Southern Ocean Drive Road Trip
Spend 5 days traversing the Fleurieu Peninsula and Limestone Coast
Download the PDF map here
Content courtesy of South Australian Tourism Commission
Day 1: Adelaide to Victor Harbor
Heading south from Adelaide to the Fleurieu Peninsula, one of the most scenic wine regions in Australia. Tour McLaren Vale wineries then head south again to Victor Harbor. Jump on a Big Duck Boat Tour to see sea lions, fur seals and dolphins or swim with Bluefin tuna with Oceanic Victor. Prefer to stay on land? Ride the horse drawn tram onto Granite Island and look for Penguins.
We suggest staying at: Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park
Day 2: Victor Harbor to Penola
Consider extending this itinerary to include Kangaroo Island from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw.
Otherwise visit Goolwa and either drive to Naracoorte (via Meningie) to see the impressive World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves. Here you can venture underground to see 350,000 year-old fossil beds. Or cruise the Coorong - 100km of dunes, fresh-water wetlands and ocean. Continue on to Penola.
We suggest staying at: Penola
Day 3: Penola to Robe
Today, you can explore some of the 25 cellar doors that the Coonawarra has to offer, all within close proximity of each other. Order a picnic basket and hire a bike or take the Wineries Walking Trail. In the afternoon drive to Robe, a seaside town famed for its lobster. The town has lovely beaches and a great shopping strip with galleries, cafés and local produce to tempt the tastebuds.
We suggest staying at: Discovery Holiday Parks - Robe
Day 4: Robe to Mount Gambier
Continue to explore Robe in the morning before travelling 50 minutes to Beachport. Drive along Bowman Scenic Drive for impressive coastal scenery and the Pool of Siloam, a lake reputedly seven times saltier than the sea. Continue to Millicent and visit Mayura Station Tasting Room (by appointment only Thurs - Sat) for premium quality Wagyu beef before arriving in Mount Gambier.
We suggest staying at: Apartments on Tolmie - Mount Gambier
Day 5: Depart Mount Gambier
Built on the side of an extinct volcano, Mount Gambier is the city of craters, lakes and caves. Tour the magnificent Blue Lake and visit the beautiful sunken garden at Umpherston Sinkhole. From here the choice is yours, return home to Adelaide, or cross the border into Victoria.