I remember when I was a kid, we would pack up the car and drive into the Adelaide Hills with no destination in mind. Every time we got to an intersection we’d take turns in saying left, right or straight and we’d just see where we’d end up. I remember ending up at Lady Bay once and Strathalbyn another time – it was fun.
If destination unknown isn’t your cup of tea, here are a few of our favourite day trips from Adelaide that will get you home before bedtime. There is SO MUCH family fun to be had in South Australia that is just a short trip from the suburbs – so pack the car and get exploring South Aussie families!
Hahndorf
Around 30 minutes drive from Adelaide CBD. The whole family will enjoy a stroll down the beautiful main street where you can stop to look in all the boutique shops, pop into Beerenberg Farm (bonus if it’s strawberry picking season!) enjoy a delicious homemade icecream, chocolate dipped strawberry or bag of lollies from one of the yummy lolly shops. Work off that big German lunch with a visit to a playground just off Main Street, the Alec Johnson Park. You’ll also have enough time to include a visit to one of our favourite kids attractions in SA the Hahndorf Farm Barn.The hardest decision, should you stop at Grunthal Brew (and Udder Delights Cheese Cellar) on the way into to town, or on the way out because my god are they geared up for outdoor kids, pizzas, beers and more.
Gumeracha
Around 60 minutes drive from Adelaide CBD in our gorgeous Adelaide Hills, why not combine a trip to the National Motor Museum with a visit to the Toy Factory and Animal Farm at The Big Rocking Horse. Kids for generations have loved a visit to the famous rocking horse and even after all these years it is still a fantastic trip! Enjoy your hills day trip with a visit to the Cudlee Creek Cafe for a coffee and snack too, or maybe continue onwards to the Barossa Adventure Station to try out the fantastic playground.
Victor Harbor
Around 90 minutes drive from Adelaide CBD. A great trip for a sunny day you can be running around on the beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula before lunchtime. Ride the Cockle Train at Goolwa, jump on the horsedrawn tram to Granite Island, visit the Whale Centre or visit on Saturday to check out the Victor Harbor Farmers Markets. We love eating at The Causeway Cafe. Victor has a billion fab playgrounds too, why not try the Youth Park on the foreshore for the older kids, or the fantastic GT Fisher (Train Playground) right near the Granite Island causeway and amusements. For more on our Family Friendly Victor ideas click here!
St Kilda
Located about 45 minutes from Adelaide, the St Kilda Playground is a fun day out for kids from about age 3+. There are lots of interesting forts, slides and play equipment to enjoy, and the playground has been recently renovated. There isn’t a lot around the playground, so pack a lunch and stay for the day, or check out our northern family friendly places to eat and plan your day. It is such a massive precinct with so much for the kids to explore….oh and check out the Pirate Ship too! It is a beauty.
The Barossa Valley
Just an hours drive from Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is the perfect day trip!
Renowned for it’s wine, there’s some pretty amazing family friendly cellars in the region, but did you know there’s more to the Barossa than wine tasting?
From hiking and hot air ballooning to farmers markets and play centres – this really is a wonderful and not to mention picturesque destination. The kids will love talking to each other from one end of the Whispering Wall to the other or stop and let them burn some energy at the Barossa Adventure Station. Don’t forget to stop in at the Barossa Chocolate Company for a sweet treat and try their signature hot chocolate, yum! Or Melba’s Chocolates also now have a Barossa location, complete with lawn games and build you own ice cream sundaes!
McLaren Vale
You’re thinking a wine region is just for adults, right? Wrong! In recent years McLaren Vale has fast developed a reputation as a very family friendly region to visit and being only 45 minutes south of Adelaide it’s a perfect day trip!
Choose from pizza, local produce and play areas atThe Vine Shed; have a beer (well adults can!) and a play on the lawns at Swell Brewing; or swings with a view at the playground at Gemtree! If none of that tickles your fancy, Woodstock Wines have a playground and kangaroo feeding daily, and the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre has a playground, cafe, wine, gin, lawns and gift shop!
Semaphore
Around 30 minutes drive from Adelaide CBD. Semaphore is a hive of activity on a sunny day. Take a trip on the gorgeous old Semaphore carousel or pack the bikes and enjoy a ride along the Coast Park path. There’s also the popular Semaphore Steam Train making it’s 35 minute journey to Fort Glanville on weekends and public holidays. Of course there are also tons of great cafes and the foreshore playground to enjoy!
Port Noarlunga
If you’re after a beach destination Port Noarlunga is around a 45 minute drive from Adelaide CBD. Pack the snorkels, the flippers and the sunscreen and enjoy a day on the sand and in the water. Grab some fish and chips for lunch, (or lunch and smoothie at Agatha’s Food Store!) walk around the historic town centre or pop into the Port Noarlunga RSL overlooking the beautiful Port Noarlunga beach and Esplanade Playground, then have a run around at one of Adelaides best spots for families….. Jubilee Adventure Playground!
Glenelg
Only 20 minutes drive from Adelaide CBD or why not jump on the tram from the city and head into Glenelg for the day. Check out the Glenelg Foreshore Playground, or grab a coffee and snack from The Little Eatery at the the incredible new(ish) Wigley Reserve Playground. If you are there over the warmer months, be sure to take a ride on the Mix102.3 Giant Wheel, powered by Lumo Energy. Hungry from all that playing? Of course you are. Check out Doughballs Pizza Place for lunch!
Belair
About 20 minutes from the CBD, Belair National Park is a great destination for kids of any ages. There are plenty of ovals, BBQ spaces and tennis courts, plus walking trails and bike paths. The adventure playground is a winner with kids who enjoy climbing, running- and who are good at avoiding kookaburras who steal food! Joans Pantry a five minute drive is a well advised family freindly stop to eat and we also love the Hawthorndene Playground and BMX tracks which is also about 5 minutes drive from the National Park.
Lake Bumbunga
If you’re up for a real adventure pack up the car and head 2 hours north of Adelaide to see Adelaide’s pink lake, Lake Bumbunga up near Dublin. It can get a little slippery in the mud so be careful, but when the weather is right it looks absolutely beautiful. Planning your trip and not sure where to eat? Treavle home via Clare Valley and stop in at family friendly O’leary Walker Winery. We also have a lot of family friendly places to eat out north. Check them out here. This lake is so good I wrote a whole post about it! Read it here
Myponga Reservoir
The Myponga Reservoir is open for all sorts of recreational activities and is ready and waiting for you to explore!
Walk, run, cycle around bushland tracks with water views, enjoy picnics, and take in the stunning scenery at lookouts and viewing platforms and so much more. We love a good drive over the damn wall before heading up to the lookout to soak in the stunning views. Read more on this fantastic area here. Oh and make sure you check out the Myponga Nature Playground to let the kids have a run and a climb. Hungry or thirsty? A bite to eat and a craft beer (with onsite cubby house) can’t be missed at Smiling Samoyd Brewery. Kids got the reservoir bug? Why not take them to SA’s largest damn wall at Mount Bold!
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