8 Things We Love about Exploring South Australia

Beginning from our hometown Warrnambool, we ventured up the coast along the Flerieu Peninsula to Adelaide with the dog, the boyfriend, the surfboards on the roof and the old wagon for camping out in.

1. Blowhole beach

With yellow rolling valleys and soft blue hues of the sky blending into the sea, Blowhole Beach is worth the drive.

After following a long dirt road, park at Cobblers Hill if you’re not in a four wheel drive as the last few kms are steep and muddy. You will have to hike around 2kms down the valley to reach Blowhole beach. Even from the top of the valley the views are spectacular, and you’ll be sure to find dozens of Wallaby’s feeding just metres away. 

2. Beach driving in Robe

Robe, a childhood favourite. With fond memories of beachside camping with the family, pirate themed ice-cream shops and of course, cruising up the beach in the ol’ pajero 4WD. Well, it’s been awhile since then, but Robe sure doesn’t disappoint. There’s nothing better than cruising up the beach with all your gear and finding an afternoon hangout up the huge stretch of sand that makes up Long Beach.

3. Salt flats and pink lakes, Coorong National Park

The Coorong National Park covers a 150km stretch of coastal dunes, lagoons, saline wetlands and wild beaches great for fishing, camping, four-wheel driving and bird watching.

Around half way between Tailem Bend and Miningie (around 152km south-east of Adelaide) you will find the pink salt lake brightly coloured by the chemical carotene. During summer the pink may be stronger as the lake dries out.

4. Free beach camping

Our saviour throughout our road trip was the Wiki Camps app. I found dozens of free and dog friendly camp spots dotted along the coastline. We were never without an awesome camp spot, from free beachside RV parks to cliffside dining on the river.

A few free spots if you’re self-sufficient and also dog friendly, yay!

• Lake Alexandria: Follow a long dirt road that takes you right to the end of the peninsula in Lake Alexandria. With huge cliffs and with barely a soul in sight, apart from the odd RV or fisherman by the lake it’s the perfect chill-out camp. Even better, catch some fish and cook it over a campfire.

• The Granites: just 20kms from Kensington offers a huge concrete carpark right next to the drive on beach with the most amazing sunsets. There’s no water or toilet, but it’s a great stop over on your way.

• We also stayed at the free RV park in Kensington town by the pier on our way home, complete with toilets and a jetty you are certain to catch a fish or two for dinner off.

5. Rapid bay campground

One of our camping gems and around 2 hours from Adelaide is Rapid Bay Campground. The ‘town’ is merely a caravan park and a jetty so come prepared. We had beach front camping and dolphins jumping across the bay as we prepared dinner on our portable gas stove.

The caravan park is a large grassy field with undesignated sites so choose your site when you arrive. In the evening the park manager will come round to collect the $7 fee per person per night. Toilets and water is available but no hot showers.

6. Stumbling onto nudie beaches

On our way to Adelaide we stayed at the Port Willunga Caravan Park near the beach and just 1 hour from the city.

After setting up we headed for the local beach. With stark desert-like cliffs towering beside the glassy, empty bay, we headed down for an afternoon picnic and swim.. only to be greeted by an old mans bits. It seems we had stumbled into Maslins Beach, a nude beach. With only 2 other people on the 3km stretch of beach, we were totally okay with an isolated picnic (almost) to ourselves.

7. Night drives to catch the stars

We are suckers for some night time photography. Every time the stars are glistening, we are straight in the car and on our way to a lightless location. Luckily, whilst camping at The Granites RV Park near Kingston with no lights in sight, and the drive-able beach just at our doorstep we had the galaxy show in full view on the beach.

8. Wineries

Of course you can’t forget the wineries. South Australia is known for the best wines in Australia, and with good reason. Just about any road trip will take you through some of the tastiest wine regions in Australia with dozens of wineries to choose from.

Check out the Langhorne Creek Wineries on your way to Victor Harbour. 

Check out more of our adventures at The Odysea.