South Australia
South Australia sits in the centre of Australia, with the Southern Ocean to the south, flanked on the other sides by land. Its landmarks include the Great Australian Bight, which provides spectacular whale-watching opportunities every year; the magnificent Flinders Ranges; the natural wonder of Kangaroo Island; the world’s largest cattle station, and the world-famous wine regions of the Barossa and Clare Valley. |
Quick Facts| Category | Details | | Population | 1,542,033 (in June 2005) | | Climate | Around the coast, South Australians enjoy a temperate climate that encourages outdoor living and a relaxed atmosphere. But in the north, temperatures can get hot, particularly in the summer months. Adelaide’s summer average is 28.3 Celsius, with a winter average of 15.9 Celsius. | | Cultural Mix | South Australia’s population is characterised by a great diversity of cultures. Approximately one in five South Australians was born overseas, with about half of this group born in English-speaking countries, and the other half in countries where English is not the dominant language. | | Famous For | South Australia is famous for: Kangaroo Island for its unspoilt nature; Coober Pedy for its underground homes; enthralling events like international cycling race the Tour Down Under; the Clipsal 500 V8 championship; the Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive; and Australia’s largest arts festival - the Adelaide Fringe. We’re known for our world-class Barossa wine region and for being the home of the remarkable Penfold’s Grange (the 1990 vintage was dubbed ‘the best red wine in the world’ by Wine Spectator magazine). | | Transport | By air, you can reach South Australia on international airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Garuda Airlines; there are also several national airline operators servicing the state. By rail, the Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs, while the Indian Pacific spans the continent between Sydney and Perth via Adelaide. The Overland runs between Melbourne and Adelaide – all are owned by Great Southern Rail. Adelaide’s interstate rail terminal is located at Keswick, a few kilometres from the city centre. A number of coach companies have connections to and within South Australia. Its central position makes SA a great destination for a short(ish) drive from the eastern states, or part of a longer tour across the nation. | | The People | Artists film director Scott Hicks (Shine, Snow Falling on Cedars) film director Rolf de Heer (Ten Canoes) painter David Bromley photo-based artist Deborah Paauwe sculptor Greg Johns glass artist Nick Mount artist Fiona Hall Sir Hans Heysen made his home in the Adelaide Hills – his studio is still open to visitors.
Musicians
South Australia is home to successful hip-hop band The Hilltop Hoods Musos who grew up here include Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian and Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes US singer-songwriter Ben Folds also married a local and made Adelaide his part-time home.
Actors
Anthony Lapaglia Gary Sweet Katie Fischer Shaun Micallef Sir Robert Helpmann
Writers
Nobel prize winner Joseph Coetzee children’s author Mem Fox novelist Monica McInerney sc-fi writer Sean Williams.
Chefs
Jean-Claude de Tolouse Andrew Fielke Le Tu Thai Simon Bryant Maggie Beer Cheong Liew
South Australia has also produced astronaut Andy Thomas and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt.
| | Did you know... | The hit TV show McLeod’s Daughters is filmed in South Australia. |
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