Driving from Adelaide to Mount Gambier: the glovebox guide

Tahlia Pritchard Tahlia Pritchard
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From historic haunted towns to coastal attractions, get the most out of your road trip from Adelaide to Mount Gambier with this glovebox guide. 

South Australia is a haven for good wine, fine produce, and boasts a stunning landscape from serene beaches to tranquil wilderness and greenery.

One of South Australia’s biggest attractions is its second-biggest city, Mount Gambier. While Adelaide gives off European vibes with its breathtaking churches and architecture, Mount Gambier is a must-visit for those looking to get out of the city and step into a land full of natural wonders and attractions.

Located halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne, Mount Gambier is famous for its cobalt Blue Lake, volcanic landscape, and is an up-and-coming wine and foodie region.

The drive itself from Adelaide to Mount Gambier is 435 kilometres or just under five hours. Whether you’re stopping along the way for some scenic breaks or want to break up your driving by extending the trip for a few days, we’ve compiled the ultimate glovebox guide to help you along your travels.

The skyline in Adelaide
Leave the city lights behind and head to the Limestone Coast. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

Hahndorf

Just a 30-minute drive from Adelaide lays the historic town of Hahndorf, a charming village that proudly asserts its German culture. It’ll feel as though you’re stepping into a European town, with quaint shops filled with local produce, historic pubs, and a quiet but friendly atmosphere.

guests outside Beerenberg Family Farm
Head to Beerenberg Family Farm for fresh jams.

Make sure to check out the Beerenberg Family Farm, where you can go strawberry picking and pick up fresh jams, chutneys, and gourmet relishes in the family-run store. For lunch and the authentic German experience, Hahndorf Inn will have you covered – it’s hard to go past their famous Schwienshaxe, otherwise known as their 1-1.2kg crispy pork knuckle, served with traditional potato salad and sauerkraut.

The exterior of Hanhdorf Inn
Arrive with an appetite and order the Schwienshaxe at the Hahndorf Inn. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

Monarto Safari Park

A 30-minute detour from Hahndorf will lead you to the Monarto Safari Park, a perfect stop if you’re planning to take a couple of days to do the Adelaide to Mount Gambier jaunt, as you’ll definitely want to spend a few hours exploring this animal sanctuary. The park is home to a number of different wildlife and endangered species and gives visitors a chance to explore the habitats in which these animals reside. The park’s mission is to replicate a life for the species within it that is as close to being out in the wild as possible. There are many different animal experiences to undertake at the park, including hand-feeding the majestic giraffes.

Montaro Safari Park giraffes
Get an up-close encounter with giraffes at Monarto Safari Park. (Image: Zoos SA/ Geoff Brooks)

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Old Tailem Town

Stop for a stretch of the legs and a refuel at Old Tailem Town, one of Australia’s largest pioneer villages, with settlers dating back to 1860. The town is also rumoured to be incredibly haunted so if you’re brave enough to stay the night, you can book a ghost tour.

From Old Tailem Town, you can go one of two ways to continue your journey to Mount Gambier – the coastal route or the inland route.

We’ve picked some attractions from each route to help you make up your mind.

Inland Route: Naracoorte

Step back hundreds of thousands of years in time with a visit to the Naracoorte Caves National Park. The fossils found in the area is exactly why it’s listed as a World Heritage site, with the caves containing skeletons of Australian megafauna dating back 500,000 years. For those feeling adventurous, an Adventure Caving tour will be an experience of a lifetime, as you discover the rich history of the caves, take in some fascinating fossils, and crawl and squeeze your way through parts with an expert guide.

For those just wanting to take in the sights without getting too dirty, the Naracoorte Heritage Trail will allow you to delve deeper into the town’s history, and in the warmer months, a dip in Naracoorte’s Swimming Lake will cool you right down so pack a picnic and enjoy the sun!

Naracoorte Mount Gambier
Naracoorte Caves National Park preserves Australia’s most complete fossil record. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Inland Route: Coonawarra

Wine lovers, this one is for you! Coonawarra is a small area but is renowned when it comes to winemaking and produces world-class wines. Known for its unique red soil, the area is famed for its cabernet sauvignon and is home to more than 30 wineries.

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations is one of South Australia’s best regional wine-based events. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

If you want to make the most of the experience, it’s worth staying the night at the charming Royal Oak Penola so you can indulge in all the fine wines on offer. Wynns, Patrick of Coonawarra and Zema Estate are three of the highlights for sampling the region’s sips.

If you’re looking to treat yourself, dinner at the fine-dining restaurant Pipers of Penola will be a mouth-watering experience, and make sure to stop by local favourite Windara Bakery the next morning before you hit the road again.

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Coastal Route: Kingston

Australia loves Big Things – from the Big Merino to the Big Prawn – and stopping at Kingston you’ll get to grab a happy snap with the Big Lobster. Conveniently located near a takeaway shop, you can stop for lunch, get a pic with Larry the Lobster, and take a stroll to check out the Cape Jaffa lighthouse before hitting the road again.

The Big Lobster in Kingston SA
Aussies love a Big Thing and The Big Lobster is no exception. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission)

Coastal Route: Robe

A popular South Aussie beach destination, Robe is one of the oldest towns in SA and is fast becoming a popular foodie destination too, known for its delectable seafood (and particularly famous for its crayfish).

Family in Robe at Obelisk Lighthouse
Stretch your legs on a walk to Obelisk Lighthouse in Robe. (Image: Jayme Chapman)

Pay a visit to Robe Town Brewery for a craft beer or if you’re in need of a caffeine hit, Mahalia Coffee will have you covered. It’s worth staying a night, particularly in warmer months, as travellers will adore the 14-kilometre stretch of the pristine, sandy-white Long Beach before cooling off in the turquoise water.

Long Beach in Robe South Australia
Enjoy the aquamarine water and white sand. (Image: Mark Fitzpatrick)

Mount Gambier

Once you arrive in Mount Gambier, you’ll want to settle in for a few days. From cute cafes to historic country pubs and emerging wineries, plus the limestone caves, sinkholes, and famous Blue Lake, there’s something for every traveller.

Mount Gambier's Blue Lake
Mount Gambier’s spectacular Blue Lake. (Image: Jaxon Foale)
Make sure to also check out the awe-inspiring activities you can do when visiting Mount Gambier.

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Tahlia Pritchard

Tahlia Pritchard

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7 pinch-me moments I had at the new Monarto Safari Lodge

    Katie Carlin Katie Carlin
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    Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.  

    Just a year after the 78-room Monarto Safari Resort opened, the new Safari Lodge brings a more intimate and exclusive overnight African safari experience to Australia just outside of Adelaide. But just how similar is it to an African safari?

    Consider these pinch-me moments I had during my stay and decide for yourself. 

    1. Cheetah sightings at check-in

    monarto safari lodge cheetahs
    Spot cheetahs before you even check in.

    Safari Lodge is set within the Wild Africa precinct of the expansive, open-range Monarto Safari Park. I expected to see animals, but I didn’t expect to see two cheetahs stalking the fenceline just behind my tent at check-in.

    I cross the paddock to get a closer look. Both are now perched like a sphinx on a hill overlooking the 20 premium tents that make up Safari Lodge. I stand here, locked in place, waiting to see if they make a move. After 10 minutes like this, I turn to get settled into the tent but throw a final look in their direction; they’ve slinked back down, now barely visible in the grass. I’m sure I’ll be dreaming about this encounter later tonight. 

    2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole

    giraffes at monarto safari lodge
    Enjoy champagne while meeting the locals. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

    The all-inclusive stay includes a 2.5-hour Sunset Safari that takes guests into the Wild Africa precinct onboard a purpose-built Safari Land Cruiser for a chance to see free-roaming herds of African animals up close.

    The safari drive culminates in a champagne and canapé stop in a fenced and sheltered viewing area of the precinct. A chance to watch the sun set as animals gather around one of the many waterholes. And we’re in luck! Two giraffes are stripping leaves from a nearby tree as three white rhinos graze to my right. One giraffe starts galloping, in that funny head-bobbing way giraffes do, to the water’s edge. It splays its legs and bends its long neck down to start slurping up water. I find giraffes endlessly entertaining, and sipping champagne while watching the scene play out is the icing on the cake. 

    3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather

    monarto safari lodge King Safari Tent
    Enjoy views from the King Safari Tent.

    I am staying in tent 17, one of the best positioned tents for animal encounters, due to its proximity to the waterhole. Not only does the spacious 71-square-metre King Safari Tent feature a king bed, lounge area, separate dressing room with kitchenette, coffee machine, kettle and fully stocked mini bar, and ensuite bathroom. But you can even glimpse the waterhole from the rain shower. It’s thoughtful details like this that keep you connected to the safari experience no matter where you are located.  

    4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome

    Lion 360 experience at monarto safari resort
    Step into the Lion 360 experience. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

    Monarto Safari Park isn’t a zoo. Set across 1500 hectares of South Australian bushland, it’s an expansive safari experience. It’s been designed to support complex social groupings, natural behaviours and long-term species management. Entry is included for guests, but I’ve decided to upgrade my experience with tickets to Lion 360. 

    Senior Keeper Rachel Hemming herds 15 of us into a domed cage for the unique lion feeding experience. She leads Monarto’s care and conservation breeding programs for their iconic big cats. “Make sure you don’t get too close to the edge of the cage; the lions like to mark their territory,” she warns. 

    She starts making cat-like calls to Kubwa, Kashka and Kito, the three male lions lazing somewhere out of sight behind the tree line in the distance. The promise of food eventually lures the lions over. I’m in awe of their size as they pace back and forth, pausing to take the meat as it’s fed to them via tongs.

    In her excitement, one lady has inched too close; a lion takes aim and hits his mark before she realises her mistake. I see her leaving the gift shop with a new jacket not long after the tour ends. 

    5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board

    Monarto safari Lodge swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board
    Tuck into a poolside treat. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

    The Safari Lodge reception is also home to a restaurant and bar, heated swimming pool and several private plunge pools available to book. After a morning spent at Monarto Safari Park, a dip in one of the private plunge pools sounds too good to skip.

    I change into my swimmers and make my way to the lodge. A generous charcuterie board arrives shortly after I slip into the pool. I’m told floating trays are already on order, but picking at the selection of cheeses, meats, nuts and fruit while perched on the edge sipping champagne is just as indulgent as it is having it float in the water. I never make it to the gym or pickleball court beside the lodge, but I have no regrets. 

    6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females

    male rhino grazing
    Watch a rhino’s unlucky day. (Credit: Lucas Alexander)

    Louis Tonkin, our Wild Africa Tour host, is giddy with excitement when he spots the three white rhinos on our Sunset Safari drive. He has an inkling that we’re about to get a show.

    He pulls to the side and tells us what terrible eyesight white rhinos have, struggling to spot a motionless animal or object even from a short distance. However, they make up for it with acute hearing and an incredible sense of smell. Which explains why the larger male rhino is methodically creeping towards the two disinterested females grazing metres in front of him, then suddenly freezing on the spot. He’s hoping one will be open to mating with him. He takes another wary shuffle forward and suddenly the smaller of the two turns and charges towards him, butting him hard with her head. It’s a firm no. The male, denied, sheepishly backs away. 

    7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent

    monarto safari resort zebra
    Wildlife encounters abound.

    Rain clouds loom, and the wind is howling, but thankfully it hasn’t deterred the zebras. I’m brewing a cup of Monarto’s Serengé-T – a vanilla rooibos blended with Daintree black tea and butterfly pea flower when I spot them. Six zebras are prancing across the plains for a drink at the waterhole. I watch their antics from the deck of my King Safari Tent, wrapped in a merino blanket made by Australian-owned Grampians Good Co. and marvel at the fact I get a front-row show to these wild animals. 

    After they disappear from view, I sit with the sketch pad and pencils I find in the cupboard and start drawing some of my most memorable animal encounters from the weekend – starting with the two hippos I saw ravenously munching on grass at dusk as we made our way out of the Wild Africa precinct last night. This really is as close to an authentic safari experience as you can get outside of Africa. 

    Start planning a wild stay in the luxurious Safari Lodge at monartosafariresort.com.