Best Things to Do in Adelaide, South Australia
After completing the Great Ocean Road, our big Australian lap continues into the beautiful state of South Australia behind the wheel of our 4×4 camper van. Next stop on our itinerary: the charming coastal capital of Adelaide!
Home to 1.4 million people, Adelaide is Australia’s fifth-largest metropolitan area. Yet, it feels remarkably relaxed, spacious, and green. Known as the “20 Minute City” due to its efficient transport network, it is also famous as the “City of Churches” and was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2015!
The journey toward Adelaide is packed with incredible wildlife and natural wonders—ranging from historic fishing ports to wild dromedaries and vibrant pink salt lakes. Here is our ultimate guide to the top things to do in Adelaide and along the way!
📍 Quick Guide: The Highlights You Can't Miss
Short on time? Add these prime stops to your South Australia road trip list:
🐟 Robe & The Limestone Coast: A historic coastal port featuring scenic lighthouse cliffs and heritage streets.
🐫 Spot Wild Dromedaries: Did you know Australia has the world’s largest population of wild camels?
🩷 Coorong & Meningie Pink Lakes: Surreal, bright-pink salt lakes along the highway.
🏛️ Victoria Square & St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral: The historical and cultural core of Adelaide CBD.
🥢 Chinatown: A vibrant dining precinct offering delicious Asian street food.
🏟️ River Torrens, Adelaide Oval & Skyline Views: Scenic waterfront walks with views of world-class sports arenas and cathedral spires.
✈️ Planning your trip to South Australia?
Compare and book the best flight deals to Adelaide here.
Stay connected on the road with a Saily eSIM with a 10% discount (use code WOUT15) or get the Holafly eSIM for unlimited data with a 5% discount (use code WOUTHOLA).
🚗 Scenic Drive to Adelaide: Top En-Route Stops
1. Historic Robe & The Limestone Coast
Starting from Mount Gambier, head north toward Robe, a picturesque fishing town on South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Established as a major port in the 1800s, it welcomed thousands of Chinese immigrants arriving for the gold rush. Today, it offers stunning beaches, cozy colonial architecture, and dramatic coastal cliffs near the lighthouse.
2. Spotting Wild Dromedaries
As you continue driving through the outback landscape, keep your eyes peeled for wild camels (dromedaries) along the roadside! Australia is home to over 1 million wild camels—the largest feral population on Earth. First introduced from the Canary Islands in 1840 to aid desert transport, they now freely roam the vast interiors.
3. The Pink Lakes: Coorong & Meningie
Approaching Adelaide, the landscape transforms into something out of a sci-fi movie. Inside Coorong National Park, stop by the Coorong Pink Lake, followed shortly by Meningie Pink Lake. The striking bubblegum-pink water is caused by salt-loving microbes that produce beta-carotene (the same pigment that gives flamingos their pink color!).
💡 Camping Tip: If central Adelaide campgrounds are full or closed, head just east into the Adelaide Hills near Bridgewater. You’ll find quiet forest campsites where you can wake up under tall eucalyptus trees!
🏙️ Best Things to Do in Adelaide City
1. Victoria Square & Colonial History
Begin your walking tour at Victoria Square in the center of the grid. Marked by a statue of Queen Victoria, Adelaide holds a unique place in history as Australia’s only free-settler colony, established without convict transportation.
2. St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral & Chinatown
A short stroll brings you to St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, showcasing why Adelaide earned its nickname as the “City of Churches”. Adjacent to the cathedral lies Chinatown. Stepping through the red arches feels like being transported straight to Asia, making it the top spot for authentic dumplings and lunch!
3. River Torrens, Adelaide Oval & City Skyline
Head north toward the River Torrens waterfront. Here, modern skyscrapers mix with lush green parklands. Cross the footbridge to take in views of the historic Adelaide Oval (Australia’s fourth-largest stadium) and the spires of St Peter’s Cathedral.
📷 Best Photo Spot: For the iconic skyline view over the water, head directly opposite the Adelaide Festival Centre along the banks of the River Torrens!
🛏️ Practical Tips & Where to Stay
Getting Around: Driving a rental car instead of a camper van? You can compare the best car rental deals via Discover Cars.
Hotels in Adelaide: Prefer staying right in the city center near top restaurants and shopping precincts? Search and compare the best Adelaide hotel deals here.
Day Trips & Wine Tours: Adelaide is surrounded by world-renowned wine regions like the Barossa Valley. Explore top-rated Adelaide tours and wine tastings via GetYourGuide (use code WOUTOFTHEWORLD5 on the GetYourGuide app for 5% off!).
🎧 Road Trip Entertainment: Make long driving days breeze by with endless audiobooks! Grab your free 30-day Storytel trial right here.
TRAVEL TIP! 🚐🇦🇺
Rent a 4×4 camper for the full experience! Use code WOUTOFTHEWORLD
Planning your dream road trip in Australia? To help you map out your adventure, you can use Dutchies Travel. Depending on how you like to travel, you can choose exactly how much guidance you want:
Choose your travel style:
DIY Travel Plan (Free): Perfect if you love to plan and book independently. You’ll receive a strong baseline route packed with highlights, travel times, and transport suggestions to build your own trip.
Custom Travel Plan: Perfect if you want expert guidance. You’ll get a fully personalized itinerary including routes, accommodations, activities, and transport options. They can even handle the entire booking process for you.
Good to know: Booking separate campervans, cars, tours, or activities is also completely possible if you already know what you want!
How to lock in your discount:
Many travelers assume that using a travel agency costs more — but that’s not true here. Thanks to their strong partnerships, Dutchies Travel receives exclusive discounts from local providers. That means you often pay the same price (or even less!) than booking directly.
To activate your exclusive discounts and support our channel, simply follow these steps on their request form:
Under “How did you hear about us?” select Influencer from the dropdown menu.
Mention our code WOUTOFTHEWORLD in your message to secure extra discounts on your bookings or when buying gear in their online shop.
🧭 Whether you want to build it yourself or have them handle the heavy lifting — all you need to do is enjoy the adventure!
🎥 Watch Our Adelaide Travel Guide
The BIG LAP of Australia
We did it – completed the entire Big Lap of Australia! Our BIG LAP journey took us along the North, East, South, and West coasts of this incredible continent, covering over 25,000 kilometers of diverse landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
From tropical rainforests in Queensland to the most beautiful natural wonders, from the endless Outback to the white beaches of Western Australia – we’ve documented it all.
Watch the complete Australia Big Lap Video Playlist!
What you’ll find in our complete Australia guide:
- Detailed route information for every state and territory
- Comprehensive budget breakdowns and money-saving tips
- Camping recommendations and wild camping spots
- Must-see attractions and hidden gems off the beaten path
- Practical planning advice for families and solo travelers
- Seasonal recommendations and weather considerations
- Vehicle preparation and maintenance tips
- Border crossing information and permit requirements
Use our complete Australia travel guide as your personal route planner and discover why the BIG LAP is the ultimate Australian experience that will change your perspective on travel forever!
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We’re Wout & Suus, traveling full time around the world with our little globetrotters Jens & Céline.
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