Things to Do on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia

South Australia’s stunning Fleurieu Peninsula is just a short drive from Adelaide, making it an easy destination for day-trippers and holiday makers alike.

Visitors can expect nature, adventure, arts and culture, food and wine, plus the chance to meet some of the Fleurieu’s memorable local characters!

Love dining out? You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food.

Cafés, restaurants, iconic pubs, legendary bakeries and takeaway shops provide plenty of options.

And if you love savouring local produce, this is just the beginning.

Think award-winning dairies, artisan butchers, providores and specialist suppliers of olives, honey, seafood, fruit and vegetables, chocolates and sweets, jams, pickles and preserves, small goods… and much more!

Accommodation options are aplenty, as are the attractions and activities.

Walking and hiking trails, cycling, golf courses, camping in (and exploring!) national parks, horse riding and an ‘energy expending’ collection of family-friendly parks and playgrounds to keep the kids entertained for hours on end – they’re all within arm’s reach.

And as you traverse the Fleurieu Peninsula’s unique locations, you’ll also stumble across some unexpected experiences: camel rides, steam train adventures, horse-drawn trams, whale watching, wildlife parks, fishing charters, Coorong cruises - even skydiving. And that’s just a fraction of what’s on offer.

If browsing's more your speed, there’s no end of little boutiques, op shops, handmade crafts, art studios, bookstores, art galleries, bric-a-brac shops and weekend markets to explore, alongside a number of regular food and artisan markets.

And then there’s the spectacular beaches.

Some of South Australia’s best beaches are right here on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Whether you’re into swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding, surfing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving, fossicking and foraging - or just a lively game of beach cricket - simply pack your bathers and a towel and you’re set!

To discover more of what the Fleurieu Peninsula offers, visit the links below:

Fleurieu Peninsula
Visit Alexandrina
Encounter Victor Harbor
Fleurieu Coast - Made By Nature - Yankalilla

To get the most out of your visit to McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast, there are a range of services and information just waiting to be accessed so you enjoy the best experience possible.

Apart from what’s listed below, there is a comprehensive blog brimming with inspiration, experiences and activities.

Visitor Centre

The McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre is your one of the best places to start when planning your trip to the region.

McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre

Map and Visitor Guide

With passionate local specialists, together with the best map and visitor guide for the region, it guarantees you will discover the region like a local.

Free accommodation and tour booking service

Freecall: 1800 628 410

There is also a Visitor Information Outlet in Port Noarlunga in the Arts Centre on Gawler Street

Wi-Fi hotspots

As part of South Australia’s state touring routes, there are new hot-spots are available across the region.

Epicurean Way - McLaren Vale and Willunga

Southern Ocean Drive - Aldinga, Moana and Port Noarlunga

Don’t forget to share your experience on social media and tag us using #valeandcoast

Electric car recharge

There are recharging stations located throughout the region including Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, and McLaren Vale Motel and Apartments.

Things that locals do

When visiting the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast, one of the most asked questions at the local visitor centre is “What do the locals do?”

Here are a few insights:

Take a drive along Aldinga Beach at sunset
Coast to Vines Rail Trail Adventure
Have an art attack and spend a few days perusing the art across the region
Pack a picnic and head to the beach
Take the dog for a walk along the beach
Enjoy a coffee at many of the awesome coffee spots
Surf the local break
Take their children to Jubilee Park Adventure Playground, Port Noarlunga
Cheer on riders in the Santos Festival of Cycling as they contest the picturesque McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast course
Enjoy live music at wineries and eateries on weekends
Buy local produce at the Willunga Farmers Market
Meander the main streets of Willunga, Port Noarlunga, McLaren Vale, Aldinga and Christies Beach
Make the big decision of which McLaren Vale wine to open next
Enjoy a meal at their favourite place – if you want to know where, chat to the locals

willunga farmers market mclaren vale fleurieu coast

Helpful Wine Tasting Tips

To make the most of your wine tasting experience, here’s a few tips from local Chris Thomas, Chief Winemaker at Dowie Doole.

Avoid wearing perfume or aftershave as it inhibits your sense of smell and avoid eating strongly-flavoured foods beforehand.
Enjoy a hearty meal before embarking on your wine tasting journey.
Plan your journey. Pick out wineries that interest you and don’t be afraid to head off the beaten track to try lesser-known wineries. If you are travelling in a group, call ahead to advise the cellar door staff as to what time you will be arriving.
Evaluate colour. Many people launch into smelling and tasting the wine, but a lot of clues can be gained from inspecting its colour. Hold the glass of wine against something white and use the light available to see the depth of colour. Generally the deeper the colour, the more full bodied the wine. Examine the hue for an indication of the wine’s age. For example, Shiraz with a purple hue often indicates a younger wine versus a brick-red hue, which indicates age.
Swirl and sniff: swirl the wine in the glass to aerate it and bring out the aromas. Sniff gently to take in the fruit aromas and characteristics.
Take a sip and hold the wine in your mouth to feel the sensation of it on your palate. Breathe through the wine to bring out more of the wine’s characteristics. Don’t be afraid to make noise when taking air in with the wine in your mouth (all the pros do it!)
Wine tasting is a marathon, not a race. While it is tempting to drink all the samples, use the spittoons to make your palate last longer.
Get chummy with cellar door staff; they have a wealth of knowledge to share about the wines and are a great resource for recommendations about other wineries to visit. They may even open some wines for you that aren’t on the tasting list.
Be open to new wines. Try new varietals and blends. You may just find a new favourite.
Wine tasting is a personal thing. Everyone has their own preferences, so drink what you like and enjoy it un-apologetically. Don’t take it too seriously. And have fun!

Explore our blogs for more things to explore in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast

The McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is one of the most accessible regions outside of Adelaide in South Australia.

For those seeking a short break, daily flights arrive in Adelaide from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast Perth, Canberra and more with direct and connecting international flights.

It is easy to discover the region and enjoy all it has to offer. Whilst having a car makes it much easier to get around, there are other alternatives including designated winery tours, taxis, and bike hire options.

By car

An easy 40-minute drive from Adelaide along the Southern Expressway.

Hire car

Hire cars are available in locations throughout Adelaide, including Adelaide Airport.

Train

Metro rail services operate between Adelaide and Seaford. Phone 1300 311 108
or visit Adelaide Metro

Bus

Regular bus services run between Adelaide and townships in the area. Phone 1300 311 108 or visit Adelaide Metro

Taxi and Uber

Both taxi and uber services operate throughout the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast. (It is suggested you pre-book these in advance)

Tours

Tour options include specialty wine and food tours and a hop-on hop-off winery bus. Find out more at the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre.

Bike Hire

With many dedicated bike trails in the region, bike hire is available from the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, Serafino Wines and Hither & Yon Cellar Door. E-bikes are also available for hire from SA E-Bikes or Deluxe eBike Tours

Image - SA-ebikes

1880785933

Charter Flights

Adelaide Biplanes offer charter flights for business and pleasure.

Download our visitor guide to help you plan your visit

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Fusce nec tincidunt ex. Etiam venenatis tempus ex,

eget ultrices nisl porttitor ultricies. In eu lectus vulputate,

consectetur leo ut, facilisis metus. In hac habitasse platea dictumst.

Donec vel finibus nibh. Pellentesque posuere pharetra dolor, sit amet placerat quam facilisis sit amet. Fusce vel lacus sit amet justo sollicitudin consectetur maximus sed augue. Sed ultricies scelerisque tellus, sed ornare ex mattis sit amet. Cras mauris nisl, fermentum et elementum sed, vestibulum non dolor. Ut non lacus gravida, convallis neque nec, cursus sapien. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Nam vel elementum justo. Nam id nisl efficitur, venenatis nisi at, placerat eros.

Proin tempor luctus dolor id suscipit. Aliquam erat volutpat. Maecenas nec nunc non felis congue eleifend. Duis lorem justo, pulvinar interdum erat cursus, bibendum malesuada sem. Curabitur interdum a arcu vitae venenatis. Nulla finibus auctor magna, a accumsan eros. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Suspendisse id gravida urna, vel lacinia nunc. Vestibulum nec varius dolor. Sed quis fermentum ipsum. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Maecenas faucibus ullamcorper gravida.

Suspendisse porttitor nisl urna, at tempus justo sollicitudin ut. Nullam eget cursus ante, ut ultricies ipsum. Suspendisse tempor est sollicitudin quam vehicula gravida. Donec dapibus tortor est, at dictum lectus egestas a. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Morbi iaculis mollis libero, quis euismod sapien posuere in. Nullam neque nisl, aliquam vel egestas id, dictum a lorem. Sed maximus, felis ac dignissim tempor, tortor mauris elementum massa, nec faucibus massa nisi dictum risus. In eget ex sit amet quam vulputate mollis quis ac lorem. Maecenas sed arcu leo. Ut arcu tortor, vestibulum sit amet porttitor id, finibus in diam. Nunc posuere sit amet tortor et consectetur. Aenean est ligula, feugiat vel imperdiet quis, posuere nec nulla. Ut et porttitor nulla.

Alt text

Suspendisse porttitor nisl urna, at tempus justo sollicitudin ut. Nullam eget cursus ante, ut ultricies ipsum. Suspendisse tempor est sollicitudin quam vehicula gravida. Donec dapibus tortor est, at dictum lectus egestas a. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Morbi iaculis mollis libero, quis euismod sapien posuere in. Nullam neque nisl, aliquam vel egestas id, dictum a lorem. Sed maximus, felis ac dignissim tempor, tortor mauris elementum massa, nec faucibus massa nisi dictum risus. In eget ex sit amet quam vulputate mollis quis ac lorem. Maecenas sed arcu leo. Ut arcu tortor, vestibulum sit amet porttitor id, finibus in diam. Nunc posuere sit amet tortor et consectetur. Aenean est ligula, feugiat vel imperdiet quis, posuere nec nulla. Ut et porttitor nulla.

Contact Us