Looking to get the most out of your vacation days with a destination that promises white sand beaches, expansive bushland filled with fascinating wildlife, plus vineyards heavy with some of the finest vintages in the country? Check out our top recommendations for 7-Day itineraries of South Australia to tempt you and inspire your own bespoke road trip.
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Explore South Australia in a week...
South Australia is an inspirational destination in itself - think burnt red and yellow ochre mountains and dusty roads as far as the eye can see, lush bushland of eucalyptus trees concealing fluffy koalas, and white sand beaches harbouring dolphins, seals and sea lions. Sounds too good to be true when you only have a week's worth of vacation days left, right? Absolutely not! We have curated some amazing self-drive itinerary recommendations to inspire those with limited time to explore. Our favourite 7-Day itineraries are packed with ideas for those shorter getaways that are relaxing yet jam-packed with sights so that you can leave refreshed but reassured that you used your time well.
7 Day Adelaide & Kangaroo Island
Beginning with a stay in the bustling cultural hub of Adelaide sets the tone for this wonderful 7-day self-drive highlights tour of South Australia. From Adelaide, set off for the Barossa Valley, arguably the best wine region in the country, and enjoy an award-winning small-group tastings tour of the vineyards. Top it all off with the natural paradise of Kangaroo Island where you can swim with dolphins, watch seals and sea lions basking on craggy coastlines, seek out koalas in the native bushland or step back in time at the geological wonders of Remarkable Rocks.
Start Location: Adelaide
End Location: Adelaide
Where will you go? Adelaide > Barossa Valley Wine Region > Kangaroo Island
What’s great about this itinerary?
- Stay in the centre of the action in Adelaide for three nights at the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, located in the middle of the festival capital, within minutes of gourmet restaurants and enjoying spectacular views over the city’s skyline.
- Taste the Barossa Valley on a full-day wine tour from Adelaide which includes visits and tastings (plus a delectable lunch platter) at Chateau Yaldara (1847 Wines), Peter Lehmann Wines, Langmeil and Lindsay Wines.
- Immerse yourself in the highlights of Kangaroo Island with a 3-Day Tour exploring Food, Wine & Wilderness.
Read the full itinerary to see in-depth details here: 7 Day Adelaide & Kangaroo Island
Tweak this itinerary:
Why not stay a little longer in the Barossa Valley? Give yourself a couple more days to enjoy the plethora of cellar doors available amid the rolling landscapes of vineyards and green pastures. For an example of how you can do this just see our 10 Day South Australia Road Trip and find out more about the Barossa Valley in our blog Visitor Guide to the Barossa Valley.
Upgrade your accommodation for some well-deserved pampering - for more inspiration and our favourite luxury accommodation options in the region see our blog Luxury Accommodation in South Australia.
Extend your road trip by a few days and include a visit to the unforgettable Flinders Ranges, a startlingly beautiful and unique landscape of mountains and plains - see our blog Visitor Guide to Flinders Ranges for more ideas.
7 Day Adelaide & Murray River Adventure
For those who like a mix of city breaks plus the relaxing outback, we have created an itinerary with plenty of time to explore the beautiful city of Adelaide while also offering an all-inclusive tranquil cruise along the historic Murray River, through the heart of Riverland, where you can spot the veritable feast of flora and fauna, drift through historic towns and disembark for some nature walks. Your vessel is the magnificent PS Murray Princess, a traditional paddle steamer that will propel you downriver in style and comfort.
Start Location: Adelaide
End Location: Adelaide
Where will you go? Adelaide > Mannum > Murray River
What’s great about this itinerary?
- Adelaide - with a couple of full days to explore you can immerse yourself in the cultural centre. Why not take in a festival show, gorge yourself at one of the many outstanding restaurants or shop to your heart’s content at the Adelaide Central Market?
- Board the PS Murray Princess for a 3-night river discovery cruise - the southern hemisphere’s biggest inland paddle wheeler vessel which offers small-ship cruising with the charm of yesteryear.
- Cruise the Murray River with chances to stop and explore the historic towns of Murray Bridge and Mannum, spot nocturnal wildlife on the riverbanks of Mundarra and enjoy a backwater wildlife tour of the river gorges of River View Lodge.
Read the full itinerary to see in-depth details here: 7 Day Adelaide & Murray River Adventure
Tweak this itinerary:
With a tranquil setting and luxurious accommodation options like the Frames, you may like to stay a little longer in the Murray River region - see our Luxury Accommodation in South Australia blog for more details.
Interested in recommendations for your time in Adelaide? Check out our Awesome Activities in Adelaide and Amazing Day Trips from Adelaide blogs to get some ideas for your itinerary.
The Very Best of South Australian Luxury
Like the independence and adventure of a road trip but don’t want to skimp on the luxe accommodation factor? We have the perfect itinerary for you.
The contrasting landscapes of South Australia are the highlight of this luxury self-drive holiday. You can step out on the boulevards of Adelaide and explore the city’s hidden gems, hike through the burnt umber mountains of the Flinders Ranges on an exclusive bush retreat, and try your hand at wine-blending in the award-winning vineyards of the Barossa Valley. Our team has selected the most amazing boutique accommodation options for this outback adventure so that you can combine creature comforts with the stunning wilderness.
Start Location: Adelaide
End Location: Adelaide
Where will you go? Adelaide > Barossa Valley Wine Region > Flinders Ranges
What’s great about this itinerary?
- Experience a luxurious and immersive stay at Arkaba Station, a sumptuous outback accommodation situated in the picture-perfect landscape of the Flinders Ranges and take advantage of their field guide’s local expertise on the Arkaba Station Walking & Safari Drives.
- Take to the skies on a Flinders Ranges Helicopter Flight and Picnic to gain the best vantage point over the glorious plains, plateaus, creeks and gorges.
- Get those taste buds tingling with the Barossa Valley Taste Sensations Tour as you travel through vineyards, charming villages and historic towns while sampling the best of the local seasonal produce.
- A one of a kind offering, the Jacob’s Creek Vineyard Wine Blending Experience allows you to craft your very own blend of red or white wine using a range of individual grape varieties.
Read the full itinerary to see in-depth details here: The Very Best of South Australian Luxury
Tweak this itinerary:
More details about our tried and tested luxury accommodation options can be found on our Luxury Accommodation in South Australia blog if you're interested in extending your stay in some more boutique hotels.
Short on time? Check out this 5-day itinerary:
5 Day Adelaide Short Break
Enjoy this 4 night and 5-day package which samples the very best of South Australia’s capital city: Adelaide. Discover the delights of this food and culture epicentre including a foodie tour of the Adelaide Central Market - a maze of local suppliers showcasing the best and freshest produce from around the state. A full day is spent away from the city and dedicated to the Barossa Wine Region, where award-winning vintages meet lush rolling fields of vines and picturesque villages. This itinerary is a short but sweet taste of this delicious region.
Start Location: Adelaide
End Location: Adelaide
Where will you go? Adelaide > Barossa Valley Wine Region
What’s great about this itinerary?
- Get an insider’s perspective with the Adelaide Central Market Foodie Tour where you will discover little known local highlights including hidden tunnels, craftsmen and cheese-makers along with either morning or afternoon tea and a casual meal with local wine.
- Swap the city life for the countryside for a full-day on the Barossa Valley Full Day Wine Tour - perfect for wine aficionados and lovers of fine food plus breathtaking scenery
Read the full itinerary to see in-depth details here: 5 Day Adelaide Short Break
Tweak this itinerary:
Add in a visit to Kangaroo Island with a 4WD safari tour - replace your day at leisure in Adelaide with a full-day trip over to the ‘Galapagos of Australia’ and discover how it has earned this title. Discover more about this wildlife destination on our Visitor Guide to Kangaroo Island blog.
Want to level up the pamper factor with upgraded accommodation? We have a selection to choose from in Adelaide - see our best picks with further details in our Luxury Accommodation in Adelaide blog.
Feeling inspired to book your South Australia getaway? We can help with that.
To get started please view our most popular South Australia self drive trips, but do bear in mind that all of our itineraries are fully customisable.
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