A One-Week South Australia Road Trip with Real Variety

A week in Adelaide gives you plenty of time to explore far beyond the city, and it’s safe to say, there’s a whole lot to see. In this article, we share a well-planned route which includes the sparkling coastline, wine time in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, and a drive further north to somewhere a little different and totally wild. 

A 7-Day South Australia Itinerary from Adelaide

Landing in Adelaide gives you access to a surprising amount in a short space of time, surprising first-time guests every time. Within a week, you can move from city streets and coastline to some of the country’s best-known wine regions, then push further out into landscapes that feel completely different again.

This route is built to make the most of that. It starts in Adelaide, with time to settle in and see both the city and its beaches, before heading into the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley for a mix of well-known wineries and quieter, more spread-out countryside. From there, it continues north to Port Pirie, where the scenery opens up and the pace shifts again.

In seven days, you cover a lot of ground without needing long drives, and each stop adds something different, city, coast, wine, and a stretch of South Australia that feels a little further removed.

Day 1–3: Exploring Adelaide

Landing around midday in Adelaide, head straight to your base for the next couple of nights, The George Glenelg. Glenelg puts you right by the water, with the city close enough to dip into when you feel like it.

Drop your bags and go straight out for a swim. The beach is right there, but it’s also worth driving a little further down the coast to Brighton where things feel a little less built up. Up for an adventure? Drive down to Hallett Cove where a clifftop boardwalk helps you experience the wilder side of Adelaide. Head back into Glenelg afterwards and settle in for dinner, there are plenty of good spots within walking distance!

The next morning stays in Glenelg. Start with brunch, then another swim if the weather holds. From there, head into the city for a day of Adelaide CBD! Adelaide Central Market is a fabulous place to begin, followed by the Adelaide Botanic Garden for something quieter and a coffee amongst the trees. Rundle Street is a natural next stop; where a mix of shops, cafés and restaurants can seep you occupied for a long time, with Rundle Mall close by if you want some more retail.

Early evening is a good time for a drink with a view, potentially at the famous Sol Rooftop, before heading out for dinner in the city. Afterwards, make your way back to Glenelg for the night and prepare for an early start.

On your final morning, get up a little earlier and head into the Adelaide Hills. The walk up Mount Lofty Summit is the classic option and gives you an inspiring view and amazing sense of the Adelaide landscape without taking up the whole day. Once you’re done, head back towards Glenelg, check out, and have lunch before driving up to the Barossa Valley for the next stage of the adventure. 

Day 3-4: Barossa Valley Wine Region

Arriving into the Barossa Valley mid-afternoon, head straight to Mercure Barossa Valley to check in and drop your bags. From there, head out to your first winery. Pick one of the more well-known spots for this first afternoon and spend some time outside with a tasting rather than trying to fit in multiple stops. Perhaps book a tasting at Seppeltsfield Winery or Jacobs Creek.

Afterwards, make your way back to the hotel and settle in for dinner at Angus & Co. Barossa, perfectly simple after a day of travel and wine and means you can properly switch off for the evening.

The next day is where you can explore a bit more! Visit a couple of wineries, this time leaning towards smaller, more low-key cellar doors. Peter Lehmann and Rockford are two unique and very different options to try. Along the way, stop in at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, and if you feel like it, add a visit to the Barossa Cheese Shop. No need to try and cover everything! Just pick a few places that stand out and spend as much time as you like.

Tonight, head back to Mercure Barossa Valley to reset before heading out for your final evening in the Barossa, book a table at Hentley Farm Restaurant for something refined, or keep it relaxed with dinner at FermentAsian.

Day 5-6: Clare Valley and the Riesling Trail

Early the next morning, set off for the beautiful Clare Valley. The drive is just over an hour, so you’ll arrive with most of the day ahead. Check in at Peppers Clare Valley, then organise bikes through Clare Valley Cycle Hire and head out for the afternoon.

The Riesling Trail follows an old railway line through vineyards and open countryside, making it a fun and scenic ride with plenty of places to stop. Plan to visit a couple of wineries; Pikes Wines known for its Riesling and relaxed outdoor setting, and maybe O’Leary Walker Wines for views over the valley.

Head back to your accommodation afterwards to freshen up before dinner. For the evening, book a table at Mr. Mick Cellar Door & Kitchen for chill drinks and pizza.

The next day, spend some time exploring the smaller towns across the valley. Start in Martindale Hall, a historic estate just outside Mintaro with wide grounds and a slightly grand, old-world feel. From there, head into Auburn, where you’ll find a handful of cafés, bakeries and local shops that are easy to dip in and out of.

Then, by early afternoon, set off for Port Pirie for the next and very different part of the trip! It’s around an hour and fifteen minutes by car, making it an easy next step once you’re ready to move on.

Day 6-7: Day Continuing North to Port Pirie

Arrive into Port Pirie in the late afternoon or early evening and check in at BreakFree Port Pirie. Once you’ve settled in, head out for a walk along Solomontown Beach, it’s a good way to get a feel for the area before the evening sets in.

Afterwards, make your way to the town and pick somewhere casual for dinner. Keep it low-key, you’ll want an early night here, as the next morning starts early!

This part of the trip takes you into one of the more underrated, raw and less-visited corners of South Australia, without needing to go deep into the outback. After a few days centred around food and wine, it’s a completely different setting and a good way to break things up.

From Port Pirie, drive around 30 minutes to Mambray Creek in Mount Remarkable National Park. This is your base for the morning, with a few hike options depending on how much you want to take on.

If you’re after something longer and more immersive, the Hidden Gorge and Battery Ridge walk (around 18km return) takes you through narrow rock formations before opening up to wide views over Spencer Gulf. For something shorter, the Sugar Gum Lookout walk (around 8km return) still gives you a good viewpoint without taking up the whole day. There’s also a longer loop option around Mambray Creek (around 13km) if you’d rather avoid retracing your steps. Pick one based on how you’re feeling and set off early!

The drive back to Adelaide is 2.5 hours, so once you’re done, hop back in the car and either to the airport of the hotel.