Route summary: Adelaide – Wellington – Meningie – Coorong National Park – Adelaide
Slow down and reconnect with nature on a peaceful couples’ escape through South Australia’s spectacular Lakes and Coorong region. From the glassy waters of Lake Albert to the windswept dunes of the Coorong, this itinerary invites you to unplug, breathe deeply and savour life’s simple pleasures. Watch pelicans glide across mirror-still lakes, taste the region’s famous Coorong Mullet and unwind in lakeside comfort with sunsets that feel endless.
Note: Most of this itinerary allows for self-catered meals at your accommodation, so you can either pack everything from home, or stock up on the way on the first day. You also have the option to bring your own boat, kayaks and fishing gear as your accommodation offers plenty of opportunities to get out on the water!
Day 1
Adelaide – Wellington – Meningie
Driving distance: 150km
Morning:
Depart Adelaide mid-morning for a relaxed drive south, stopping at Wellington for coffee by the river. Continue on to Meningie, a peaceful lakeside town perched on the edge of Lake Albert.
Afternoon:
On arrival, enjoy lunch at the Meningie Waterfront Café. The kids will also enjoy a visit to the Cheese Factory Museum and a treat from the local bakery. If you haven’t packed food for your trip, you can pick up groceries from the Foodland in Meningie before heading to your home-away-from-home at Coorong Island Retreat.
Evening:
Settle in for a barbecue dinner at your private island retreat as the sun dips over Lake Albert.
Meningie Jetty | Image credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Stay: Coorong Island Retreat (3 nights)
A secluded, self-contained, luxury farm stay on a private island with spectacular water views! The 3-bedroom home is perfect for a family or even two families, as it accommodates 12 people in total. You can even request to bring your pet along!
Coorong Island Retreat | Image credit: bush_image via South Australian Tourism Commission
Day 2
Meningie
All day:
Spend the day at leisure, exploring this 8.5-hectare island block. There are alpacas, sheep and goats to entertain the kids and plenty of foreshore fishing opportunities. It’s a great idea to book rental equipment in advance or bring your own so you can head out on kayaks or a fishing boat straight off your own private boat ramp.
Evening:
Enjoy a roast dinner at the pub in town or prepare your own meal at the retreat and settle in for the night, enjoying Lake Albert’s panorama and grazing animals as the sun sets on a fabulous day in the Coorong!
Canoeing | Image credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
Day 3
Meningie – Coorong National Park
All day:
Book ahead to join hosts Glen and Tracey from Coorong Wildside Tours for an unforgettable wilderness adventure through Coorong National Park. Cruise across the water from Parnka Point, spot emus and kangaroos along the way, and walk over the Younghusband Peninsula sandhills into iconic Storm Boy Country. Learn about the local fishing industry and Ngarrindjeri culture, see ancient midden sites, and soak up sweeping views of the Southern Ocean. Enjoy a gourmet morning tea featuring house-smoked fish, try your hand at surf fishing with the crew, and, if you wish, finish with a local seafood lunch at your host’s home by the water.
Evening:
As night falls, enjoy the ultimate reward — dinner and a glass of wine under an endless, star-filled sky. With little light pollution, the Coorong is one of the best stargazing spots in South Australia.
Image credit: Wildside Tours
Day 4
Meningie – Adelaide
Driving distance: 150km
Morning:
After breakfast, it’s time to pack up and make your way back towards Adelaide, but not without a stop in town to take in the Lions Walking Trail — a must-do in Meningie. This scenic bush track winds through diverse Mallee flora, with over 40 native flowering plants and orchids in spring. Keep an eye out for echidnas and take a picnic to enjoy at the tables along the way (insect repellent recommended!). The trail suits a medium fitness level and can be tackled in three sections or as one full walk, finishing at the Meningie Lookout with stunning 360° views of the town and surrounds.
Afternoon:
The drive home can be broken up along the way at Wellington, Tailem Bend or Murray Bridge.
Lions Walking Trail | Image credit: Walking SA
Farewell, Lakes and Coorong, until next time!
