South Australia

Fringed by the Southern Ocean, the world-class Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions and more than 3700 kms of awe-inspiring coastline, South Australia is one of Australia’s true gems.

Its major landmarks include the Great Australian Bight, which provides spectacular whale-watching opportunities every year, the magnificent Flinders Ranges, the South Australian Outback, including the legendary Birdsville Track, and the natural wonder of Kangaroo Island.

One of Australia’s most culturally diverse regions, with one in five local residents having been born overseas, South Australia is a mecca for good food and wine. Visit the many farmers’ markets, gourmet retreats, food and wine trails and the fascinating Adelaide Central Market with its mind-boggling array of fresh produce and gourmet specialities.

South Australia is also renowned for the Adelaide Festival, the innovative Fringe Festival and the multi-cultural music festival WOMADelaide.

One of the best ways to explore all South Australia has to offer is self driving.  Four of Australia’s greatest drives are:

• Adelaide – Darwin via The Explorer Highway
  This long distance tourist drive along the Stuart Highway spans the length of Australia. It runs from Adelaide to tropical Darwin in the far north Australia, and traverses the vast South Australian Outback and the red heart of the nation.
• Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road
  This magnificent journey takes visitors from Melbourne to Adelaide via the spectacular Great Ocean Road, Limestone Coast and Fleurieu Peninsula.
• Sydney to Adelaide
  This journey takes visitors from Sydney in New South Wales to Adelaide, through South Australia’s scenic Murray River region and two of South Australia’s most renowned wine regions, the Barossa and Clare Valley.
• Perth to Adelaide
  This trip takes visitors on an awe-inspiring journey from Perth in Western Australia, to Adelaide, South Australia, and passes through Western Australia’s spectacular south coast, and South Australia’s Nullarbor Plain, Eyre Peninsula, and the Clare Valley wine region.

South Australia has some of the world’s most famous wine regions including the Barossa, Clare Valley and Coonawarra. We’re home to Australia’s most prestigious red wine – Penfold’s Grange. We’re passionate about our food and there’s a restaurant to suit every taste and budget. Come for our farmers’ markets, gourmet retreats, food and wine trails, and the fascinating Adelaide Central Market, with a mind-boggling array of fresh produce and gourmet specialities introduced by the waves of immigrants and their families who call Adelaide home.

Kangaroo Island, one of the most unspoilt natural wonders of the world; the glorious Flinders Ranges including Wilpena Pound; the tranquil Murray River; the Coorong – a tapestry of lagoons, wetlands and sand dunes fronting the thunderous waves of the Southern Ocean; the heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves; and the awe-inspiring South Australian Outback including legendary Birdsville Track.

South Australia is renowned for the Adelaide Festival, innovative Fringe Festival and multicultural music festival WOMADelaide. Stroll along Adelaide’s main boulevard, North Terrace, for the SA Art Gallery, museum, State Library (housing the Bradman collection, a tribute to cricketer Sir Donald Bradman) and Migration Museum. You’ll also find Tandanya here – the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.

You're sure to find your perfect beach somewhere along South Australia's 3700km coast. When Sydney University evaluated 10,000 beaches across Australia, Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo island was among the winners.  The Eyre Peninsula features many superb beaches, famous blue water sailing, diving, fishing and whale-watching spots. Yorke Peninsula’s coast is dotted with jetties - perfect for fishing and strolling - as well as shipwrecks that make for great diving.

Swim with dolphins at Baird Bay; go on safari through Monarto Zoological Park to see giraffes, lions, cheetahs, rhinos and more; watch whales carvort at Head of Bight; cuddle koalas at Cleland Conservation Park; get up close to sea lions on Kangaroo Island. There’s no taming South Australia!