From hidden beach breaks to world-famous wineries, these weekend escapes in South Australia are calling your name.
South Australia is a state of compelling contrasts with so much to savour. Food. Wine. Festivals. Nature. Make a beeline for the coast for rejuvenating landscapes, indulge in regional flavours or immerse yourself in a thriving festival scene. Consider your next long weekend sorted with our best short breaks and weekend getaways in South Australia.
Barossa beyond the bottle
Barossa Valley Ballooning promises a sky-high journey. (Credit: Xplorer Studio/Jiayuan Liang)
What? A weekend of art, food and nature proving there’s more to the Barossa than wine (although there’s plenty of that, too).
Tell me more: Cosy up in one of CABN’s off-grid luxury cabins, feast lakeside at Maggie Beer’s The Farm Eatery, look for local wildlife on a bushwalk, and explore cheese stores and artisanal craft studios. Then top it all off with an ethereal, sky-high view over the vineyards with Barossa Valley Ballooning.
An art-filled Adelaide escape
Discover handmade goods at JamFactory. (Credit: JamFactory)
WOMADelaide is a vibrant annual
music festival.
Walk into the Adelaide Central Market. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
What? Overflowing with arts, culture and events, the Festival State makes for an inspiring weekend getaway.
Tell me more: Fill your cultural cup in Adelaide/Tarntanya, a UNESCO Creative City. Browse the outstanding art and design pieces at JamFactory or get hands-on during a workshop at Ceramics By Viv in the Adelaide Hills. Music and live performances keep the city humming year-round, with events such as Adelaide Fringe and WOMADelaide. Also check out the 70-plus traders at cultural institution Adelaide Central Markets; established in 1869, it’s one of the largest undercover markets in the southern hemisphere.
A wildlife-centric trip to Kangaroo Island
Behold the island’s Remarkable Rocks at Flinders Chase National Park. (Credit: Kristy Billing @Gypsyandherwild)
What? A 45-minute ferry-hop across from the mainland, Kangaroo Island is a journey through wild landscapes and dramatic coastlines.
Tell me more: Meet the 800-strong colony at Seal Bay, sip eucalypt gin at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery, spot roaming ’roos and marvel at giant, orange lichen-covered boulders in Flinders Chase National Park. For those wanting ease, join AAT Kings’ four-day Adelaide to Kangaroo Island small-group tour.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
Bliss out on a Yorke Peninsula getaway
Yondah
Beach House is perched
on a private beach on the Yorke Peninsula. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Or explore the stunning Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park from Bayside Glamping. (Credit: Bayside Glamping)
What? Weekends are for switching off and this remote 120-hectare oceanfront property is a sweet place to do it.
Tell me more: Set on the cliffside of the wild Yorke Peninsula, Yondah Beach House is a dreamy retreat that boasts a private golden beach and uninterrupted views over the Southern Ocean. If you can drag yourself away, spend time at Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park, a birdwatching haven where sea lions occasionally bask on the beach. If a glamping tent or tiny home is more your style, book into Bayside Glamping.
Head outback to the Flinders Ranges
Camping in the Flinders Ranges is a slice of serenity. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
What? The South Australian outback is a wild and beautiful place for reconnecting with nature, making it one of the best weekend getaways in SA.
Tell me more: Map out a road trip to Mount Little Station, an expansive working sheep and cattle station, where you can set up camp among the rugged Flinders Ranges. Spend a few restorative days hiking spectacular terrain – spotting wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead, emus roaming the plains and echidnas near camp – before settling beneath a star-studded sky after dark. Hot tip: stop in the historic railway town of Quorn on your way.
A slow seaside sojourn in Victor Harbor
A ride on the Cockle Train offers a unique way to see Victor Harbor. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
What? This humble town nestled on the arc of Encounter Bay ticks all the boxes – history, wildlife and family fun.
Tell me more: A popular seaside getaway since the 19th century, Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula has the goods for all travel tastes. Wander the boulder-laden landscapes of Granite Island, reached by a historic horse-drawn tram and famous for its colony of little penguins. And take a rattling ride on the 1854 Cockle Train to the Murray River port of Goolwa, one of the country’s most picturesque railway jaunts.
Gastronomic delights in McLaren Vale
Savour a meal at the leafy Salopian Inn. (Credit: Small Batch Wine Tours)
What? Loosen your belt for a glorious, no holds barred gastronomy-filled weekend in one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated wine regions.
Tell me more: With hundreds of vineyards and more than 80 cellar doors, McLaren Vale is acclaimed for its outstanding wines and a fine culinary offering – squarely placing itself among the top weekend getaways in South Australia. Pair the region’s signature shiraz with a cosy meal at local institution Salopian Inn or book a long lunch at light-filled Italian diner FIORE. Australia’s first Michelin Guide is shining a spotlight on South Australia’s dining scene from October – keep an eye out for McLaren Vale’s standout establishments.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
Feel nature’s pull in the Riverland
The Riverland is an excellent place to kayak. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
What? Located two to three hours north-east of Adelaide along the gentle Murray River, the Riverland is an idyllic place to set your weekend.
Tell me more: The regional hubs of Renmark and Berri offer ideal launching pads for kayaking, fishing, windsurfing and cruising the mighty Murray. Or perhaps hire a houseboat and wake to magpies warbling as riverside cliffs glow in the morning sun, before sampling the region’s bounty at boutique distilleries and cellar doors.
Seafood and maritime history in Robe
The Obelisk is a symbol of Robe. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
What? A few hours’ drive from Adelaide, Robe is one of the top coastal weekend getaways in South Australia, offering far more than its famous red-and-white obelisk.
Tell me more: Once one of South Australia’s busiest international ports, Robe wears its storied past gracefully, with well-preserved historic buildings meeting the rugged beauty of the Limestone Coast. In the summertime, sun-seeking holidaymakers gravitate here to enjoy sprawling beaches, sand dunes and cutesy cafes. And, of course, Robe’s crayfish – which have earnt a reputation in their own right.
An outback pub crawl near Lake Eyre
Arrive at iconic pubs by plane on the Outback Pub Pilgrimage. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
What? The Outback Pub Pilgrimage by Prairie Hotel visits some of the country’s most iconic and remote hotels by plane.
Tell me more: Over two days, you’ll fly over the ancient Flinders Ranges and glistening Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, then venture deep into Channel Country, stopping by some of the country’s most remote pubs as you go. Pull up a stool at the Prairie Hotel, William Creek Hotel and Queensland’s iconic Birdsville Hotel for an ice-cold beer, learn about the history of these characterful establishments and towns, and witness some incredible aerial views of the outback along the way.
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of...
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
