Cottages and chalets in Carrickalinga

Carrickalinga is a quaint coastal settlement located approximately 80km south of South Australia’s bustling capital city, Adelaide. This small beach town sets itself apart from busy tourist orientated holiday locations, in that there are no shops located within 1km of the actual township, making the area extremely quiet and relaxed. Travellers shouldn’t be fooled by Carrickalinga’s small town facade however, as the area is home to diverse holiday rental opportunities, including some extremely lavish beachside holiday houses.

Things to See and Do in and Around Carrickalinga

One of the obvious ways to pass the time in Carrickalinga is to head down to one of the numerous pristine beaches that the area has to offer. The closest beach to Carrickalinga Township is Carrickalinga Beach, which is located within walking distance of most holiday accommodation in the area. This beach is breathtakingly beautiful, and is also not really considered to be a surf beach, which makes it great for swimming, tanning and relaxing. Parents with small children should be careful though, as the beach is not patrolled by surf lifesavers.

Holiday makers in Carrickalinga who want to hit the waves for some surfing however, have a great selection of surf breaks, with beaches such as Sellicks Beach Aldinga Beach and Maslin beach offering great surfing, all located within 40km of Carrickalinga. Many of these beaches also offer surf schools for novices, or those that would like to hone their skills.

Diving is another favourite with many international travellers in the Carrickalinga region, due to the large number of amazing ship wreck dive sites on offer. One of the most popular sites, located a short distance south-west of Carrickalinga, is the ex HMAS Hobart warship. This wreck is a favourite amongst divers as it was scuttled via controlled flooding, meaning that the ship is still intact. Divers who are wreck dive certified are consequently allowed inside the ship, which makes for some amazing photographs to look over when they get back to their holiday homes.

Getting away from the Beach

Holiday makers that have had their fill of the ocean may like to look around the Carrickalinga region to see what else the area has to offer. One of the must sees according to the locals are the Ingalalla Waterfalls, located 11km south of Carrickalinga in the Second Valley Forest. These waterfalls are the perfect place for a quick dip or a picnic on a warm day and the picturesque landscape surrounding the falls also plays host to various bushwalks, such as the Inman Valley/Second Valley Forest Walk which treats hikers to stunning views of the coast.

Travellers that would like to put a little bit of distance between themselves and their holiday accommodation on the other hand, can undertake the approximate 35km drive to Cape Jervis. This area plays host to an extremely interesting walking track known as the Talisker Historical Mine Trail, which allows holiday makers to explore the history of the Talisker Mine.

This Cornish silver and lead mine was operational between 1862 and 1872, and the ruins, which include a brick kiln, a crushing house and a smelting furnace, are explained on sign plaques throughout the walk. This permits visitors to guide themselves along the trail at their own pace, enjoying the native flora along the way, which includes over 60 different species of forest trees. Travellers are also likely to stumble across native Australian wildlife such as kangaroos at this site.

The Ideal Climate for Visitors

The Carrickalinga region experiences a Mediterranean style climate, which generally means hot dry summers and cool wet winters. This consequently makes Carrickalinga a perfect holiday destination year round, with the summer months (December to February) being the most popular with international tourists, due to the perfect beach weather on offer. Visitors to the region during the off season will however, be treated to more reasonable travel and accommodation deals, as well as having the pristine beaches basically to themselves.

Travelling to Carrickalinga from the UK

Various airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Qantas fly from London City Airport to Adelaide, via various colourful stopover destinations. Getting to Carrickalinga from Adelaide then involves a relaxed 80km drive through Adelaide’s outer suburbs and surrounding woodland. Once arriving in Carrickalinga however, visitors can sink into the relaxed Australian lifestyle by enjoying an ice cold beer on the balcony of their holiday home, whilst enjoying their amazing ocean views.