This EV road trip in SA's wine country is the perfect weekender

South Australia’s wine country is a prime destination for an epic all-electric car road trip.

When it comes to accessibility, South Australia’s wine regions can’t be beaten. Only 40 or so minutes from Adelaide Airport, the Barossa Valley is not only a convenient drive, but far away enough to feel like you’re on a proper break.

There are wheat fields and gum trees, vineyards and magpies sitting on rusty farm gates, and you can see a blanket of stars on a clear night. Best of all, you can easily lower your environmental impact by travelling in an all-electric vehicle.

Compact wine regions make for prime driving conditions

Road-tripping in an electric vehicle once seemed dicey, but now it’s become mainstream. For this trip I’m behind the wheel of the new Volvo EX90, which has a range of up to 570 kilometres. According to SA Power Networks, there are 3000 public EV charging points across Australia, with over 750 operational or under construction in South Australia alone. You can now charge your ride at a long list of locations, from Coober Pedy to Kangaroo Island and even Pimba (population: 25), 480 clicks north of Adelaide.

Sure, there are abundant EV charging options. But I could easily manage a two-day jaunt in the Barossa and Adelaide Hills without recharging. In this corner of the world, the compact wine regions overlap each other, making driving a cinch.

a Volvo EX90 at Kingsford The Barossa — Arrive in style to Kingsford The Barossa in a Volvo EX90. (Image: Jo Stewart)

A destination hotel and vines in the Barossa

a couple walking to Kingsford The Barossa — The historic Kingsford The Barossa dates back to 1856. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

Staying at a luxe destination hotel is a good start. A heritage-listed jewel, Kingsford The Barossa has all the hallmarks of a mid-1800s pastoral estate: a two-storey Georgian-style sandstone homestead, shearing shed and clawfoot bush baths. You can see why this was chosen as the location for TV drama McLeod’s Daughters to be filmed (fans can check out show memorabilia in the property’s library).

the rolling fields surrounding Kingsford The Barossa — The heritage accommodation is surrounded by rolling fields. (Image: Yuncong Ma)

The real star of the show, however, is the surrounding landscape. Despite the region battling a drought, the parched land still has an austere beauty. The Kingsford restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows frame the quintessentially Australian outlook perfectly, best viewed in the morning with poached eggs, sourdough and a strong brew.

a couple having a drink at Kingsford The Barossa — Raise a glass to romance at the secluded property. (Image: Yuncong Ma)

After dark, the bar is the place to be for a cheeky nightcap. Home to wine vaults laden with Barossa and Eden Valley drops, this is heaven for New World wine lovers. Downstairs, there’s a surprise: a two-lane Kegelbahn for European-style nine-pin bowling – a nod to the area’s German roots.

the volvo EX90 is parked in front of Kingsford The Barossa, SA by EV — Recharge at Kingsford The Barossa after a road trip around SA wine regions in the Volvo EX90. (Image: Jo Stewart)

Alkina Wine Estate produces local wines you can savour here. Alternatively, you can visit the cellar door yourself, which is just 15 minutes away. At this biodynamic vineyard you’ll get an unpretentious, convivial tasting experience.

“We don’t want our shiraz to punch you between the eyes," says Dan Coward of Alkina Wine Estate, signalling that shiraz-shy drinkers are safe to sip. He also chats about the pendulum swinging on popularity, explaining that semillon has become “deeply uncool" but deserves a chance, especially when visiting South Australia. And he’s right; I’m a convert.

the biodynamic vineyard at Alkina Wine Estate — Stay onsite in the heart of the biodynamic vineyard. (Image: Alkina Wine Estate)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Providores and farmgates in the Adelaide Hills

an aerial view of Jurlique Farm in the Adelaide Hills — Jurlique uses ingredients grown on its farm in its products. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australia Tourism Commission)

After driving south of the Barossa for an hour, we hit the village of Verdun in the Adelaide Hills, making a pit stop at the warm and welcoming Fourth Hill Providore. On a sunny day, the shaded tables in the garden are prime real estate, and for good reason – this is a sublime spot for a latte and a pastry.

Across the road, the longstanding Stanley Bridge Tavern is a place best visited with a designated driver thanks to its very well-stocked wine room (home to 300 labels from around the world). In nearby Biggs Flat, the Jurlique Farm offers more wholesome pursuits, like tours and masterclasses using hand-picked botanical ingredients.

a beekeeper in a bee suit is holding a hive at Jurlique Farm — It’s all about beauty and the bees at Jurlique Farm in the Adelaide Hills. (Image: Jurlique International)

Therein lies the rub; around here, you could drive in any direction and find incredible food, wine, people and scenery. Now that the new generation of electric cars has a 500-plus kilometre range – there’s nothing stopping you.

a bird flying from a tree — South Australia is home to a variety of birdlife. (Image: Yuncong Ma)

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Getting there

The Barossa is about an hour’s drive north of Adelaide/Tarntanya. The Adelaide Hills is a 20-minute drive from the city’s CBD.

Staying there

the cosy interior of Kingsford The Barossa — Kingsford The Barossa is a top spot to recharge and unwind. (Image: Yuncong Ma)

Stay at a heritage-listed estate with silver-screen pedigree at Kingsford The Barossa.

Playing there

premium wines at Alkina Wine Estate — Top-shelf drops at Alkina Wine Estate. (Image: Alkina Wine Estate)

Taste wine and cheese at Alkina Wine Estate and stay in the heart of the vineyard.

Get around the natural beauty and bounty of regional Victoria on a guided tour that reveals extraordinary moments from coast to country.

Walk the Great Ocean Road

forest walk along the Great Ocean Road — Swap your car for walking shoes on the Great Ocean Road.

The Australian Walking Co’s immersive three-day, lodge-based walk is absolute bucket-list fodder. The easy-going, guided coastal hike is marked by epic scenery and end-of-day luxury. You’ll have no need for heavy packs or tents, instead expect fresh-caught crayfish, post-walk canapés and local wines. Each day explores the drama of this ocean-facing landscape with an approachable three-hour-ish walk, leaving plenty of time to unwind at the lodge.

Swim with seals and dolphins at Port Phillip Heads

dolphins swimming in Port Phillip Head Marine Park — Swim with dolphins in Port Phillip Head Marine Park.

Dive into Popes Eye, within Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, for this wild swimming experience with mankind’s BFFs of the sea. On the See All Dolphin Swims 3.5-hour experience, departing from Queenscliff, you’ll begin in shallow, calm waters before venturing off to Chinaman’s Hat and beyond to meet seals and dolphins in their own habitat. All gear is provided and all ages are welcome.

Get your ghost on in the Grampians

For those with a penchant for the paranormal, get ready for goosebumps when you embark on the Lantern Tours J Ward Paranormal Investigation excursion that takes place under the moonlight in the west wing of Aradale Lunatic Asylum. As you keep a lookout for supernatural activity, you’ll enjoy tales of the criminally insane inmates that will make the hairs on your neck stand to attention.

Paddle along the mighty Murray

a woman on a stand-up paddle board along the Murray — Glide along the scenic Murray on a stand-up paddleboard.

Swoosh softly through the silky waters of the mighty Murray on a stand-up paddle board with Echuca Moama Stand Up Paddle. This gentle downstream sojourn meanders for one-and-a-half hours covering 4.5 kilometres of the river, taking in the beauty on the banks and the vibrant birdlife.

From Echuca Moama slip under the Moama Bridge and glide beside its iconic paddlesteamers and the historic port.

Sip and cycle in the Yarra Valley

cyclists exploring Yarra Valley — Cycle around Yarra Valley wine country.

Wine and wheels make a great pairing on the Tour De Vines six-hour Yarra Valley tour that weaves through vine-threaded roads. It’s a relaxed pace along 20 kilometres of the Warburton Rail Trail as you spot native birds and stop in at local vineyards and produce stores. You’ll pull in at a local winery for a tasting and enjoy lunch before hitting up a couple of cellar doors. Depending on your pedal power, there may be time to sneak in a visit to a chocolate or cheese factory.

Dig for gold in Bendigo

Think you have what it takes to unearth a gilded treasure? Try your hand at prospecting and learn the art of gold-digging (in the geological sense) on the two-hour Gold Nugget Hunter tour in the Loddon Valley. On the tour, mine the wisdom of locals Shane and Jackie – who have honed their hobby of gold-detecting into an art – to learn how to read the land and use a gold detector. You may even go home with a nugget of your own.

Cruise around Wilsons Promontory

the Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom — Cruise around Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom. (Image: Connor Vaughan)

It’s a thrill to drive directly from the sand into the waves aboard the Wanderer Adventures’ bright-yellow amphibious boat. On this 2.5-hour tour, you’ll skip along the water to take in Wilsons Prom’s top highlights, such as the imposing Skull Rock, The Glennies, Anderson Islets and Anser Island. Spot seals, penguins and seabirds as you absorb the tranquillity of this stunning environment.

Walk with llamas in the Macedon Ranges

Make friends with a llama in the Macedon Ranges.

If you’ve always felt an affinity for long-lashed camelids, then bonding with a llama on a leisurely walk might just be the thing for you. Opt for either a three-hour, five-kilometre hike or a longer 12-kilometre trek along the Domino Rail Trail paired with a gentle, hooved friend. Things kick off with a llama orientation, where you’ll learn how to lead and look out for your new mate before you hit the track. It’s a lovely way to explore the beauty of the region with a sensitive and curious companion by your side.

Go underground in the Grampians

Take a subterranean tour of Seppelt Wines. (Image: Ben Savage/We Are Explorers)

Oenophiles and cave-lovers alike will enjoy going underground at Seppelt’s ‘Drives’. The largest underground cellar in Australia, The Drives were dug by local goldminers in 1868 and meander for three-kilometres – keeping wine treasures at a temperate 16-degrees year-round. A 50-minute tour through the heritage-listed granite tunnels happily conclude with a tasting of the label’s celebrated sparkling wines.

Discover island life in the Mornington Peninsula

Discover the Mornington Peninsula’s flora and fauna on a guided tour of French Island.

Eject from the mainland on a catamaran bound for the wildlife haven of French Island with Naturaliste Tours. Once you disembark from the boat, you’ll hop into a 4WD to explore the pristine flora and fauna, from salt marshes to vast Fairhaven Beach.

Look out for echidnas and koalas and enjoy short walks and historic sites on this half-day tour.

seals in Wilsons Prom — The southernmost tip is a haven for wildlife. (Image: CMcConville)

This EV road trip through SA‘s wine country is the perfect weekender

South Australia’s wine country is a prime destination for an epic all-electric car road trip.

Compact wine regions make for prime driving conditions

A destination hotel and vines in the Barossa

Providores and farmgates in the Adelaide Hills