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Long weekend road trips from Adelaide

Traveloka Team

4 min read

Have a long weekend coming up? Make the most of it with a roadie from Adelaide. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious escape to the wine country or prefer getting amongst the nature and edge of the Aussie outback, Adelaide’s prime location means you’re never more than a quick roadie away from something magical. Below are our top long weekend road trips from Adelaide that are worth considering for your next getaway.

Kangaroo Island

Ideal for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and foodies alike. A 45-minute ferry ride away from Cape Jervis, Kangaroo Island is the ultimate long weekend destination — from tasting the region's finest wines and spirits (particularly their award-winning gins infused with local botanicals) to mornings spent walking along the sand and spotting friendly sea lions sunbathing by the shore.

Don’t want to make the trek yourself? You can book a Kangaroo Island Experience Day Tour on Traveloka, and get picked up and dropped off in Adelaide Central.

Distance from Adelaide: 100kms to Cape Jervis, and then a 45-minute ferry ride to Kangaroo Island.

What to see:

Seal Bay Conservation Park: Walk along the boardwalk or the sand to see a wild colony of Australian sea lions lazing about.

Flinders Chase National Park: Home to the iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, where you can spot fur seals playing in the surf.

Kangaroo Island Spirits: Don’t forget to stop by for a tasting of award-winning gins infused with local botanicals.

Where to stay:

Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

CABN Kangaroo Island

Stowaway Kangaroo Island

Yorke Peninsula

Ideal for families and surf-enthusiasts, Yorke Peninsula is a playground of hidden shipwrecks, rugged cliffs, and adrenaline-pumping surf breaks. A swift 3.5-hour drive from Adelaide that takes you through historic port towns, as well as the iconic pink lakes, there are a few worthwhile pit stops along the way that’ll break up the drive just nicely.

Distance from Adelaide: Around 300kms, 3.5-hours drive from Adelaide.

What to see:

Lake Bumbunga: Stop by on your way up to Yorke Peninsula — located in Lochiel, this lake often turns a bright bubblegum pink.

Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park: An absolute must-visit, the Park features the iconic Ethel shipwreck and the postcard-worthy Blue Pool.

Edithburgh Jetty: A paradise for divers and snorkellers, with a chance to spot leafy sea dragons under the pylons.

Where to stay:

Port Vincent Motel & Apartments

Marion Bay Holiday Villas

Fleurieu Peninsula

The drive down the Fleurieu Peninsula is a spectacular transition from the rolling vineyards of McLaren Vale to the rugged, wind-whipped cliffs of the southern coast. Spend your mornings catching a surf break or spend the day hiking through deep coastal valleys. Or perhaps you prefer a cruisey afternoon, sipping a world-class grenache as you take in the view.

Distance from Adelaide: Approx. a 1-hour and 15-minute drive from Adelaide.

What to see:

The d’Arenberg Cube: A five-story Rubik’s Cube-inspired cellar door filled with wine-tasting rooms where you can even blend your own wine, along with art installations on the ground floor with its permanent “Alternate Realities Museum”.

Granite Island Recreation Park: Accessible via the famous horse-drawn tram from Victor Harbour — making the journey there a feature in itself. Walk the island loop to see dramatic boulder formations and, if you’re lucky, the resident little penguins, too.

Port Willunga Beach: One of Australia’s most photogenic beaches, Port Willunga is home to the iconic remains of the old jetty pylons and hand-carved fisherman’s caves in the limestone cliffs.

Where to stay:

Nightcap at Hotel Victor

COAST Motel and Apartments

Willunga Gallery Cabins

Barossa Valley

Cruising into the Barossa feels like driving through a living postcard, where the road is lined with ancient stone cottages and some of the oldest vines on the planet. This trip is all about indulgence — from long lunches to exploring the rich German heritage that still flavours the local architecture and bakeries.

Distance from Adelaide: Approximately 1-hour drive away from Adelaide.

What to see:

Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop: Foodies, this one’s for you. Visit for a glass of wine and cheese and wander the beautiful grounds. Pick up artisanal pates and jams, or even catch a daily cooking demonstration.

The Whispering Wall at Barossa Reservoir: Have a secret to share? The unique acoustics allow at Barossa Reservoir allow you to hear a whisper from over 100 metres away at the other end of the dam wall.

Mengler Hill Lookout: Get the absolute best seat in the house for a panoramic view of the entire valley floor, especially spectacular as the golden hour hits the vineyards.

Where to stay:

CABN x Seppeltsfield

Le Mas Barossa Valley

Novotel Barossa Valley Resort

Flinders Ranges

Nature lovers and adrenaline seekers, the Flinders Ranges offer that true Aussie Outback experience you’ve been searching for. Step into a world of red and ancient, jagged peaks — like a moment frozen in time — Flingers Rangers offers you the chance to see 600-million-year-old landscapes you simply can’t find anywhere else.

Distance from Adelaide: Around a 5-hour drive from Adelaide.

What to see:

Wilpena Pound: A natural amphitheatre in the heart of the region — hike to the Wangara Lookout for the best view.

Bunyeroo Valley & Razorback lookout: Soak in famous views of a winding road snaking through the ancient “razorback” ridges of Heysen Range.

Pichi Richi Railway: A must-see for history buffs, hop onto a heritage steam train that travels through the deep rock cuttings and iron-bark forests of the Pichi Richi Pass.

Where to stay:

Discovery Resorts Wilpena Pound

Rawnsley Park Station