Discover the scenic route to Adelaide Road Trip to AFL Gather Round

If you’ve got a week to spend on your AFL Gather Round road trip during Easter or school holidays, why not slow down and get off the beaten track. The best memories are made unhurried – when the playlist is pumping, fresh country air whips through the windows and little discoveries draw you off the highway. We suggest allowing 4–5 days for the scenic journey to Adelaide, with overnight stays in Mount Gambier, Robe (two nights) and Meningie. It gives you plenty of time to linger over the simple pleasures that appear when you least expect them along the way. 

Stop in at the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves (just an hour from both Robe and Mount Gambier) before rolling into Mount Gambier for a bite of their famous scrolls. Marvel at the volcanic activity that shaped this region — from the craterous Blue Lake/Warwar and Mount Schank to the various sinkholes that reveal subterranean worlds. Head down to the coast for fresh caught seafood and let the salty ocean air act as your seasoning. Finally, truck on through to Langhorne Creek — a place where the vines meet the sea and river. 

As a convoy of cars rolls past you — footy scarves fluttering — the kids start counting how many are wearing your colours. Suddenly, everyone along this footy pilgrimage is on the same team. These are the moments you’ll remember long after the final siren. If you want to make the most of your Gather Round road trip, why not seek the detours? Short on time? The direct route will still get you to Adelaide with ease. 

 

ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS

 

Two people wander through vines within a sunken cave

Mount Gambier

Cross over the border and watch the clocks swap as you roll into the city of Mount Gambier. Get a taste for SA when you grab a freshly baked pastry from local legends ScRoll Queen, before spending the day ducking above and below ground level. Descend into Engelbrecht Cave, wander around Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul, before continuing onto Port MacDonnell for that first hit of ocean air.

Obelisk on the edge of a cliff beside blue ocean

Robe

Drift into Robe for fish and chips, coastal dunes and unhurried afternoons lazing at Long Beach. Make sure to stop past Larry the Big Lobster in Kingston for a family snap that will end up on your fridge for years to come.



Fisherman walks along edge of his boat on the Coorong

The Coorong & Meningie

Follow the road along the Coorong with saltwater lagoons on one side, open sky on the other. Then roll into Meningie, the relaxed lakeside town right at its gateway. Take a Coorong Wildside Tour, wander the sandhills and slow it right down by the water’s edge.

 

People enjoying wine on the balcony of a winery amongst grape vines

Langhorne Creek

Hit Langhorne Creek and suddenly the vines seem to spill right up to the road. Stop at a cellar door like Kimbolton to taste rich, velvety reds and chat with the winemaker about what makes this region so special. Then wander through Strathalbyn’s charming streets for a coffee or a pastry to fuel up before the final stretch to Adelaide.


Detours

The best road trip stories often come after an unexpected detour. If you’ve got a spare day or want to stretch your trip a little longer, turn off the main route and explore parts of the Southern Ocean Drive, stopping in at Coonawarra, Naracoorte or along the Fleurieu Peninsula. Take the side roads, pull over for a quick stretch and see how many little memories you can collect like souvenirs before arriving in Adelaide.

  • Coonawarra
  • Naracoorte
  • Fleurieu Peninsula
Two people riding bikes alongside vineyards

Coonawarra

Coonawarra is cabernet country and its red soil is as famous as its wine. Roll through row after row of vineyards, wave g’day to the locals and let the pace of this unique wine region slow you down. Don’t miss a long lunch at Ottelia or take a leisurely stroll through Wynns, where decades of hands-on winemaking are etched into every barrel. When you get home, uncork a bottle from your travels and pour it out for family and friends, paying the generosity of this place forward.

A bird's eye-view of Mount Schank
Mount Schank
'Community' Artwork by Gabriel Stengle

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