A family holiday doesn’t have to involve days of driving, and lots of planning. Sometimes the pressures of life require an easy escape to re-charge the batteries.
Here are 5 great weekend getaways from Adelaide where you can arrive after work on a Friday evening and stay until Sunday afternoon, especially in daylight saving time.
Lake Alexandrina
Distance from Adelaide: Milang – 80km, Clayton – 94km
On the shores of Lake Alexandrina, the towns of Clayton and Milang both have good caravan parks, reasonably priced and provide beautiful lake vistas for the person with relaxation in mind. For those wanting to expend a little more energy, walking, bird watching and canoeing are excellent pastimes in the area.
Accommodation:
Milang Lakeside Caravan Park Foreshore Reserve 08 8537 0282
Clayton Bay Wetlands Park Island View Drive 08 8537 0372
Wellington
Distance from Adelaide: 110km
For those who prefer to be near the mighty Murray, Wellington provides a top little caravan park. Although not right on the river, a short stroll across the road will have you sitting on the grassy waters edge near the ferry or onto the balcony of the Wellington Pub. Apart from a cold beverage, the pub does some excellent meals and is a great way to while away an hour or three.
Accommodation:
Wellington Caravan Park – Main Road – 08 8572 7302
Kapunda
Distance from Adelaide: 80km
Just to the north-west of the Barossa Valley, this town is full of history, largely coming from the copper mining that took place many years ago. Historic buildings line the main street and the caravan park is in easy walking distance of the town centre. Pubs and cafes provide meals if cooking is not on the agenda, and there is plenty of opportunities for walks around the back streets to view some very old and well-maintained homes.
Accommodation:
Kapunda Tourist & Leisure Park – Montifiore Street – 08 8566 2094
Williamstown
Distance from Adelaide: 60km
Surrounded by forests and three reservoirs, Williamstown is a quiet area in the hills, very close to the city. Just a few kilometres from Williamstown you can amaze the kids with the Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir, have a picnic or go bushwalking in the nearby Para Wirra Recreation Park. Not far up the road is Lyndoch at the southern end of the Barossa Valley, so a bit of wine tasting is within easy reach.
Accommodation:
Williamstown Queen Victoria Jubilee Park – Cnr. Springton Road & Mt. Crawford Road – 08 8524 6363
Strathalbyn
Distance from Adelaide: 55km
For those who like old things, Strathalbyn is a mecca. Numerous antique and collectible shops will entice, even if antiques aren’t really your thing. Walks around town will reward you with many well-preserved historic buildings and a beautiful park in the centre of town. Not far down the road is the Langhorne Creek wine area with a selection of wineries housed in historic buildings among the vines.
Accommodation:
Strathalbyn Caravan Park – Ashbourne Road – 08 8536 3681
If it is just a day trip you are planning, why not hit a walking trail nearby. Check out Hiking in Adelaide – 5 top Trails for some local hiking ideas.
Our state has so much to offer, right on our doorstep! Have you got a favourite “quick getaway”, or would you rather keep it a secret?
After experiencing camping, and being a boy scout as a child, I developed a love of the outdoors and the outback. I’ve taken every opportunity to travel across the outback through South Australia, the Northern Territory, and down the Western Australian Coast. In more recent times, after becoming an empty nester, I have organised and led many outback trips for family members, friends and acquaintances, to explore some of the more remote places across the country.