Road tripping in Adelaide, South Australia
Image adapted from: @nicole.lacasse
Sometimes, in this urban jungle of ours, we’re more than half-starved for some form of country living. Not to say that Singapore doesn’t have its fair share of lush greenery, but we’re looking for the rolling hills, open landscapes, and ‘80s tracks – y’know, classic road trip vibes.
Jetabout Holidays offers plenty of itineraries down under, but this time, we’ve got our eye on Adelaide. From vineyard tours to wildlife watching, you’ll be driving through some of Australia’s most picturesque scenery. With Jetabout Holidays’ Adelaide package, here’s what you’ll be doing:
Day 1: Soak up the beauty of Adelaide Hills
Mount Lofty Summit – views of Adelaide’s skyline.
Image credit: Mount Lofty Summit
After a 7-hour flight, the picturesque scenery of Adelaide Hills is exactly what you need. The drive here’s already a treat, but stop over at Mount Lofty Summit to take in the sweeping views of Adelaide’s coastal and city skyline. The mountain air here is crisp with a lingering sweetness, making it the perfect spot for a moment of solitude.
Image credit: Jonty Paterson
If you’re up for a hike, follow the signs pointing to the Waterfall Gully (~3 hours return) or Heysen Trail (~4 hours return). It’s also an easy stroll to Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, known for its dramatic landscape of red and yellow trees during Autumn.
Explore Australia’s oldest German town
A sunny corner at Hahndorf Inn to while away the day.
Image credit: @gowithsumika
Those feeling peckish can drive up to Hahndorf – it’s the closest you’ll get to Germany when you’re holidaying down under. As Australia’s oldest German settlement, the European influence is obvious when looking at their architecture, artisanal produce, and abundance of pubs.
Feast on German food, sausages, beer and all.
Image credit: @milly_au_life
Take some time to stroll through their main shopping street: it’s filled with quaint stores like old-fashioned sweet shops and craft beer breweries.
Day 2: Swim with tuna at Victor Harbor
Image credit: Oceanic Victor
Swimming with dolphins is always a memorable experience, but if you’ve been there, done that then this Swim with Tuna Experience is right up your alley. Start your second day by continuing your drive to to Granite Island – it’s a small but ruggedly beautiful island next to Victor Harbor that you can spend the entire day exploring.
Image credit: @elfie_germein
Once there, you’ll be swimming right next to the Southern Bluefin Tuna at Oceanic Victor’s in-sea aquarium. If you’re there during winter, no worries – they’ll suit you up in a wetsuit armed with mask, booties, gloves, and all to stay warm.
Image credit: Oceanic Victor
Those who prefer staying dry can opt to feed the tuna instead, and will enjoy admiring the vibrant colours of other local fish. You can also enjoy watching Australia’s marine life in the undersea observatory.
Day 3: Trek through Kangaroo Island to spot wildlife
Spot wildlife wandering through Seal Bay Conservation Park.
Image credit: SATC
Simply put, Kangaroo Island’s a beaut. If not for its picture-perfect landscapes, then largely for its roaming wildlife. When you’re strolling through Seal Bay Conservation Park’s boardwalk, keep a lookout: there’s bound to be a ton of wildlife from waddling Australian sea lions to playful seal pups. You’re likely to spot the island’s namesake more than once too, with troops of kangaroos jumping through the bush.
The stunning rock formations of Flinders Chase National Park’s Remarkable Rocks.
Image credit: SATC
For more wildlife sightings, head over to Flinders Chase National Park – it’s filled with natural beauty from massive rock formations to a permanent New Zealand fur seal colony. If you’re there during May and October, you can also spot dolphins leaping through the waves below.
Tip: Admirals Arch’s viewing platform gives you great views of the fur seals rolling around the sand!
Day 4: Taste different types of honey at Clifford Honey Farm
Image credit: @pinago22
Following Jetabout Holidays’ itinerary will also let you try plenty of fresh produce in Adelaide, but the one food product you should be lugging back home? Their honey. Head to family farms like Clifford Honey Farm – they’ve been producing honey since the early ‘70s but only expanded into a full-fledged business when the locals kept flocking back.
Image credit: @thehoneypotki
When you’re there, try some of their Homemade Honey Ice Cream ($4) too – it’s made from their bestselling Cup Gum Honey and comes with a generous swirl of honey on top. You can also tuck into hot food from their on-site cafe The Honey Pot, which serves up a delish range of burgers, from cheeseburgers to pulled pork burgers.
Enjoy a rustic farmstay at Morella Farm
Image credit: @morellafarmstay
Breathe in the fresh air over at Morella Farm: you’ll be spending a night here to enjoy good ol’ country living. It’s a comfortable 3-bedroom house that’s decked out with a cosy fireplace – all set in the heart of Cape Jervis, a quaint seaside town. While you’ll be too far inland to hear the crashing waves, there’s plenty of bleating and mooing from the 150 or so farm animals that live here.
Image credit: @morellafarmstay
Animal lovers will be spending all their time at the Petting Zoo, where friendly goats, cows, and sheep will be eagerly crowding around for some human affection.
Day 5: Try local wines from McLaren Vale vineyards
Image credit: SATC
South Australia’s wineries are legendary – while the award-winning Penfolds Grange might be just a tad out of our price range, the McLaren Vale region still offers up a solid selection of smooth reds like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Image credit: @darenbergwine
Just as well, you’ll be passing a whole series of vineyards on your drive back to the city centre. Look out for d’Arenberg Cube – you won’t miss it, it’s literally a cube-shaped building that bears resemblance to a Rubik’s cube but with glass-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views.
Stop by for lunch to try their wine, they’ve got a cosy restaurant serving up Modern Australian food.
Jetabout Holidays – 6D5N Adelaide Family Road Trip from $1,070/person
Driving through Flinders Chase National Park.
Image credit: @leighwych
Many think of Adelaide as a small, sleepy town but this entire itinerary is packed with outdoor activities to show off South Australia’s rural beauty. From swimming with tuna to trekking through the wilderness of Kangaroo Island, this is a road trip that your family will be talking about for years.
And the best part is? There’s no need to plan anything. From accommodation bookings to driving route, Jetabout Holidays has taken over the tediousness of holiday planning and all you have to do is cruise along in your car.
Image credit: Jetabout Holidays
6D5N Adelaide Family Road Trip
Includes: 5D Car Rental, 5 Night Accomodation, Return Ferry Transfers from Cape Jervis to Kangaroo Island, Swim with Tuna at Victor Harbour, and 2h Guided Nature Penguin Tour and Day to Day Drive Itinerary.”
Travel dates: 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019
Price: from $1,070/person
Find out more about Jetabout Holidays’ road trip around Adelaide here!
This post was brought to you by Jetabout Holidays & South Australian Tourism Commission.