Day Trips from Adelaide: 7 Must-See Spots for a Relaxing Escape
Adelaide is not just South Australia’s charming capital—it’s also the perfect launchpad for discovering some of the state’s most relaxing and scenic destinations, all within a day’s reach. Whether you’re craving coastal serenity, a vineyard escape, or a quaint country town experience, there’s no shortage of refreshing day trips from Adelaide to help you unwind. In this guide, we’ve handpicked seven of the most relaxing options that locals and visitors alike will absolutely love, plus tips for stress-free adventures.
7 Relaxing Day Trips from Adelaide You’ll Love
From wineries and coastal towns to national parks and historic villages, here’s a detailed look at seven of the most relaxing and rewarding day trips from Adelaide, Australia:
1. Adelaide Hills
Drive time: Around 30 minutes from the CBD
Vibe: Cosy, leafy, and a touch Euro, perfect for cool-climate wines and forest walks.
Only 30 minutes from the city, the Adelaide Hills is one of the easiest and most refreshing escapes. Start your day with a panoramic view of the city from Mount Lofty Summit, then head to Cleland Wildlife Park where you can walk among kangaroos and hold a koala.
The nearby village of Hahndorf is a cultural gem. Established by German settlers, it still has strong European influences with its bakeries, art galleries, and boutique shops. A visit to Beerenberg Farm or the historic Cedars, the former home of artist Hans Heysen, adds depth to your trip.
The area is also home to several wineries and distilleries. If you’re interested in food and drink, a stop at The Lane Vineyard or Ambleside Distillery is worthwhile for a relaxed lunch and a sip of something local.
2. Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale
Drive time: About 45 minutes to McLaren Vale
Vibe: Relaxed coastal charm meets wine country; think beach walks, cellar doors, and breezy lunches.
Just 45 minutes south of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula offers coastal relaxation and top-tier food and wine. McLaren Vale, one of Australia’s top wine regions, is located here and has become just as family-friendly as it is gourmet. Wineries like d’Arenberg, with its quirky Cube building, and Gemtree, which includes a playground and nature trails, create a stress-free environment for all ages.
From McLaren Vale, it’s easy to explore the coastal towns of Victor Harbor and Goolwa. In Victor Harbor, you can ride the horse-drawn tram to Granite Island, visit local markets, or walk scenic coastal paths. Goolwa, just a short drive away, sits at the mouth of the Murray River and offers relaxed riverside cafés, historic paddle steamers, and even guided cruises into Coorong National Park.
3. Clare Valley
Drive time: Roughly 1 hour 30 minutes via Horrocks Highway
Vibe: Peaceful and rustic, ideal for cycling the Riesling Trail and winery hopping.
Clare Valley is perfect for one of those slower-paced day tours from Adelaide South Australia. Known for its exceptional Rieslings, the valley is home to more than 30 wineries, many set in charming old stone buildings. Start your day at Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest winery in the region, then make your way along the Riesling Trail, which you can walk or cycle.
Historic towns like Burra also give this trip a unique character. Burra offers self-guided heritage tours where you can explore mining ruins, gaols, and 19th-century architecture. Lunch is easy to plan—try the beer garden at Sevenhill Hotel or a picnic near one of the valley’s many scenic viewpoints.
4. Barossa Valley
Drive time: Around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes north
Vibe: A classic wine escape; think big reds, great food, and a rich cultural heritage.
Located just over an hour northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is the region most associated with premium wine. While it’s home to globally recognized labels like Jacob’s Creek and Penfolds, the Barossa also offers artisan producers, farmers markets, and a strong sense of local culture.
Start with a tasting at Seppeltsfield, where you can try vintage tawny straight from the barrel, including a wine made in your birth year. For something interactive, Jacob’s Creek offers a blend-your-own-wine experience. Between tastings, explore the picturesque towns of Tanunda, Nuriootpa, and Angaston, known for their charming architecture and welcoming shops.
5. Murray River – Mannum
Drive time: About 1 hour 30 minutes east
Vibe: Quiet riverside charm with historic paddle steamers and nature all around.
Drive about 90 minutes east and you’ll reach Mannum, a historic town on the Murray River, Australia’s longest river. This destination is less about activities and more about relaxing by the water. Have lunch at the Pretoria Hotel, with its terrace overlooking the river, or take a gentle cruise aboard the historic PS Marion, a restored paddle steamer from 1897.
If you’re into history, visit the Mannum Dock Museum, which covers the town’s riverboat heritage. For a more scenic experience, just walk the riverfront or bring a kayak and paddle along the calm waters.
6. Belair National Park
Drive time: Just 20 minutes from the city
Vibe: Easygoing bushland with short hikes, wildlife, and picnic spots.
Just 20 minutes from the city, Belair National Park is the closest and easiest option for nature lovers. It has walking and biking trails, tennis courts, picnic areas, and a large adventure playground. One of its main attractions is the Old Government House, a small historic building surrounded by native bushland.
Families will enjoy the wide-open spaces and facilities, while hikers can tackle longer loops like the Waterfall Hike or Valley Loop Trail. It’s also common to spot koalas and kookaburras in the trees.
If you’re hungry after exploring, Joan’s Pantry nearby offers reliable food and coffee. Alternatively, head to Hawthorndene Playground, which is about five minutes away and has a BMX track as well.
7. Lake Bumbunga
Drive time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes north
Vibe: Surreal and scenic. Pink salt flats and wide-open skies, perfect for photos.
If you’re after something a little different, Lake Bumbunga is worth the 90-min drive north. Known for its striking pink water—caused by salt-loving algae—this lake near Lochiel is a favourite among photographers.
There’s no commercial activity around the lake, so bring your own food and supplies. After your visit, consider driving back through Clare Valley and stopping for a meal at O’Leary Walker Wines, a kid-friendly spot with good food and wide-open spaces.
How to Prepare for a Day Trip from Adelaide
Proper planning is key to making the most out of your Adelaide day trips. Whether you’re heading into wine country, the coast, or the hills, here’s what to think about before you hit the road:
Check the Weather (and Fire Danger Warnings)
First up, check the weather forecast for your destination the night before—and again in the morning—especially if you’re heading to the Hills, coast or wine regions. The Bureau of Meteorology is your go-to.
If you’re travelling between October and May, it’s also Fire Danger Season across much of SA. Check with the CFS (Country Fire Service) website before you go, particularly if you’re heading bush.
Plan Your Route and Timing Carefully
Use Google Maps or the Traffic SA site to map out your route and timing. Popular spots like McLaren Vale, Barossa or the Adelaide Hills can get busy on weekends, so leave yourself extra time. And don’t forget the basics—fuel up before leaving the city and plan a rest stop if your drive is over 90 minutes.
Download offline maps in case of weak signal zones, especially around remote or conservation areas. If you’re visiting wineries or wildlife parks, double-check their hours—many close by mid-afternoon or don’t open daily.
Pack for the Destination and the Road
Weather and activity gear come first: throw in layers for Adelaide’s quick-changing temps, a rain shell for the Hills, a broad-brim hat and SPF for the coast, plus plenty of water and insect repellent.
But don’t stop at clothes and snacks. Modern day-trippers rely on cameras, phones, GPS apps and sometimes a portable espresso machine—all of which drain batteries fast. A portable power station solves that problem in one hit: mid-sized 500–1500W units will top up your laptop and drone, run a mini fridge, or boil the kettle without needing a plug-in campsite.
For those longer self-drive day trips from Adelaide, pair the power station with a vehicle alternator charger, so the battery tops itself up while you clock highway kilometres instead of hours on a wall socket.
A great option is the EcoFlow 500W Alternator Charger. It pulls extra power from your car’s 12V or 24V system, topping up around 1 kWh(85Ah@12V) in just over two hours—that’s about five times faster than using a cigarette lighter plug, and without the hassle of blowing fuses.
Thanks to gallium-nitride tech, it stays cool and efficient. Plus, built-in safety features like over-voltage, reverse-polarity, and short-circuit protection mean you can plug it in and forget about it—no risk to your car’s alternator.
With portable power sorted, you can stay longer at that cellar door, keep the soundtrack pumping all the way home, and still have enough juice in the evening to edit photos—or plan the next trip.
It features three handy modes: fast charge for quick top-ups while driving, reverse charge for emergency jump-starts, and a 100W maintenance mode to keep your battery in top shape over the long haul. You can fine-tune everything via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi using the EcoFlow app. And the best part? Installation is drill-free and hassle-free.
*Amperage calculation is based on a 12V voltage platform system. The actual input voltage when the EcoFlow Alternator Charger is charging the EcoFlow portable power station is 24V/48V.
We also offer the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger for those who need even more power—its higher wattage delivers faster top‑ups on long drives, so you’ll spend less time charging and more time exploring.
.png)
.png)
Prioritise Safety and Vehicle Readiness
Before setting off on your day trip, a quick check under the bonnet can save you from headaches later. Make sure your tyres are properly inflated and have enough tread, top up oil and coolant, and double-check that your spare tyre and jack are where they should be.
It’s also a good idea to plan for regular breaks on longer drives—every couple of hours is a good rule of thumb to stay alert and comfortable.
Battery health is just as critical. Summer heat, winter cold and an ever-growing list of in-car gadgets all shorten battery life. A flat starter or depleted power station can turn a short detour into an expensive call-out.
That’s where the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger is a smart upgrade over the 500W model: its 800W(70A@12V*) output delivers approximately 1 kWh(85Ah@12V) of charge in just 1.3 hours—about 60% faster than the 500W unit—so you spend less time topping up and more time on the road. This compact 3‑in‑1 solution not only charges your portable power station quickly while you drive but also acts as a battery maintainer and a reliable jump starter when you need it most. It’s simple to install, safe to use, and gives you peace of mind knowing you’re covered for unexpected hiccups.
*Amperage calculation is based on a 12V voltage platform system. The actual input voltage when the EcoFlow Alternator Charger is charging the EcoFlow portable power station is 24V/48V.
Budget and Make Bookings in Advance
Some day trips can be done on a low budget, but others involve entry fees, meals, and activities like boat tours or tastings. Research pricing ahead of time and book anything that might sell out, such as winery tours in McLaren Vale or guided wildlife experiences in Cleland Conservation Park. If you’re travelling in a group, look into package deals or group rates that can help you save.
Conclusion
From the rolling hills of the Barossa to the sandy shores of the Fleurieu Peninsula, these day trips from Adelaide offer the perfect antidote to the everyday grind. Each destination invites you to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace the unique character of South Australia’s backyard—all within a few hours’ drive. So, pick a spot that suits your mood, pack a few essentials, and enjoy the change of pace!
FAQs
Where can I drive to when bored in Adelaide?
If you’re bored in Adelaide, take a scenic drive to the Adelaide Hills for charming villages like Hahndorf, vineyard views, and Mount Lofty Summit. For coastal vibes, head to the Fleurieu Peninsula, home to Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale’s wineries. Wine lovers can explore the Barossa or Clare Valleys, both offering picturesque cellar doors and gourmet experiences. Or, for a relaxing riverside trip, visit the Murray River towns like Mannum.
Is there a hop-on hop-off bus in Adelaide?
Yes, Adelaide has a hop-on hop-off service known as the City Connector Bus. It’s free and loops through the city and North Adelaide, stopping at key attractions such as the Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery, Adelaide Central Market, and the River Torrens precinct. It’s a good way to explore the city centre without needing your own car.
How far is Barossa from Adelaide?
The Barossa Valley is just over an hour’s drive northeast of Adelaide, around 75 km depending on your exact starting point. It’s one of South Australia’s premier wine regions and makes for an easy and rewarding day trip with plenty of cellar doors, food stops, and countryside views along the way.
How many days in Adelaide is enough?
For most visitors, 3 to 4 days in Adelaide is a good amount of time. This allows you to explore the city itself—markets, museums, beaches—and still fit in one or two day trips to nearby regions like the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, or Fleurieu Peninsula. If you have more time, consider a longer trip to Kangaroo Island or the Murraylands.