South Australia: How to spend 10 days and see the best of South Australia.

South Australia is the perfect place for a road trip and the most underrated state in my opinion. From the stunning coastline of the Eyre Peninsula’s, multiple award winning wine regions, the wildlife of Kangaroo Island, and the red hues of the South Australia outback, the diversity on offer in this state is second to none.

The state is known as the rock pool state and I will show you why later in this blog. It is a huge state with a lot of it being outback, you could spend weeks travelling around and discovering hidden beaches, national parks and heading off road. We only had ten days to explore this state and squeeze in the top sights to see in South Australia.

HOW LONG TO GO FOR?

You could spend a few months as I said travelling around and exploring the coast line, inland and the outback. A month is a decent amount of time and most travellers would get to see the majority of the state. You can break it up into two one week holidays exploring different areas or jam pack the highlights (in our opinion) in 10 days.

CAMPER VAN OR CAR?

You can see a lot in a camper van and be spontaneous as to where you stay. If you don’t plan to spend long in Adelaide, I would recommend a camper van as you can bring it on the ferry to Kangaroo Island too. There are plenty of campsites in South Australia.

We had a car and stayed in hotels as we flew to Port Lincoln and stayed in Adelaide city for three nights where we didn’t need to have a camper van.

DO I NEED A 4WD FOR EXPLORING KANGAROO ISLAND OR THE OUTBACK?

Everywhere is accessible in 2WD, although a car with decent clearance will be helpful for driving in the gorges of the Flinders Ranges. Some parts of Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln National Park were off limits in a 2WD so if you were planning on camping in the national parks and wanted to see the best bits of the national parks, I would recommend a 4WD. That said we only have a regular 2WD and got on fine but if we had longer I would have loved to have a 4WD to access the outer part of Coffin Bay National Park.

BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO GO?

You can visit SA year-round, but some regions are better in certain seasons.

DEC-FEB (Summer) – Kangaroo Island, the Fleurieu Coast, and the Eyre or the Yorke Peninsula are great in the summer; you can swim in the refreshing ocean without freezing. It does however get pretty hot and temperatures of 30 degrees plus are commons.

MAR-MAY (Autumn) – The wine regions are gorgeous with the changing leaves and the weather isn’t too hot so its perfect for hiking. Adelaide fringe festival is on in March so this is a great time to visit the city.

JUN-AUG (Winter) – A great time to explore the outback and desert, although it can get to freezing at night time. It is also the whale watching season along the coast but temperatures drop so not good for beach time and it can be quite wet.

SEP-NOV (Spring) – Wildflower Season in the Flinders and arguably the best time all-round to visit SA with comfortable temperatures everywhere.

10 DAY SOUTH AUSTRALIA ITINERARY

Adelaide (2 nights)- Kangaroo Island (3 nights)- Port Lincoln (3 nights)- Barossa Valley (2 nights)

Adelaide

Adelaide, the capital of SA is a heritage city that is nice and compact with a vibrant food scence, is closely located to four world class wine regions and a 15 minute drive to beautiful beaches. For a small city it packs a punch and there is plenty of things to do here.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed in the Rydges South Park Adelaide (click here to check rates) which was a 20 minute walk form the CBD. We got a great deal on it for a 4 star hotel ($110 per night) with a pool, gym, parking ($15 per day) and some free parking on street along side it.

You could stay closer to the CBD but this was perfect for us and suited the price we wanted to pay for a lovely hotel.

WHERE TO EAT

Adelaide in foodie heaven with so many excellent restaurants, cute bars and a strong brunch scene.

Brunch

• Whistle and Flute: ‘ Dogs and booze’ makes this place stand apart from other on trend brunch venues. Serving generous portions of wholesome your favourite brunch options such as halloumi Burger with avo and sweet corn salsa, fried egg and sriracha. It is dog- friendly and liquor-licensed, no brunch is complete without a decent bloody Mary and dogs. https://whistleandflute.com.au/

• Sibling: Famous for excellent sandwiches and bagels, good coffee and vegan baked goods. Pretty reasonably priced for brunch and lunch. Click here to see the full menu.

• Exchange Specialty Coffee: This speciality roaster sits just ahead of the coffee curve. Long, clean espressos (Aeropress is the method of choice) are the venue’s defining offerings. The menu veers away from clichés in favour of locally produced driven dishes such the heirloom cauliflower, kale and pistachio salad with fresh herbs. Then there’s the signature Wallace sandwich with avocado, Barossa pancetta, chipotle mayo, roasted peppers and mojo verde – and its vego and vegan cousins, the Walloumi and the Wegan. Worth a visit to buy coffee and stay for the food. http://exchangecoffee.com.au/

Dinner

• Peel St: One of the best meals I had in South Australia, Asian fusion mixed with modern Australian menu. The food is fresh, delicious and made for sharing. The idea is to get a few smalls and a larger dish to share. Think crispy pork belly, banana blossom salad and fried falafel. There is a street called Peel St with loads of quirky bars, restaurants and pubs and this is the restaurant here also called by the name of the street. Bookings required in advance. https://www.peelst.com.au/menu

• Africola: Impossible to get a booking but some how we managed to bag a table on a walk in. African style food that is so flavoursome. How the menu works is they show you a range of starters, mains and deserts and you name anything you most certainly want to try or anything you don’t eat and they bring out a range of dishes on the menu. Also made for sharing and a great atmosphere perfect for a group. It is rated number one restaurant in Adelaide so you will have to book well in advance, unless you chance a walk in like us and get lucky. https://www.africola.com.au/

• Chianti: One of Adelaides awarding winning restaurants, on the pricer side but well worth it. The aim is to provide delivering an authentic Italian dining experience and recreating a little piece of Italy in Adelaide. The wine is from the Chianti region in Italy featuring some of the world’s bets wines and the menu changes several times a year focusing on seasonal and local produces. ​https://www.chianti.net.au/

Drinks:

You can’t go wrong with anywhere on Peel St or Leigh St but here are a few of my favourites.

• Clever Little Tailor: A small bar on Peel St serving quality liquor and delicious bar snacks, a diverse selection of beer, an extensive cocktail lineup and ever-changing wine list. http://cleverlittletailor.com.au/

• 2KW: Located on the rooftop of one of Adelaides most historic buildings with postcard views of the city. Great for a cocktail or stay for dinner and the extensive wine list. https://2kwbar.com.au/wp/

• Grace Emily Hotel: The oldest pub in Adelaide is more grungy pub with good live music, weekly specials and pub grub.

THINGS TO DO

• Go to the beach. Adelaide is perfectly located 10 km from incredible beaches along the coast such as Gleng Beach and Henley Beach. Henley is more where you will find the locals and Gleng Beach is a bit more of a tourist vibe and busier.

• West Beach Adventure. Perfect for adrenaline junkies and a great way of entertaining kids (or very large 30 something year old kids), the Mega Climb is the largest aerial adventure course in Australia, with a giant swing that catapults you 25 m in the air and a a free fall from 18m high. It is made of kids but I was pretty terrified up there, even though you are harnessed in and it is very safe. Wear closed toe shoes and active wear. It is only a 15 minute drive from Adelaide CBD on the beautiful West Beach. Cost: $70 for the swing and climb, $55 for the climb only option.

• Swim with dolphins. This was one of the best things we did in South Australia and by far the best thing we did in Adelaide. We booked with Temptation Sailing in Glenelg. The tour was a half day tour from 8am-1pm, we got given wetsuits and a safety briefing and headed out in search of dolphins. We saw 2 pods of 20-30 dolphins and got up close to them on the front of the boat. Dolphin interactions aren’t guaranteed but the team on board said they have never not seen dolphins so that should give you some confidence. The cruises are Advanced Eco Certified and are hosted by a team of marine biologists who are so knowledgable on dolphin behaviour. Cost: $130/ Adult, $120/ Child

• Take a day trip to one of the world class wineries. Adelaide is ideally situated between McLaren Vale, The Adelaide Hill wineries and The Barossa Valley. All are within 1 hours drive of Adelaide CBD. You can take a day trip or stay a few nights and explore the amazing beaches of McLaren Vale, the food experiences of the Barossa Valley and quaint German towns of the Adelaide Hills.

• The National Wine Centre of Australia. Visit Australia’s largest tasting room experience where you will be able to sample from a range of 120 different wines, across 55 regions. It is located in the heart fo the city’s Botanic Gardens, an ideal setting to sit out and enjoy a platter with a glass of wine or a more substantial lunch. The educated staff will guide you through the wines from iconic producers to boutique wine labels.

• Central market. Open Tue-Sat 5.30pm everyday apart from Fridays when it is open until 9pm and Saturdays until 3pm. It is a thriving hub of food and culture over 150 years ago with over 70 traders under one roof, it is one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere, buzzing with life and colour all year round.

• Take a day trip to see a pink lake. Yes it really is a pink lake, or more like a salt lake when we visited during the summer. Lake Bumbunga is less than a two hours drive from Adelaide and draws an eclectic crowd from casual photographers to high-end fashion brands. It’s made up of three salt pans which have been harvested for over 30 years for use in swimming pools, water softener and of course fish and chips!

ADELAIDE HILLS

The Adelaide Hills are home to some of Australia’s best wine, food and scenery and it’s all so easy to access along the Epicurean Way road trip. The quaint towns of the hills are all within an hours drive from Adelaide CBD. Some of the must see places on a day trip from Adelaide are:

• Hahndorf: A quaint, historic town that is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and still has a strong German flavour most evident in the shops, sweet shops, bakeries, restaurants, architecture and pubs. It is a shoppers and foodies paradise with the main street lined with boutiques, jewellers, artesian food produces, restaurants and cafes. Best way to explore is just park on the main street and wander up and down checking out the shops and restaurants along the way.

• Beerenberg. Pick your own strawberries, sample jam made on site and everything strawberry related. You are given a box to fill in the strawberry fields and let loose to pick your own strawberries. The biggest, juiciest strawberries you will ever taste. After enjoy breakfast or lunch in the newly renovated cafe.

• The Lane Vineyard. My favourite winery in the Adelaide Hills, only a 5 minute drive from Handorf. The Lane Vineyard is one of the most beautiful winery I’ve been to, with a stunning restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining options. The Lane sparkling and Sauvignon Blanc are incredible and well priced. Their flight tasting start at $10 which is redeemable against the purchase of a bottle you can take outdoor under a giant umbrella and enjoy. The serve excellent platters and a few different lunch options including a wine pairing option.

BAROSSA VALLEY

Under an hour drive north east of Adelaide, the Barossa is an internationally-acclaimed wine region including the towns of Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa. The wine here has been acclaimed to be officially the best wine in the world, with over 80 cellar doors to wander into and delicious local produce to sample. Come for a day trip or stay for longer to explore the best of the regions wine, food and beautiful scenery.

WHERE TO STAY

We decided to base ourselves in Tanunda to see the Barossa, it is the main town of the Barossa with plenty of accommodation options, restaurants and cafes. We stayed in the cheap and cheerful Barossa Motel. It is in the town close to all the ammenities, huge rooms with AC, separate shower and toilet and plenty of free parking right outside our room.

WINERIES

• Chateau Taunda: The Valley’s first winery and where the first vines were planted, established in 1890, Chateau Tanunda is the birth place of the Barossa. The iconic Barossa estate is one of the top wineries in Australia and recently recognised 130 years of fine wine making in 2020. The Chateau resembles a castle that you would expect to find in the south of France with it’s high ceilings, croquet on the lawn and beautiful and grand design. Wine tastings start at $10 pp and are extremely generous. They also have a cellar door in the Rocks in Sydney, you must try their sparkling red. It is unmissable!

• Seppeltsfield: The Seppeltsfield Estate is home to a vibrant Barossa community of wine, food, art and beauty, highlighted by Seppeltsfield’s world class cellar door & tasting and Fino restaurant. The Seppeltsfield Estate is home to the Jam Factory, a unique not for profit cultural organisation, supporting artist and craftsman through its studios and galleries. The Jam Factory had some beautiful hats, hand made jewellery and art. Make an afternoon of it here and dine in the award winning restaurant Fino for lunch daily form 12-3pm.

• Hentley farm: A charming family owned and run, single estate boutique winery also on the Seppeltsfield Road. It has a warm cosy, farm feeling to it with very friendly and knowledgable staff.

WHERE TO EAT

• Maggie Beer’s Farm shop: All about following the seasons and producing locally sourced and sustainable food. Enjoy lunch from The Farm Eatery where the focus is on simple and seasonal food. They have a new wood fired oven pizza also. The setting is beautiful on a small lake with outdoor seating. You can enjoy some local wine here over lunch. Lunch is served Thur-Mon 12-3pm.

• Fino: An award winning fine dining restaurant in the Seppeltsfield Estate. Open 12-3 pm daily for lunch, bookings are recommended.
• 1918 Bistro and Grill: Located in Tanunda, a nice simple restaurant offering well priced Australian favourites.
• Barossa Valley Brewing: Lovely brewery serving handcrafted beer, small plates & pizza with a nice leafy outdoor area as you come into Tanunda from Adelaide.
• Red Door Espresso: The best place for all day breakfast, lunch or a coffee and a cake , the selection of cakes is one of the largest in the Barossa. They are closed Sun and Mon so keep that in mind.
• Four Seasons of Nosh. Lovely cafe serving lunch, breakfast and cakes daily on the main street on Taunda. Plenty of outdoor seating.

KANGAROO ISLAND

Kangaroo Island is the modern day Noah’s Arc located off the south east coast of South Australia. It is one of the world’s greatest nature destinations abundant with wildlife, native bushland and marine life. The island has 509 km of coastline and is 155km from East to West. You definitely need longer than you think. The island os much bigger than expected and some of the roads unsealed which slows down travel time. It is not advisable to drive at night, dusk or dawn due to the high numbers of wildlife. Driving through the island you will see a lot of road kill which is so sad so please respect the animals habitat and don’t drive at night. There is a lot to see on this amazing island and there are not enough adjectives to describe just how magical it is. I have written a separate blog going into more detail on Kangaroo Island HERE. Click on this link to see a 4 day, 3 night complete itinerary.

HOW TO GET THERE

By sea: The ferry leaves from Cape Jervis, about a 2 hour drive south of Adelaide. Kangaroo Island SeaLink’s vehicle and passenger ferry service operates daily (except Christmas Day) between Cape Jervis and Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. The ferry takes just 45 minutes and you can bring your car over on it. A car is essential on KI, it’s a big island and having a car makes the island so much more accessible. If you don’t wish to drive there are some bus companies running tours but they can be expensive. Cost: vehicle is $98 one way and then an additional $49 each way per adult travelling. A return ferry for two adults is $392 so it definitely isn’t a cheap trip over. Ferries leave several times per day. Booking in advance is essential as they book out in advance. Click here for the timetable.

By air: Regional Express Airlines (Rex) services Kangaroo Island via a 30 minute flight, operating between the main terminal at the Adelaide Airport and Kangaroo Island Airport.

WHERE TO STAY

The island is much bigger than I first imagined, the biggest town on the island and most options for accommodation is Kingscote so I would recommend basing yourself here or if you have longer than a few days, spend a few days in Penneshaw and a few in Kingscote. If you are camping and have a campervan or tent, I would recommend spending at least a night in Vivonne Bay campsite. There are plenty of campsites around KI.

Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island: We stayed in this lovely beach front 4 star hotel in Kingscote during our time in KI. It is $129 a night for two people sharing, has a pool, a gym and is right in the centre of Kingscote with on street parking.

HOW LONG TO STAY

Minimum 3 nights, anything else is too short and makes it a very expensive few days as the ferry isn’t cheap. 5 days would be ideal but we got to see pretty much everything we wanted to see in 3 days but it was a busy 3 days with early starts. 5 days would have been perfect to allow for a bit more beach and relaxing time.

THINGS TO DO

• Flinders Chase National Park. The national park had been devastated in the bushfires of Dec 2019-Jan 2020. The charred branches of trees and the aftermath of the bushfires are still very much apparent when driving through Flinders Chase but it was great to see how much of the bush has regenerated at the same time. The national park is an hour and a half drive from Kingscote and there is no fuel past Vivonne Bay General Store so ensure you have enough to get you there and back. The main sights of the park are: The Remarkable Rocks, The Admiral’s Arch, Weir’s Lookout and Cape Du Couedic lighthouse. The latter three are located in the same area, about a 10 min drive from the Remarkable Rocks. Cost: $11 pp to enter the park. Pay on your way into the park at the visitor centre.

• Visit Emu Bay Lavender Farm. A lavender farm with a cute cafe and shop serving and selling everything you could think about infusing lavender with.

• Swim at Vivonne Bay Jetty and swimming hole. This is paradise on earth. The jetty is surrounded by the clearest, bright blue waters waters, white sandy cliffs and a few boats that seem like they are floating on glass. Each time we came to the jetty there was only a handful of people here jumping off the jetty and snorkelling. Just behind the jetty there is a beautiful crystal clear swimming hole which we had to ourselves.

• Vivonne Bay Beach: Possible the most beautiful beach we have seen to date, driving over the hill has a jaw dropping effect. The beach is deserted, has the whitest sand and clearest water which goes on for miles.

• Emu Bay: Another beautiful beach on the north side of the island near Kingscote. It lacks shops and campgrounds, but its beach ranks among the most popular on the island due to its clear waters, long shoreline, and the fact it is the only beach on KI where you drive directly onto.

• Stokes Bay. To get to this secluded beach tourists have to follow the sign to the beach through caves. The beach is sheltered from waves and is perfectly calm for swimming. It has a lovely cafe there too. The road are awful to get here though so it takes longer than you would imagine.

• Seal Bay Conservation Park . Seal Bay is home to one of the largest colony of Australian sea lions and offers a unquie experience to get up close to sea lions in their natural habitat. There are no enclosures or cages at Seal Bay. You can access the beach with one of the experienced guides which lasts 45 minutes and costs $38 adult, $21.50 child. If you prefer just to view the sea lions from the boardwalk which meanders through the dunes to a number of viewing platforms, this is $17/ 10.50 (adult/child). I would recommend the guided tour though to be able to access the beach. The centre is open from 9-4 am and the last tour is at 3pm.

• Watch sunset at Flagstaff Hill. Climb the stairs to get a panoramic view over KI, best time to visit is sunset.
• Snorkel with dolphins and seals. Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari offers 2 hour snorkelling tours with dolphins and seals. They are the only operator in South Australia that provides the opportunity to swim with the Long-nosed Seals. They provide masks, fins, wetsuits and snorkels. Book online or book in the visitor centre. The tour leaves from Penneshaw on certain days of the week so call in advance or check with the visitor centre what days they are running. If the sea is rough or there are high winds the tour will be cancelled. Try book for your first or second day on the island so if it is cancelled, you can try get on a tour later in the week. Cost: $150.
• Take a tour of the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. They offer a guided tour of the lighthouse which is steeped in maritime history. The the top of the lighthouse offers spectacular panoramic views across Backstairs Passage. There is a nice short heritage hike about 2km long which takes you by a stunning hidden cove, perfect for swimming on a hot day.

WHERE TO EAT

Worth noting there is very few places open for dinner in Kingscote on a Monday! Along with COVID-19 causing shortage of staff, a lot of the restaurants were struggling to remain open.

• Odd plate: A must when staying in Kingscote, definitely the nicest restaurant in Kingscote serving modern Australian cuisine designed to share. They are currently serving a set five course ‘feed me’ menu for $75 pp. The food is beautifully presented and there is a focus on seasonal, locally scoured ingredients. Open Wed-Sun 5.30 pm til late. https://www.theoddplate.com.au/

• Bella cafe and pizza bar: A lovely, casual Italian serving pizzas, pastas and deserts. They are only open on Monday’s for takeaway.

• Dudley wines: Kangaroo Island is famous for its good food and wine. Dudley wines is a beautiful clifftop winery 12 km from Penneshaw, which boasts stunning views of the coast. Book ahead for lunch and book a seat on the terrace. They also do cheese and meat mixed platters for $30 as well as lunch and pizzas. Wine tasting starts at $14.

• Cactus Kingscote. Bess place for lunch and breakfast in Kingscote, no bookings necessary. Serving all your brunch favourites and have daily specials on the board.

• Emu Bay Lavender Farm Cafe: Go for the amazing lavender scones as big as your head. They also have a full breakfast and lunch menu.

• Vivonne Bay General Store: Home to the famous whiting burger, stopping off here is a must to try the local specialty. If whiting isn’t your your thing, they also have shark and some veggie options of sandwichs and burgers.

• Sunset food and wine. The most beautiful setting of any of the places we ate on KI serving modern Australian food overlooking the beautiful American Beach.​ It was the first restaurant on Kangaroo Island to be awarded one Chef Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide in 2017. It is located a 5 minute drive from Penneshaw so it is perfect for a sunset dinner before the last ferry​. The staff are well aware visitors are looking to catch the last ferry so serve the food swiftly with plenty fo time to enjoy the views. There is a very steep hill to get up to the restaurant on an unsealed road. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday for lunch and for dinner and lunch Thur- Sat, closed Mon and Tue. https://www.sunsetfoodandwine.com/

Port Lincoln

Also known as the Tuna Capital, Port Lincoln is a fishing town a long way from anywhere but has a lot of reasons to visit. One of the major draws here is the opportunity to cage dive with great white sharks who inhabit the waters off Great Neptune Island. It is on the southern end of the Eyre Peninsula with beautiful coastline and national parks surround it. It is about a 7 hour drive from Adelaide with not much in between so we opted to fly here. REX fly serval times a day from Adelaide to Port Lincoln for $100 or less one way and the flight is just 45 minutes. The airport is 13 km away from the town (I would know, I ran it one day) and there are no buses running to the town, either a local taxi or a shuttle bus company. The shuttle bus company is $25(click here for details) for two people from the airport and you need to call to book in advance. If you don’t have transport arranged you could be stuck. The other option which I would recommend is hiring a car. It is essential if you want to see Port Lincoln National Park or drive to Coffin Bay for the day. We hired one from Europe Car for $70 for 24 hours. One of the major draws here is the opportunity to cage dive with great white sharks who inhabit the waters off Great Neptune Island.

WHERE TO STAY

• Port Lincoln Hotel: A flashy, seven story hotel with beautiful rooms that looks rather out fo place in Port Lincoln with waterfront views. It has two bars and a great restaurant here. Definitely the only place to go if you’re looking for some night life in PL. Cost: rooms start at $190 per night.
• Blue Seas Motel: If the Port Lincoln hotel is out of your budget, this place is perfect second best. Located just behind the Port Lincoln hotel, it has everything you need, AC, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, big room and good wifi. Cost: $105 per night.
• Port Lincoln YHA: Recently renovated 84 bed hostel in the town centre that is impeccably kept with a cafe/bar, reading lights and power outlets in the lockers. Cost: $35 a night for a dorm bed, privates also available.

WHERE TO EAT

• Del Giorno’s: One of the best restaurants in town serving a mix of sea food and Italian. Very reasonably priced too, a glass of wine is $5. https://delgiornos.com.au/

• The Rogue & Rascal. With out a doubt the best brunch. If you are looking for a hearty breakfast or lunch to get your set before doing some exploring, this is the only place to go.
• The pub in PLH. xxxxxxxx

THINGS TO DO

• Go cage diving with greta white sharks. This was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Port Lincoln and South Australia really and it didn’t disappoint. We opted for the combo tour which is a full day tour. The tour included snorkelling with sea lions first and then cage diving with great white sharks in the afternoon. The day is an expensive one but well worth it! Cost: $700. Includes: wet suit, snorkelling gear, accommodation transfers, morning tea, lunch, dinner, 50 min dive with great white sharks and 1 hour snorkel with sea lions. Click here to find out more about the experience in another blog post I wrote.

• Port Lincoln National Park. This stunning national park is about 13km south of Port Lincoln. There are plenty of coves, beaches, safe paces to swim and places to camp. Some of the roads are 4WD only but we managed to see most of the park with a normal car. Hiring a car is essential to explore the national park, it is pretty big and you could spend anywhere from a day to a week in the park exploring the different beaches and scenic views. Pay entrance to the National Park online or in the Visitor centre in the town. They are really helpful here with maps and you can also pay for the key to Whaler’s Way here too. The national park entrance is $11 per vehicle. The best beach is at the furthest end of the park, September Beach. Not to miss places in the national park are:
• September Beach. Stunning beach and the busiest, we saw dolphins a few meters off the beach.
• Donington Beach. This was our favourite as it was empty and the water was so clear.

• Stamford Hill. A lookout point from the top of the hill. A few options for hikes, either a short 2300m return from the car park or a longer loop which is one of South Australia’s 40 Great Short Walks (2 hr loop, 5.7km).

• Whalers Way. A scenic 14 km coastal drive featuring blowholes, cliffs, swimming holes and lookouts on a remote spit of private land. You need a code for the key to the gate, it is a metal gate with a chain and a code for a combination lock. The numbers have worn off the combination lock so when we went it was open and I left it open for the next person as no one would be able to read the numbers on the lock as they are worn off. You won’t have service here so make sure you get the code which is emailed to you from the tourist centre before you lose coverage. Or try your luck without paying for the code. The fee includes 24 hour pass and 1 night camping. There are no facilities here so make sure you bring everything you need. Fee: $40. The best part of the Whaler’s Way is the swimming hole at the end which you have to climb down some rocks to get to, the blow hole is right behind it and can flow into the rock pool so be aware of the tides. It also says “Do not pass this point” but everyone does to get into the swimming hole! At the tourist information centre in town they will give you a map with the various pull offs along the way. The road is unsealed and bumpy at times but accessible to 2WD also.

• Visit Coffin Bay National Park. Coffin Bay National Park is just a 40 min drive from Port Lincoln and is known for its remote costal scenery, 4WD tracks, sand dunes and rock pools. You can drive as far as Yangie Bay and Almonta Beach but no further with a 2WD. Many of the park’s coastal landscapes can only be reached by 4WD track bordering high windswept cliffs and sand dunes. Entrance into the park is $11 and really its not worth visiting without a 4WD as after 20 minutes of driving into the park, you won’t be able to get further. If you have a 4WD and camping gear, this place is heaven on earth with rock pools, white beaches and plenty of hiking and surfing.

• Take a tour on an oyster farm. Coffin Bay township is the home to huge oyster farms. There are several companies running 3 hour long tours allowing you to get a close look at the oyster farms, see how they are grown and talk to the farmers who collect them daily. The 3 hour long tours include walking around the oyster farm in waders just like a real oyster farmer. They also have a 90 minute tour that includes everything but the waders experience. Cost $165/$85 (3 hr and 1.5 hr)and this includes 12 oysters.

I hope you found this useful and get to explore South Australia at some point. Let me know in the comments below or follow me on instagram @irishontherun for travel videos, posts and more travel content!

Sari