Step into another world in Mount Gambier, at each turn there is a new unique experience or otherworldly sight. Visit the Umpherston Sinkhole, a subterranean oasis of beautiful sunken gardens set in a collapsed limestone cave. Before you leave, visit Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, formed in the crater of an extinct volcano. Walk the 3.6km circumference of the lake to see its beauty from every angle.
Start your drive, heading just 20 minutes from Mount Gambier and dive into Piccaninnie Ponds to explore a new world of underwater forests, a 35 metre deep Cathedral and 100-metre deep natural chasm. For more diving, the world-renowned dive site for its crystal clear water and breath-taking visibility, Kilsby Sinkhole, is just another half-hour away.
Keep driving along until you reach Tantaloona Caves, a magical creation from mother nature formed over thousands of years. See ancient chambers filled with stalactites and adorned with pink and brown dolomite crystals.
Finish your trip for a night or two in Robe. No need to fight for beach space along the 14km Long Beach. The town is filled with great cafes and famous for incredible local seafood (especially crayfish). Wind down after your drive with a local brew at Robe Town Brewery.
Epicurean Way: Willunga to Hahndorf
Before you start your journey, stock up on fresh local produce at the Willunga Farmers Market. Fill your picnic basket with seasonal fruits, vegetables, pastries, olive oils, local cheeses and fresh breads from local farmers and suppliers!
Get on your way to one of the most unique cellar doors in the world – the d’Arenberg Cube! Nestled in McLaren Vale, the cube is home to one of the largest biodynamic wineries in Australia. It would be remiss not to venture inside the 5-storey cube for a taste at one of the bars or the restaurant, or have a look at the 360 degree views from the museum or art gallery.
The Epicurean Way is perfect for vineyard hopping, from McLaren Vale, to Macclesfield and into the Adelaide Hills. Maxwell Wines will take you back in time with vineyards dating back to 1893. Head to The Lane Vineyard for lunch at their award-winning restaurant along with world-class wines. If you get sick of wine, you can pop into Ambleside Distillers to sip on fantastic handcrafted signature gins!
Finish the drive with dinner in the picturesque German town of Hahndorf. Explore the wide streets filled with cafes, German-style pubs and more than 100 different shops celebrating the heritage of the town.
Mighty Murray Way: Morgan to Tailem Bend
Follow the laid back rhythm of one of the world’s longest rivers along the Murray Way. Rich in Aboriginal culture, stunning natural scenery and gourmet produce, travelling along the Murray River is a once in a lifetime experience!
Learn about Aboriginal Dreaming and culture from a local guide at the Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park, one of the most significant Aboriginal cultural sites in South Australia. The ancestral home of the Nganguraku People sits on the banks of the Murray at the base of age-old cliffs. A truly remarkable place of history and culture.
Continue on your journey for a more wild side of nature for an African safari experience at the Monarto Safari Park. The shuttle bus takes you around the 1,500 hectare open-range sanctuary where lions, cheetahs and zebras roam freely. For the fearless big-cat lovers, step inside the Lions 360 Experience, a giant cage where lions will stalk you from the outside!
As the sun sets, pull up to the International Dark Sky Reserve for a truly magical experience. Here are some of the darkest skies recorded in the world, allowing you to look up to a canopy of over 5,000 stars, and even spot the rings of Saturn.
