Best Day Trips from Adelaide CBD
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and is a great place to base yourself while you explore some of the best day trips from Adelaide and great spots that the rest of the state has to offer, especially if you’re doing a few short trips.
I’ve been to Adelaide a few times now, mainly because my partner’s family lives there and we go back to catch up with them a couple times each year. Here are some of the best day trips from Adelaide we’ve done that you could potentially do on your next visit to Adelaide. A car is recommended for these but there are a few day tours that you can take from Adelaide to these areas.
Port Willunga Beach, Port Willunga (45 mins from Adelaide CBD)
A beautiful coastal location and beach along the Fleurieu Peninsula where you can find 6 caves carved into the cliff where fishermen use to store their boats and nets while in Port. You’ll also find ruins of an old jetty built in 1868 that is a very popular spot for sunset photos so make sure you bring your camera!
Hahndorf (30 mins from Adelaide CBD)
Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement with lots of German flavour seen in the shops, food and buildings along the main street. I’d recommend picking your own strawberries at Beerenberg Farm from November to April and heading to the Hahndorf Inn to taste Australia’s longest hot dog (and some cheeky bevs too).
I’ve heard the main street bursts with colour in Autumn and just before Christmas they have some pretty remarkable markets so if you can time a visit around these it will be even more special. It does get very busy though so I’d try and visit outside of the weekends and school holidays.
Check out my Instagram Reel here to get a better idea of the place.
Ingalalla Falls, Hay Flat (1 hour 20 mins from Adelaide CBD)
Ingalalla Falls is located on the Fleurieu Peninsula and one of only a few waterfalls in South Australia. It can be accessed via a short 500 metre walk from the car park and you can also get to the upper falls if you walk a little further up a steep track and rock scrambling over the flow of the river to reveal a pool beneath the falls.
Hindmarsh Falls, Hindmarsh Valley (1 hour from Adelaide CBD)
Hindmarsh Falls is accessed via an easy 100m walk from the car park and down steps to a lookout platform in front of the falls. I would recommend visiting after heavy rain or in the cooler months as it can be reduced to a trickle in the Summer months.
Granite Island, Victor Harbor (1 hour from Adelaide CBD)
Granite Island Recreation Park is located off the mainland of South Australia at Victor Harbor. It is accessed via foot or by the Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tramway across a 650 metre bridge.
You can explore the island via the 2.9km walking trail that leads you past granite boulders tinged with orange lichen, with the sound of waves crashing against rocky shores and stunning views from elevated platforms. I’ve heard it is also a great place to spot migrating whales from May to October and little penguins at dusk as they return from the sea to their burrows.
Check out my Instagram Reel here to get a better idea of the place.
Rapid Bay (1.5 hours from Adelaide CBD)
Rapid Bay absolutely blew me away, even the drive down to the beach is pretty spectacular too! This has to be one of the best day trips from Adelaide! It is located amongst sandy beaches and towering cliffs and if you walk to the far right of the beach you’ll find an impressive cave and to the left of the beach you’ll find a long jetty too!
You can also camp right in front of the beach for $15 per person per night and fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing!
Check out my Instagram Reel here to get a better idea of the place!
Second Valley (1 hour 20 mins from Adelaide CBD)
Second Valley Beach is another beach you have to visit on your trip to Adelaide or Rapid Bay for that matter, it’s only a 15 minute drive to Rapid Bay (you can’t go to one without visiting the other)!
This is a great spot for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving but if you prefer to stay on the land you can fish off the pier or explore the beach and the geological formations along the coastline.
Barossa Valley (1 hour from Adelaide CBD)
The Barossa Valley is one of the most iconic wine regions in Australia and is a must visit if you love wine, delicious local produce and beautiful view.
Here are some ideas for your next day trip from Adelaide:
Head up to Mengler Hill Lookout and Barossa Sculpture Park for beautiful views overlooking the Barossa Valley (sunset here is also a good idea).
- Pop into Lyndoch Lavender Farm for a bite to eat and a walk around the gardens
- Visit Seppelts Winery for a wine tasting or tour of the historic grounds
- Check out the Seppelt Family Mausoleum, an inspiring and touching tribute to the family who established one of Australia’s oldest wine estates
- Take a drive down the iconic SeppeltsField Road, a five kilometre avenue of Canary Island Date Palms.
- Check out Whispering Wall at Barossa Reservoir Reserve, a dam wall known for its unique acoustic effects.
- Drop into Tanunda Bakery & Cafe for some sweet treats, pies, sandwiches and other delicious goodies
Best place to stay in Adelaide!
If you’re looking for a place to base yourselves while you explore the best day trips from Adelaide and beyond I’d suggest SYLO Luxury Apartments.
It was a great base for my travels and the ultimate luxury to start and end my busy adventure days.
We stayed in the penthouse apartment and loved the balcony overlooking the city skyline and its close proximity to restaurants, cafes and Central Market!
Bonus Extras
If you’re looking for something closer to the city (under 30 mins away) I’d suggest checking out Mt Osmond, Hallett Cove Conservation Park, Waterfall Gully, Mt Lofty Summit & Botanic Gardens, Windy Point Lookout and Glenelg.