Sensational scenic South Australian attractions
Put simply, South Australia is dotted with utterly breathtaking sights.
Amazing natural formations, modern creations, and seas of captivating colours at every turn.
Even better, many of its astounding attractions can be reached with relative ease.
These are just some of many highlights.
Fleurieu Peninsula's west coast
The entire Fleurieu Peninsula is crammed with jaw-dropping sights, but here the combination of dramatic coastline, pristine beaches, and imposing rolling hills is simply irresistible. The likes of Rapid Bay and Second Valley dish up priceless photo ops aplenty with secluded strips of sand, beautiful blue waters, craggy rock formations, and that amazing backdrop of soaring hills.
Stay at: parks in the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Blue Lake, Mt Gambier
Mt Gambier attractions don’t come bigger and bolder than this. The massive crater lake sits inside an extinct volcano, and there are ample vantage points for admiring this engrossing creation thanks to a walking track around its circumference. From early November until late February, the lake changes from a greyish tone to a richer turquoise blue that helps create even better pics. As inviting as it looks, you can't swim here. Instead, head to nearby Little Blue Lake for a refreshing dip.
Stay at: BIG4 Blue Lake Holiday Park.
Langhorne Creek Wine Region
Nestled between the Adelaide Hills and Lake Alexandrina, this cool-climate Fleurieu Peninsula wine region is a gem. The scenic surrounds are dotted with a dozen or so boutique cellar doors that pour on the charm while staff pour the regional favourite, cabernet sauvignon, alongside other tasty varietals. Superb.
Stay at: BIG4 The Bend Holiday Park, BIG4 Port Elliot Holiday Park, BIG4 Mannum Holiday Park and NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park.
Colourful cliffs of the Murray River
A riverside escape is not only relaxing but full of scenic wonders. Among its heroes are towering limestone cliffs, led by the signature sight of Big Bend. These postcard-perfect views are made even better when aligned with those vivid Murray sunsets and sunrises.
Stay at: BIG4 Loxton Riverfront Holiday Park, BIG4 Mannum Holiday Park, BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park, Berri Riverside Holiday Park and BIG4 The Bend Holiday Park.
The Barossa
Rolling hills. Iconic, palm tree-lined Seppeltsfield Rd. Grand chateaus and boutique cellar doors with their sprawling lawns. Old railway stations. Conservation parks. Lavender farms. And, of course, row upon row of vibrant vineyards. Australia’s most famous wine region explodes with visual splendour. It's a must-stop destination on our Ultimate South Australia Road Trip.
Stay at: BIG4 Barossa Tourist Park.
Naracoorte Caves
SA's only World Heritage site is a feast for the eyes, led by incredible stalactites and stalagmites. But it’s the facts and figures revealed on a cave tour that are truly mind-boggling. This attraction is regarded as one of the most important fossil sites on the planet and allows a glimpse into a landscape 500,000 years past. It’s fascinating almost beyond belief.
Stay at: BIG4 Echo Holiday Parks - Naracoorte
Yorke Peninsula coastline
Adelaideans are blessed to have such a pretty peninsula in its backyard. The tip of this treasure-laden patch can be reached within a 90min drive of the city's heart and from here a wealth of dazzling coastline and beautiful beaches awaits. There is endless opportunity to soak up this spectacular scenery and enjoy all manner of leisure activity, with enticing historical towns dotted throughout.
Stay at: BIG4 Port Hughes Holiday Park.
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Hills
These grand gardens ooze immense appeal, particularly in autumn and spring when a spectacular kaleidoscope of colours dominates. However, these botanic beauties have year-round allure thanks to their diverse offering of plant life and other features, tranquil vibe, and variable walking tracks to admire it all.
Stay at: The Retreat at West Beach Parks or Marion Holiday Park in Adelaide.
d'Arenberg Cube, McLaren Vale
Surely this is one of the funkiest creations to be found in a wine region. The contemporary five-storey structure has become a cellar-door essential since it opened in December 2017. And the views from the top are spectacular. A visit here is more than a visual delight, though. With a wine sensory room, museum, restaurant and more, The Cube offers myriad treats for the senses.
Stay at: BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park, BIG4 Cape Jervis Accommodation & Caravan Park, BIG4 Normanville Jetty Holiday Park or BIG4 Mount Compass Caravan Park.
Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide is a goldmine for photographers and one of several underrated Adelaide attractions. This maritime suburb teems with gorgeous heritage buildings, street art, and plenty of water views. And that’s just the start. It’s also home to three major museums, a leading brewery and excellent pubs, and a dolphin sanctuary. And nearby is the captivating Garden Island Ships' Graveyard with its many abandoned wrecks.
Stay at: The Retreat at West Beach Parks or Marion Holiday Park.
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, near Coober Pedy
The headline features in this park provide a stunning sight. The Breakaways consist of colourful flat-topped mesas (tablelands) that stand out among an almost lunar-like landscape. The big tip for photo fans is to visit at sunset, as it’s then that the rich sandstone colours are most vibrant.
Nearby park: BIG4 Stuart Range Outback Resort, Coober Pedy.
The Bluff, near Victor Harbor
This icon of the southern Fleurieu Peninsula dishes up sparkling views from its summit. Also known as Rosetta Head, the Bluff is a must for photographers with pretty panoramas encompassing the widespread coastline, offshore islands, Victor Harbor township, and more. It’s a rewarding walk or an easy drive to reach the top.
Stay at: NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park or BIG4 Port Elliot Holiday Park and BIG4 Cape Jervis Accommodation & Caravan Park nearby.
Coffin Bay National Park
This enchanting Eyre Peninsula park delivers a huge dose of spectacular coastal scenery, combining towering cliffs with secluded bays. A highlight is its sprawling sand dunes, best evidenced around Gunyah Beach and which make for brilliant photos. The park is a great stop-off point if following the length of the peninsula towards Ceduna and beyond.
Stay at: BIG4 Ceduna Tourist Park and Elliston Caravan Park.
Greenly Beach, Coulta
Just beyond Coffin Bay is this stunning beach, which has emerged as an Instagram favourite. While a magnet for swimming and surfing, it’s the addition of rock pools that has shunted the beach into the spotlight. Their mesmerising blue-green waters backdropped by dramatic rock formations strongly evoke wanderlust.
Coober Pedy township
Prepare to witness wonders unlike anywhere else. Coober Pedy is filled with outstanding photo ops: quirky finds both above ground and underground and incredible backdrops as well as truly unique experiences. This is one of those destinations that should be visited at least once in a lifetime.
Stay at: BIG4 Stuart Range Outback Resort.
Mt Remarkable National Park, Wilmington
When tackling the trek to Coober Pedy or aiming for Eyre Peninsula, the fascinating Flinders Ranges offer a truck-load of tempting pitstops. Among them is this national park, which lives up to its name. Mt Remarkable is stuffed with treasure, highlighted by ancient Alligator Gorge. Various walks from casual strolls to half-day hikes take in the spectacular sights.
Umpherston Sinkhole, Mt Gambier
Here is another attraction in Mt Gambier that makes the must-visit list. In a previous life, this was a limestone cave before corrosion from seawater led to the cave’s roof collapsing. Now, it's a magnificent sunken garden that can be admired day and night and framed from all angles.
Stay at: BIG4 Blue Lake Holiday Park.
BIG4 parks in South Australia
Choose your preferred location from the carousel below or view all our parks in SA here.
Or explore more of the state as part of our Ultimate South Australia Road Trip.