Easter Weekend: CarrickalingA, South Australia

Easter Weekend to the Itchy Feet Family means an opportunity to get away.  There is no way we would ever let a four-day weekend go by without breaking routine and heading off on an adventure.

But a holiday does not always have to mean taking a flight or a long road trip - simply breaking routine is enough to be refreshed and ready to head back to work to earn more funds for the travel kitty.

This year we packed up the car and headed just 60km South of Adelaide to a small beachside town on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Carrickalinga.

We rented a large two-storey home via the Fleurieu Accommodation website, which we shared with another family.  Four kids - four adults and four days of fun! These were the highlights of our weekend.

Sunrise and Sunset Beach Walks

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The beach at Carrickalinga was a great running/walking track at both sunset and sunrise.  From our spot at Carrickalinga we could walk 3kms along the beach to reach the Normanville Jetty - a great 6km return trip.  In the morning people ran, walked dogs, strolled taking in the stunning sunrise and fished from both the beach and the jetty. The beach is clear and free of sea-weed and the sand soft and inviting.  In the afternoon the water was warm enough to enter and the kids boogie boarded and body surfed.

Second Valley

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Just a short 15 minute drive South is Second Valley.  This is a great spot to explore and an absolute hidden gem in South Australia.  At age 42 I could not believe I had not been here before!  With a short jetty for fishing, crystal clear water for swimming and plenty of rocks to explore and search for crabs we spent a few hours here soaking up the sun. It was a bit too chilly for swimming, but I have heard it is an awesome spot for snorkelling and with crystal clear waters I can see why.  Will definitely have to return when the weather is a bit warmer.  

Yankalilla Bakery

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There is something quintessential about stopping at a country bakery whenever road tripping in Australia.  When we were passing through Yankalilla we simply could not drive past without stopping at the Yankalilla Bakery. The country air must just make for good baking - there is something to be said for a pie or pasty at a country bakery, washed down with a cream bun or vanilla slice.  Of course we all know that calories don’t count on holidays!


Leonards Mill

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Whilst visiting the coast at Second Valley we came across Leonards Mill restaurant.   A restored flour mill, this was a great spot to stop for a drink on the lawns.  Plenty of room for the kids to run around, shelter was provided by the large trees in the garden as we perched on stools around wine barrels to soak up some sun and a local brew.

We had not made a booking, therefore were unable to stop for lunch, however the friendly staff accommodated us for a short drinks stop.  The menu utilises local fare and looked like a great spot for lunch or dinner with dining options both inside the gorgeous mill, or out in the alfresco dining area. 

Board Game Challenge

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I love a good board game, but we never seem to make time for them at home.  A great way to pass the evenings at our wi-fi free rental house was with board game challenges.  We had the usual scrabble of course - but we also played Sequence which was new to our family and a great one to try if you are after something new. 


Have you visited Carrickalinga - what were your highlights.

Penny - Itchy Feet Family ​

Other blogs you may be interested in:
New Years Eve Cruise: Pros and Cons
Visiting Long Tan - Experiential Learning
Y'all Come Back Soon - Visit to a Cowboy Ranch in Texas ​

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