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Exploring South Australia - Food, Wine and Nature

  • theleavers
  • Mar 24, 2025
  • 6 min read

Updated: May 28, 2025

Nestled in the southernmost corner of Australia, South Australia is often overlooked by travelers, but this part of Australia offers an abundance of natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, some of the best food and wine you have ever had and vibrant cities waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a foodie, a history buff, or someone looking to relax in beautiful surroundings, South Australia has something for everyone.


Here’s an overview of our road trip around South Australia that we did in June 2023. For more inspiration here is a link to the South Australian Tourism site.


Day 1 - Adelaide


Fly into Adelaide and pick up a car. We always hire cars from East Coast Car Hire when doing road trips in Australia. With this link you will save 5% on your rental!


Hotel: Miller Apartments. These apartments were right in the centre of town, were large and great for families.


Start your adventure in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Known for its laid-back vibe, artsy atmosphere, and delicious food, Adelaide is a city that blends history with modernity. Here are a few things to see and do in Adelaide:

  1. As Adelaide is a foodie’s paradise, it makes sense to make the first stop at the Adelaide Central Market. This bustling market offers everything - we especially loved the bakeries, fresh produce and artisanal cheeses.

  2. For shopping and people-watching, head to Rundle Mall, the main shopping district in the city. You'll find a range of boutiques, international stores, and unique local shops. Make sure to wander down nearby laneways, filled with street art and charming cafes.

  3. Go to a football or cricket game at the Adelaide Oval or do a behind the scenes tour.


Day 2 - Drive to Adelaide Hills and Barossa



On the way to the Barossa Valley you must stop at the Adelaide Hills area and Mount Lofty Summit for views over Adelaide. Then onto the beautiful Bavarian-inspired town of Harndorf. Hahndorf, in the picturesque Adelaide Hills just 28km from Adelaide, is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, established in 1839. Strolling down Hahndorf’s historic main street feels like stepping into a European postcard. If you have time, extend your stay and spend the night in the area. Otherwise, like us make a day of it and walk through the cute shops and stop for lunch at the German restaurants.

Harndorf Brewing
Harndorf Brewing

Nearby is the Jurlique Farm where they grow the ingredients for their famous skin care products and you can arrange a farm tour or shop for products. Also nearby is Beerenberg Family Strawberry Farm where you can pick your own strawberries.


Then drive onto the Barossa valley -home to over 150 wineries, producing some of the finest Shiraz in the world.


Day 3 and 4 - Barossa Valley / Nuriootpa


Here you will have endless choice of wineries to visit - so you may want to have a designated driver or join a tour. Here are just some of the big names but there are so many smaller wineries to also visit:


The other option is to hire a bike and tour the wineries on 2 wheels.


Besides wine, Barossa has a fantastic local market. The Barossa Farmers Market is an authentic farmers market open Saturday mornings from 7:30am to 11:30am. We sampled so much beautiful food - cheese, breads, olive oils. Needless to say we bought enough for our picnic lunches! But it was also obvious that the community felt passionately about sustainability and promoting locally made goods. Even at the larger supermarket in town, alot of the food available was made in South Australia.



Other things to see and do include:

  • Mengler Hill Lookout - for sweeping, panoramic views of the Barossa Valley

  • Lyndoch Lavender Farm and Café

  • Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

  • Whispering Wall - this is great for the kids - this dam wall's perfectly curved shape means that you and your friend can stand 150 meters apart, at either end of the dam, and will still be able to hear each other whispering!

  • Located in Tanunda - the Carl Lindner Collection of Classic Jaguars


Day 5 - Drive to Clare Valley



The Clare Valley is home to some of the oldest wineries and cellar doors in South Australia - the oldest being Sevenhill Cellars, which was established in 1851 by Jesuits priests. They planted the first grape vines in order to make sacramental wine. You can do a tour of their underground cellars and crypt.

We hired bikes in the Clare township and road part of the Riesling Trail that took us to SevenHill Cellars. Clare is at the northern end of the trail, so most of the wineries will be south from your starting point. Some wineries are on the trail; others are in adjoining roads. We find bike riding an excellent way to keep the boys entertained and to spend time together as a family.


Day 6 - Drive to Bumbunga Lake and McLaren Vale


Hotel: Mick O'Shea's Hotel. This hotel has the best Irish pub and restaurant on site.


This is a longer driving day (about 2 -3 hrs)

Located about 30 mins from Clare Valley is Bumbunga Lake. The lake is known to change colour from pink, to white, to blue, depending on the salinity of the water throughout the year.


From there drive 2 hours to McLaren Vale. McLaren Vale is home to more of South Australia’s most renowned wineries. Here are a few standout wineries to visit:

  • d'Arenberg Winery: One of the most iconic wineries in the region, famous for its 'Cube', a quirky and modern architectural building that offers incredible panoramic views of the vineyards.

d'Arenberg Winery 'Cube'
d'Arenberg Winery 'Cube'

  • Coriole Vineyards: Known for their exceptional Sangiovese and Shiraz wines, Coriole has a lovely tasting room and a stunning terrace with views of the surrounding vineyards. You can also stroll through their gardens and olive groves.

  • Shaw + Smith: A newer winery that has quickly gained a reputation for high-quality wines. Their Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz are particularly popular, and the modern winery is a great spot for a tasting session.


The McLaren Vale region is incredibly scenic, with lush vineyards, rolling hills, and coastal views. You can take a scenic drive along The McLaren Vale Wine Loop, which offers great views and passes by many wineries. Alternatively, if you’re more active, rent a bike and cycle through the Onkaparinga Valley and nearby coastal paths, allowing you to explore the area at a leisurely pace.


Day 7 and 8 - Drive to Cape Jervis and Ferry to Kangaroo Island



Would recommend pre-booking your ferry tickets here.


Kangaroo Island is often referred to as “Australia’s Galapagos.” It’s a sanctuary for wildlife and nature lovers alike, offering pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, and a wide range of outdoor activities.


A visit to Seal Bay is an unforgettable experience. Walk along boardwalks to see a colony of Australian sea lions in their natural habitat. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can get this close to these incredible animals.

Nestled on the north-west corner of Kangaroo Island about an hour's drive from Kingscote, the Flinders Chase National Park is a mecca for wildlife lovers and avid bushwalkers. The wind-blasted boulders of Remarkable Rocks are synonymous with Kangaroo Island. This geological phenomenon has been crafted from granite by the pounding wind, sea, and rain for over 500 million years and is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the island. Tucked within the wilds of Flinders Chase National Park, commanding views over the Southern Ocean only add to the drama of this eagerly photographed landscape. Morning and late afternoons are the best times to visit as the sun transforms the lichen-covered rocks into glowing monuments of Mother Nature’s artistry.


Just a little further down the coast another geological masterpiece awaits. Admirals Arch is a natural rock arch carved out over thousands of years by the unrelenting forces of the sea. Stalactites adorn the time-weathered rock formation and frame the roaring Southern Ocean beyond. The waters below are a haven for New Zealand fur seals who sunbake at the water’s edge and frolic in the shallow rockpools, while wildlife lovers will also often be rewarded with sightings of dolphins, whales and unique birdlife.


Like the rest of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is known for its fresh produce. Visit the Kangaroo Island Spirits Distillery for a taste of locally made gin, or enjoy delicious seafood and local honey at one of the island’s many cafes and restaurants.


We absolutely loved Kangaroo Island! The boys especially loved sand toboggining.

Day 9 - Drive back to Adelaide


Itinerary Alternatives


This is the itinerary that we followed. However, there is so much more to visit in South Australia!

  • Flinders Ranges - For those seeking adventure and natural beauty, the Flinders Ranges offer some of South Australia’s most striking landscapes. Just a few hours' drive from Adelaide, this rugged mountain range is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

  • Coober Pedy - One of South Australia’s most unique destinations is Coober Pedy, a remote opal-mining town that’s famous for its underground dwellings. The town is located in the heart of the Outback, and its history and culture are shaped by the opal mining industry.


To see our Instagram reel on our experience click the link below"





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