9 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in South Australia
Occupying much of the southern end of Australia’s mainland, the aptly named state of South Australia looks and feels removed from the major population centers on the east coast. Once you venture beyond Adelaide, the rest of South Australia might seem even more remote and removed from the rest of the world. Yet when you look more closely at what South Australia has to offer, this state reveals itself as a massive treasure trove full of dazzling gems, from vibrant Aboriginal culture to world-class wineries, and from gorgeous mountains to breathtaking beaches. And yes, South Australia even has the “opal capital of the world.”
If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend an extended weekend, it’s hard to think of a better state than South Australia. To help you find the ideal place for your next trip, here are nine perfect destinations for a long weekend in South Australia.
Coober Pedy
Tucked in the vast expanse of the Great Victoria Desert, Coober Pedy is “Australia’s opal capital” with a motherlode of mining history, rich indigenous heritage, and an underground culture that actually goes deep into the ground. Head to Josephine’s Gallery to discover a wide array of Aboriginal art, along with opportunities to learn about local indigenous history, and even a chance to see the orphan kangaroos they rescue. While in town, make sure to visit Umoona Opal Mine Museum to tour a century-old mine and get a hands-on experience on how opal is mined and turned into valuable jewelry. And to see more finished products (and pick some snazzy souvenirs), pop into Opalios for a wonderful family-run opal jewelry boutique.
While Coober Pedy’s opals impress, the region’s natural beauty may be even more precious. To see for yourself, head out to Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, a nearly 15,000-hectare expanse of vibrant and colourful desert wilderness that animals like red kangaroos, echidnas, and fat-tailed dunnarts call home. Then, return to town and go deep with a stay at the Lookout Cave Underground Motel, where you can sleep deep in a sandstone hill without sacrificing any of the creature comforts you need (like wifi internet and a smart TV).
Flinders Ranges
What does over 600 million years of geologic development look like? Why not go to Flinders Ranges to find out? This town is located in the heart of its eponymous mountain range and includes Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, where you will find some of the area’s finest natural treasures. More specifically, this park includes the incredibly beautiful Wilpena Pound natural amphitheatre, the tranquil wilderness and endless vistas at Bunyeroo Gorge, and the historic pastoral settlement at Old Wilpena Station. And later this fall, the access road and bushwalking trails at the ruggedly scenic Arkaroo Rock are set to reopen.
If you seek a rustic camping experience, the national park does have a few campsites available to book. Otherwise, you can glamp in epic style at Arkaba, a private wildlife conservancy and eco-conscious homestead that offers everything from curated bushwalks and chef-catered picnics to posh guestrooms in a vintage 1856 country house, spacious garden cottages, and deluxe bush camps if you opt for the Arkaba Walk experience.
Watervale
Situated along the Horrocks Highway, Watervale is a historic town with a wealth of 19th-century South Australian heritage, yet it’s also a budding wine country village that’s growing a reputation for high-quality Rieslings and tasty cuisine. In town, the Watervale General Store continues to serve as the community’s central resource for essential provisions, yet it also now houses the Providore cafe helmed by 2022 South Australian Chef of the Year Nicola Palmer. The Watervale Hotel has been welcoming guests to town since 1847, but it’s recently transformed into a posh hub for mouthwatering epicurean experiences. And at the edge of town, you will find the Old Watervale Train Station. There may not be any trains stopping here anymore, but you can catch the Riesling Trail to hike or bike around the Clare Valley.
While in Watervale, take some time to stop and sip some fine wines. If you don’t know where exactly to begin, head over to Crabtree Wines’ cellar door, where you can try their extensive collection of estate-grown wines, including Riesling, Shiraz, Semillon, and Grenache Rosé. Finally, check into the Stanley Grammar Country House to stay in a historic 1863 grammar school that’s been lovingly transformed into a luxurious bed-and-breakfas
Nestled in the fruitful Barossa Valley, about 88 kilometres (or 55 miles) northeast of Adelaide, Angaston may be the perfect town to taste the choicest picks of this highly acclaimed wine country region of South Australia. On Saturdays, Barossa Farmers Market buzzes with patrons seeking out the freshest local produce, zesty olive oils, artisan dumplings and egg noodles, and many more tasty treats. No matter when you’re here, you can book a leisurely lunch or fancy dinner at the nearby Vintners Bar & Grill to feast on fine cuisine at one of the Barossa Valley’s most reputable restaurants. And at the heart of town, Barossa Valley Cheese Company combines classic Bordeaux (French) cheesemaking techniques with top-tier, homegrown South Australian milk to form exceptional cheeses.
No trip to Angaston feels complete without visiting a winery (or two, or more), and Lambert Estate is an absolute must-visit with its gorgeous rolling hills filled with vineyards and its tasting room full of hand-crafted single-vineyard wines, including Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. To complete your Angaston getaway, retreat to the cozy and comfy confines of Country Pleasures Bed & Breakfast and enjoy a charming cottage reserved just for you.
McLaren Vale
Only about 43 kilometres (or 27 miles) south of Adelaide, escape to another world, one that abounds in old vines and bold flavours, in McLaren Vale. Whether you need a safe and easy way to tour the vineyards or you just want to get out and exercise in style, the Shiraz Trail provides 38 kilometres of incredible scenery for hiking and biking. Speaking of vineyards, McLaren Vale is home to Australia’s oldest wine family at Hugh Hamilton Wines, as well as the award-winning wines of Chalk Hill and the super-premium, organic, and single-vineyard wines of Angove Family Winemakers.
When you’re looking to fill your belly with more than just great wines, book a table at Coriole’s restaurant for delectably innovative farm-to-table fare paired with their own remarkable wines. And for a wonderfully well-rounded wine country vacation, book a stay at The Vineyard Retreat, a refreshing oasis of tranquility set on a boutique working vineyard with six private homes offering ample space and amenities to make your long weekend that much better.
Kingscote
Kingscote may be the largest town on Kangaroo Island, but that still makes it a quaint village surrounded by ample opportunities for epic adventures. Head down to Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area on the island’s south coast for camping, bushwalking, mountain biking, and chances to view native wildlife like southern right whales, humpback whales, and blue whales at sea, as well as sea lions, fur seals, wallabies, koalas, and kangaroos on shore. Plus, nearby Bales Beach offers a rare chance to enjoy a pristine white sand beach and surf the Southern Ocean.
Back in town, there’s plenty more to experience in Kingscote. Go to Bay of Shoals to taste some authentic Kangaroo Island wines made with locally grown grapes, and stop at the Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. to find everything from premium raw honey to beeswax candles and honey meads made sustainably by way of the local population of Ligurian bees. And for easy access to all these and more local treasures, stay at Villas on the Bay Kingscote.
Coffin Bay
Located at the south end of the Eyre Peninsula, Coffin Bay boasts the “best oysters in the world.” But even if you’re not in the mood for seafood, it still makes for a delightful coastal escape. If you’re looking to do a bushwalk on the wild side, venture out to Coffin Bay National Park to find some spectacular white sand beaches to explore, and these beaches are great for sailing, scuba diving, surfing, and windsurfing off shore. Even in town, there’s more to see and do along the Oyster Walk, an eight-kilometre-long trail that connects the main village to the original 1850s settlement at Old Oyster Town and Kellidie Bay Conservation Park.
If you’re here for oysters, then you’re very much in luck, as Experience Coffin Bay provides a fully immersive experience at a working, family-run oyster farm and lets you try oysters fresh from the source. If you’d rather get right to the endgame, stop at Oyster HQ to enjoy some of the best bay views and incredibly tasty locally harvested oysters. From there, check into Almonta Apartments and relax in your own homestyle apartment right at the waterfront.
Minnipa
Heading inland on the Eyre Peninsula, Minnipa reveals itself as a close-knit agricultural community that also offers some exceptional opportunities for outdoor adventures. Stop at the Minnipa Community Store to load up on supplies and tasty treats like burgers and wraps, then head out to Tcharkuldu Rock to do a leisurely picnic by this fascinating rock formation or a vigorous run on the track. From here, drive to Pildappa to explore the peninsula’s rock with the highest and longest wave formations, and to take in the remarkable panoramic views from the top.
For even more amazing scenery and exciting excursions, drive up to Gawler Ranges National Park: Come to see the Organ Pipes that formed from volcanic eruptions some 1.5 billion years ago, stay to find more striking rock formations at Yandinga Falls and Kolay Mirica Falls, and take your time to learn about the local Aboriginal people and their connection to this land. If you’d like to stay close to the action here, the park does have campsites available to book. Otherwise, you can return to town and stay at the Minnipa Hotel for some more creature comforts.
Streaky Bay
Perched on the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula, Streaky Bay is a perfectly relaxing beach town that really lets you get away from it all. At Streaky Bay Jetty, you can walk the pier and go fishing for salmon, trout, tuna, and other fish. For a more exciting time at the shore, drive out to Back Beach for one of the region’s best places for big wave surfing and tidepooling closer to shore. From here, you can continue north to Hallys Beach for another prime surf break and a cool spot for surf fishing at the Great Australian Bight, and to Whistling Rocks and Blowholes for an incredibly powerful blowhole where the ocean roars (or at this place, “whistles”) to shore.
After a long day wandering this ruggedly beautiful expanse of coastline, head back to town to grab a delicious and nourishing meal at Drift by the jetty, then enjoy a cool and refreshing stay at Streaky Bay Motel and Villas.
A Long Weekend Feels So Much Better in South Australia
When you seek the ideal destination for a long weekend (or a longer trip), look south to South Australia for all sorts of enticing options. Head out to Coober Pedy for a rich and colorful desert full of sparkling treasures, and make your way to McLaren Vale to sip and savour some of the world’s finest wines. Sail away to Kingscote to experience the best that Kangaroo Island has to offer, and escape to Streaky Bay for an idyllic coastal oasis with plenty of beautiful beaches. However, if you prefer to go on a long weekend trip, these South Australian towns make it very easy to feel the perfect vacation vibes.
