There are few places in the world that invoke a sense of tranquillity quite like the South Australian coast. Here is a sneak peek of Caravanning Australia’s journey across the Southern Ocean Drive.

Mount Gambier to Robe

(128 kilometres)

Begin your journey in Mount Gambier, the heart of the Limestone Coast. This gem of a spot is located smack bang in the middle of Melbourne and Adelaide (roughly 430 kilometres from either state capital, give or take). A must-visit spot in Mount Gambier is the famous Umpherston Sinkhole, also known as the sunken garden. This geological wonder is a favourite among tourists and for good reason!

From Mount Gambier, hit the road and head west towards Robe, where life takes a slower pace. This leg of the journey will take around an hour and a half, and will see you pass some idyllic coastal towns, such as Southend and Beachport.

Robe to Victor Harbor

(352 kilometres)

When you arrive in Robe, take a second to sit back and enjoy the sea air while you explore the local boutiques and cafes on offer. Then head to the famous Long Beach, a 17-kilometre stretch of sand that is well-known for being one of the only beaches in the country that you can drive your car on! While you’re in town, be sure to also pay a visit to Cape Dombey Obelisk.

From Robe, it’ll take around four hours to drive to Victor Harbor, but there are plenty of places along the way to get out and stretch your legs. Cape Jaffa is less than half an hour from Robe and is home to the must-visit Cape Jaffa Wines. Another 20 minutes down the road is Kingston SE, home to the iconic Big Lobster.

Victor Harbor to Kangaroo Island

(164 kilometres)

Victor Harbor is a well-known holiday spot in Australia, and you’ll understand why as soon as you arrive and catch a glimpse of the idyllic beachfront town. The kids will love jumping aboard the famous Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram and paying a visit to Urimbirra Open-Range Wildlife Park. There are also plenty of boutique stores and incredible eateries in town to be enjoyed by the whole family.

From Victor Harbor, it’ll take just under an hour to travel to Cape Jervis, the gateway to Kangaroo Island. In Cape Jervis, you can board the ferry and take the 45-minute journey across to the island, where natural beauty and spectacular wildlife await!

Read more about South Australia’s Southern Ocean Drive in the Winter 2021 edition of Caravanning Australia!