Having one of those days when the house feels too small and your bright-eyed youngsters are running laps around you? Fret not – the ultimate Family Safari awaits. Just a 20-minute drive from the CBD, the Adelaide Hills is the perfect spot to discover some of South Australia’s most beautiful natural spaces and fascinating wildlife. So pile the kids in the car and take the whole family on a weekend adventure – there’s something for big and little humans alike.
Day Trip Highlights
Start your morning early with a steaming thermos of tea and a barbie brekky, surrounded by the soaring gum trees and gorges of Morialta Conservation Park. Climb the world’s biggest rocking horse in Gumeracha, sip on locally produced wine and indulge in gourmet pizza and tapas platters at a family-friendly winery before taking the kids on the ultimate pony ride through picturesque bushland trails. If they’ve still got plenty of energy, take them for a fun-filled tube slide at Piccadilly or to Steamroller Park in Stirling to run the last of their sillies out. On the way home you’ll be dreaming of the tree change as your kids snooze peacefully in the back seat.
Newenham Drive_Map_Family_Safari
Click here to download a copy of the map.
Day Trip Itinerary
First Stop: Peace and Quiet at Breakfast.
Get out nice and early, thermos at the ready and an esky loaded with eggs, bacon and bread in the back. Drive from your base to Morialta, the kids are sure to ‘race you’ to Mukanthi Nature Playground, giving you a moment of peace to cook up the ultimate brekky feast on the nearby BBQ facilities. Surrounded by towering sunlit gumtrees and laughing kookaburras, you can soak up the serenity while the kids burn off that morning madness. Once the tribe has been fed, explore the gorges, gullies, waterfalls and lookouts, or simple take in the vistas and head off for the next stop on your adventure.
Stop 2. An iconic climb
Hop back in the car for a 10-minute drive to the world’s biggest rocking horse. If the kids want to climb to the very top of this Australian icon, they’ll receive their very own certificate (and an incredible view). You’ll also find another animal park with everything from peacocks to alpacas, as well as a working toy factory and toy shop. This truly is kid heaven. If you don’t want to buy lunch at the next stop, enjoy a packed-lunch here, by the scenic lakeside picnic area.
Stop 3: The Perfect Intermission
Drive 15-minutes south through Lobethal, to the next stop. This one is shamelessly included for the heroes of today – you, the parents. Grab a well-deserved glass of vino and pat yourself on the back for an epic journey so far. The kids can entertain themselves on the sprawling lawns of this family-friendly winery, so everyone leaves a happy camper. If there’s hungry-tums all-round, their menu boasts mouth-watering pizzas and seasonal tapas boards.
Stop 4: Saddle Up!
If the kids were excited at the giant rocking horse, this next stop will have your little saddle-club fans in hysterics. Four Oaks Farm is home to a collection of placid ponies your littlies will fall in love with. Saddle up and take them on a guided trail ride through the surrounding bushland, or simply visit the farm – there’s a collection of other beautiful creatures on the farm, too. Kids can even learn how to brush and groom their furry friends before calling it a day.
Stop 5: Discover a new place to call home
Newenham Adelaide Hills
Follow the route for another 15 minutes and you’ll find yourself at Newenham, where you can discover why you’ll want to call this place home. Pop into the Sales & Information Centre to say ‘hello’ and go on a personal tour of Newenham. Hear about the larger allotments and see first-hand our natural open spaces designed to encourage active lifestyles and a love of the great outdoors.
If you arrive before 3.30pm on the weekend you can also pop into The Kitchen Farm Pantry now located in our lovingly restored garage and barn, open seven days a week Monday – Friday: 8am – 3pm and Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 3:30pm, serving a delicious range of fresh local produce including light brunch options, juices, hot coffee and sweet treats.
Stop 6: Slide into fun!
Woodhouse Activity Centre – Tube Slide
Fast becoming one of South Australia’s most popular attractions in the Adelaide Hills, take the kids to try the new Tube Slide at Woodhouse Activity Centre. A 100m water-less slide, you’ll slide down the synthetic slopes in a big rubber rung that turns, accelerates, bends and stops on its own. Fast, furious and fabulously fun! Open every weekend from 10.30am – 2.30pm, it’s sure to put a smile on the dial of any kid … big or small!
Stop 7: One Last Play
If the kids still have energy left in the tank, swing by Stirling on your way home and make a stop at Steamroller Park. There’s of course the main feature a Steam Roller train for the kids to climb all over plus big trees, swings, slides, cubbies and more. Suited to kids big and small, it’s also a chance for you to just sit down and relax under a beautiful rotunda. We suggest grabbing a coffee and a sweet treat from one of the great Stirling cafes for an afternoon pick me up!
After a day of exploring, head back to Adelaide, 20-minutes via the South Eastern Freeway, as the kids snooze in the back seat, and start planning next weekend’s day trip to the Adelaide Hills.
View our other themed day trips to the Adelaide Hills:-
Read and download the map for A Nature Experience
Read and download the map for A Food & Wine Experience
Read and download the map for A Mates and Motors Day Out
Read and download the map for A Bestie’s Day Out
