Clare Valley Loop - 148 km
The Clare Valley Loop delivers an immersive taste of South Australia’s rolling vineyard country. In just under two hours from Adelaide you’ll find peaceful country roads flanked by ancient gum trees and rows of vines, punctuated by cellar doors housed in historic stone buildings. With time to savour both the fine rieslings of the valley floor and the pan-Australian shirazes on the surrounding slopes, this trip balances leisurely country drives with world-class wine experiences.
Highlights
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Guided tastings at Sevenhill Cellars, one of Australia’s oldest operating winery featuring historic underground cellars and a museum of original winemaking tools.
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Sample Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet at Pike Wines’ family-run cellar door, with views over the valley from their hilltop tasting deck.
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Discover boutique Shiraz and Mediterranean-style whites at Shut The Gate Wines, set in a converted dairy with panoramic vineyard vistas.
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Cycle the Riesling Trail, a sealed 30 km path linking Clare, Auburn and Mintaro through vine-lined countryside.
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Explore Martindale Hall, a 19th-century Georgian mansion with formal gardens, guided tours and afternoon-tea service
Fleurieu Peninsula Coastal Escape - 90 km
Winding south from Adelaide along the Fleurieu Peninsula reveals a dramatic shift from city to surf. White-sanded bays and granite headlands give way to boutique cellar doors and seaside villages, all within a day’s drive. Whether you’re gazing at penguins on Granite Island or toasting sunset from a clifftop winery, this loop offers both ocean-breeze relaxation and gourmet island flavours.
Highlights
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Penguin parade on Granite Island, watching little penguins waddle ashore at dusk along the heritage tram-run boardwalk.
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Crystal-clear snorkelling and beach picnics at Second Valley Beach, backed by dramatic limestone cliffs.
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Explore Ingalalla Falls via forested walking trails in Second Valley Conservation Park.
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Taste d’Arenberg’s wines in the iconic d’Arry’s Cube, with five levels of immersive sensory experiences.
Kangaroo Island Discovery - 210 km (plus ferry)
A 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis transports you to a wildlife sanctuary carved by wind and sea. Kangaroo Island’s pristine beaches, rugged pink granite outcrops and native animal populations feel worlds away from the mainland. Spend your days walking among sea lions, exploring sculpted coastal rock formations, and sliding down red-sand dunes before returning to secluded holiday-park sites each evening.
Note: Kangaroo Island is on our restricted access list. Because you’ll be taking your motorhome onto the vehicle ferry, please contact maui AU to secure your ferry permit before you go.
Highlights
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Guided beach walk among Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, led by accredited park rangers.
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Sunset photography at Remarkable Rocks, wind-sculpted granite boulders perched on coastal cliffs.
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Sand-dune sledding on Little Sahara, sliding down ever-shifting sand dunes.
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Flinders Chase National Park bushwalks, including the Admirals Arch boardwalk to see New Zealand fur seals.
Adelaide to Uluru Outback Trail - 1600 km
Setting out from Adelaide on the Uluru Trail, you’ll transition from lush wine country into the vast red heart of Australia. The winding highway takes you past the surreal salt pans of Lake Eyre and through outback mining towns before you arrive at the monolith that is Uluru. Along the way, each overnight stop reveals a different facet of remote Australia, from underground opal digs to blazing desert sunsets. Plan for daily drives of 3–4 hours to soak up opal fields, desert sunsets and cultural experiences without feeling rushed. Your stops could look like this:
Adelaide → Port Augusta → Glendambo → Coober Pedy → Marla → Yulara (Uluru)
Highlights
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Opal fossicking and underground home tours in Coober Pedy’s historic mine shafts.
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Bushwalking and birdwatching in Mount Remarkable National Park.
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Hike the Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, learning Anangu cultural stories at each interpretive sign.
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Sunrise at Uluru followed by the Field of Light art installation at dusk.
Adelaide to Innes National Park -290 km
Head west from Adelaide to discover the rugged wilds of the southern Yorke Peninsula. Innes National Park’s dramatic cliffs, secluded bays and historic lime-kiln ruins offer a far-flung coastal retreat. With fewer crowds than the Fleurieu, you’ll find pristine beaches all to yourself, plus interpretive heritage trails that reveal this peninsula’s salt-mining past.
Highlights
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Panoramic coastal views and seabird nesting colonies at Cape Spencer Lighthouse.
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Inneston Heritage Walk, a 5 km interpretive trail through 19th-century gypsum mining ruins.
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Beach-hopping at Shell Beach with its sea-shell-granular sands and the rugged surf breaks of Pondalowie Bay.
Adelaide to Melbourne - 730 km
Driving from Adelaide to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road turns a simple point-to-point drive into a spectacular coastal adventure. You’ll leave the city behind, skirt the Southern Ocean’s cliffs and surf beaches, then wind through temperate rainforests before arriving in Victoria’s cultural capital. Every stop offers a blend of dramatic scenery, wildlife encounters and seaside hospitality.
To keep each day to around 3–4 hours behind the wheel, consider a stop in Penola, a charming heritage town on the southern edge of the Coonawarra wine region, celebrated for its well-preserved colonial architecture and leafy streets. For a full itinerary from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, visit our Breathtaking Adelaide to Melbourne road trip guide.
Adelaide → Penola → Melbourne
Highlights
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12 Apostles at sunrise, where the limestone stacks glow in the early light.
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Loch Ard Gorge, site of historic shipwrecks with sheltered beach access and boardwalks.
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Koala spotting in the eucalyptus forests of Great Otway National Park.
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Historic Port Fairy village, with 19th-century cottages and a bustling wharf scene.
Adelaide to Brisbane Inland Route – 2000 km
The inland route from Adelaide to Brisbane traverses Australia’s agricultural heartlands, semi-arid plains and subtropical rivers. You’ll experience historic outback towns, rich Aboriginal heritage and vibrant cityscapes. Ten days at roughly 350–400 km per day gives you time for hot springs, heritage museums and wildlife encounters. Your stops could look like this:
Adelaide → Port Augusta → Woomera → Broken Hill → Cobar → Narrabri → Goondiwindi → Brisbane
Highlights
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Spencer Gulf coastal lookout and interactive exhibits at the Wadlata Outback Centre, Port Augusta.
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Living Desert Sculptures outside Broken Hill, a series of sandstone artworks set in native gibber plains.
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Narrabri Hot Springs, mineral-rich thermal pools surrounded by pillar-forest paddocks.
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Koala feedings at Lone Pine Sanctuary on Brisbane’s outskirts, the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary.
Eyre Peninsula Seafood & Surf Loop - 637 km
A loop around the Eyre Peninsula showcases some of Australia’s freshest seafood and most secluded surf beaches. From oyster-farms in Coffin Bay to sea-lion encounters at Port Lincoln, this drive blends culinary indulgence with coastal wilderness.
Adelaide → Port Lincoln → Coffin Bay → Ceduna → Adelaide
Highlights
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Coffin Bay oyster-farm tours, learning shucking techniques and tasting oysters straight from the pens.
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Sea-lion colony viewing on guided boat cruises from Port Lincoln Harbour.
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Scenic Gawler Ranges drive, spotting kangaroos and emus among ancient volcanic peaks.
Flinders Ranges Outback Experience - 428 km
This short drive north of Adelaide opens onto the ancient Flinders Ranges, where rugged gorges and natural amphitheatres await. Scenic flights, geological trails and luxury outback camping bring both adventure and tranquillity under vast starlit skies. Your stops could look like this:
Adelaide → Port Augusta → Wilpena Pound
Highlights
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Wilpena Pound scenic flights, offering aerial panoramas of the natural amphitheatre.
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Brachina Gorge Geological Trail, driving through 800 million years of rock history.
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Go on a tour of the Heritage Blinman Mines.
Overland to Darwin Epic - 3000 km
This grand overland expedition threads from Adelaide through deserts, ranges and tropical wetlands before you reach Darwin’s Top End. Spread over two weeks at 350–400 km per day, you’ll explore underground cities, river gorges and crocodile-populated waterways. Your stops could look like this:
Adelaide → Port Augusta → Coober Pedy → Alice Springs → Tennant Creek → Katherine → Darwin
Highlights
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Coober Pedy underground tours, visiting dugout homes and opal-mining shafts
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Jumping-crocodile cruises on the Adelaide River, getting up close to saltwater crocodiles
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Waterfall plunges at Florence Falls and Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park
Practical Considerations
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Fuel and Supplies: Ensure you plan fuel stops in advance, particularly when venturing into remote regions such as the Flinders Ranges. Stock up on essentials in Adelaide before departure.
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Road Conditions: Most highways are sealed and well maintained. maui motorhomes are approved for sealed roads only. Gravel or loose dirt surfaces are not recommended. Driving on sand, including beaches, is strictly prohibited under our rental terms and conditions. If you plan to explore unsealed outback tracks, please verify your motorhome’s suitability and consult local authorities for current conditions.
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Booking and Permits: Holiday parks and some national parks require advance reservations, especially during peak periods. Secure your ferry bookings to Kangaroo Island well ahead of time.
Plan your motorhome trip with maui
A motorhome adventure from Adelaide unlocks the full splendour of South Australia, from verdant wine regions through coastal havens to the dramatic outback. Each carefully selected route provides luxurious comfort, world-class dining and unforgettable experiences. By planning thoughtfully you can immerse yourself in a seamless journey that embodies the pinnacle of motorhome travel. Chart your course and prepare to discover the extraordinary on the open road.
Book your maui motorhome online and then pick up from your nearest maui branch. For more information on what is included in your motorhome rental, what to pack for your road trip, where to stay and more, check out the maui blog.