Looking for a wild, fast-paced, and jaw-dropping weekend getaway? Our region delivers non-stop thrills for the daring at heart.

Read on to find out how you can lock eyes with lions at Monarto Safari Park, speed around the track at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, or explore through Coorong National Park on a 4WD adventure.

If you’re looking to get your blood pumping, make Monarto Safari Park your first stop.

Its Lions 360 experience is out of this world, giving you a close up view of the Park’s big cats. It’s the only experience of its kind in Australia!

Step into the 360 cage and feed a piece of steak to a pride of lions. They’ll play and pounce above you, peering down for their next meal… (just don’t open your mouth when you’re looking up!)

Monarto is also home to the South Coast Motocross Club, located down the road from the Safari Park. This month they’re hosting a round of the SA State Titles (14-15 September). Pull up a seat to watch South Australia’s best riders tackle the course.

Barossa Helicopters have introduced a new tour out to Swan Reach, flying over the river and through the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s breathtaking to see the magnitude of the reserve, even if you don’t get to fly at night.

The experience runs for four hours, stopping into the Swan Reach Hotel for a pub feed you won’t forget. You’ll get fantastic river views from sky and land, because the Swan Reach Hotel is perched right in front of the ferry crossing.

Speaking of exclusive experiences, the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park offers Australia’s only Ford factory backed V8 Mustang track experience!

These cars can reach speeds of up to 180km/h, so your heart will race as a professional driver zips you around the world-renowned circuit.

For some friendly rivalry, head over to the Kartdrome and race against your mates in the world’s fastest recreational karts. Everyone’s lap times appear on the screen after your session, providing life-long brag rights to whoever tops the leaderboard.

With quiet, shady roads and magnificent cellar doors to stop into, Langhorne Creek is a great place to explore by bike (and could provide a slower-paced break if you need it in between).

Bike About will soon be offering electric bikes to hire, so you can explore the region, without too much strain or sweat. But for those who love to cycle, the area’s flat terrain and beautiful scenery is a gorgeous ride (and the wineries love cycling groups dropping in!).

We recommend following the Grapes for Good trail, stopping into Kimbolton Wines, Bleasdale, Bremerton, Lake Breeze, The Winehouse, and Vineyard Road.  These wineries have all partnered with Monarto Safari Park, using their top drop to raise much-needed funds for animal conservation efforts worldwide.

Did you know that Langhorne Creek is also home to SA Skydiving’s home airfield? While you’re here, take the rare opportunity to tandem skydive. You can even skydive into Bremerton Wines!

This involves freefalling at over 220kph for over a minute before your parachute opens and you glide back down to the ground, taking in picturesque vineyard landscapes along the way.

Once you land, you’ll head into Bremerton’s newly renovated cellar door and enjoy a tasting of their incredible wines, included complementary with every skydive experience.

Cycle the Encounter Bikeway! Its fully sealed route takes you along the Murray River’s edge to the Goolwa barrage and beyond. You’ll pedal under the Hindmarsh Bridge and through the wharf precinct – where Goolwa cafés like Bombora on the River, Hector’s and Kuti Shack make the perfect pit-stops for cyclists chasing a cuppa or meal.

For all things fishing, canoeing, and hiking – head South to Coorong National Park!

After something fast-paced? Strap on your helmet and mountain bike the trails, or take the 4WD over the Salt Creek dunes and onto 90 Mile Beach (find tips on navigating the 4WD trails here).

Otherwise, put the boat in and cruise between the Murray Mouth and Mark Point to cast a line and catch some Coorong Mullet or Mulloway.

If this sounds like your style, there are also awesome 4WD trails at Ngarkat Conservation Park. Located in Lameroo, it’s an expansive horizon of mallee scrub and heath land, extending across 270,000-hectares of remnant coastal dunes.

One of the most challenging courses is the iconic Border Track, which follows the border that separates South Australia and Victoria. This is only recommended for experience 4WD drivers, so access is restricted one-way, travelling from north to south during April to October.