Adelaide is one of Australia’s easiest cities to drive in. The city centre is laid out on a simple grid surrounded by parklands, the airport is only a short drive from the CBD, and there are no toll roads.
More importantly, a car puts some of the country’s best wine regions within an hour’s drive. This guide covers where to pick up, how to get around and the road trips worth planning from Adelaide.
At a glance
1Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car
Adelaide Airport has the widest choice of suppliers, with rental desks on the ground floor of the terminal. It is only about 15 minutes from the city centre, so it is a convenient pick-up point even if you are staying in town.
Several suppliers also have branches in the CBD and inner suburbs, which can be cheaper if you only need a car for part of your stay.
2Driving in Adelaide
- The CBD is a grid bounded by North, East, South and West Terraces, which makes navigation simple.
- There are no toll roads in Adelaide or anywhere else in South Australia.
- Speed limits are strictly enforced, with fixed and mobile cameras. The default urban limit is 50 km/h unless signed otherwise.
- Parking is cheaper than in Sydney or Melbourne. Look for the city’s UPark car parks and metered street parking.
- Watch for trams on King William Street and the Glenelg line, and for cyclists in the parklands.
School zones in South Australia have a 25 km/h limit when children are present. Slow down whenever you see the signs.
3Wine Regions Within an Hour
Barossa Valley
One of Australia’s best-known wine regions, famous for shiraz, historic German settlements and long lunches.
- Cellar doors
- Mengler Hill Lookout
- Tanunda
McLaren Vale
Combine cellar doors with the beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, such as Port Willunga and Aldinga.
- Cellar doors
- Port Willunga
- Willunga Farmers Market
Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf
Visit Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, then explore cool-climate wineries and the views from Mount Lofty.
- Hahndorf
- Mount Lofty Summit
- Cleland Wildlife Park
If you plan to taste wine, choose one designated driver or book a tour for the day. The legal limit for most drivers in South Australia is 0.05 blood alcohol, and zero for learner and provisional drivers.
4Longer Road Trips from Adelaide
Flinders Ranges
About five hours north, the Flinders Ranges offer ancient landscapes, gorges and the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. The main roads are sealed to Wilpena, but many tracks in the park are unsealed, so check your rental terms.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is reached by car ferry from Cape Jervis, about two hours south of Adelaide. Not every supplier allows its cars on the ferry, so confirm before you book, or hire a car on the island.
Limestone Coast and the drive to Melbourne
The Limestone Coast, with Robe, the Coorong and Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, is a beautiful way to drive between Adelaide and Melbourne, joining the Great Ocean Road at its western end.
Also read: Adelaide to Melbourne one-way car hire
Also read: Adelaide to Alice Springs one-way car hire
5Choosing the Right Car
An economy or compact car is perfect for the city and the wine regions. For the Flinders Ranges or outback trips, a larger SUV gives more comfort on long distances, and a 4WD is needed for unsealed tracks where the rental terms allow them.
Compare cars from Adelaide Airport and the city with Australia Rent Car to see the best deals from local and international suppliers.
6A Five-day Adelaide Itinerary
If you have five days with a car, this plan combines the city, the coast and two wine regions without long drives.
- Day 1: Pick up at the airport, explore the CBD and North Terrace, and watch the sunset at Glenelg.
- Day 2: Adelaide Hills: Hahndorf, Mount Lofty Summit and a cool-climate winery lunch.
- Day 3: Barossa Valley: cellar doors, Mengler Hill Lookout and the Whispering Wall.
- Day 4: McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula beaches.
- Day 5: Port Adelaide’s museums and the beaches of Henley and Semaphore before you return the car.
Book wine tastings in advance at weekends, as popular cellar doors in the Barossa and McLaren Vale fill up quickly.
7Driving Rules for Visitors
- Drive on the left and give way to the right at roundabouts.
- Holding a mobile phone while driving is illegal.
- Seatbelts are compulsory for every passenger, and children need approved restraints.
- In the Adelaide Hills, watch for kangaroos and koalas crossing the road, especially at dusk.
- Fines from speed and red-light cameras are sent to the rental company and passed on with an admin fee.
8When to Visit
Spring and autumn are ideal, with mild weather for the wine regions and walking in the hills. Summer can be very hot, especially inland, so plan outback trips for the cooler months. Adelaide’s festival season from February to March brings big crowds and higher rental demand, so book early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Adelaide Airport from the city centre?
Adelaide Airport is about 7 km from the CBD, which is around 15 to 20 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Are there toll roads in Adelaide?
No. There are no toll roads in Adelaide or elsewhere in South Australia, so you will not pay toll admin fees on a rental here.
Can I take an Adelaide rental car to Kangaroo Island?
Some suppliers allow their cars on the SeaLink ferry and others do not. Check the rental terms before you book, or hire a car on the island instead.
How long does it take to drive from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley?
The Barossa Valley is about 70 km from Adelaide, around one hour by car.
Summarize this blog with AI
Short on time? Open an AI assistant with this guide ready to summarize.
Australia Rent Car compares car hire from the top suppliers across Australia, with one-way trips, airport pick-ups and total prices side by side.
