Theo Venn

Price the complete rental at the same pickup and return times, including the one-way fee, permitted roads, insurance excess and any extra driver. A low daily rate can hide a large return charge.

Check the current Adelaide Metro rail schedule from Outer Harbor and the distance from the berth to the station. Plan the return train around all-aboard time, not departure time.

Check change conditions on the domestic ticket and consider a later departure if missing it would be costly. Separate bookings usually leave the connection risk with you.

Bring layers, check the entry gate and allow time to learn the pace of play. A shorter match may suit a first visit if you cannot commit a full day.

Work backward from the ferry operator's required check-in time, not the sailing time. Add rental pickup, fuel and a generous buffer for the drive down the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The Central Market area can be useful when it is open, but its trading hours vary by day. For a later meal, look at nearby neighbourhood dining streets and reserve only if needed.

Glenelg is the simpler base if repeated CBD trips are central to your visit. Compare the tram journey with each property's actual walk to the stop.

Check the zoo's current encounter age limits, availability and cancellation terms before booking. An ordinary visit may be easier to pace than a fixed-time premium experience.

Compare Barossa with McLaren Vale if your available time is firm. Ask operators for actual pickup and drop-off times, rather than the time spent in the wine region alone.

Build the day around food and rest stops. A short market visit, a garden or parkland walk and an early meal can be more enjoyable than trying to fit in every family attraction.