The ultimate Fleurieu Peninsula road trip

Home to some of Australia’s most pristine coastline and stunning wilderness, this Fleurieu Peninsula road trip itinerary is perfect for nature-loving families.

Adelaide’s most popular holiday playground, the Fleurieu Peninsula is a year-round destination. An easy drive from Adelaide it is packed with fun for families with everything from perfect beaches and cute coastal towns to sprawling vineyards and rural landscapes. Here, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek and Strathalbyn offer some of the best kid-friendly farm gates and cellar doors in the state. It’s also one of South Australia’s best whale-watching regions, with southern right whales coming close to shore during migration. There are also plenty of playful dolphins, boisterous Australian sea lions, cheeky fur seals and adorable little penguins to spot. Read on for the best things to do in the Fleurieu Peninsula on a road trip.

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. If you want a seaside stop before you reach McClaren Vale, 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 and climbing mound.

Best things to do in McClaren Vale

• 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.
• Connecting the best produce and wineries you can 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.
• As you drive out of McClaren Vale, pop into Willunga Farmers Market between 8am and 12:30pm every Saturday to stock up on fresh, local and seasonal produce.

Southern Fleurieu

The Southern Fleurieu Peninsula is known for its scenic beauty and diverse natural attractions. The region is made up of the towns of Victor Harbour, Goolwa, Port Elliott, Middleton, Yankalilla, Normanville, Myponga and Deep Creek Conservation Park. 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. On the island, you can swim with southern bluefin tuna in the safety of a purpose-built enclosure at Oceanic Victor, or walk through its undersea observatory and then explore a weird and wonderful sculpture trail.
• 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.
• Enjoy mouth-watering pies, pastries and doughnuts from the famous Port Elliot Bakery.
• 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.
• 4WD along Goolwa Beach.
• Catch some waves at Middleton Beach, the town also hosts surfing events throughout the year.
• Drive through the rolling hills of Yankalilla.
• Soak up the sun at Horseshoe Bay. The protected cove is ideal for a family beach day and hot chips from the Flying Fish Café are a must.
• Go swimming and boating at Normanville.
• 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.
• Spot seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating whales on a marine wildlife cruise around Seal Island, Wright Island and the Waitpinga Cliffs.

Stay

BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Port Elliot sits pretty beside Horseshoe Bay. The park boasts an adventure playground, beach volleyball, a basketball court and games lawn. Choose from two- and three-bedroom cabins and villas, or sleep under the stars at a powered beachfront site. The park is surrounded by a network of breathtaking walking and cycling trails.

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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