Best SA Road Trips | Australian Traveller

Explore sinkholes, glowing pink and blue lakes, iconic wine regions and more as you journey through South Australia along the state’s best road trip routes.

The Great Southern Journey, SA

If you love to mix wine and adventure (not necessarily at the same time), then a trip down the Southern Ocean Drive Road could be just the ticket.

Starting at Mount Gambier, drive 30 minutes, passing the Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole to arrive at Coonawarra. Be sure to stop in at a couple of the cellar doors while you’re there. From there, head to Robe, where Long Beach is situated – the main street is great for shopping.

Head almost five hours to Victor Harbor, and en route you can visit Jack Point Pelican Observatory, Meningie Cheese Factory Museum and once you’ve arrived, even take a horse drawn tram to Granite Island. From there it’s a short trip to Kangaroo Island, where you can explore Flinders Chase National Park before heading back to Adelaide.

Revisit Kangaroo Island — Take a short trip to Kangaroo Island.

Epicurean Way road trip, SA

This road trip links together the four iconic wine regions of South Australia; McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley. If you’re a lover of great food and wine, this is definitely one for you.

First stop McLaren Vale is just 40 minutes from Adelaide, and has many incredible destinations worth pulling over for. None more so that the incredible d’Arenberg Cube, which resembles Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory inside, housed in what looks like a giant Rubik’s cube – and you blend your own wine.

From there, head on to Adelaide Hills, where you can try Hahndorf Hill’s ChocoVino, a delicious combination of chocolate and wine. You should also stop in for cheese tastings at Udder Delights. From there, the Barossa is on the menu, where you can stop in Jacob’s Creek vineyard and Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, where you can pick up some amazing goodies to take home.

Next, it’s the Clare Valley. Stop at Skillogalee for a tasting or two. You can also follow the 35km Riesling Trail (by bike is your best bet!), past scenic landscapes and spectacular places to eat. From there, extending on to the Southern Flinders Ranges; a young wine region with around 20 growers, known for its Riesling.

Coriole Wines — Coriole is one of the many wineries to visit while in McLaren Vale.

Road-tripping to South Australia’s bright pink lakes

You may not know it, but scattered across the beautiful state of South Australia, are spectacular pink lakes, varying in florescent hues.

Travelling from Adelaide, the lakes (Lake MacDonnell, Lake Eyre, Lake Bumbunga, Lake Hart and Lake Albert) are located varying hours away. From a mere hour-and-40-minutes’ drive to Lake Bumbunga, to a short plane ride and 45 minutes by car to stunning Lake Eyre.

The bright pink hue is achieved thanks to a salt-loving algae, attracted to the high salinity levels found in the lakes – and voila, we’re pretty in pink!

Stuart Highway, SA to NT

Caution, this has been labelled ‘the mother of all road trips’ – and we’re sure it’s not for the faint hearted. First set by John McDouall Stuart over 150 years ago, his journey took nine months north and another five months back to Adelaide – but yours won’t take nearly that long.

With a recommended driving time of 16 hours, and at least one recommended overnight stop, the trip down Stuart Highway is probably best enjoyed leisurely over two or three days. Why? With quirky outback towns, vast horizons and blue skies to take in, it’s not the kind of trip you want to rush. Major highlights include a dip at the Berry Springs National Park – and a drink at the Daly Waters Pub, which has been pouring lager since 1893.

With vast landscapes and limited reception, it’s the ultimate drive for self-reflection – just make sure to fill up your tank!

Stuart Hwy SA to NT — The famous Stuart Highway passing through the MacDonell Ranges in the Northern Territories.

Adelaide to The Prairie Hotel, SA

Food is undoubtedly the big reason many Australians make roads 470 kilometres north of Adelaide to South Australia’s Prairie Hotel. The menu changes seasonally, but obscurely, for 15 years passers-by have always been able to get the ‘Feral Mixed Grill.’

If you can kill it, they’ll grill it: kangaroo fillet, camel sausage and emu fillet mignon are piled high on a mound of gravy and mashed potato. Yep. Sir David Attenborough, Kate Winslet and Rachel Ward have all come by for a taste. However, for those who are about the scenery, the lookout to the Flinders Ranges is a sight to be seen.

Winter is said to be the best time to make the drive, due to the crisp, crystal clean air and perfect driving conditions. Make sure you stop for a tasting or two in the Clare Valley wine region on your travels – you can also walk or cycle along the Riesling Trail.

South Australia's iconic Prairie Hotel — Make your way to South Australia’s iconic Prairie Hotel.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

The best road trips in SA