Recently named SA’s best food and wine town – and Australia’s seventh best – delightful Willunga is a picturesque, 45-minute drive from Adelaide. Where are your car keys?

Built around a thriving slate industry, Willunga has retained much of its 19th century character. Today it’s prime country for growing almonds, olives and grapes; and with quirky stores, relaxing places to stay and artisan food and wine, it’s an ideal place to spend a day.

See

Some like it hot, and those who do head to Chilli Fest Willunga in February. Tingle your taste buds with spicy dips, jams and chips and take home a chilli plant to grow. After careful restoration, Willunga’s courthouse museum reopened in 1970. It features the original cells, stable and police residence, with authentic displays and searchable records offering a fascinating window into the town’s history. Willunga is also a key stage for January’s Tour Down Under. Grab your bike, head up Willunga Hill and try to beat ‘King of Willunga Hill’ Richie Porte’s time. Spoiler: you probably won’t.

Shop

Don’t miss the Willunga Farmers Market – one of SA’s best. Held every Saturday morning at Willunga High School, it’s a hotspot for local fruit and veg, meat, dairy, seafood, coffee, baked goods and much more. If you’re looking for a unique gift or something special for yourself, the Jewellery Room offers handmade, bespoke designs. You may even be welcomed by one of the jewellers to learn more about their craft and inspiration. At Kookery, whisky glasses, cheese knives and pun-emblazoned tea towels await. It’s the perfect way to make dreary chores, like doing the dishes, more fun.

Eat and drink

Much-loved Willunga landmark Russell’s Pizza serves up crispy wood-oven pizza, McLaren Vale reds and music. You’ll find plenty of reasons to kick up your heels. If you’re after breakfast, lunch or a slice of homemade cake, The Farm Willunga delivers. Enjoy organic produce while you browse work from local artists. Old-world charm meets a modern menu at The Alma Hotel. Established in 1856, this family favourite has cosy indoor spots, airy outdoor spaces and, if you’re keeping it simple, a cold beer and a parmy that always hits the mark.

Stay

Minutes from markets, cafés and shops, the Grape and Olive is a relaxing getaway for couples or families, with a garden setting perfect for tucking into your full English or Irish breakfast. For affordable luxury, Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat offers vineyard and hills views, a home-cooked gourmet breakfast, or a picnic hamper if you’re off to explore the sights. For something a little bit different, stay in an off-grid pod at Willunga Ridge Boutique Accommodation and watch the sun sink over the gulf after a day well spent exploring the many wonders of Willunga.

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Just an hour from Adelaide, a luxury tent at Monarto Safari Park delivers close encounters with rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs.

A rhino at the waterhole

South Australian wine in one hand and camera in the other, I watch as a southern white rhino approaches a nearby waterhole. He lumbers towards the water, stopping momentarily to rub his horn against a rock, then leans down to take a drink, oblivious to the nearby giraffe awkwardly splaying its legs and rehydrating.

After a couple of minutes he loses interest, instead turning his attention to the intruders standing and watching him in his habitat. I stare in awe as the rhino approaches so close that our guide asks us to take a couple of steps back; a chest-high fence is all that stands between me and this wild African beast, which resembles a tank on four massive legs. After a few minutes of our group snapping photos, he wanders off looking for more grass to graze on.

This is just one of the many close encounters I had with animals while on a Wild Africa Sunset Safari. Earlier, a giraffe came within metres of us as it leant down to have a look at our open-sided safari vehicle.

We also witnessed hippos as they left their lagoon-like home and plodded across the plains for a bite to eat.

I didn’t have to go to Africa for this experience, though. It was only an hour’s drive from Adelaide at Monarto Safari Park as part of my stay at the Safari Lodge, located in the Wild Africa precinct.

Not your usual camping tent

Upon my arrival, I’m welcomed by Hana from concierge and a dazzle of zebras grazing at the waterhole near the 20 tents available at the Safari Lodge. These aren’t your usual camping tents.

As I open the sliding door to my tent, I step into a luxurious hotel-like room, with a king-sized bed, comfortable couch, a fully equipped bathroom and a mini bar complete with wine, beer and snacks.

There’s no freezing in winter and sweating in summer either, with reverse cycle air-conditioning that’ll keep the temperature toasty when it’s cold and cool when the sun is beating down.

Family-style dinner at the Lodge

It wasn’t quite time to enjoy the lounge on the deck, with a sunset tour scheduled for that evening. Safari Lodge offers sunset and sunrise tours for guests, along with tickets to Monarto Safari Park.

Following the tour, and a brief break in my tent, I visit the main Lodge for a family-style dinner. I’m seated with other guests at a long table, and conversation quickly turns to our experiences on the Sunset Safari. Some recount watching male ostriches perform their elaborate mating dance or seeing the elands nudging each other to determine the pecking order among the herd.

Soon though, our attention turns to the food arriving at our table. I’m served a variety of dishes, from house-made labneh with chakalaka (a South African chutney made from tomatoes, chilli and spices) to roasted beetroot and goat’s cheese salad and a melt-in-your-mouth braised beef cheek with creamy white polenta.

This is all topped off with a simple, but elegant, baked cheesecake paired with amaretto ice cream.

Wines with animal personalities

In a neat touch, wines on the menu are paired with African animals’ personas. For example, a Seppeltsfield grenache and Heirloom Vineyards pinot noir are in the cheetah section and labelled as “docile but gets to you the fastest”, and a Bleasdale sparkling wine is under the meerkat section and described as “bubbly and playful”.

All meals are included in our stay, so the following day I’ll enjoy an a la carte breakfast and a seven-course degustation dinner that consists of an heirloom tomato mousse, glazed kingfish with pearl barley porridge and a delectable honey cake with panna cotta shaped like a honeycomb. For now, it’s time to return to my tent.

Cheetahs at sunrise

After a good night’s rest, I wake to a gentle fog hanging over the watering hole. The sun is beginning to rise and will slowly burn off the cold morning air, but it’s a little early for the zebras and other African animals I saw the previous day. Peering behind the tent, I see movement in the distance. Grabbing the provided binoculars, I get a closer look at two cheetahs effortlessly slinking their way along the fence. For creatures that can reach speeds of up to 120km/h, they look unexpectedly graceful at a slower pace.

Unwinding at the Marula Day Spa

Today’s a day for relaxing. I could head to the gym or play a game of pickleball but instead I visit the Marula Day Spa at Monarto Safari Resort. They offer massages, facials and couple’s treatments, but today I’m here to unwind and enjoy a 60-minute soak session.

I’m served a glass of sparkling wine and a fruit platter while I rest in the vitality hydrotherapy pool, before entering the dry cedarwood sauna. Here, I sit and stare out the window.

A tower of giraffes enjoy a feed, before two of the younger males start roughhousing. They swing their necks, bringing their heads together playfully. I watch in astonishment at this exhibition of strength.

No passport required

It turns out you don’t need a passport to feel like royalty on an African safari; just a king-sized bed, a luxury tent and rhinos and giraffes roaming Monarto Safari Park.

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Dramatic volcanic peaks, turquoise lagoons and ancient traditions: get to know the South Pacific beyond the postcards.

With palms swaying gently over whitesand beaches and overwater bungalows perched above crystal-clear lagoons, the mere thought of the South Pacific is enough to reduce one’s heart rate.

Venture beyond the blissful beachside resorts and you’ll find a region that’s filled with immense natural beauty, vibrant local cultures and thrilling outdoor adventures.

Rugged beauty and warm hospitality

Daily flights via Brisbane mean Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila is just six-and-ahalf hours from Adelaide, but many outer islands still feel blissfully untouched by mass tourism.

Unwind

Located on the main island of Efate, Port Vila provides the perfect introduction to island life. Vanuatu’s laid-back capital combines waterfront dining and colourful produce markets with easy access to beaches, lagoons and nearby villages.

Just beyond the city limits, Nasama Resort offers self-contained apartments overlooking the South Pacific and a private beach and infinity pool where you can ease into island time.

Explore

Divers and snorkellers flock to the northern island of Espiritu Santo, where colourful coral reefs teem with turtles, reef sharks and tropical fish and the waters are littered with World War II remnants. With more than 50 dive sites, the 200-metre-long SS President Coolidge is one of the world’s premier wreck dives, while the treasure trove of discarded military vehicles and equipment at Million Dollar Point is shallow enough for snorkellers to enjoy as well.

On land, the star attraction is Tanna Island’s Mount Yasur, where intrepid travellers can walk to the edge of the crater and feel the heat radiating from an active volcano as molten lava bubbles up below.

Connect

With more than 100 Indigenous languages, Vanuatu is one of the most culturally diverse nations on the planet. The traditional kastom way of life remains strong throughout the archipelago, and each island has its own distinct practices.

The famous ‘water ladies’ of Gaua stand waist-deep in the ocean and create music by slapping and swirling the water’s surface, while Rah island’s hypnotic dancers paint themselves to resemble sea snakes.

The most spectacular cultural event is Pentecost Island’s famous Naghol (land diving) ceremonies. Between April and June, local daredevils celebrate the yam harvest by leaping from handmade wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles. Witnessing these low-tech bungee jumpers is an unforgettable experience.

A tropical paradise with French flair

The beautiful New Caledonia combines Melanesian warmth with French sophistication.

Unwind

Base yourself in the main city of Nouméa and you’ll be treated to a tropical take on the French Riviera. Palm-shaded boulevards connect well-preserved colonial buildings, and inviting pâtisseries and supermarchés (supermarkets) are stocked with French wines, cheeses and charcuterie, but the ocean is never far away.

The stylish Nouvata Hotel has balcony rooms with views of kitesurfers skimming across the world’s largest lagoon, and the charming bistros and boutiques of Nouméa are just a short stroll away.

Explore

New Caledonia’s central archipelago is surrounded by one of the world’s longest barrier reef systems, which creates an enormous lagoon covering a mindboggling 24,000 square kilometres. This giant aquatic playground is filled with marine life, and its protected waters are ideal for diving and snorkelling as well as sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.

For a more secluded retreat, head to the idyllic Île des Pins (Isle of Pines), which is a twenty-minute flight from Nouméa but feels like another world. Dubbed ‘the closest island to paradise’, it’s famous for powdery white-sand beaches, crystal-clear rock pools and the towering native pines that give the island its name.

Connect

New Caledonia’s fascinating culture is informed by its French heritage and the longstanding traditions of the Indigenous Kanak people. The best place to get a taste of this unique blend is at Nouméa’s Tjibaou Cultural Centre.

Designed to resemble a collection of traditional ceremonial houses, the striking complex showcases artworks and ceremonial objects from New Caledonia and across the Pacific, and holds regular dance and music performances.

Outside the museum, less formal cultural experiences beckon at every turn. Join the locals in a game of pétanque before visiting Nouméa’s bustling fresh produce markets.

Browse the many stalls overflowing with tropical fruits, flowers, pastries and locally made crafts as fishermen unload their catch and live music drifts on the tropical breeze.

The ultimate South Pacific fantasy

Think of the South Pacific and there’s a good chance you’re picturing French Polynesia, where a dazzling world of volcanic peaks, impossibly blue lagoons and overwater bungalows fulfil every tropical island dream.

Unwind

Luxury has been raised to an art on heartshaped Moorea, where one of the first overwater bungalows transformed French Polynesia into the ultimate island escape.

Tahiti’s sister island is just a short flight or ferry ride from the capital of Papeete, and offers a more accessible and relaxed alternative to the much-hyped Bora Bora. Lush gardens and views of rainforest-clad mountains welcome guests to Manava Beach Resort & Spa, but the undisputed highlight is a stay in an overwater bungalow with direct access to the lagoon below.

Explore

Away from the dreamy honeymoon stays, the small village of Teahupo’o hosted the surfing events at the 2024 Olympic Games, and regular lagoon tours allow non-pros to see one of the world’s most legendary surf breaks up close.

On land, countless hiking trails lead through thick rainforest to hidden waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints atop volcanic peaks. If that sounds like too much exertion, four-wheel-drive and all-terrain-vehicle tours take the effort out of the climb.

Thrill seekers can take the quick way down by swimming, leaping and abseiling through a series of waterfalls and natural pools on a guided canyoning adventure suitable for ages 12 and up.

Connect

French Polynesia’s spectacular scenery often steals the headlines, but the islands’ rich cultural heritage is every bit as memorable.

Visit the capital of Papeete to see traditional tatau (tattoo) artists at work, sample the national dish of poisson cru (raw fish marinated in coconut milk) or paddle a traditional Tahitian canoe while learning about ancient Polynesian navigation techniques.

To get a sense of pre-European Polynesian society, visit one of the ancient marae (temples) that dot the islands. Many of the larger examples are well-preserved, and the most impressive is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taputapuātea – a monumental open-air ceremonial complex that stretches across land and sea.

See more by sea

The greatest challenge when visiting the South Pacific is deciding which destinations to visit. Travelling between island groups can be time-consuming, so cruising is an easy way to combine multiple locations into a single trip.

Sail from Sydney on a 10-day cruise with Anthem of the Seas and you’ll be able to take in the volcanic landscapes of Vanuatu and the French charm of New Caledonia in between sea days spent enjoying the on-board musicals, bumper cars and skydiving simulator.

Explore the islands of French Polynesia on a luxury cruise aboard m/s Paul Gauguin that takes in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and the more remote Society Islands.

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Sri Lanka may be smaller than Tasmania, but don’t let its diminutive size fool you.

The teardrop shaped island has a smorgasbord of experiences that’s getting noticed as  more Australians make the journey to see, hear, smell, taste and fall in love with the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Is it your turn?

Sri Lanka is a country built for the senses. Here are our top picks for each one.

See: Postcard perfect Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Perched atop a sheer-walled monolith and rising almost 200 metres from the jungle floor, the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress is impossible to miss. Climb 1200 steps past a pair of massive lion paws carved in the stone, which give the Sigiriya Rock Fortress it’s nickname – the Lion Rock. As you make the climb, admire the vibrant colours of the frescoes which don’t belie their 1500-year age. At the summit, you’ll find the remains of the fifth-century fortified city built during the reign of King Kashyapa I, which once boasted elaborate gardens and a moat. As equally breathtaking as the stairs is the panoramic view from the top. See if you can spot wild elephants in the plains below.

Smell: Negombo’s morning markets

The smell of salt spray in the air – the coastal town of Negombo is a seafood lover’s delight. It’s especially renowned for its lively morning fish markets – the largest of which is Lellama, which translates to ‘place of bargain’. Experience the masses of fresh fish laid out and vendors hollering their prices while buyers haggle for the best deals. Escape the action on a scenic cruise through the mangroves, tracing the old Dutch cinnamon spice routes. Feeling peckish? Follow your nose to one of many local eateries serving up lagoon crabs, thalapath (sailfish) and paraw (trevally) in traditional curries.

Taste: Nuwara Eliya: Sri Lanka’s vegetable garden

You’ll want to eat all your veggies in Nuwara Eliya, and go back for seconds. Cooler mountain air means slower-growing vegetables with gradually concentrated natural flavours that can’t be grown anywhere else on the island. Grab a bite in the region to enjoy this nutritious and delicious produce, like Sri Lanka’s crunchiest khol khol (kohlrabi) and the sweetest carrots. It’s also home to the prized ‘Champagne of Ceylon’ tea, with the region’s cool, misty climate producing a light, refined and floral brew. Sip it black (or with the tiniest splash of milk so as not to overpower the delicate notes), paired with spiced potato cutlets or crimson rathy ala (beetroot) curry from a roadside stall.

Touch (or rather, the feels): Udawalawe’s baby elephants

You can’t physically place your hands on these elephants, but witnessing the orphaned calves being bottle fed and frolicking at the Elephant Transit Home will touch your heart. Situated on the border of the Udawalawe National Park, rescued calves are cared for and rehabilitated until they’re strong enough for release back into the wild. Watching orphaned babies bottle-fed while tumbling over each other at the water’s edge will get you right in the feels. Touch here is a matter of heart rather than hands, and their impatient trumpeting will tug at anyone’s heartstrings.

Hear: Kandyan fire dance and drumming

The charming city of Kandy is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and is considered Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. Traditional Kandyan dance nearly vanished under British rule but has since been revived and watching it live is a full-body experience. Pulsing hand drums communicate complex rhythms and build the intensity as the tinkle of ankle bells and metallic ornaments accentuate the acrobatic footwork and beat of the dance’s high-energy choreography. Not to mention the fire dancing and striking, ornate dancing costumes; it’s athleticism, sacred ritual and centuries of history all in one living art form.

The Sixth Sense: Ritigala’s mystical forest

Deep in the jungle and away from the main tourist trail, you’ll find your zen among the abandoned meditation platform ruins in the Ritigala Medicinal Forest. Buddhist monks once sought stillness here to practice meditation and you can too. Take a deep breath and let the babbling streams, cool granite boulders and unspoilt forest canopy take you far away from the hustle and bustle of daily Sri Lankan life.

Discover Sri Lanka for yourself

You can experience all this and much more by joining a Sri Lankan Discovery adventure with Bunnik Tours. For 16 exciting days (plus travel time), you and your small group (never more than 20 travellers) will explore the tear-drop shaped island (almost) top to toe at a relaxed yet exciting pace.

The Bunnik Tours team have been passionately showing Australian travellers around the world for more than 30 years. They pride themselves on authentic, homegrown experiences you won’t find in a regular guidebook and even have a local Bunnik Tours office on the ground in Sri Lanka you can get to know during your stay.

With airfares, tipping, transport, accommodation and many meals all taken care of, there’s nothing left for you to do but arrive with an appetite for adventure and your senses ready to feast on all the wonders Sri Lanka has to offer.

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Ever booked a holiday assuming your credit card had you covered for travel insurance? With banks recently announcing changes, it’s worth checking.

Trip cancellation, travel delay and luggage cover has been stripped from some credit cards’ complimentary travel insurance. Will more banks be doing the same in future?

With the phasing out of complimentary travel insurance on several credit cards this year, there have also been changes to cover, including international medical caps and raised excesses.

For a lot of cardholders, the complimentary cover they relied on for years is shrinking, and most won’t find out until they try to make a claim.

Why banks are pulling back

The timing isn’t a coincidence. The Reserve Bank’s pending surcharge ban and lower interchange fee caps are likely to squeeze the revenue that used to fund these extras.

While the reasons may be different, the pattern appears to be the same; cover that once felt like a freebie is being trimmed back or removed.

Check before you book

Cardholders may believe holding or booking with the card means their complimentary travel insurance automatically includes cover for cancellations, delays and lost luggage.

Product disclosure statements vary widely, and the gap sometimes only becomes obvious in situations including needing to cancel a trip due to unexpected events, or a bag goes missing.

With summer travel planning underway, now’s the time to check what your card covers and have a think about the travel insurance that’s appropriate for you. Before making a decision, review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what is and isn’t covered..

Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited (ACN 677 371 274, AR No. 228575) (RAA) travel insurance policies are issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine) through RAA as Tokio Marine’s authorised representative, and are administered by Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) as Tokio Marine’s authorised representative. This advice is general only. Before you buy, consider the PDS/FSG and TMD available on the RAA website. Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply.

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From booking your trip at the right time to packing without pressure and arriving at the airport early enough so your name isn’t called over the PA, every second counts when you’re in travel mode.

So, are you doing it all too late… or too early? Before planning your next adventure, here’s what to consider, and when.

When should you book your holiday?

If your answer is ‘yesterday’, then chances are you’re well overdue for a getaway.

You’ve been dreaming of a tropical escape for months, eyeing cheap airfares and telling yourself you’ll book soon. But is ‘soon’ too late? Is it better to book now or wait until a better deal pops up? Well, it depends on when and where you’re going, and how you’re getting there.

RAA Travel General Manager Gina Norman says airlines typically release seats about 11 months out.

“If you’re flying to an overseas destination, it’s recommended you book about six to 11 months in advance, especially for hotspots like Europe or Japan,” Gina says.

“For short domestic hops, book three to six months out from when you plan to leave. For major interstate trips during peak periods, treat them like overseas trips and book earlier.”

Feeling spontaneous? Sometimes the best holidays are those planned at the eleventh hour, but you’ll need to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations. These instinctive trips can be a great way to save on package deals and accommodation, but be aware that last-minute airfares often cost more, not less.

If you prefer the sea over the sky, cruise lines usually offer discounts, onboard credits and reduced deposits typically from January to March (known as wave season).

According to Gina, booking early, usually 18 months or more in advance, is recommended for cruises on popular ships or new vessels.

“This gives passengers their pick of preferred cabins and dining times,” she says. “And for travellers who are flexible with the ship they board, the itinerary and travel dates, last-minute deals typically appear about 90 days before sailing.”

When should you pack?

There are two types of travellers: pro packers whose clothes remain perfectly pressed, and the-night-before packers who throw everything into a suitcase that they’ve just dusted off. If you’re feeling particularly rebellious, you may even leave packing until a few hours before take-off (we don’t recommend this).

So, is there a perfect time to pack? Again, that depends on where you’re headed, how long you’re travelling and your personality.

“Generally, it’s a good idea to start packing at least a few days before longer interstate trips,” Gina says. “This should give you enough time to make any necessary visits to the shop if you need something you know you won’t be able to find across the border.”

Shorter trips mean you can get away with packing a day or two before you leave.

For big overseas holidays, start by thinking about what you need to pack and write a list a few weeks before departing.

“This can make the packing process easier, plus there’s less chance of forgetting something if it’s written down,” Gina says.

When should you book travel insurance?

Your holiday is booked and the resort pool is waiting for you to make a splash. You’re set to have the time of your life, but travel can come with surprises, so preparation is key.

You can purchase travel insurance as early as you like. Depending on the policy you choose, some policies include a cancellation benefit, which may help to provide cancellation protection from the date you purchase the policy (subject to the policy terms and conditions).

This can be particularly important if you have paid a deposit or made other non-refundable payments towards your holiday. If something unexpected happens before you travel, having your travel insurance in place early may cover eligible cancellation costs.

It’s important to review the terms, conditions, limits, exclusion and general exclusion of any policy you’re considering, all of which are usually detailed in the Product Disclosure Statement, so you know what’s covered and what isn’t.

When should you arrive at the airport?

You either rock up to the gate super early or sprint through the terminal with seconds to spare. If you’re flying out from Adelaide, avoid being that panicked passenger by following Adelaide Airport guidelines, which recommend arriving for domestic flights at least one hour before departure. If you’re only travelling with carry-on bags and have already checked in online, an hour is usually enough.

“Arrive at the airport about two to three hours before international flights so there’s enough time to factor in longer bag drop queues and border checks,” Gina says. “Add another 30 to 60 minutes during the morning and evening peaks.”

Traveller tip: take note of the time your gate closes (usually 20 to 30 minutes before departure) – this can be found on your boarding pass.

Now the only question that remains: when should you head poolside?

Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Limited (ACN 677 371 274, AR No. 228575) (RAA) travel insurance policies are issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine) through RAA as Tokio Marine’s authorised representative, and are administered by Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) as Tokio Marine’s authorised representative. This advice is general only. Before you buy, consider the PDS/FSG and TMD available on the RAA website. Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply. 

The post Travel timeline: book, pack and go appeared first on samove.com.au.

Thrilling spills down sandy dunes, waking up with specialty coffee and airy pastries, and of course, the freshest fish and chips you’ll find anywhere in Australia.

It’s the town that almost became SA’s capital. This is Port Lincoln, and it’s quite the catch.

Drive 1375km to Sydney’s famous waterfront or travel half that distance to explore Port Lincoln. In fact, the harbour at Boston Bay is more than three times greater by volume of water than Sydney’s harbour. It’s the perfect habitat for an abundance of extraordinary marine life and earns the town its title as the Seafood Capital of Australia’. Exquisitely fresh produce may reel you into Port Lincoln, but these 10 experiences will keep you hooked.

1. Swim with sea lions

Have you ever experienced the soul-searching gaze of a curious sea lion? Come face-to-face with these ‘puppies of the sea’ as they peer inquisitively into your snorkel mask before showing off their underwater gymnastics. Calypso Star Charters, perhaps best known for its shark encounters, operates snorkelling and swimming tours that minimise impact on sea-lion colonies. Tours run from late September until mid-June with GoPro cameras available to hire so you can capture every somersault. Following your dip, there’s a hot shower and morning tea waiting for you. Prefer to stay dry? Join the captain in the tender boat for a closer look.

2. Catch of the day

You’re spoiled for choice in the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia’, so start at The Fresh Fish Place to find the region’s best ocean-to-plate offerings. Take away or dine in on local favourites, including famed Coffin Bay oysters and classic fish and chips. Go behind-the-scenes on a guided factory tour and shop for the best catch to cook in your own kitchen. Also add the Port Lincoln Smokehouse and their small-batch hot and cold smoke bluefin tuna and yellowtail kingfish to your menu. You may have spotted their products in gourmet supermarkets, and this is where the magic happens.

3. An art to art

As you walk through the streets, don’t be alarmed if you spot a fish riding a bicycle or three-time Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva. These are just some of the incredible artworks hiding in plain sight throughout the town. Collect a map from the visitor information centre and follow the Port Lincoln Art Trail, ticking off the 24 fabulous installations along the way.

4. Comb the beaches

From rugged, windswept cliffs to sheltered bays and secret coves, the 140km coastline of Lincoln National Park is ideal for a game of ‘I spy’. The Donington Beach loop, which takes in a lighthouse, historic cottage and magnificent bay views, is a good place to start. Among the treasure trove of wonderful flora and fauna washed up on
the shore, look out for corkscrew Port Jackson shark egg cases, sea glass polished smooth by the sand and waves, delicate shells and tightly woven seagrass fibre balls. Remember to look and photograph, but leave everything as you found it.

5. Go with the sand flow

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re on an alien planet at the Sleaford-Wanna dune system in the Lincoln National Park. These massive, wind-sculpted sandy mountains are a playground for adrenaline seekers and experienced four-wheel-drivers. Air down the tyres of your high-clearance four-wheel drive before tackling the 14km of undulating sand and track. For an exhilarating closer look at the sand, hire a stand-up or sit-down sandboard from Xtreme Kites & Paddle and race down the dune-sides. Prefer something more sedate? Share the dunes with local kangaroos and emus on a Tour South sunset photography tour.

6. Museum musings

Step back in time and learn how a Finnish ship’s carpenter sailed into Port Lincoln in 1927 and helped shape the city’s seafood industry. Located on the waterfront, the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum is built around the carpenter’s original living quarters and wooden boat-building workshops, displaying restored historic vessels, marine artefacts and relics. Volunteers are also on hand to answer your questions. This is one of four sites on the Port Lincoln Museum Trail, along with the Mill Cottage Museum, RSL Museum and Railway Museum.

7. Wind down among the vines

You wouldn’t be in South Australia without a wine region nearby. Family-owned Gardner’s Vineyard, set in the undulating hills bordering Port Lincoln, pours award-winning small-batch wines against a backdrop of the Spencer Gulf’s sparkling waters. Work up an appetite playing a game of giant lawn chess, then tuck into your pre-packed picnic, fire up the vineyard’s barbie or nibble from a locally sourced grazing platter. For an all-in-one with a hole-in-one, spend the day at Glen-Forest Tourist Park and Vineyard. There are Segway tours, Lincoln Estate wine flights, an Australian wildlife park and minigolf to keep the whole family entertained. Beer lovers should head to Port Lincoln Brewing Co or Jump Ship Brewing, while those after something more spirited may find West Coast Distilling Co more to their taste.

8. Immerse yourself in Country

The traditional owners of the region, the Barngarla people, call Port Lincoln Galinyala, which translates to ‘place of sweet water’. Discover more about Galinyala on a tour led by proud Barngarla woman Emmalene Richards, through her business Maba Idi Cultural Tours in partnership with Untamed Escapes. Walk on Country, learning about traditional fishing techniques and cultural practices passed down through generations, and sit down to a bush-food lunch prepared by Emmalene and her family. It’s an intimate and moving way to see and better understand this remarkable place.

9. Sweet eats and caffeinated treats

You’ve always wanted to try South Australia’s best croissant, and you can do exactly that in Port Lincoln’s little touch of France. Drop anchor at L’Anse French Café, and watch the world go by with buttery, flaky goodness in one hand, and a specialty coffee in the other. For a laid-back lunch, try the retro Shaen Street Café, which includes outdoor seating, garden play spaces for the little ones and a heritage-listed cottage for cooler days. Pick a book from their charming community library, then settle in with a bush-flower tea or iced strawberry chai and gourmet sanga.

10. On your bike

If you’ve already ticked off swimming, hiking and dune-surfing, it’s time to let an e-mountain bike do (most of ) the work for you. With the fresh sea breeze cooling your cheeks, cruise through town at your own pace or take your two wheels off-road. Hire from Australian Coastal Safaris, and pedal your own path or join one of their guided e-mountain bike adventures and discover some local hidden gems.

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You’ve just rolled off the Spirit of Tasmania and arrived in the northern Tassie town of Devonport after a good night sleeping while crossing the Bass Strait… but now what?

As it turns out, Tasmania’s north and north-west regions are happy to keep the good times rolling before you set your course south, chasing waterfalls and eclectic art.

Devonport is the first port of call for travellers arriving by ferry from the mainland and there’s everything from chocolate factories to rare wildlife, heritage motors and glow worm caves all within easy cruising distance of the wharf.

Here are seven stops to add to your road trip ahead.

1. For the food lovers

A visit to Anvers chocolate factory is a must for chocoholics. Take a self-guided tour through the factory and museum, sample the world’s rarest chocolate, Fortunato No. 4, in the shop then grab a block (or three) to take home. Craving more? Settle in the cafe with a hot chocolate and chocolate platter for breakfast – we won’t tell.

You’ll be fit to burst sampling food from up to 40-plus artisanal producers along the northern Tasting Trail. Go snuffling for truffles at The Truffledore, wash them down with a Spreyton Cider and try some of the world’s freshest oysters at Tarkine.

2. For the heritage transport lovers

If SA’s own motoring museum in Birdwood is the full three-course feast, the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in Launceston is the perfectly curated tasting menu. The museum’s collection spans a century of style and technical achievement, including one of the first Holdens to be shipped across the Bass Strait. Want more? The Ransley Veteran Car Collection in Wynyard, restored by local Francis Ransley, houses one of the oldest Fords in the world – the 1903 Model A.

Nostalgic for heritage rail? There’s plenty in northern Tasmania to help you blow off steam. Within an hour of Devonport, locomotives puff along the Don River Railway’s Melrose Line, while Pearns Steam World has the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest boiler room and more than 200 traction engines to satisfy any historic locomotive fix.

3. For the art and culture lovers

Nothing in Australia competes with Hobart’s Mona art museum, but the north has its own treasures. The Devonport Regional Gallery holds more than 100,000 photographic negatives from the famed Robinson Collection. After dark, Waterfront Park comes alive with From Sky to Sea – a sound-and-light installation best explored from every angle. For a more grassroots art experience, drive through the Kentish region, aptly named Tasmania’s Outdoor Art Gallery, and keep a look out for murals, topiary and the novelty letterbox trail.

For a deeper connection to place, tunapri Patuyala offers a hands-on cultural walk at Boat Harbour led by proud Palawa waypa man Jye Crosswell, covering traditional tidal fish traps and seasonal bush foods and craft. Or set your own pace along the Kooparoona Niara Cultural Trail on the banks of the Meander River, where native plants, artworks and a stone yarning circle invite you to sit a while.

4. For the animal lovers

Tasmania is a safe haven for some of Australia’s rarest wildlife. Encounter the endangered Tasmanian Devil up close during the chaotic after-dark feeding frenzy or joey encounter at Devils@Cradle, or wind down at Seahorse World to meet these gender-bending, mystical marine creatures alongside the critically endangered red handfish.

Between September and April, head to Lillico Beach in the evening to join volunteers at the Little Penguin Viewing platform and watch the tiny birds waddle home to their burrows after a long day’s fishing. It’s free, but donations are always appreciated.

5. For the adventure seekers

For an energy burn the whole family can enjoy, hire single, double, family and even wheelchair accessible and baby buggies from Pedal Buggies just outside Devonport. Pedal along the foreshore with an ice-cream and a swim stop built in.

Further afield at Cradle Mountain, join a kayak tour and glide across Dove Lake as the scenery rises breathtakingly around you. If you prefer dry land, (weather permitting), choose from walks ranging from a 10-minute rainforest stroll to multi-day hikes along the Overland Track, keeping an eye out for the elusive platypus along the way.

6. For nature lovers

Stand beside the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and gaze across the Tasman. The clifftop walking tracks offer sweeping views and if you’re here of an evening, you might spot the Spirit of Tasmania beginning its return journey. The lighthouse reserve is a vibrant sanctuary for wildlife, birds and flora, and you’ll also find the Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre – one of Australia’s oldest Keeping Places, which is home to ancient rock art and carvings.

For something a little more subterranean, head underground on a Mole Creek Karst National Park cave tour. Peer into sparkling, reflective pools, listen to the music of the underground creeks and be delighted by the surprising blue pinpricks of the Glow Worm Caves.

Discover for yourself

Drive your own car onto the Spirit of Tasmania in Geelong and roll off in Devonport the next day, ready to begin your 14-night Sail and Drive tour with Tasmanian Vacations. Let Tasmanian Vacations deal with the logistics, leaving you the freedom to explore at your own pace knowing your quality accommodation is waiting at the end of the day.

Until 21 December 2026, Tasmanian Vacations is offering $150 of free petrol if you stay for a minimum of 10 nights, and $200 of free petrol if you stay for a minimum of 14 nights. They’ve also purchased carbon offsets to the value of petrol to promote a more environmentally friendly touring holiday.

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