10 weekend adventures: Adelaide

Your ultimate weekend adventure guide, in SA.

1. The Coorong

1.5 hrs / 150 km / SE
Activity: Canoeing.
The Drawcard: This 140 km strip of dunes, which protects the mainland from the roaring swells of the Southern Ocean, creates a series of lagoons that are up to 4 km wide and home to some beautiful plants and animals. Paddlers of all levels can access the northern lagoon from Goolwa to explore around Hindmarsh Island and the mouth of the River Murray as it meets the sea. Campers can take their time exploring the southern lagoon accessible from Meningie and view the pelican breeding grounds on Jacks Point.
Fuelstop: Try the Coorong mullet from Port Elliot’s Flying Fish Cafe on the mainland, said to be one of the best spots for fish and chips in Oz.
Website

2. Mt Remarkable National Park

3 hrs / 275 km / N
Activity: Hiking, camping.
The Drawcard: It isn’t hard to imagine how this beautiful part of the country, at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges, got its name. With 1600 ha. of natural vegetation to explore, hikers can expect to be overcome by its ‘remarkable’ beauty. Lose yourself in the sounds, smells and breathtaking views of the Aussie bush, hike up part of the Heysen Trail and be sure to catch the array of dazzling colour displayed by the setting sun at dusk. Bed down in a tent or swag for the night, wake up early and vow never to return to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Fuelstop: Stretch your legs on the 1.3 km long jetty at Port Germein.
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3. Kangaroo Island

3 hrs / 120 km / SW
Activity: Hiking, caving, wildlife watching.
The Drawcard: The 150 km long land mass sitting just off the Fleurieu Peninsula boasts more adventure than you can poke your hiking pole at; over a third of this place is national park. Walk among our nation’s third-largest and most accessible sea lion colony, unearth the mysteries hidden in the depths of the Kelly Hill Caves, marvel at the myriad plants and animals in this eco-lovers paradise, then settle in for the evening, gorging on some of the state’s highest quality cuisine.
Fuelstop: Cap off an indulgent weekend with wine and cheese in McLaren Vale on your way back.
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4. Adelaide to Blinman

0 hrs / 0 km / N
Activity: Mountain biking.
The Drawcard: The Mawson Trail officially starts at the Adelaide Festival Centre (although most people start at the Adelaide Hills, about 20 km out of Adelaide), and isn’t for the faint hearted. Over 850 km of track will take you off-road through some of the state’s most well-known regions; ride through the pristine bush of the Adelaide Hills, descend into the famous vineyards of the Barossa Valley and pound your way up dirt tracks into the arid Flinders Ranges. Be warned that the going does get tough.
Fuelstop: Be sure to give yourself a break in the Barossa, stop in Tanunda and soak up the atmosphere of SA’s premier wine region.
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5. Marion Bay

3 hrs / 282 km / W
Activity: Fishing.
The Drawcard: Although the 10 kg temptation of catching a snapper is a pretty decent drawcard, it isn’t just Marion Bay’s awesome reputation for deep-sea fishing that brings people to this stunning part of the Yorke Peninsula. Anglers not venturing into Investigator Strait can still take big squid from the long jetty or chase flathead and mullet from Jolly Beach.
Fuelstop: Give the fish a break and spend some time in nearby Innes National Park, it boasts some of the state’s best surfing, diving and camping – not to mention mind-blowing scenery.
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6. Deep Creek Conservation Park

1.5 hrs / 120 km / S
Activity: Hiking, camping.
The Drawcard: The internationally renowned Heysen Trail extends 1200 km north from Cape Jervis offering serious backpackers and day-tripping bushwalkers a way to experience the diverse natural beauty of this continent’s driest state. Only 1.5 hours drive from Adelaide, Deep Creek Conservation Park is one of the best points of access for city dwellers. Boasting stunning cliff-top views of Backstairs Passage and Kangaroo Island, the stretch between Tapanappa and Boat Harbor is not to be missed, and camping with kangaroos in one of the park’s five camping grounds is a nature lover’s dream.
Fuelstop: Victor Harbor is the nearby port of call for supplies.
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7. The Riverland

3 hrs / 258 km / NE
Activity: Canoeing.
The Drawcard: Long regarded as the supply artery for SA’s agricultural regions, the Murray River has also provided one of the state’s favourite outdoor playgrounds: The Riverland. At just on three hours’ drive from Adelaide, Renmark is the best base from which to explore the vein-like backwaters, billabongs and creeks that make this area one of the nation’s best destinations for canoeing. Pack your swag and hit the backwaters of Loch Luna, escaping the powerboats and losing yourself in the tranquil surroundings. The array of secluded campsites will ensure nothing interrupts the peace that only the Murray can bring.
Fuelstop: Stop for lunch and a taste of river-life in historical Blanchetown.
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8. Rapid Bay

1.5 hrs / 100 km / S
Activity: Diving.
The Drawcard: A small headland just to the south of Rapid Bay protects this quaint marine sanctuary from the ocean swells. The calm waters, coupled with the newly built jetty that extends some 240 m out into the bay means that Rapid Bay has the goods for divers. It is generally recognized as one of the best jetty dives in Australia. The highlight here for most is the very strong possibility of sighting the rare leafy seadragon, although the 8–10 m deep diving here promises encounters with a plethora of other local marine species.
Fuelstop: Normanville Beach Cafe boasts a seafood menu that should satisfy the hunger acquired while diving.
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9. Adelaide Hills

30 mins / 30 km / E
Activity: Cycling.
The Drawcard: For one week every January, SA takes on a distinctive French flavour, as world cycling’s biggest event outside of Europe rolls into town. The Tour Down Under showcases not only the talent of some of the world’s best cyclists, but also the beauty of this wondrous part of the country. The quaint historical villages of Stirling, Hahndorf and Lobethal and the scenic surrounding hills can all be experienced from the saddle of a two-wheeler. Grab a map of Stage 2 of the official tour and spend the weekend trundling along your own ‘Tour de Adelaide Hills’.
Fuelstop: Spend a night in Hahndorf, sample the region’s finest wines and food before treating your weary body to a night in the luxurious Manna of Hahndorf located in Main Street.
Website

10. Morialta Cliffs

20 mins / 12 km / NE
Activity: Rock-climbing.
The Drawcard: Morialta Cliffs (often referred to as Morialta Gorge) is just a stone’s throw from Adelaide CBD and provides some of the state’s best rock-climbing and abseiling. It boasts hundreds of climbs and impressive views of Fourth Creek Gully and Adelaide. Access is from Norton Summit Road and climbers must stick to the designated areas between the second and third falls. The park is also popular with bushwalkers, so a day trip offers fun for the whole family.
Fuelstop: Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks to replenish your energy while you take a break and bask in the sun.
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