Best Stops on a Coastal South Australia Road Trip
We had already visited every state in Australia except for South Australia, so we thought it was about time to pack our bags and experience what this state had to offer. It had been on our bucket list for such a long time, so we were excited to spend a week taking a South Australian road trip through Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, and Flinders Ranges.
We flew directly from Hobart to Adelaide after exploring the best of Tasmania for three weeks (see our 10 day Tasmania itinerary to hit the highlights here). Even after exploring so much of Australia already, I have to say that the South Australia coastline are next level. We were unexpectedly blown away with the raw beauty of the coastline.
We wanted to share our favourite stops on our South Australia road trip with you as well as the best places to stay in South Australia to explore the state. These are the spots you don’t want to miss in South Australia along the coast.
Fleurieu Peninsula
We started our trip on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, and what an incredible place to start. Dramatic landscapes and unique beaches did not disappoint, but neither did the wine in the McLaren Vale region. You could easily spend a few days exploring this region, so make sure to add it to your South Australia bucket list.
McLaren Vale Wine Country
We had to visit Down the Rabbit Hole Wines while we were in South Australia since we had wanted to visit it for so long. I was excited to see Elise again and see what she and Dom created. The space is amazing, and we loved spending time with them (and their gorgeous baby!).
The entire place has a boho vibe with blankets and pillows spread across the grass, a refurbished double-decker bus, a patio with picnic tables and an indoor seating area with a bar. We did our wine tasting in the old British tour bus turned wine tasting room. The lower area contains several seating areas all decorated perfectly to fit the vibes of the winery, and the top level has additional seating areas to overlook the property.
While we loved the wine tasting, the food was just as incredible. From the decor to the food, the whole place is aesthetically pleasing, and I highly recommend a stop here. We had three courses, and each one comes out beautifully plated. My favourite had to be my dessert which came topped with fairy floss!
We really fell in love with this winery. Elise and Dom have created a beautiful place to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal while visiting with friends in the open air. Next time we come to South Australia, we will definitely stop here again.
Rapid Bay
My first thought when Rapid Bay came into view was, “Wow! How beautiful is this?” The turquoise waters meet the perfect little white sand beach surrounded by towering cliffs. Known for the long jetty that juts out into the ocean, it also has great spots for snorkelling and diving.
Thanks to the variety of amazing beaches Fleurieu Peninsula has to offer, we did not get to try out snorkelling or diving here, but hopefully next time we can. The views alone make this beach worth a stop on your road trip in South Australia.
Port Willunga Beach
Port Willunga Beach quickly became our favourite beach of the Fleurieu Peninsula, and we visited it several times because we couldn’t get enough of it. Several caves line the cliffs on the beach offering a bit of shade on a sunny day and a more secluded spot to enjoy the sunset over the ocean.
The remains of the Port Willunga Jetty are still visible over the water in one area of the beach. The old wooden posts of jetty jut up out of the water at various heights and give a little extra personality to the beach.
Because we loved this beach so much, we came back for sunset, knowing it would be epic. It did not disappoint. The sun lit up the clouds in shades of orange and pink as we walked on the beach and took a sunset swim. Imagine ending every day here watching the sunset light the sky on fire! We stayed on the beach for a while after sunset, listening to the waves crash onto the empty beach.
We couldn’t leave the next morning without coming back one more time (can you tell how much we loved this beach?). It was the perfect spot for a morning swim among the cliffs painted shades of tan, orange and rust. I could have stayed here for days and not been mad about it. If you only see one beach in the Fleurieu Peninsula, make it this one.
Sellicks Beach
While Port Willunga Beach was our favourite beach in the Fleurieu Peninsula, it had some tough competition. As we arrived at Sellicks Beach, the golden sunlight danced on the eroded cliffs as they slipped down to the sandy beaches and crashing waves. We climbed out on the ridges to enjoy the view and instantly fell in love with it.
At Sellicks Beach, don’t just go straight down to the beach. Enjoy the paths and views from the top of the hills overlooking the beach first. You won’t be disappointed.
Where to Stay in Fleurieu Peninsula
You have several options for places to stay in the Fleurieu Peninsula, and we were able to experience two amazing accommodations during our time there. I would highly recommend both of them.
Cabn
This mobile tiny home in the middle of the McLaren Vale vineyards is one of the more unique places to stay in Australia. Cabn offers off-grid tiny home getaways throughout Australia, and the one we stayed in was called Bella.
Our Cabn was in a secluded area of McLaren Vale with a wooden patio to enjoy the peace and quiet of the area. The interior of the cabin was so tiny and so cute! In the winter it has a fireplace, but we did not need that when we visited. The two-level interior has a living area, a tiny kitchen, and a little bathroom on the lower level with a loft bedroom upstairs. There is not much room between the bed and the ceiling, so take a look before you book if you get claustrophobic.
Because it is a mobile home, it can be moved around to other locations as well. When we visited, it was settled among the vineyards where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset and the quiet sounds of being away from it all. The window seat by the large window overlooking the vineyards made for the perfect spot to enjoy the morning sun, and it was hard for Kyle to get me to leave that spot to pack up and go to the next spot. I just wanted to lay there forever and enjoy the sunshine at our perfect little getaway home out in the bush.
The Landing - Aldinga Beach
After our night in our Cabn, we moved over to an Airbnb for a couple of nights. The Landing at Aldinga Beach is the perfect spot to explore the beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula. With an open floor plan, you can enjoy the beach views from anywhere on the top story of the vacation rental. The massive balcony overlooks the beach giving you epic views without ever leaving the house. We loved staying here as our home base for beach hoping and highly recommend it for your South Australia beach vacation.
Yorke Peninsula and Innes National Park
The second area we explored in South Australia was the Yorke Peninsula and Innes National Park. Several baby emus and their mamma met us when we first arrived to the park, and it was the perfect greeting after our 3-hour drive from the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Sunsets just hit differently in South Australia, and we watched the sky light on fire that night in rich shades of reds, oranges, and pinks. The rugged coastline, huge sandstone cliffs, lots of wildlife, rock pools, salt lakes, and incredible sunsets came together to make us fall in love with the Yorke Peninsula, so plan to stay at least a few days here if you can.
Ethel Wreck Beach
When it comes to waves, Ethel Wreck Beach had the biggest waves we have seen in a long time. As an added bonus, a pod of dolphins played in the surf making the whole experience feel surreal. With massive waves and massive cliffs, we could have stayed here forever.
When we first arrived, the light, the waves, and the cliffs made me run back to the car immediately to get my bathers on and bring my vision to life with such a beautiful backdrop. The beach is insane with the large cliffs dropping down into the mighty swells and the perfect little cove of a beach to enjoy it all.
This became Kyle’s favourite spot on our South Australia road trip, and it is easy to see why. With the incredible landscape in this area, the crashing surf, and the dolphins jumping in and out of the waves, it was tough to beat.
Shell Beach Rock Pools
Our day at the Shell Beach Rock Pools was a favourite of mine. We spent hours laying in the sun and swimming in the rock pool filled by the tide. When the tide is high, the pool is deep but calm thanks to the rocks helping to protect it. When the tide is low, the pool gets much more shallow. The bottom of the pool is rocky, so you may want to bring water shoes if your feet are sensitive.
There was no one else around the whole time we were there which made it even more special. There was nowhere else in the world I wanted to be than jumping into the cold water and then warming up next to Kyle on the sun-baked rocks with the sound of the water lapping on the rocks. It truly felt like we were the only ones in the world at that moment.
Cape Spencer Lighthouse
If you have time for a short hike, take the easy walk out to the Cape Spencer Lighhouse. You can see the lighthouse from the road, so you do not have to walk out to it to enjoy the view of the lighthouse and the sandy path out to it. At the end of the trail, you are rewarded with views of the beautiful white lighthouse and the offshore islands. Make sure to take in the rugged coastline of Innes National Park as you walk out to the lighthouse and back too.
Dolphin Beach
Dolphin Beach is one of the more popular beaches in Innes National Park on the weekends, but if you visit on a weekday, you may end up having the beach to yourself. This beach usually has a calm surf, making it perfect for a relaxing day swimming and laying on the beach. The low surf also makes this a great spot for paddleboarding if you bring your own.
Where to Stay Yorke Peninsula
There are several options for places to stay in Marion Bay, but we opted for a more unique place to stay on our trip to the Yorke Peninsula.
Bayside Glamping has both a tent and a tiny home option, and we were able to stay in the tiny home when we visited the Yorke Peninsula. The lower level has a massive window stretching across the living area and kitchen while the upper level has the bedroom. Windows on either side of the bed let you take in the stars as you fall asleep and enjoy the views of the surrounding farm before you even get out of bed in the morning.
There is also a large bathroom considering the size of the house downstairs and a large wooden patio with an enclosed porch area to enjoy the views. I enjoyed my morning coffee from the porch in perfect tranquillity with no one else around. The home is small, but it was perfect for the two of us.
Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges was our last stop and another one of the best places to visit in South Australia on a road trip. With beautiful hills painted red by the sunset, this area is so nice and peaceful. Kyle had wanted to come here for ages, and it was worth the long 6-hour drive from the Yorke Peninsula to explore the area.
Chinta Air Flight
Our first morning in Flinders Ranges started with a one-hour scenic sunrise flight with Chinta Air. We flew over the ranges while the sun was low in the sky, giving the mountains depth as the shadows played across them. We were absolutely blown away by the views that made it worth the early wake-up call.
It felt like we were flying over Mars as we took in the views we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy otherwise. Chinta Air offers a few options for flights over Flinders Ranges with 20, 30, 45, and 60 minute flights available at prices starting at $170 AUD per person.
Wilpena Pound
Another reason the Chinta Air scenic flight is worth it is the aerial view of Wilpena Pound. This crater-like formation is in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. It covers more than 80 square meters and is 1171 meters at its highest peak. Seeing it from the sky is the best way to see how the ranges come together to form the crater-like appearance.
Ikara
If you love off-roading, take the Ikara scenic off-road drive for lots of great photo opportunities. We loved the off-road trails in Flinders Ranges and even enjoyed a glass of wine stretched out on a blanked while we watched the sun play on the ranges for our last night.
Some car hires do not allow you to drive off road, but we hired our car from Complete Ute and Van Hire. You can rent a 4 x 4 vehicle and take it basically anywhere off road that you want. It’s a great place to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle in Adelaide to explore the best of South Australia. If you want to be able to go off-road in the Flinders Ranges, make sure to rent from them.
St. Mary’s Peak
We did not hike St. Mary’s Peak, but it is the highest peak you can climb in Flinders Ranges. There is a direct route that is steeper and a loop route that is less steep, but both will take most of the day to complete and require a good climb. If you have the time and enjoy hiking, I’ve heard the views are worth every step.
Where to Stay in Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges has several options for places to stay, but we ended up staying at the Rawnsley Park Station Eco Villas. Our villa was massive with two big bedrooms and a large open floor living room and kitchen area. The outdoor space is screened-in and has a grill where you can cookout while enjoying the view of the ranges. We spent two nights here and loved the views and our time in the villa. It makes for a great base to explore the area.
Why You Need to Take a South Australia Road Trip
With epic beaches, towering mountains, enticing rock pools, and incredible views everywhere, you need to start planning your South Australia road trip today. We combined our trip to South Australia with our trip to Tasmania, and you could spend a week in each if you have limited time.
While we only had a week in South Australia, we could have easily spent longer exploring all of the amazing things South Australia has to offer. Let us know in the comments if there is somewhere we need to makes sure to visit next time we visit South Australia!
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