The lure of the open road is hard to ignore, and when the borders open between South Australia and Victoria open the road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide awaits. Leave early and by evening, you could be checked into your Adelaide city hotel and pulling up a seat at one of Australia’s best restaurants. Or take the scenic route along the Great Ocean Road and through famous wine regions like the Coonawarra, along gorgeous seaside towns like Robe or take a detour and discover why Kangaroo Island is known as our zoo without fences. Download the Melbourne to Adelaide map and start planning with our top spots to stop along the way.
Stay tuned for more updates on border openings. For now, start planning your trip to South Australia with our COVID-19 travel hub.
1. Mount Gambier
Marking halfway into the journey, Mount Gambier welcomes you to South Australia. Abound with natural wonders, here you’ll discover a vividly cobalt blue lake, an underground garden of Eden and a secluded swimming hole flanked by dormant volcanoes. Descend to the depths, snorkel the crystal clear waters of the Piccaninnie Ponds which have been filtering through the limestone over thousands of years, or scuba dive deeper into the large underwater cavern known as The Cathedral. Nearby, Ewens Ponds Conservation Park is renowned for its incredible underwater visibility of up to 80 metres.
Must Do’s: Blue Lake, Umpherston Sinkhole, Naracoorte Caves National Park (1 hour drive from Mount Gambier), Piccaninnie Ponds, Ewens Ponds.
Stay: The Barn Accommodation, Luxe Glamping, Colhurst House.
2. Robe
Just 90 minutes from Mount Gambier, Robe is a South Australian family hot spot for year-round holidays. This historic seaside resort town offers sumptuous seafood, local wines, coastal walks and watersports, pubs, cafes, trendy art galleries, fashion boutiques and a 14-hole golf course. Let down the air in your tyres and drive on to Long Beach and watch the sun go down. Visit the small, independent family-run Robe Town Brewery for slow-brewed, handmade, all natural craft beer. For those with Instagram, you’ll want to check out the Cape Dombey Obelisk which is a red and white landmark on the beautiful, rugged coastline.
Must Do’s: Wilson’s at Robe, Charlie’s Surf School, Robe Golf Club, Robe Obelisk, Clifftop walk from Main Beach to Long Beach, Adventurous Spoon, No.4, Robe Town Brewery, Karatta Wines.
Stay: Luxe Glamping, Discovery Holiday Parks, Honeyfield, Fayrefield House.
3. Coonawarra
A trip along the Limestone Coast will quickly become a gastronomic adventure. The region produces everything from succulent seafood to grass-fed lamb and Wagyu beef. This part of South Australia is famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Its secret lies in a magical marriage of rich terra rossa soil, limestone, pure underground water and a long, cool ripening season for the grapes.
The Tasting Room at Mayura Station offers dining room or Chef’s Table dining options showcasing Mayura’s famous Wagyu beef. Immerse yourself in the Limestone Coast’s thriving food market scene. Held at various locations throughout the region, the markets offer an opportunity to fill your basket with the best, fresh seasonal produce and locally-made gourmet foods.
Must Do’s: The Tasting Room at Mayura Station, Hollick Winery and Restaurant, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Rymill Coonawarra, Coonawarra Discovery Full Day Tour, Coonawarra Siding.
Stay: Yalumba “The Menzies” Retreat, Honeysuckle Rise Country Accommodation.
4. Victor Harbor
A favourite holiday spot on the Fleurieu Peninsula, here you’ll find spectacular surf beaches, beautiful diving spots and secluded, white sandy beaches. Enjoy views from The Bluff (including whale watching during the winter months) and take the horse drawn tram across to Granite Island, home to a colony of penguins, Enjoy wine and beer tasting or bi-plane acrobatics in nearby towns. Explore the Goolwa Wharf Precinct, take a boat cruise around the peninsula or along the Coorong, or venture further inland to the famous wine region of McLaren Vale.
Must Do’s: Granite Island penguin tour, The Big Duck Boat tours, Flying Fish Cafe at Horseshoe Bay, surfing lessons at Middleton, Steam Exchange Brewery.
Stay: Anchorage Seafront Hotel, McCracken Country Club, The Australasian Circa 1858, A Seascape Retreat, Birks River Retreats, Links Lady Bay Golf Resort at Normanville.
5. Kangaroo Island
