South Australia Holidays

Adelaide

South Australia’s capital city is a cultural and gastronomic delight, yet it manages to retain an intimacy and laid-back atmosphere more akin to a large town than a bustling city. Adelaide is also blessed with a glorious climate – hot dry summers and mild bright winters.

The central city is conveniently compact and is bordered by four terraces beyond which lies wide open parkland and gardens just waiting to be explored. It is a charming city to spend a few days enjoying the numerous bars, cafes and art galleries or jumping on the tram to Glenelg, the relaxed coastal suburb only 30 minutes from Victoria Square. Take a stroll on the sandy beach, dine al fresco and enjoy the sunset.

Barossa Valley

The fertile Barossa Valley is home to world-renowned wineries including Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek and is also scattered with verdant orchards and picturesque churches and cottages.

The weekly famer’s market near Angaston is a great place to pick up local produce including fruit, vegetables, bread, jams, chutneys… The ideal ingredients for a picnic, to be accompanied by a bottle of locally-produced wine! A trip to Mengler Hill is recommended for unrivalled views over the Barossa.

Kangaroo Island

This off-shore island is often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of Australia’, and it’s easy to see why. Here you may be lucky enough to find kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, possums, echidnas, goannas, platypus, penguins, sea-lions and fur seals in their natural habitats.
The Parndana Wildlife Park provides a guaranteed opportunity to meet with these, and many more, native animals. Spectacular coastlines, secluded beaches, the Remarkable Rocks and native forests complete the natural attractions of Kangaroo Island.
An overnight stay is highly recommended to see the best of Kangaroo Island, which in addition to its wildlife also includes wineries, arts and crafts, national parks and distinctive rock formations, all just 15kms from mainland South Australia.

The Flinders Ranges

Located just 5 hours north of Adelaide by road, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park boasts dramatic scenery of rust red mountains and deep gorges. The area’s most famous landmark is Wilpena Pound, a vast natural amphitheatre ringed by serrated mountains, which can be explored on foot, by 4WD or perhaps most spectacularly by air.

You may see the wedge tailed eagle here (Australia’s largest bird of prey), as well as kangaroos and emus, and can learn about the extensive indigenous history of the region with a guided to tour to see examples of ancient Aboriginal rock art.

Coober Pedy

Due it’s extreme climate, the desert town of Coober Pedy is located predominantly underground – homes, businesses and hotels all shelter away from the scorching heat. The town is also renowned for its opal production, with 80% of the world’s opals mined here. As a result Coober Pedy is surrounded by mine shafts and extensive opal fields.

Beyond South Australia…

To the west, the vast Nullarbor Plain stretches into the distance and into Western Australia. The most comfortable way to experience this is by train, on board the Indian Pacific to Perth. Alternatively travel north on board The Ghan to Alice Springs – a great way to enjoy South Australia’s diverse scenery.