With just one day in Adelaide, we crammed in all our favourites! Art, museums, botanic gardens and a market dash. North Terrace delivered its usual magic, reminding us why this city always feels good to return to.

Hahndorf gave us a relaxed day of wandering, snacks and a few too many condiments from Beerenberg. Between gin tastings, strudel and leafy streets, this Adelaide Hills favourite is an easy, enjoyable stop with plenty to explore.

McLaren Vale became a favourite during our Port Willunga stay. Art at the Cube, pizza at Chalk Hill and a few essential Fruchocs for the road. A relaxed mix of wineries, food and rolling vineyard views.

The Barossa Sculpture Park and Whispering Wall made for a simple, memorable stop between the valley and Adelaide — big views, strange acoustics and a few fun moments we’ll save for our next Top Secret Dispatch.

A relaxed Barossa morning at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop gave us scones, lake views and a visit to the kitchen from The Cook and the Chef. Peaceful, friendly and a must-stop for Maggie fans.

Waikerie gave us ferry rides, silo art, bakery stops and an easy riverfront stay. A bright Riverland town with good food, calm paths and a few rituals we return to every time we pass through.

A relaxed day trip to Renmark gave us river cliffs, quiet tracks, a friendly pet café and a stop for chocolate almonds. A simple wander along the Murray with plenty to pause for.

A quick stop in Coober Pedy revealed a town unlike anywhere else. Homes carved from rock, sunsets over the Breakaways, and a lesson in how far people will go to outsmart the desert.

What started as a pebble-eating mishap near Uluru turned into a race across the outback to save our girl, Zoe. With expert care and plenty of love, she’s now on the mend in Adelaide.

At Lake Bonney in Barmera, we slowed down beside the water, swam, explored the ruins, and watched the sky melt into colour. A perfect Riverland stop where nothing much happens.. in the best way possible.

Farrell Flat might be small, but it packs in plenty. A friendly country pub, striking silo art, and that easy South Australian charm that makes every stop feel like it’s exactly where you should be.

A relaxed tasting at Château Yaldara gave us bold Barossa reds, smooth fortified wines and a wander around one of the region’s most picturesque historic estates. A simple, worthwhile stop near Lyndoch.

Driving into Wirrabura, we immediately spotted the towering artwork, a stunning addition to South Australia’s Silo Art Trail.

Parachilna is a small outback stop anchored by the Prairie Hotel. We pulled in for lunch, tried the feral mixed grill, wandered the old railway siding, and enjoyed a quiet pause beneath the wide Flinders skies.

For us, Leigh Creek was a fascinating and slightly eerie stop. It’s a town that tells a story of industry, change, and resilience—worth visiting for anyone wanting to see a different side of the outback.

Carrieton and nearby Johnburg are quiet country towns in South Australia with a strong sense of history. There’s not much happening, but that’s what makes them worth the stop.

Just outside Port Augusta, we pulled into Nutbush Retreat, a working sheep station offering a unique outback stay.

Climbing Mt Wudinna gave us sweeping views and sore calves, while nearby Polda Rock offered a quiet slice of history. We wrapped the day with stargazing, new mates, and moonlight — outback travel at its best.

We stopped in tiny Wirrulla to check out the world’s only inland jetty — a dry-land surprise with a great sense of humour. It’s quirky, quick, and worth the detour. The tide? Never coming in.

From bubblegum-pink waters to spinning giants of steel, Lake MacDonnell and Penong’s Windmill Museum gave us one of our most colourful days yet. A little off the main road — and totally worth it.