ADELAIDE HOLIDAYS 2019/20

Arriving in Adelaide, you’ll soon understand why South Australia is considered Australia’s most laidback state. The vast swathes of green, ease of travel and friendly locals make it feel more like a quaint country town than a capital city. Flanked by rolling hills to the east, and over 20 miles of beautiful beaches to the west, it boasts a relaxed demeanour. But it balances this with some serious cultural clout. Wander around Adelaide’s arcades and laneways and you’ll discover world-class cuisine, a thriving arts scene, and live music happening every night of the week.

Travel out of the city, in any direction, and you’ll soon find yourself in one of the country’s top wine-producing regions. Split between the world-famous Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, there are more than 200 cellar doors within a one-hour drive of the city, where you can sample a whole host of wines including full-bodied Shiraz and elegant Riesling. 

For an incredible visual treat, venture further afield and witness the state’s continually shifting landscape. As you traverse iconic touring routes, stunning coastal roads will turn into vine-covered hills, before finally giving way to rugged peaks as you reach the Flinders Ranges. Just a four-and-a-half-hour drive north of Adelaide, this is the closest outback town to any major Australian city. The semi-arid environment of this 540-million-year-old region allows native wildlife to thrive, so you might spot kangaroos, emus, or even the elusive yellow-footed rock wallaby.

For another authentic Australian wildlife experience, Kangaroo Island should be on everyone’s bucket list. Just a 30-minute flight from Adelaide, Australia’s third-largest island is home to pristine white-sand beaches, dramatic molten rock formations and, of course, an adorable array of local inhabitants. Nicknamed the ‘zoo without fences’, here you’ll be able to get up close and personal with tens of thousands of kangaroos and koalas, a whole host of birdlife, wallabies, echidnas, sea lions, dolphins and more.

If you’re looking for a unique underwater encounter, then head to the Eyre Peninsula. This aquatic playground is the only place in Australia where you can swim with sea lions and dolphins in the wild and come face-to-face with great whites as part of a shark cage diving tour. 

With all this and much more, South Australia is a world of wonder that allows for truly unforgettable experiences. But don’t just take our word for it – go and see it for yourself!