Adelaide Wine & Wildlife
Adelaide - McLaren Vale - Victori Harbor - Cape Jervis - Penneshaw - Flinders Chase National Park - Kingscote - Penneshaw
Discover the boutique wineries of McLaren Vale and coastal attractions on the Fleurieu Peninsula, before heading to Kangaroo Island, the best place to see Australian wildlife in the wild.
At a glance
- Adelaide – McLaren Vale (45 mins)
- McLaren Vale – Victor Harbor (40 mins)
- Victor Harbor – Cape Jervis (1 hour)
- Cape Jervis – Penneshaw (45 mins)
- Penneshaw – Flinders Chase National Park* (1 hour, 40 mins)
- Flinders Chase National Park* – Kingscote (1 hour, 15 mins)
- Kingscote – Penneshaw (45 mins)
The Journey:
- Nearest Major City: Adelaide
- Duration: 7 days
- Mode of Transport: Car
Select areas of Kangaroo Island are currently being impacted by bushfires. We encourage all travellers to check here for regular travel updates and advice.
Day One
Cleland Wildlife Park, Adelaide, South Australia
Adelaide
Adelaide has the buzz, culture and sophistication of a big city with a laid-back style. Its Central Market is the largest food and produce market in Australia and is a must-do for every visitor. Enjoy a walk along the river or North Terrace, a grand boulevard that’s home to the South Australian Museum (which boasts the biggest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world) and the Art Gallery of South Australia. The Botanic Garden is timeless – an oasis of gardens a step from the city, rewarding and inspiring in every season. A little south, Tandanya features exhibitions and performances by Aboriginal artists (and has a good shop). Only 20 minutes from the downtown area you can cuddle a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park or Gorge Wildlife Park.
Highlights:
- Adelaide Central Market.
- Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australia Museum.
- North Terrace.
- Tandanya, National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.
- Holding a koala.
Day Two
Moseley Square, Glenelg, South Australia
Adelaide
Take a tram to Glenelg and go swimming with the dolphins with Temptation Sailing. After the tour enjoy some time at the beach or explore the shops and café’s along Jetty Road. In the afternoon, return to the city and visit the Adelaide Oval and try out the roof climb tour, take a tour of the West End Brewery or visit Penfolds Magill Estate, home of Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds Grange. In the evening dine along one of Adelaide’s many ‘eat streets’, entire streets devoted to wining and dining such as Rundle, Gouger and O’Connell streets.
Highlights:
- Swimming with the dolphins.
- Glenelg Beach.
- Adelaide Oval.
- Penfolds Magill Estate.
- West End Brewery tour.
Day Three
Port Willunga, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Adelaide – Victor Harbor
McLaren Vale is only 45 minutes from Adelaide and your first must-see is d’Arenberg winery. The winery has been run by four generations of Osborns and it is one of the region’s highlights. Their Blending Bench lets you play winemaker for a day and you get to take home what you make. To sample more of the local wines and produce try Wirra Wirra, Chapel Hill, Red Poles and the McLaren Vale Beer Company. If you’re in McLaren Vale on Saturday morning (8am to 12:30pm) the Willunga Farmers Market is held in Willunga Town Square. This was the first farmers market in South Australia and it’s still one of the best.
For lunch head to Port Willunga and enjoy some fish and chips from the Star of Greece overlooking the pristine beach and waters of the Gulf of St Vincent. After lunch take a scenic drive to Victor Harbor on the shores of Encounter Bay.
Highlights:
- Wine blending at d’Arenberg.
- Mclaren Vale Wineries.
- Fish & Chips at Star of Greece.
- Port Willunga beach.
Day Four
The Big Duck Boat Tour, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Victor Harbor
Take a boat ride to see the local sea lion colony and watch dolphins at play, or go on a whale watching tour during the winter months from June to September. If you’re looking for something active try a surf lesson or go canoeing in the Coorong, a wetland of international significance and important bird nesting site (boat tours are also available).
Highlights:
- Wildlife cruise to spot sea lions and dolphins.
- Learn to surf lesson.
- Coorong wetlands tour.
- Whale watching (from June to September).
Day Five to Seven
Seal Bay, Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island
Travel to Cape Jervis to get the ferry to Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island is an area of outstanding coastal scenery and is considered to be the best place in Australia to see native wildlife in the wild. Over one third of the island is protected by conservation and national parks and much of the island vegetation has never been cleared for farming making it one of the most unspoilt places in the world.
Highlights such as the bird of prey show at Raptor Domain, walking on the beach amongst a colony of Australian sea lions at Seal Bay, holding a koala or feeding the kangaroos at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Remarkable Rocks* and Admirals Arch* in the Flinders Chase National Park* are must see highlights for the stunning coastal scenery, rock formations and to watch the colony of fur seals at play in the massive surf. The island also has many pristine beaches to explore such as Vivonne Bay, Hanson Bay* or the secret Stokes Bay, which is accessed via a short walk through a winding rock corridor. Make sure you take the time to go for a walk to see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and all the native wildlife in the wild.
Kangaroo Island also has a reputation for excellent local produce. Take some time to visit the many farm gate and local producers to try honey, sheep’s cheese, marron, lobster, oysters, wine and spirits (especially the local gin). Seafood is featured on most menus and a real highlight is the locally caught King George Whiting.
At the end of your stay on Kangaroo Island return to Adelaide.
Highlights:
- Seal Bay.
- Flinders Chase National Park* (Remarkable Rocks* and Admirals Arch*).
- Wildlife spotting.
- Holding a koala at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
- Stokes Bay.
- Local Produce.
*Due to bushfire activity in January 2020 on Kangaroo Island these attractions are now closed until further notice. Click here to view the latest SATC Bushfire Updates.
