns to Include on an Extended Road Trip Along the Murray

• Coorong – wetlands with 240 species of birdlife
• Mannum – the houseboat capital of Australia
• Riverland’s famous distillery, Twenty Third Street, for brandy, whiskey and vodka tasting
• Take a 4-day cruise on the paddle wheeler, PS Murray Princess from Mannum to Blanchetown.
• Waikerie Silos – five silos painted on both sides and featuring local flora and fauna

Local tip: Don’t miss the sunset view from Heading Cliffs Lookout near Paringa.

Got a question? Head over to our Australia Travel Tips Facebook Group and ask a local.