These South Australia road trips showcase natural wonders and rugged beauty, whether you want a day trip or a week-long adventure.
South Australia is seriously underrated when it comes to road tripping.
Compared to the East Coast, the West Coast, or even the Great Ocean Road down in Victoria, South Australia is often overlooked when it comes to coastal road trips.
But South Australia has so much to offer for those looking to explore by car. With dramatic coastlines, world-class wine regions, rugged outback landscapes, and white sandy beaches, South Australian road trips showcase the best of Australia.
Here are some amazing road trip routes to consider for your trip to South Australia.
Whether you want a quick road trip to be done in a few days, or a massive expedition around the mountains, these routes are packed with adventure and beauty.
We will also mention some interstate road trips for those with more time to spare. Road tripping from one Australian city or state to another is the perfect way to slow travel and see more Down Under.
Read our guide to the best things to do in South Australia for more ideas!
Stunning coastal views in Port Lincoln
9 Best South Australia Road Trips
Here are some of the best South Australian road trips.
Whether you want to stay in a historic town surrounded by vineyards or camp under the vast Outback stars in a national park, South Australia has a variety of landscapes and cultures that you can explore on a road trip.
Most travellers who visit South Australia will start their trip in Adelaide. Here you can pick up a rental car and explore South Australia at your own pace.
If you’re starting a road trip outside Adelaide, you should still be able to find car hire if the town is big enough.
With stunning scenery, rich Aboriginal culture, sprawling national parks, white sandy beaches, rolling hills, native wildlife, and more, any road trip through the state is sure to impress.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Kangaroo Island
- Recommended time frame: 3-5 days
- Recommended route: Cape Jervis, Penneshaw, Kingscote, Flinders Chase National Park, Vivonne Bay, return to Cape Jervis
A road trip around Kangaroo Island is the ultimate escape into nature, where raw coastal beauty meets abundant wildlife and rustic charm.
Start with a ferry ride from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, the second-biggest town on Kangaroo Island.
Then head west through rolling farmland and eucalyptus forests toward Kingscote, the island’s main town and a good spot to stock up on supplies or spend the night.
Nearby, you can meet sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, stroll among the wildlife at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, or sample local honey and spirits from boutique producers.
If you want a break from driving, book a coastal safari or a dolphin, seal and swimming boat tour to get the best views of the rugged coastline and spot marine life around Kangaroo Island! Or hit the beach at the beautiful Stokes Bay.
The western end of Kangaroo Island is home to Flinders Chase National Park. This majestic area has dramatic rock formations like the sculptural Remarkable Rocks and the wave-carved Admirals Arch.
On your return loop back to the mainland, stop in Vivonne Bay for a swim, admire the sand dunes at Little Sahara, and stop in at the artisan producers around American River.
With 3–5 days, you can circle Kangaroo Island at a relaxed pace and see more than you would on a day trip.
Fleurieu Peninsula
- Recommended time frame: 3-5 days
- Recommended route: Adelaide, McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor, Deep Creek, Cape Jervis
Another one of the best South Australia road trips is the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula. With a mix of coastal scenery, food and wine, and relaxed countryside charm, it’s the perfect road trip for those with just a few days to spare from Adelaide.
Start your journey heading south to McLaren Vale, where rolling vineyards meet the sea. Here, you can spend wine tasting, dining at cellar door restaurants, cycling the Shiraz Trail, to soaking up the sun at Aldinga Beach.
As you continue toward the coast, the drive opens up to stunning beach views and quiet bays. Stop at Port Willunga for sunset over the famous beach pylons or enjoy a seafood lunch in the vibrant town of Aldinga.
From there, cruise further south to Victor Harbor, a seaside town known for its horse-drawn tram to Granite Island and excellent whale watching in winter.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the Victor Harbor coastline, get out on the water! Join a Seal Island cruise or a Southern Ocean adventure cruise to spot dolphins, seals, sea lions, and more marine life along the Fleurieu Peninsula.
For something wilder, head toward Deep Creek National Park. This rugged coastal reserve has hiking trails, waterfalls, and secluded campsites that are a perfect addition to any South Australian road trips!
End your loop at Cape Jervis, where you can take the ferry to Kangaroo Island or head back to Adelaide.
Coastal views in Victor Harbor
Flinders Ranges
- Recommended time frame: 3-7 days
- Recommended route: Port Augusta, Mount Little Station, Brachina Gorge, Wilpena Pound, Arkaroola
The Flinders Ranges are a rugged, timeless landscape rich in Aboriginal culture, geology, and wildlife.
Start the road trip in Port Augusta, a historic outback hub that acts as the gateway to both the Flinders Ranges and the Nullarbor.
One of the first epic places to stop once you enter the national park is Mount Little Station, where you can go camping, hiking, stargazing, and 4WDing.
Then take on the Moralana Scenic Drive, which runs from the Outback Highway to the Flinders Ranges Way. The route is about 30km and has some spectacular views, specifically of the southern edge of Wilpena Pound.
Head north up to Brachina Gorge via Bunyeroo Road, which has more spectacular lookouts of the Flinders Ranges mountains. Razorback Lookout and Bunyeroo Valley Lookout are one of the best viewpoints to visit!
Past Brachina Gorge, there are lots of wilderness campsites where you can spend the night under the Outback stars.
For those with a 4WD and a thirst for exploration, continue deeper into the ranges toward Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the northern Flinders. This remote, rocky outcrop is known for its rugged 4WD tracks, rich Indigenous heritage, and world-class stargazing in some of the darkest skies in Australia.
When you’re ready to drive back south towards civilization, take the Flinders Ranges way and stop at more Outback stations, historic homesteads, and hiking trails.
End your epic South Australia road trip around the mountains with a visit to Wilpena Pound, a massive natural amphitheatre ideal for hiking, scenic flights, or photography.
Driving through the Flingers Ranges is a treat!
Adelaide Wine Country
- Recommended time frame: 1-4 days
- Recommended route: Adelaide, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley
A road trip through the Barossa and Clare Valleys is a dream for wine lovers, foodies, and anyone who enjoys rolling countryside and charming heritage towns.
This is one of the few South Australia road trips on this list that can be done in one day! Though we recommend taking a few days to enjoy both wine regions fully before returning to Adelaide.
Start with a road trip from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley, which is only an hour. Spend your days sipping at iconic wineries like Penfolds, Seppeltsfield, and Yalumba, or discover smaller cellar doors tucked among the gum trees.
Between tastings, enjoy long lunches at vineyard restaurants, browse local produce markets, try a hot air balloon flight over the vineyards, or take a cooking class at Maggie Beer’s farm shop.
The towns of Tanunda, Nuriootpa, and Angaston are great places to stay in the Barossa Valley, with everything from luxury hotels to cozy homestays.
From the Barossa, continue north through picturesque farmland to reach the Clare Valley, a smaller but equally charming wine region known for its relaxed, historic town vibe.
One of the best ways to explore is by cycling the Riesling Trail, a 35 km path that winds through vineyards, cellar doors, and old railway stations between the towns of Clare, Sevenhill, and Auburn.
Don’t miss a visit to the historic Sevenhill Cellars, established by Jesuit priests in 1851, or a long lunch at one of the valley’s many gourmet pubs and winery restaurants.
If you want to take a day off from driving and enjoy all the wine your heart desires, book a wine tasting with transport in the Barossa or Clare Valley!
Eyre Peninsula
- Recommended time frame: 5-10 days
- Recommended route: Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay, Elliston, Baird Bay, Ceduna
The Eyre Peninsula is an amazing South Australia road trip. It’s known for thrilling wildlife encounters, pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and laid-back fishing towns. The Eyre Peninsula has even earned the nickname, “The Seafood Frontier”!
Starting from Port Augusta, you’ll head west toward Whyalla, where you can snorkel or dive with giant cuttlefish in the crystal-clear waters.
Continue south to Port Lincoln, known as the seafood capital of Australia. Here you can feast on freshly caught tuna, prawns, and oysters, or go full-throttle with once-in-a-lifetime experiences like cage diving with great white sharks or swimming with playful sea lions.
Or enjoy some land experiences like a 4WD tour across the sand dunes of Lincoln National Park at sunset, or an Aboriginal cultural tour.
Just west of Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay is another highlight of the Eyre Peninsula. Spend at least a full day in Coffin Bay, where you can explore stunning national park beaches and join an oyster farm boat tour to learn about the Seafood Frontier.
Coffin Bay National Park is a coastal wilderness of white sand dunes, turquoise waters, and rugged limestone cliffs, perfect for 4WD adventures, water sports, secluded beach hikes, and spotting kangaroos by the sea.
Next, road trip along the stunning west coast of the Eyre Peninsula through coastal gems like Elliston, Baird Bay, and Streaky Bay, where towering cliffs and blowholes meet secluded beaches and iconic surf breaks.
Don’t miss the Talia Caves, naturally carved sandstone formations perfect for a quick hike and photo stop. Finish your loop in Ceduna, a quiet coastal town that serves as the launch point for the Nullarbor if you’re continuing west.
Nullarbour Plain
- Recommended time frame: 3-10 days, depending on how far you want to go
- Recommended route: Ceduna, Nullarbor Roadhouse, Head of Bight, Bunda Cliffs, Eucla, then head west to Perth or south to Esperance
The Nullarbor Plain is an iconic South Australia road trip. This vast, remote adventure crosses the world’s largest limestone plain for roughly 1,200 km from Ceduna in South Australia to Norseman in Western Australia.
While this road trip isn’t packed with cool sights like some of the coastal drives, this route gives you a true sense of the isolation and desert scenery of the Australian Outback.
Start your drive in Ceduna, South Australia and head west. Along the way, you’ll drive the famous “90 Mile Straight,” Australia’s longest straight stretch of road.
Other highlights you’ll see on the way include Penong’s giant windmills and the Nullarbor Roadhouse. Next, visit the Head of Bight for spectacular whale watching in winter, and don’t miss the dramatic seaside cliffs of the Bunda Cliffs!
As you cross the border into Western Australia near Border Village, remember to ditch any fruit and veg (strict biosecurity rules apply), and stop at the windswept, sand-covered ruins of the old Eucla Telegraph Station.
From Eucla, you can continue straight through the Outback towards Perth or turn south for coastal locations like Esperance.
The gorgeous Bunda Cliffs
Southern Ocean Drive
- Recommended time frame: 4-7 days
- Recommended route: Mount Gambier, Robe, Coorong National Park, Goolwa, Cape Jervis, Adelaide
The stunning Southern Ocean Drive is another top option for a South Australia road trip. Starting at the border of South Australia and Victoria, this gorgeous coastal route follows the Southern Ocean all the way up to Adelaide.
You can combine this road trip with our routes for Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula! Or add on the Great Ocean Road and drive all the way to Melbourne! There are many ways to tackle this road trip.
Most people start the Southern Ocean Drive in Mount Gambier on the Limestone Coast, where you can explore the stunning Blue Lake, Umpherston Sinkhole, and Engelbrecht Cave.
Then stop in Robe, one of the most picturesque seaside towns in South Australia. Relax at Long Beach, take the scenic Obelisk Walk, and grab lunch at a local seafood spot. Wine lovers can stop at Cape Jaffa Wines or Robe Town Brewery for a drink with a view.
Next you’ll road trip along the Coorong, a stunning chain of saltwater lagoons and wetlands known for birdwatching, Aboriginal heritage, and shifting sand dunes.
Stop at the Coorong National Park Visitor Centre, or walk the Loop Road boardwalk trail to see the dunes up close.
Further along the south coast, stop in Goolwa, a charming riverside town at the mouth of the Murray River. You’ll pass even more laid-back surf towns like Normanville, Port Elliot, and Middleton before reaching Cape Jervis.
From here, either take a detour to explore Kangaroo Island or head north along the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula towards Adelaide.
Read next: The Best Time to Visit Adelaide, South Australia
Adelaide Hills
- Recommended time frame: 1-2 days
- Recommended route: Adelaide, Hahndorf, Mount Lofty, Stirling
For a convenient road trip near Adelaide that you can do in a day, explore Adelaide Hills!
With cool-climate wines, lush forests, charming villages, and artisanal food, you can explore all of this in a day or stretch it out into an overnight stay.
Start your journey by heading straight to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement, where you can stroll along the historic main street filled with bakeries, leather shops, galleries, and German pubs.
If you have time, swing by Beerenberg Farm for seasonal fruit picking or visit The Cedars, the former home and studio of artist Sir Hans Heysen.
After soaking up the village charm, continue to Mount Lofty Summit for sweeping views over Adelaide, and if you’re feeling active, go for a walk in nearby Cleland Conservation Park or meet native animals at Cleland Wildlife Park.
From there, cruise down to Stirling, a leafy, garden-filled town with quaint bookshops, cafes, and gift stores. Enjoy lunch at The Stirling Hotel or pack a picnic for the peaceful Woorabinda Lake Reserve.
If you plan to stay overnight, the surrounding villages like Crafers, Aldgate, or Bridgewater offer cozy B&Bs, boutique retreats, and romantic cottages.
If you’re a real foodie, we also recommend touring Adelaide Central Market before or after your road trip to Adelaide Hills!
Coober Pedy
- Recommended time frame: 5-10 days
- Recommended route: Adelaide, Port Augusta, Lake Hart, Coober Pedy, Breakaways Reserve
If you want to experience Australia’s wild interior, try an Outback road trip from Adelaide to Coober Pedy!
Heading north along the Stuart Highway, the scenery changes from fertile farmland around Port Augusta to the wide, flat salt lakes and plains of the Outback desert.
Stop at quirky rural towns like Woomera, a historic site for Australia’s space research. Or take a short detour to see the otherworldly shores of Lake Hart, a dazzling salt lake that’s especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
Then spend at least a couple of days in Coober Pedy! Known as the “Opal Capital of the World,” Coober Pedy is famous for its mining industry and its underground infrastructure that is made to escape the desert heat.
Stay in an underground hotel, hang out at the Old Timers Mine, do some stargazing, and drive through the otherworldly landscapes of the stunning Breakaways Reserve at sunset.
Then you can either return to Adelaide or continue your Outback adventure! Coober Pedy is right on the way for an Adelaide to Darwin road trip, which is one of the most incredible ways to explore the desert of South Australia, the Red Centre of the Northern Territory, and Australia’s Top End.
If you decide to do the road trip to Darwin after Coober Pedy, don’t miss Uluru, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge, Litchfield National Park, and Kakadu National Park.
Driving through the Breakaways near Coober Pedy at sunset
Other Australia road trip ideas
Australia is full of natural beauty, white sand beaches, snow capped mountains, Outback scenery and more. Road trips are an amazing way to explore this vast continent.
Any of these South Australian road trips can be modified or extended to include more of Australia’s highlights. If you have a few weeks or months, you can take on some incredible adventures.
Road trip from Adelaide to the East Coast, where you can drive north and visit iconic locations like Sydney and the Sea Cliff Bridge, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Noosa, and the Great Barrier Reef. New South Wales and Queensland both have much to offer!
Or road trip from Adelaide to Perth and head north along the West Coast. Plan your own itinerary in Australia and you’ll be amazed at what you can discover with some car hire and road trip maps!
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