Fleurieu Peninsula, one of the happening weekend destinations of South Australia, marvelously boasts a ton of things to see and experience. With a 40-minute drive from Adelaide, you could spend your days surfing, exploring beaches, kayaking, whale-watching, relishing coastal cuisine, and visiting vineyards. With so many possible options, we wanted to list down the top unique things to do in the Fleurieu Peninsula region.
Best Things to Do in the Fleurieu Peninsula
Out of all the things you could do in the Fleurieu Peninsula, we’ve handpicked the top 5 experiences to help you plan the best trip to this fantasyland.
Visit the Deep Creek National Park
Exploring the Deep Creek National Park is one of the best things to do in the Fleurieu Peninsula. The evergreen land of the Deep Creek encompasses all those things required for a wild adventure. Deep gorges, stunning waterfalls, incredible hikes, and rustic camps – make your trip to the Deep Creek National Park memorable.
The one thing I highly urge our readers is not to visit the Deep Creek on a half-day trip. The experience lies in its overnight stays, where you get the maximum payout of enriching it. The national park has always been South Australia’s beloved camping destination, with a glorious setup of campsites amongst the native wildlife. Moreover, the amount of hikes you can explore is simply unbelievable. From easy flat surfaces to rugged cliffs, there’s everything for everyone who dares to venture into the deeper sub-regions of the national park.
Those who feel the pump of taking an overnight stay can head to either Trig Campground or Stringybark Campsite. Combine these two with the Deep Creek Circuit Hike and The Stringybark Loop – and you have the perfect package of the whole experience of what the national park has to offer.
Need more info? We got you covered. Visit the SA Parks website for booking arrangements. To learn more about the Fleurieu Peninsula hikes & walks, read this guide.
Explore McLaren Vale Wine Region
Though closer to the city, McLaren Vale still feels miles apart from the hustle & bustle of the metropolitan areas. Being 40-minutes away by car from south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is known to be one of South Australia’s premier wine regions. Fringed by bushland, vineyards, cellar doors, and award-wining restaurants – the wine region is a paradisical place for all food & wine lovers. For families, McLaren Vale becomes a perfect destination to spend their holiday.
As you venture through this vineyard, learn the history and wine-making process. Get hands-on experience with some of their original guided tours. Delve into their wine collections, explore cellar doors, hop into some local cuisine and shop their local farm produce. This way, you elevate the experience of having one of the best experiences on the Fleurieu Peninsula coast.
At McLaren Vale, there are plenty of things to see and do. The two in particular that we feel are ‘essential’ are Down The Rabbit Hole and d’Arenberg Cube. Apart from being the highlights of this wine region, they introduce you to a world of experiential possibilities. Down The Rabbit Hole is one of the newly added cellar doors to the already 80 that exists at McLaren Vale. Here, you can sip wine, relax, picnic with a nice lunch, and feel at home for as long as you want. The d’Arenberg Cube, on the other hand, is an architectural beauty set amidst the Mourvèdre vines. Learn more about the Aboriginal culture, get inspired by their art, and overlook some of the best views from each building’s soaring levels.
Read Next | 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Discover Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale
Located right in the heart of McLaren Vale, Maxwell Wines is a unique underground location for a wonderful food & wine experience. To have a dining experience at Maxwell Wines is one of the unique things to do in the Fleurieu Peninsula. Although the location of this building looks new, it has a long history of shaping the development of McLaren Vale as a wine region.
The founder of Maxwell Wines, Mark Maxwell, originally built this place to introduce the world to its regional wine production. Back in 1969, it was one of the few restaurants lined up in the region. Today, with a stellar history and champion menu, they mastered the art of being a premier winery restaurant at McLaren Vale. So, if you feel like indulging in one of the unforgettable experiences of your life, visit Maxwell Wines on Friday, Saturday & Sunday from noon onwards.
Take the Helivista Tour
Yes, driving past the vineyards and coastal towns of the Fleurieu is fun. But it’s even better if you take the skies to soak in the panoramic views of the entire peninsula. Nothing more can give us the thrill of soaring high in the sky by feeling the sense of adrenaline and goosebumps in our bodies. But, Helivista Tours makes that possible by elevating your touring experience of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The Fleurieu is well-known for its breath-taking landscapes and scenic ocean views. With the help of this aerial helicopter tour, you get a chance to maximize your viewing experience of all the finer details the Fleurieu has to boast. Game up your adventure by soaking in the fantastic views of the lush green valleys, rolling hills, undulated vineyards, beaches, and coastline of the Fleurieu.
Note: Helivisita Tours has plenty of aerial experiential tours ranging from winery hopping to coastal adventures. To explore more of their scenic travels, visit the official website.
Take the Urimbirra Wildlife Experience
Nature has its own place in the Fleurieu Peninsula region. The national parks and the conservatory sites feel closer to the city, but in reality, they have their own natural space away from the busy areas. One such location we really admire is the Urimbirra Wildlife Experience. If there’s anything that can you get up close to the native Australian wildlife, then it’s Urimbirra, which is located 5kms from Victor Harbor.
Given the size, Urimbirra Wildlife Experience looks small. But, don’t consider its vertical space, as it houses more than 70 species of native birds and animals. The 16-hectare heritage site is a haven for photographers to snap amazing photos of pythons, lizards, snakes, and koalas. However, the experience doesn’t end here. You can feed a kangaroo, pat a koala, hold a giant snake, and much more! The list of activities you can do at Urimbirra Wildlife Experience is limitless.
Further Readings & Resources
Fleurieu Peninsula Accommodation – 10 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Fleurieu Peninsula Food – A Tale of Fleurieu Peninsula’s Best Fish & Chips
Pet-Friendly Accommodation – A Complete Guide to Pet-Friendly Accommodation in the Fleurieu Peninsula
