It’s no surprise that we love a good campervan road trip in Australia. You see, when you rent a van to travel in, you get to experience so much more of Australia, enjoy more attractions and the great weather. One of our favourite things to do in Australia is to explore the picturesque South Australia. From wineries and art galleries, rugged coastlines and beautiful beaches, to great camping spots and national parks, there are so many things to do in South Australia. With so much to see and do, we wanted to outline some of our favourite spots and route to take for an unforgettable eight day road trip.
If you’re planning to explore Australia and setting off on an unforgettable adventure, make sure you download the thl Roadtrip Planner. This planner will not only help you pre-plan your next holiday, but it will guide you to where you need to be when you’re on the road. Mighty Campers make campervan hire in South Australia easy, plus with some great deals available, they will have you out on the road, discovering beautiful places in no time.
Day one of your South Australian adventure starts in Adelaide where you’ll pick up your Mighty Camper from the Adelaide branch. Conveniently located close to the airport, your Mighty Camper will be ready and waiting for you.
The first stop for your road trip itinerary planner is McLaren Vale. Well known for incredible wines, stunning countryside, art and beaches, every kind of traveller is sure to enjoy this great region. If exploring vineyards and sampling delectable wines is high on your want-to-do list, then we’ve got two great recommendations for you! The first is Hugh Hamilton Wines. Perched amongst the vineyards and boasting a 270 degree view of McLaren Vale, their Cellar Door invites you to come in and sample their range of wines as you take in the views. The other great winery to visit is Mollydooker Wines. Their fun take on the wine industry, combined with their stunning location, is sure to be a great experience. They invite you to enjoy an immersive experience before enjoying a glass of wine and a platter as you take in the 360 degree views of McLaren Vale.
An easy drive from both of these wineries is the popular Red Poles art gallery. With incredible exhibitions from talented artists always on show, this is a great addition to every campervan road trip. After wandering through the gallery, you’re sure to work up a hunger, so we highly recommend trying the popular Red Poles restaurant to enjoy seasonal, locally sourced dishes that have been expertly created. Following on from a delicious lunch, a trip to the ocean will be on the cards! Port Willunga Beach is one of the region's most photographed beaches as it features remains of the Port Willunga Jetty that sticks out from the sand. With golden cliff faces, crystal clear waters and white sands, this picturesque beach is a great place to visit.
After a day of exploration we suggest booking into the McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park. With powered camping sites, great campsite facilities and a peaceful bush setting, this is a perfect place to park up and relax.
With rugged cliffs to marvel at, spectacular fishing beaches, and world class golf course, this is a spot not to be missed. Deep Creek Conservation Park is an expansive national park that is home to an array of native wildlife including kangaroos, echidnas and an array of birdlife. Plus you might even be lucky enough to spot passing whales on their annual migration which takes place from June to October. Those who love to fish are going to want to take a visit to Fishery Beach. A great spot to cast out a line, there are also some ruins from an old whaling station from the 1840’s that are incredible to see. Whether you’re a keen golfer or just enjoy hitting a ball now and then, Links Lady Bay is another great addition to your trip. This champion golf course boasts stunning ocean views and world-class facilities. Then, after time on the course you can enjoy a meal at their restaurant or enjoy a drink in their cellar door.
One of our favourite places to camp up for the night when visiting Cape Jervis is Rapid Bay Camping Ground. This campsite has fantastic campsite facilities and is situated right on Rapid Bay Beach. You can stroll along the beach up to the Rapid Bay Jetty and Rapid Bay Caves, both of which are sure to impress the whole family.
This is the beauty of Kangaroo Island and the next stop on the ultimate road trip in South Australia. The best part? You can take your campervan over to the island with you via SeaLink!
Once you’re on the island you can enjoy a huge range of activities such as swimming, snorkelling, caving, bushwalking, sandboarding and so much more! If you’re after an incredible nature-based experience then you have to take a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park. Here you can witness Australian sea lion colonies in their natural habitat as you learn all about them from the experience and knowledgeable guides. Another great wildlife experience is the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. With over 150 species of native Australian wildlife to witness, including koalas, penguins, kangaroos and snakes, this is a great activity for all ages. For those after a little more of an adrenaline rush then we highly recommend surfing the sand dunes with Little Sahara. With sand boarding, tobogganing, buggy tours and bike tours on offer, this is a fun activity to add to your travel itinerary.
After a day of exploring all that this incredible island has to offer, it’s time to park up and relax. One of our go-to’s on Kangaroo Island for camping is the Flinders Chase National Park Campground. This campground immerses you in nature and is perfect for your well-equipped Mighty Camper. There are toilets available but make sure to bring your own food and water.
After what is sure to be an incredible experience on Kangaroo Island, it’s time to catch the ferry back to the mainland and head to Victor Harbor. There are some great experiences to be had here, one of which we think is a must! Taking a stroll or tram ride over the scenic causeway that connects the mainland to Granite Island Recreation Park is a great activity for all ages. Once over at the national park you’ll be in awe at the huge granite boulders, the raw coastline and the powerful waves crashing along the rocky shoreline. Another great road trip itinerary addition is a visit to the Urimbirra Open-Range Wildlife Park. From feeding kangaroos and holding slithery snakes, to getting up close with koalas and marvelling at the birdlife, this wildlife park is sure to impress. If time at the beach is calling then we suggest pulling up at Waitpinga Beach. A hot spot for experienced surfers and swimmers, it’s also a great place to enjoy a long beach walk or some beach fishing.
When it comes to places to camp in your Mighty Camper, you really can’t go past Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park. Perfectly positioned right on the beach, this campground has a great selection of facilities on offer, cafes and shops within walking distances as well as a picturesque location on the beachfront… Does it get any better?
Mt Gambier is full of beauty and adventure, so it’s surely no surprise that it has made it to our list for the ultimate road trip in South Australia. Have you ever seen a sinkhole? Well Mt Gambier is the place to! Umpherston Sinkhole is one that has to be seen to be believed. Its sheer size and depth is incredible, as are the gardens that are now growing around it, all of which you can view from above thanks to the viewing platforms. Whilst here you can enjoy use of the picnic and BBQ areas, or enjoy a coffee and ice cream at the kiosk. Another impressive sinkhole to visit is the Little Blue Lake. This sinkhole you can cool off in the beautiful natural water-filled sinkhole thanks to the staircase that guides you down to a floating pontoon that makes getting in and out easy. Kilsby Sinkhole takes things to the next level and invites you to dive or snorkel in the beautiful clear water as you marvel at this unique geological wonder. After exploring the sinkhole, you can then enjoy a refreshing Sinkhole Gin!
Parking up for the night at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds is an easy option, perfect for your self-contained and well-equipped Mighty Camper. There are powered campsites available, as well as basic facilities on offer.
After enjoying all that Mt Gambier has to offer, it’s onto the ever-popular Barossa Valley. One experience that we think should be on every travel list when visiting this region is taking a walk or drive along the Barossa Heritage Trail to get a true feel for this picturesque rural town. With gorgeous old buildings, soaring mature trees and vast farmland, there is much to marvel at here. There is a Barossa Heritage Trails app that features six self-guided walking trails and one driving trail to guide you along the way. A trip to the Barossa Valley wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the incredible wineries. Rockford Wines is one that we love. This winery features charming original farm-style buildings and a delightful wine range available for tastings at their Cellar Door. If some time in nature is calling then there are a selection of breathtaking national parks you can visit. From wandering among native pink gums and spotting roaming emus, to listening to the array of birds above and enjoying the fresh air, these national parks are full of beauty and ready to be explored.
A great place to camp after a day of exploring is the BIG4 Barossa Tourist Park. This spacious and friendly campground is encompassed by the natural beauty of the area and has great campsite facilities and amenities on offer including a swimming pool, toilet and laundry facilities as well as shady areas to relax at.
A lovely drive north from the Barossa Valley, through stunning countryside will have you at the Clare Valley. Another well-known wine region, this is a wonderful spot to visit as it has something for all ages. Of course, a trip to one of the wineries is a must, and one we love to visit is the Sevenhill Cellars. This is the first winery to be built in the Clare Valley and one of the oldest in Australia. You can sample their range in their Cellar Door and pick up a few bottles to take with you. If you’re after a delicious bite to eat then we highly recommend stopping in at Terroir Auburn. Their focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce, paired with their impressive location within a tastefully updated 1860’s building ensures your visit is well worth it. The Clare Valley is also well-known for its spectacular conservation parks that invite you to get out into nature and start exploring. There are a few to choose from, each one as impressive as the next.
Located on the banks of the Burra Creek is the Burra Caravan and Camping Park, a great place to park up and wind down. With great amenities, a natural setting and peaceful vibe, this is a great place to book during your time in the Clare Valley.
After a fun-filled few days, exploring all that South Australia has to offer, it’s time to head back to the city of Adelaide to drop off your camper at the Mighty Campers Adelaide branch. The scenic drive from Clare Valley to Adelaide is less than two hours and will have you winding through gorgeous countryside, a perfect way to end your trip.
So there you have it, our 8-day road trip itinerary so you can really experience all that South Australia has to offer. Of course, the beauty of van travel is that you’ll find so many more incredible places along the way, but these are just a few that we think are pretty special. So if you’re ready to get on the road and start exploring, make sure you book your Mighty Camper! Plus, check out our website for great campervan deals as well as more travel inspiration.
Australian Itineraries