Southern Ocean Drive

A Great Southern Journey

See The South East Corner of South Australia

Mt Gambier - Coonawarra

In the south east corner of South Australia near the Victorian border is Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, a wetland of international significance. Here you can snorkel across the top or scuba dive the underwater cavern (permits required, divers must be cave dive accredited). Alternatively take a walk along the beach and see the freshwater springs bubbling up onto the sand. When in Mount Gambier, you must visit the Blue Lake – an extinct volcano crater filled with water, which from early November until late February changes to an intense deep turquoise. Travel north to Penola, home of the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre. Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) is Australia's first saint, canonised in 2010, and you can visit the building where she taught.

Coonawarra is the Limestone Coast's main wine region, sometimes called Australia's 'other red centre'. Cellar doors are close together and well signposted. Names to look out for include Wynn's Coonawarra Estate, Hollick Estates, Zema Estate, and Rymill Coonawarra, Mayura Station, near Millicent is famous for its premium quality Wagyu beef. You can visit their Tasting Room for samples and dining. Also nearby is the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park, discover an extraordinary cave display which is wheelchair accessible. The 'Up and Down Rocks' is a special highlight. Guided tours are available.

Robe - Victor Harbor

Speaking of caves, your trip won't be complete without a visit to the Naracoorte Caves National Park. As well as the caves, check out the park's fossilised skeletons of the giant animals that once roamed the area. Head west towards the ocean and the beautiful town of Robe. The Robe Obelisk is a local icon – it's 12 metres tall and visible 20 kilometres out to sea. Robe's Long Beach is a great family beach with gentle surf.

Travel north along the Coorong on the Princes Highway from Robe to Jack Point Pelican Observatory. Enjoy a short walk to a viewing shelter overlooking pelican, tern and seagull breeding colonies. Continue north to Meningie and the Meningie Cheese Factory Museum. It is filled with memories of the past and the restaurant serves great food and coffee. Follow the Highway to Wellington where one of the first ferries started crossing the Murray River in 1839. The Wellington ferry will carry you and your vehicle across the river free of charge (permitted the supplier allows ferry travel in the vehicle).

Once you've crossed the Murray River, head west to the Langhorne Creek wine region. It's known for its outstanding red and crisp white wines. Highlights include Angas Plains Estate, Bleasdale Vineyards, Bremerton Wines. On your way to Goolwa, One Paddock Currency Creek Winery is another great place to visit to taste wines and their restaurant is open for lunch, bookings essential.Stop at the historic river town of Goolwa, near the mouth of the Murray River on Lake Alexandrina. It's a popular tourist spot and a great place to relax.

From Goolwa you can take a Spirit of the Coorong cruise to the mouth of the Murray River, or if you like a little adventure you can take a Canoe the Coorong tour.

Adelaide

From Goolwa it's only a short drive to Victor Harbor. The Big Duck Boat Tour is a spectacular ocean experience on board a large semi-inflatable boat. The tour gets you up close to seals, dolphins, seabirds and whales (in season). The horse-drawn tram is a fun way to get to Granite Island. It's the only tramway of its kind in Australia, and is powered by beautiful Clydesdale horses. Follow the boardwalk around the island, and penguin tours run at night. When you leave Victor Harbor, head across to Kangaroo Island or up to McLaren Vale and Adelaide. In McLaren Vale, pick up the McMurtrie Mile Passport which leads you to six great food and wine attractions all on the same road. Or catch the SeaLink ferry (bookings required) from Cape Jervis and end the day on Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island

*Please note that not all suppliers permit travel to Kangaroo Island with the vehicle so check when booking.

At Seal Bay Conservation Park join one of the regular guided tours and walk on the beach with endangered Australian sea lions in their natural environment. Nearby Raptor Domain is an animal education and rehabilitation centre. Instead of displaying animals, they present them in three different educational and interactive presentations daily. Enjoy some outdoor fun with Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action. Ride quad bikes through the bush or hire a sandboard and surf the massive sand dunes at Little Sahara.

Witness the amazing forces of nature at Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park. A boardwalk leads visitors to this spectacular rock arch which is home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals. Still in Flinders Chase National Park, the impressive Remarkable Rocks are a stunning work of nature which have been shaped by the forces of wind, sea spray and rain over some 500 million years. Visit Stokes Bay on the north coast. Walk to the east of the bay and follow the signs pointing to the beach. Follow a secret passage through boulders and be greeted by a picture perfect swimming beach. Return to Adelaide, or if you have time, stay another day because there's still so much to see and do.

This top drive was provided by South Australia Tourism.

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