A big driving day unfolded, heading east from Port Lincoln to Hahndorf, covering a remarkable cross section of South Australia along the way.
The first stop was Tumby Bay, a small coastal town on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula. Established in the late 1800s, Tumby Bay developed as a service centre for surrounding wheat and sheep farms, with its jetty playing a key role in exporting grain before modern transport took over. Today it is best known for its relaxed seaside feel, fishing culture, and growing creative scene. The silo art near the waterfront is a standout, reflecting local life and drawing visitors into town. A coffee stop at Hello Spencer turned out to be one of the best of the trip, and wandering the streets revealed Tumby Bay’s reputation for street art. Finding each mural and taking time to look closely added an unexpected and very enjoyable layer to the visit.
Further north, Arno Bay came next. Originally known as Blight, the town was renamed in the early 1900s and has long been tied to fishing, oyster farming, and agriculture. Its location on Franklin Harbor makes it a popular spot for boating and seafood, and the foreshore reflects that connection to the water. The boardwalk and coastal path are particularly impressive, offering wide views across the harbour and a strong sense of the town’s quiet, working waterfront character.
Much of the day’s driving retraced the route back from Port Lincoln toward Lochiel. Passing through Whyalla again provided a quick but necessary stop for fuel, both for the car and for lunch.
After reaching Lochiel, we chose a different route turning inland and across the Adelaide Plains, passing through a series of historic towns. Balaklava, founded in the 1860s, grew rapidly as an agricultural hub servicing surrounding grain farms and is known for its wide streets and heritage buildings. Mallala has a long farming history and is also associated with motorsport, thanks to the Mallala Motor Sport Park which brought a different kind of fame to the area.
Gawler, one of South Australia’s oldest towns, was established in 1837 and played a crucial role in the colony’s early expansion, with many well-preserved historic buildings still lining its streets.
Gumaracha, set at the edge of the Adelaide Hills, is closely tied to timber milling and is famous for its association with the Big Rocking Horse, a reminder of the region’s forestry past.
One of the most striking aspects of the day was the dramatic change in landscapes. The journey moved from coastal scenery to salt marshes and mangroves, across salt plains, through rolling pastoral country, and into classic Australian bush. Red cliffs and hints of outback gave way to thicker bushland, before finally reaching the green vineyards and cooler air of the Adelaide Hills.
Dinner capped off the day at an absolute favourite, the German Arms Hotel in Hahndorf. A local Pinot Noir paired perfectly with the famous Giant German Hotdog (which was well and truly conquered).
Afterwards, a short walk led to the Eis Haus for dessert and a warming das boot of mulled wine, a fitting finish after a long and varied day on the road.
Here are some of my favourite pictures from Day 10…
By Sarah 