About an hour over the Vic border, travelling along the Dukes Highway, you’ll come to a small unassuming town called Tintinara. Affectionately known to the locals as ‘Tinti’ this farming town is morphing itself in to one of the Dukes Highway’s favourite traveller stops. Of course it has all the basics sorted: fuel, toilets, park, barbecue, playground. Tick, tick, tick.

But, here’s the catch. It has SA’s only free to play DISC GOLF COURSE. Huh!?

Also known as ‘frisbee golf’ this game is played much like traditional golf, but instead of balls and clubs, people use a flying disc. Metal baskets are placed around the course – and no surprises – the aim is to get your disc into the basket, in the fewest number of throws. And of course, for those of you who don’t carry your own personalised frisbee from place-to-place just hoping you might come across a disc golf park, fear not. The local volunteers have you covered. You can grab a pack of discs and course map from the volunteer-run tourism information centre – Heart of the Parks.

The course has nine baskets and 18 tee positions wrapping their way around Tintinara’s sparkling Lake Indawarra precinct – and I have a feeling this might just be the perfect way to stretch your legs and have some fun as you make your way to SA (and of course, there’s space to kick the footy for the super-keen sports fans).

And good news for those with kids: In 2018, Tinti will also become home to a new $145,000 nature playground. Construction will start soon on this exciting family space and offer another great place for the kids to stretch their legs during the long haul.

[Oh, and a little culinary hint, the local service station in Tinti is run by a local Indian family who make some of THE best authentic Indian dishes in regional SA! If you love the flavours of the East, you have to try it.]

If quality coffee is on the agenda, then you MUST stop in Tailem Bend and try out the region’s newest boutique coffee house ‘Little Local Co’. Run by local Ngarrindjeri woman Amy Chinsami and her Fijian-Indian husband Neil, this cross-cultural, creatively entrepreneurial foodie couple are brewing up what’s fast getting a reputation as the best coffee in the region (and, dare I say, maybe even the State!?). These guys aren’t trying to become a restaurant, nor set up a café – they are firmly focussed on creating the perfect cup of coffee (in all its forms) and coupling it with Amy’s own delicately baked sweets as the perfect accompaniment.

You only need glance briefly at their Instagram page to get excited about what’s on offer from this little Tailem Bend gem. Think lemon meringue tarts and chocolate truffles made with native flavours, or Amy’s hand-made brown butter Monte Carlos and coconut cookie with vanilla bean buttercream and strawberry compote. Seriously, the combinations are bliss. And – for those not-so-in-love-with-coffee (who even are these people!?), fear not! Neil is regularly whipping up experimental drink flavours like the iced chai frappe, iced Kumquot juice or the sexiest looking peach iced tea you ever did see.

Just one more drink: If you’re one of the new-age cold brew coffee drinkers, then you’ll be extra excited to read that these guys have their own Little Local Co Golden Wattle Cold Brew, and you can grab a pack in store to take on the road with you.

While you’re in Tailem, why not grab your drinks takeaway, and sit amongst the magical views of the Murray River at Dickson Reserve. This cracking spot, right on the water’s edge is just off the highway – just look for the big rhino and head down (yes, that’s right, Tailem Bend has a whopping big rhino sculpture).

[And of course, you won’t be able to miss The Bend Motorsport Park as you drive in to Tailem Bend. The first events kick off here in April 2018, and down the track they’re talking about creating a whole swag load of drive experiences – including a 4WD park, karting, drifting, rallycross and more. So if you love high-adrenalin action, then this will be a future stop for you!]

Where do I even start with Monarto Zoo?! Should it be with the Lions 360 experience on the largest open-range zoo in Australia (and one of the largest in the world). Spanning more than 1500 hectares and home to more than 50 species of exotic and native animals, this is THE place for families – in fact it’s a place for everyone to have an incredible animal experience like no other.

Some days I need to pinch myself, as I have those “damn I love my job” moments. Monarto Zoo is usually the place where this happens, as I get the regular opportunity to see new baby animals, new exhibit openings or attend exclusive on-site events. From month to month I get to walk the giraffe platform, watching these amazing herds from only inches away, snacking on tree branches for morning tea. I can see the wandering black and white rhinos, or take a walk to see the chimp exhibit – where these cheeky chimps are generally swinging off the ropes and giving the crowds an acrobatic display.

Even the growing meerkat population is a favourite for kids, with these cheeky little creatures capturing the child-like imagination of all of us. The meerkats are located near the zoo’s café and alongside the nature playground, not far from the giant (half-buried) rhino sculpture, and a good walk (or bus trip) to see the zebras, ostriches, spotted dogs and cheetahs.

If you have half a day, or even a few hours up your sleeve, this incredible open range zoo should be a priority on your itinerary – with its unique environments and hands-on experiences, I can personally guarantee you’ll be blown away every time you visit.

Detour #2 – Historic port of Mannum

A little further out of the way (and in the other direction, north of Murray Bridge), lies the small, but historically significant River town of Mannum. Well known as the historic home of the Murray River Paddlesteamer, this little town has the perfect mix of historic icons and modern features along its cute main street.

Home to major award-winning events, such as Sounds By The River, and a growing calendar of other eclectic events (the Mannum Truck and Ute Show and All Steamed Up), this small town bats well above its average when it comes to looking after its visitors. It provides some of the best views from the Murray’s banks, including the famous Pretoria Hotel deck and waterfront bar and Café’ Mannum overlooking the double-ferry crossing.  But, it also boasts an array of ice-cream shops and cafes which always seem to be full of passing houseboat holiday-makers, all searching for the perfectly peaceful meal or souvenir to take home from their travels.

There’s also one of the best Visitor Info Centre’s in Mannum too – attached to the interactive Mannum Dock Museum. Here you can experience the River’s incredible history and find out more about short cruises along the Murray (because we all know, the best way to experience the River, is from cruising along it in a boat).

An extra 20-minute drive south of Murray Bridge, this is a town full of character and history, and is definitely worth the extra hours to explore. Even a coffee and a seat in the serene Mary Ann Reserve on the River’s edge are enough to make you forget your worries (even if only for a moment). Or, for the more adventurous, follow the signs to the Mannum Waterfalls – a picture-perfect hidden gem of the State, especially during the wet months.

So that’s the short list (you can’t imagine my long list). Most of these stops are en route to Adelaide, an all snackable experiences for the seasoned traveller who’s keen to see and experience something new. Even for those of you considering your next holiday, this might just help to form the first part of you South Australian visit. Take a few days (better still, take a few weeks) and immerse yourself in the environmental waterways that are the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong region. We promise you won’t regret it.