Road trips from Adelaide read like a laundry list of holiday must-haves, with stunning coastlines, aquatic adventures, rugged outback camping, and glorious foodie stops that are rated some of the best in Australia. Whether you only have a spare weekend and are looking for a drive within easy reach of the city or an extended RV holiday, Adelaide road trips make for magical memories. With so many iconic locations at your fingertips, pack up the campervan and start planning the perfect road trip from Adelaide.

Barossa Valley & Clare Valley – Wine Country Escape

Barossa Valley

For the grape connoisseurs, you only need an hour or two of driving before you hit these two gorgeous, green vineyard regions north of Adelaide. Taste the best of the world-renowned Barossa reds or sample a crisp Clare Valley riesling over your choice of dining overlooking the vines. Wine lovers visiting the Barossa in your motorhome can sniff more than a full-bodied cabernet, as the region is also famed for its lavender farms. Enjoy the calming scent and picturesque purple of the blooms in season from late spring to late summer. For the more active traveller, get on your bike and take the Clare Valley Riesling Trail, enjoying the historic towns and boutique cellar doors as you pedal along. And just make sure you ride responsibly.

From Adelaide: Barossa Valley: 75km. Clare Valley: 143km

Fleurieu Peninsula – Spectacular Coastline & Beaches

Encounter Bay

Just over an hour driving south of the city, plan your Adelaide road trip to include this seaside stunner. Offering a plethora of Instagrammable beauty, try spotting marine mammals on an Encounter Bay boat tour or go snorkelling among the fish and fascinating folded rock formations of Second Valley. Port Elliot is made for ocean swims with beaches galore, while Rapid Bay boasts countless sites nearby for camping. Get the bikes out again and give your legs a stretch on the 6km, child-friendly Victor Harbor Heritage Trail. Wine lovers can revel in an award-winning McLaren Vale varietal while savouring farm-fresh produce platters, gourmet share plates or pizzas in one of the many local restaurants. 

From Adelaide: Fleurieu Peninsula: 88km

Adelaide Hills – Charming Countryside & Culture

Mount Lofty

A quick 43-minute trip from the city in your RV, this rural charmer is worth a day trip or overnight stay. More than 155 hiking trails make this a top destination for a digital detox while reconnecting with nature. You can view cascading waterfalls, fern gullies, scenic gorges, and native bush wildlife. Walk to Waterfall Gully in Cleland National Park or the Mount Lofty summit for breathtaking views across Adelaide to the ocean. Grab a pub lunch in the charming German-style village of Hahndorf or sample the artisanal fare in one of the cafes. And not to be outdone, the Adelaide Hills also offers its fair share of vineyards to take in the stunning views and sample a drop at the cellar door on your road trip from Adelaide. 

From Adelaide: Adelaide Hills: 32km. Hahndorf: 27km

Eyre Peninsula – Mouth-watering Seafood & Thrilling Adventure

Pildappa Rock, Eyre Peninsula

If you want to spend longer than an RV weekender, a 7-hour road trip from Adelaide to the Eyre Peninsula hits the right spot. This rugged beauty is famed for its iconic coastal drives and keen (or crazy, depending on your opinion) thrillseekers who want to tick cage diving with great whites off their bucket list. For dining enthusiasts, this region is Australia’s seafood frontier — Coffin Bay oysters are a must-try, best enjoyed fresh from the ocean with a squeeze of lemon. Head to the Great Australian Bight between May and October to watch southern right whales and their calves frolic offshore. In Port Lincoln Marine Park, if you’d prefer to avoid the sharks, you can stay dry on deck while relishing close encounters with sea lions and dolphins on a boat tour. A national park wonderland, with Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park offering hikes, dunes, and wildlife galore, the Eyre Peninsula offers oodles of exploring for active travellers. 

From Adelaide: Port Lincoln: 651km. Coffin Bay: 688km

Flinders Ranges & Outback – Majestic Ancient Landscapes

Flinders Ranges

For Adelaide road trippers chasing wide open spaces, enormous star-scattered skies, and outback exploring, the Flinders Ranges are a tough act to follow. About a five-hour drive north of the city, you may be forgiven for thinking you’ve glimpsed a dinosaur peering from behind one of the magnificent rocks. This dramatically beautiful, otherworldly landscape takes you back in time, with rugged mountain ranges, deep gorges, and Aboriginal rock art sites that date back thousands of years. Wilpena Pound is the centrepiece — a natural amphitheatre best seen from the air. But you can also take a hike, choosing your challenge level from gentle strolls to demanding treks. Camp in Brachina Gorge to take in several looping trails and keep an eye out for rare yellow-footed rock wallabies. Or if you’re keen to learn more about the location and pay homage to the traditional custodians of the land, take a cultural tour to experience the community of the Adnyamathanha people, known as the “Rock People” for obvious reasons. Nights here are dazzling, with some of the clearest stargazing you’ll find in South Australia.

From Adelaide: Flinders Ranges: 429km

Great Ocean Road (via the Limestone Coast) – Classic Campervan Territory

Great Ocean Road

One for the bucket list and, guess what, more wine! One of Australia’s most legendary drives into Victoria, this road trip is full of wonders. You don’t have to drive the full 950km to Melbourne, unless you’d like a city-to-city trip in your campervan, but make sure you make it to the Twelve Apostles — as this spectacular stretch is world-renowned for a reason. Head southeast through the Coonawarra wine region and Mount Gambier, home to the phenomenal Blue Lake, before you hit the Victorian border. From there, the Great Ocean Road unravels in all its glory — think sheer limestone cliffs, lush rainforests, surf beaches, and the famous Twelve Apostles standing like giant guards protecting Australia’s southern coastline. Stop for tasty coastal meals in quaint seaside towns like Apollo Bay and Lorne, or get the blood circulating again in Great Otway National Park among giant, alien-looking ferns and pretty, picturesque waterfalls.

From Adelaide: Mount Gambier: 435km. Twelve Apostles: 669km

Tips for Planning Your Adelaide Road Trip

• Best time to travel: Spring and autumn present mild weather, lush greenery, and less tourists. Summer gets swelteringly hot inland, while winter is cooler, so it's ideal for rugging up on cosy RV stays.

• Plan your stops: South Australia offers some seriously long stretches of road. So map out fuel stops and rest breaks.

• RV travel: Camper Agent has motorhomes, campervans, and caravans to suit every kind of road trip from Adelaide. Having your own accommodation on wheels allows for longer stays if you can’t bring yourself to leave.

The Perfect Adelaide Road Trip in the Right RV For You

A road trip from Adelaide offers all the good stuff for those warm, fuzzy holiday vibes. When you’re ready to make that trip happen, the Camper Agent RV Super Centre has what you need. Whether you’re looking to buy brand new, pick up a used RV, sell or trade your current vehicle, or browse all the big brands in one place, you’ll find it here in Parafield Gardens. Plus, our full-service centre is on-site for repairs and servicing to keep your driving safe and stress-free.