Long weekend break – somewhere beachy....ideas wanted!

[beebul]

Hello PIA members,

 

I was hoping for some suggestions for somewhere to go for a long weekend holiday in SA, somewhere by the sea (walking distance), perhaps in, or near to a town/small village to take strolls, maybe a pub (hotel/bar!)?

 

Ideally no more than 1½ hours drive from Glenelg where we live. We’ve done some of the Fleurieu Peninsula – Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Encounter Bay, Port Willunga, Middleton etc, beautiful but wanted to try somewhere different. Happy to stay in a B&B, caravan park, holiday apartment, anything really. There’s just the two of us.

 

Ideas would be much appreciated

Penny

[Toni]

Have you tried Normanville? It's got two popular caravan parks and a few furnished places. Lovely little town area, nice bakery and the beach is close by. It's quite popular at this time of year so book early if you want to go.

[snifter]

We were down in Normanville for the day a couple of weeks back. A friend rented a house down there for the week so we had a day trip.

 

Was lovely, bit of a scenic drive also. Not sure what there is to do that way as we were just at a house having a BBQ and kangaroo watching. But seems to be popular with people for breaks away.

[flossybeth]

If you double your driving time Robe's a lovely town to visit - you could certainly get a weekends worth of stuff to do, the bay is beautiful, there's a fantastic ice-cream parlour and it's a proper town.

 

Normanville is nice (and closer); it's almost attached to Yankalilla so there is plenty of browsing and places for refreshment between the two, the beach is sandy and the sea was beautifully clear when we were there for New Year.

[soo_the_panda]

In an hour and a half you can't get anywhere north really (unless you do super suburban and do Semaphore and surrounds) - what about a little closer on the Fleurieu to some of the spots you've done - eg around Port Willunga, Moana, Sellicks Beach? You could then have beach time but also enjoy McLaren Vale for food/wine. Star of Greece at Port Willunga is fabulous food and beautiful at sunset (apparently Kylie Minogue's favourite restaurant!) and you could do the farmers markets in Willunga on Saturday. The Victory Hotel near Sellicks Beach is nice too.

 

I second the vote from Robe as a perfect weekend spot, but Glenelg - Robe is 3.5 hours on a good run with no breaks so may be way out of the time limit for what you're after.

[jim and adel]

The 1hr 30mins travel is limiting, and anywhere you go will be close to other places you've already visited. How about Goolwa? Some shops to browse around, places to eat and drink, lakes, close to the Coorong, a good cliff walk with great sea views and a choice of holiday homes and a caravan park.

[beebul]

I'm very grateful for all of your replies and have contacted several holiday lets/cottages in Normanville (the campsites were full - we're wanting to go Australia Day weekend!). It looks a perfect match for us so fingers crossed.

 

Robe also looks lovely however is a bit far as I’m 6 months pregnant so don’t want to travel too far – thanks anyway, will definitely consider this for future trips.

 

Thanks everyone – would still welcome other suggestions as we’re always popping off for weekend breaks getting to know the beautiful South Australia :-)

[beebul]

Goolwa - see the signs, never been. Another for me to look into so thank you :-)

[jtct]

If you want water - there's always the Murray! Bit further to drive but Loxton, Renmark, Lake Bonney all interesting to visit and you can walk, kayak, take a paddle steamer and visit wineries there too!

 

McLaren Vale's a good place to stay and you can drive on the beaches at Moana and Silver Sands - always popular for Australia Day BBQs - Aldinga's charming too.

 

We love Goolwa and would recommend the Spirit of the Coorong boat-trip for a nice day out

http://coorongcruises.com.au/soc/

Edited January 8, 2014 by jtct
added link

[Toni]

Yes the Normanville ones are always full whenever we try to go because we are last minute planners :-). Deep Creek Conservation Park is nearby (about 25kms) and it is heavenly. Really natural and unspoilt there are a few cabins/cottages there also. Lots of nice walks and there are camping spots there.

[Guest Guest12727]

Normanville and Second Valley are both lovely. If you do want to try something a bit different from Fleurieu, you can get to the Yorke Peninsula in about 2hrs from Glenelg. Moonta Bay is lovely and 2hrs 10mins on google maps or Ardrossan is just under 2 hrs.

[beebul]

Brilliant suggestions. I'm so glad I posted on here, thanks so much everyone.

[Jessica Berry]

Goolwa - see the signs, never been. Another for me to look into so thank you :-)

 

 

We stayed at Birks Boathouse in Goolwa, a great place for couples, very peaceful...

 

http://www.birksharbour.com.au/

[Jessica Berry]

Thanks everyone – would still welcome other suggestions as we’re always popping off for weekend breaks getting to know the beautiful South Australia :-)

 

 

This is another great place for couples in the Barossa I have previously posted about....

 

http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/out-about-sa/38245-great-accommodation-couples-barossa.html

Edited January 8, 2014 by Jessica Berry

[beebul]

We stayed at Birks Boathouse in Goolwa, a great place for couples, very peaceful...

 

http://www.birksharbour.com.au/

 

Wow this boathouse accommodation is amazing, and sadly unavailable that weekend! Bookmarked for another time, thanks Jessica

[Guest Sarah Bradley]

How about Aldinga we just went down for a long weekend last week. Lovely beach and walking, nice curry place on the front and the biggest fish and chip (pizza etc) shop I have ever seen the chips were lovely.