Find yourself
in the variety of things to see and do
near Adelaide
Adelaide is a great base for a variety of things to do on your Australia vacation. Day tours can whisk you to the magnificent scenery in the Outback, lush wineries, wildlife and aquatic adventures and regions known for Aboriginal culture - all without traveling long distances.
You'll find yourself in Adelaide by including a day or two or more exploring any of the regions near Adelaide on your Australia vacation package.
Our Top Picks for the Best Things to Do for a Wander near Adelaide:
The Coorong - about 2 1/2 hours drive east of Adelaide you'll find Ngarrindjeri Country - the Coorong. The Ngarrindjeri people are Australia's largest traditional tribal group and the oldest living culture. From a base at the Coorong Wilderness Lodge, explore the coastal and salt-influenced habitats of over 230 bird species and abundant plants and wildlife. A visit to the Coorong is great for kayaking, bush walking, bird watching, learning the cultural heritage of the people and enjoying this tranquil area.
Eyre Peninsula - untouched and unspoiled, the Eyre Peninsula features white, sandy beaches and protected coves with tracts of towering limestone cliffs and towns with a rich maritime heritage. The area is famous for its succulent seafood - especially oysters, scallops, tuna and abalone. Come swim with sea lions and dolphins, watch pods of Southern Right Whales pass by, or go cage diving with Great White Sharks for a spine-chilling thrill. Inland, in the Gawler Ranges, you'll find kangaroos, emus and eagles among the plentiful wildlife. You'll find yourself in unspoiled nature at its rugged best.
Yorke Peninsula - spend a day or two in Adjahdura County on the Yorke Peninsula just 90 minutes drive west of Adelaide. Your Adjahdura guide will welcome you to his country where you'll walk in the footsteps of their ancestors. Share a rich experience through the region by incorporating 40,000 years of Aboriginal dreaming, culture and heritage with bush walks and coastal wanders.
Kangaroo Island - popular for its wildlife, beaches, rural life, food and wine, Kangaroo Island can be reached by small plane (35 minutes) or a 2+ hour drive and 45 minute ferry ride from Adelaide. With one-third of the island protected as National Park, you'll be able to get up close and personal to Australian Sea Lions, New Zealand Fur Seals, little Penguins and an array of nocturnal wildlife.
Barossa Valley - with more than 60 cellar doors from which to choose, the Barossa, one of Australia's most famous wine regions, is only an hour's drive northeast of Adelaide. A choice of guided tours, including round-trip transportation from the city center, provides the opportunity for relaxed tastings with no worries and an entertaining guide to decipher the mysteries of the grape.
Clare Valley - for Riesling lovers, the Clare Valley is a must-see. The more adventurous will enjoy the Riesling Trail - a 16 mile walking and cycling route linking wineries and historic towns through stunning bush scenery, charming villages and lush vineyards. Be sure to stop at the Jesuit's Sevenhill Cellars, where the region's wine-making began, and its magnificent St. Aloysius Church and crypt.
McLaren Vale - known as the region where the vines meet the sea, McLaren Vale, the gateway to the Fleurieu Peninsula, is only 40 minutes south of Adelaide. With over 76 cellar doors (Shiraz is the prominent wine here, but there are many variations. blends and alternatives) and an abundance of olives, cheese, relishes, sauces .... so close to pristine beaches and charming towns, a visit to the Vale is well worthwhile.
Flinders Ranges - Outback Australia - drive 3 hours north of Adelaide and you'll find yourself on the brink of one of the oldest landscapes on earth with majestic mountain ranges, rugged gorges, towering gum trees and quirky Outback pioneer towns. Drive a bit further to the Flinders Ranges National Park and the spectacular, crater-like Wilpena Pound for bush walking, horse riding, bicycling, scenic flights and plain relaxing in the region's incredible beauty.
