ESCAPE FROM THE CITY

Find VINTAGE paddle steamers, woolly ALPACAS and breathtaking wilderness an arm’s REACH from Adelaide.

PORT WILLUNGA

Just under an hour from Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the beach at Port Willunga is one of the most beloved stretches of sand on this part of the coast. It’s easy to see why, with its wide girth, golden cliffs and the sort of powder-soft sand that squeaks when you walk on it. Plan to spend the morning in the water before heading to the Star of Greece for lunch (make a booking before you leave the city as it’s very popular) to take in the amazing views and eat delicious food (there’s a children’s menu). And if you have time, make sure to visit the historic village of Aldinga nearby.

MCLAREN VALE

McLaren Vale’s lush green landscape, bordered with pristine beaches and coastline, is famed for the quality of the grapes that have made it one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world.You’ll find a host of familyfriendly wineries to eat, drink and be merry at, but the coolest is definitely Down the Rabbit Hole, with a vintage double-decker bus for a cellar door and wandering alpacas.

HAHNDORF

The tree-lined main street of this historic town, settled by German migrants back in the 1800s, is literally lined with a butcher, a baker and a candlestick-maker, enhancing its charming quality. Spend your day here browsing the shops (special mention goes to the enchanting Fairy Garden), picking strawberries (November to April) at Beerenberg Family Farm and petting the animals at Hahndorf Farm Barn.

MANNUM

An easy 75-minute drive from the city, the town of Mannum sits on the banks of the lower Murray River, the most celebrated waterway in the country. The first paddle steamer was launched in these parts in 1853, and you can learn all about it along with the history of the town from that point on at the Mannum Dock Museum. The highlight of your visit will be taking a trip down the Murray River on the historic paddle steamer, PW Mayflower.

KANGAROO ISLAND

Even after the fires that ravaged it during our Black Summer, a visit to Kangaroo Island still offers up an experience so unique and breathtaking that you are going to want to invest the time it takes to get here – just under three hours from Adelaide including the ferry ride across. Once on the island, head to Flinders Chase National Park, and keep your eyes peeled along the way for koalas and kangaroos, of course. A few ticks under an hour from the CBD and you can be communing with lions, giraffes and chimpanzees at Monarto Safari Park , one of the largest open-range zoos in the world. With more than 500 animals and over 1500 hectares to cover, you definitely need to allow for a full day of fun here.