Experience South Australia

Adelaide – One of Lonely Planet’s top 10 must visit cities in the world for 2014!

The City of Adelaide is surrounded by a green belt known as the Park Lands and is a blend of historic buildings, wide streets, vibrant public spaces, arts, culture, cafes and restaurants. Adelaide is easy to get around either on foot, by bike or use local transport. Be sure to view Top 10 things to do in Adelaide and What’s on in the City for great ideas to fill up your stay in Adelaide, whether it is for a day or a week!

Adelaide Hills – A place for all seasons

Just 30 minutes’ drive from Adelaide lie the picturesque vineyards of the Adelaide Hills. With its interlinking villages, roadside stalls and excellent cellar door restaurants, spend a day or two exploring and tasting the region’s fresh produce and beautiful wines. To discover these delights as well as Hahndorf, Cleland Wildlife Park and Hans Heyson’s studio ‘The Cedars’ book a personalised tour of the region or include the Adelaide Hills into part of your self-drive itinerary.

Barossa

Australia’s most famous wine region features more than 80 cellar doors, just over an hour’s drive north of Adelaide. To visit the Barossa is to taste the good life. Premium wines, including Barossa Valley Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling, regional produce and acclaimed restaurants provide a gastronomic experience second to none. There are many day tours to choose from, or incorporate the region into your own self-drive itinerary before heading to the Clare Valley.

Clare Valley - A taste of the Country

Just 90 minutes north of Adelaide, the Clare Valley is a hidden gem of historic villages and wineries in a picturesque valley famed for its wine and pioneering heritage. Considered the home of Australian Riesling, you’ll find there’s much more on offer as you ride your bike along the Riesling Trail or explore historic mining towns like Burra. Include the Clare Valley as part of your Flinders Ranges or Barossa Valley organised tour or self-drive itinerary.

Eyre Peninsula – Seafood Capital of Australia

The Eyre Peninsula delivers a blend of red outback plains, glistening salt lakes, spectacular beaches, coastal scenery and an abundance of seafood. Fly into Port Lincoln and either pick up a hire car or tour. Allow at least 4–5 days to explore and get a real taste of what the region has to offer.

Fleurieu Peninsula – Where the vines meet the sea

Everything is within easy reach on the Fleurieu Peninsula. An easy 45 minute drive South of Adelaide you’ll find picturesque undulating hills dotted with orchards, farms and vineyards (such as the McLaren Vale), rolling down to breathtaking beaches and a rugged coastline. The Fleurieu Peninsula can be explored by day tour, personalised tour or as part of a self-drive itinerary that includes Kangaroo Island or the Ufa.

Flinders Ranges

Just 4.5 hours’ drive from Adelaide you’ll find the spectacular landscape of the Flinders Ranges. Stunningly beautiful, the region features vast open spaces, towering rock walls, spectacular gorges, abundant wildlife and Aboriginal culture and rock art. There are many areas you can explore taking a hire car, or alternatively to make the most of your time and go on a 4WD tour.

Kangaroo Island – See Wildlife in the Wild

Just a short flight from Adelaide, or a 90 minute drive and 35 minute ferry ride, Kangaroo Island is easily accessible by day tour from Adelaide. Or pick up a rental car and enjoy 3-4 days exploring. Kangaroo Island is one of the world’s most pristine wilderness destinations and one of Australia’s iconic National Landscapes.

Limestone Coast

The Limestone Coast links Melbourne with Adelaide and is a fantastic self-drive touring route for visitors driving the spectacular Great Ocean Road. The Limestone Coast also reaches inland through lush farming country, famous wine districts, unique wetlands, volcanic landscapes and underground wonders. Drive from Melbourne through to Adelaide taking a leisurely 4 – 5 days or drive a round trip from Adelaide and see all the sights in 3 or more days.

Murray River

The Murray River is an ancient river system and national icon that winds its way through 600 kms of South Australia to The Coorong, one of Australia’s most significant Wetlands and National Parks and full of Aboriginal culture, wildlife and wonderment.

See the river and its unique flora and fauna, and old riverside ports whilst drifting unhurriedly and quietly on Australia’s largest paddle steamer, the P.S. Murray Princess or cruise on board the M.V. Proud Mary. Another great way to experience the river is to hire a houseboat and cruise at your leisure. Most houseboats are fitting out with all mod cons and require only a valid drivers licence to operate. To explore most of the 600km of river in South Australia there is also the Murray River Run.

Outback

Home to the Opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy, where you can stay underground and go ‘noodling’ for opals. Fly into Coober Pedy and go on one of the many tours and scenic flights to see the spectacular Painted Desert, the Breakaways and go on the Outback Mail Run with the local postman.