Cruising the Coast of South Australia - Aussie Specialist Program

Adelaide is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city known for its arts and café culture, the iconic Rundle Mall, Adelaide Oval cricket ground and bustling Adelaide Central Market. South Australia’s award winning wine regions include the famous Barossa Valley with over 80 cellar doors and some of the state’s finest restaurants, as well as the McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Coonawarra.

Stunning Kangaroo Island is regarded as the best place to see Australian wildlife. The Eyre Peninsula is known for amazing seafood and adventures like shark cage diving or swimming with sea lions. Inland, for pre and post cruise visitors, a true Outback experience is on the doorstep among the dramatic landscapes of the Flinders Ranges, the huge natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, and the fascinating underground opal mines of Coober Pedy. River cruise fans can explore South Australia’s countryside on a Murray River cruise along Australia’s greatest waterway.

Ask the Expert - Why Cruise South Australia?

'Adelaide is a fabulous cruise port and destination. It is a very easy city to visit, ultra-friendly with great restaurants, very affordable, excellent wine districts and all within an hour’s drive from the terminal. The scenery is also stunning as you sail into Outer Harbour. Overseas visitors love the warm and friendly welcomes they get when they arrive in Adelaide.' Phil Hoffmann, CEO - Phil Hoffmann Travel

Useful Facts

South Australia is on the Southern Ocean.
The state’s coastal climate is mild, with temperatures averaging 29°C in summer and 15°C in winter.
Adelaide is the southern gateway to the Outback (only a five hour drive).
Cruise Ships berth at Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal at Outer Harbour and at Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula.
Anchorages are at Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, and Robe on the Limestone Coast.
The Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal is 23 kilometres from the CBD.
Adelaide airport is 20 kilometres from Port Adelaide Terminal or 6km from the city, servicing regional, domestic and international travellers.
The Outer Harbour train station is 150 metres from the terminal providing easy access to the city and interstate train connections.
Port Lincoln Airport is 15km from port.
Time in South Australia is GMT +9.30.

Must See Destinations

Adelaide – Port
In picturesque Adelaide, vibrant meets laid back. Passengers can explore beautiful botanic gardens, meet the locals and try fresh produce and local cuisine at the Central Market. Excursions visit the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery and the famous Don Bradman Collection at Adelaide Oval. Overnighters can explore the boutiques and arcades of Rundle Mall, followed by a coffee or gelato on Rundle Street and a tram ride to Glenelg.

Barossa – Shore Excursion
An hour from Adelaide, the Barossa is the wine capital of Australia, and one of the world’s greatest wine regions. Home of more than 80 cellar doors and labels large and small (including Penfolds, Jacob’s Creek, Henschke and Wolf Blass), the region offers galleries, local produce, historical Germanic villages and markets to explore on tailored excursions.

Kangaroo Island – Port
On Kangaroo Island, guests may spot native wildlife including sea lions, dolphins and seals. The island offers unique cheeses, honeys and wines plus geological attractions like Remarkable Rocks* and Admirals Arch*. Adventurers can try quad biking or sand board the dunes of Little Sahara.

Fleurieu Peninsula – Shore Excursion
Only a 45-minute drive from Adelaide is the Fleurieu Peninsula and its rolling hills and vineyards, bounded by picturesque beaches and rugged coastlines. Visitors can taste fine wines in McLaren Vale and practise varietal blending in the Stables Wine Immersion Centre at d’Arenberg Winery.

Port Lincoln & Eyre Peninsula
Australia’s seafood capital and home to the best tuna, kingfish, abalone and oysters, Port Lincoln is a haven for adventure-seekers with excursions like shark cage diving and swimming with friendly sea lions. Cruise guests can also enjoy stunning coastal panoramas on a stroll of Coffin Bay.

Murray River
For those who decide to stay awhile, a great way to discover South Australia is to cruise Australia’s greatest waterway aboard a paddlewheeler like the PS Murray Princess, on a cruise of up to seven nights; or aboard the ‘Proud Mary’ on a five day Wildlife Expedition exploring the river’s secluded lagoons and inlets. Both cruises depart a 1.5 hour drive from Adelaide.

*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.

Must Do Experiences

Blend your own wine at famous Penfolds Winery in the Barossa.
Cuddle a koala at Cleland Conservation Park or Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
Walk among sea lions at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island.
Take a dolphin cruise at Glenelg and join them in the water for a swim.
Shop till you drop among over 600 stores at Rundle Mall.
Enjoy a strudel or a stein in historic Hahndorf.
Stroll the jetty or hit the beach in Glenelg.
Come face to face with a shark on a cage dive in Port Lincoln.
View the largest collection of Ancient Aboriginal artefacts in the world at the SA Museum.
See the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves on the Limestone Coast.

Who Cruises?

Most international cruise ships and expedition vessels that visit Australian waters come to the South Australian ports; Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln and Robe. Expedition vessels may also visit smaller regional destinations.

Itineraries to and from South Australia include:

Australian Circumnavigation.
Unspoilt Kangaroo Island –Adelaide round trip.
Discover Tasmania 8 night return across the Southern Ocean.
Southern Ocean getaway from Fremantle to Sydney.
Seafood and Wildlife weekender to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln.
New Zealand Highlights 16 night return.

Ships Passing...

Azamara: Journey
Celebrity: Celebrity Solstice
CMV: Astor
Crystal: Crystal Serenity
Cunard: Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria
Hapag Lloyd: Europa, Europa 2
Holland America: Volendam, Maasdam, Noordam
MSC: Orchestra
Oceania: Sirena
P&O: Pacific Jewel, Pacific Eden, Pacific Aria, Aurora
Phoenix Reisen: Albatros, Artania
Ponant: L’Austral
Regent: Seven Seas Navigator
Princess Cruises: Diamond Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Golden Princess
Royal Caribbean: Radiance of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas (Dec 2016)
Silversea: Silver Whisper
Star Cruises: SuperStar, Virgo
Venus: Pacific Venus

Useful Links

South Australia

South Australia

Adelaide

Adelaide Hills

Cleland Wildlife Park

Fleurieu Peninsula

Barossa

Eyre Peninsula

Kangaroo Island

Limestone Coast

Murray River Cruises