Holidays to South Australia

With outstanding natural beauty, diverse landscapes, endless beaches, a thriving food scene and a host of native wildlife, Kangaroo Island provides visitors a true microcosm of Australia. Flying here from Adelaide takes just 30 minutes, and car ferries also operate from Cape Jervis on the mainland. Seven times bigger than Singapore, Kangaroo Island is 155 kilometres long and 55 kilometres wide so you’ll need some wheels to get around. You can take cars and campervans across on the ferry or hire on arrival at the airport. There are also a host of touring options with local guides and wildlife experts to ensure you see the best the island has to offer.

As you drive around, you’ll discover soaring cliffs, dense bushland, towering sand dunes, peaceful wetlands, and diverse beaches. Walkers are well catered for with plenty of trails, ranging from 30-minute strolls to eight-hour hikes. On the water, you’ll be equally well entertained, with endless beaches for snorkeling, surfing, swimming and sunbathing. Communities are full of art galleries, cultural events and great restaurants – and incredibly friendly locals.

Australia is renowned as a wine producer, but the 80 vineyards of Barossa are arguably the jewel in the country’s crown. The Barossa region is one of those rare places where you can immerse yourself in nature until late afternoon, and then enjoy some of the world’s best wines and mouth-watering cuisine in the evenings. The Barossa is home to some of the biggest names in wine, like Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds and Wolf Blass – as well as a host of small batch wine makers, offering something for all tastes.

Hikers will want to walk sections of the long-distance Mawson, Heysen and Kidman trails which meet in the town of Kapunda. For those seeking a leisurely option, the Barossa’s dedicated cycling tracks mean that you can explore the region without having to ride on busy roads. Alternatively, hire a car and follow a tasting trail. The Barossa Butcher, Baker, Winemaker Trail winds its way through Barossa’s very best food and wine experiences, and is the perfect way to spend a relaxing day. Day tours with expert guides are also available and are an ideal way to get behind the scenes, meet the winemakers and enjoy delicious cuisine along the way.

Although not as well known for its beaches as some other Australian states, South Australia's 3,800 kilometres of glistening coastline is not short of its own incredible beaches. Adelaide has some outstanding beaches just 20 minutes drive west of the city centre, particularly around the suburb of Glenelg, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that some of the beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula had been taken straight out of a desert island.

Adelaide is a delight for foodies with countless small bars and restaurants throughout its street-art-lined laneways and arcades. The Adelaide Central Market is a must for all the best local gourmet ingredients. The city is at its most vibrant during festival season. From February-April each year you can catch a host of events, including Adelaide Fringe – the second largest of its kind after Edinburgh.

Further west is the vast coastline of the Eyre Peninsula, with crystal-clear waters, wildlife-filled national parks and mouth-watering seafood. The Peninsula’s main hub of Port Lincoln is a must-visit for adventurers. Just a 50-minute flight from Adelaide, this acts as a great base to explore the region and join tours to swim with sea lions or cage dive with great white sharks. It’s also a great spot for fishing trips. For a freshwater adventure, take a relaxing cruise along the Murray River – Australia’s longest – or you could even hire a houseboat.

South Australia’s climate is best characterised as Mediterranean. The winter – which runs from June to August – is generally mild, but tends to be a bit wet. The highest rainfall is around Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges. In the Australian summer, temperatures rarely exceed 25°C in Adelaide, so you can see the sights in comfort. And, if you’re looking for some beach time at this time of year, you can expect the sea temperature to be around 20°C. Further north in the Outback, summer temperatures can soar towards 40°C, but the nights can feel a little chilly, whatever the time of year.

Autumn stretches from March to May, and this is a great time to go on holiday to South Australia. Temperatures hover in the low twenties and it’s very sunny. Spring shows the state off well, too, with plenty of blooming flowers and wildlife on show.