The ultimate Fleurieu Peninsula road trip itinerary

The beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula is filled with wineries, wildlife and beaches. This road trip will take you 3.5 hours return from Adelaide.

One of the most popular regions in South Australia, the Fleurieu Peninsula is an easy drive from Adelaide and offers bucket loads of activities for the family all year round.

Stop 1: McClaren Vale and surrounds

Start your visit to the Fleurieu Peninsula in one of Australia’s most renowned wine regions. The best bit? Lots of wineries are family-friendly and have rolled out the red carpet for kids with unique entertainment offerings.

Must do

• Woodstock Wines will please both parents and kids alike with quality wines as well as small wildlife sanctuary on-site. Make sure you’re there for the 11.30am feeding.
• Relax with a bottle of wine and cheese board from the cellar door while the kids explore the hedge maze at Maxwell Wines.
• Marvel at the d’Arenberg Cube, a five-story Rubik’s-cube-looking building which houses art galleries, a restaurant and wine tasting room.
• To work off all the wine and cheese, walk or cycle the 14-kilometre return Shiraz Trail from McLaren Vale to Willunga. Bikes are available for hire at the McLaren Vale Information Centre.

Stop 2: Southern Fleurieu

Family fun abounds in this area of the Peninsula. From animal encounters and beautiful beaches to train and tram journeys, this is a hotspot for holidaymakers who like to mix it up.

Must do

• Ride the horse-drawn tram from Victor Harbour to Granite Island. Once on the island, you can swim with southern bluefin tuna in the safety of a purpose-built enclosure at Oceanic Victor, or if you prefer to stay dry, check them out from its undersea observatory.
• Feed the animals, ride horses and enjoy a bonfire before retiring for the night at Narnu Farm Stay.
• Jump aboard the historic Cocle Train from Goolwa along the scenic (and oldest) steel railway to Victor Harbour.
• Get active on the Encounter Bikeway, a 31-kilometre shared trail where you’ll be able to take in coastal towns, the rugged coastline and keep an eye out for southern right whales.

Stop 3: Mid Coast and Fleurieu West

Venture further south down the Peninsula and discover picturesque beaches, walking trails and a quirky playground to keep the kids entertained.

Must dos

• Let little ones burn off some energy at the Jubilee Park in Port Noarlunga. Suitable for all ages, there’s a multi-level wooden forte, toddler area, climbing net, climbing mound and more!
• Get the perfect snap at Second Valley Beach, one of South Australia’s most Instagrammed locations. It’s also popular for swimming, jetty fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving.
• Spot western grey kangaroos, short-beaked echidnas and up to 100 different species of birds while exploring one of Deep Creek Conservation Park’s 15 walking trails.
• Pop into Willunga Farmers Market between 8am and 12:30pm every Saturday to stock up on fresh, local and seasonal produce of the Fleurieu region.

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Lead image: Myponga © James Charles Taylor

Keep reading:

• South Australia family-friendly travel guide
• Family-friendly things to do in South Australia