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Adelaide is a culinary playground and the Barossa Valley is one of the world’s wine capitals
Explore the Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island and a 3,800-kilometre coastline
Discover Adelaide’s thriving art culture, plus theatre, comedy and many historical buildings
Holidays to South Australia are sometimes unfairly overlooked in favour of what appear to be more exciting regions of Australia. Centrally located between Western Australia and the heavily populated eastern seaboard, yet easily accessible to all, South Australia is a major destination in its own right, with enough interesting attractions to tempt you to linger for a couple of weeks.
If there is one place you can't miss on a holiday to South Australia it has to be Kangaroo Island. Easily accessible by ferry, this picturesque island is home to pristine beaches, a thriving gourmet scene, native bushland and a laidback vibe. But the jewel in Kangaroo Island's crown has to be it's wildlife. Walk amongst endangered Australian sea lions at the Seal Bay Conservation Park, spot wild koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and even platypus in Flinders Chase National Park, plus you can swim with wild dolphins and seals off the coastal town of Penneshaw.
Of course, no holiday to South Australia is complete without a trip to the state capital Adelaide. Once known for having a reputation of being a bit straight-laced, recent decades have seen the city transform. You’ll now find it's home to arguably the most exciting food scene in Australia, along with world-class art galleries, sporting events, street art and music venues. Just 20 minutes from the city centre are the magical Adelaide Hills, home to fairytale villages such as Hahndorf and Lobethal. Here you’ll be able to explore leafy streets, wineries and mouth-watering restaurants. And then you have the Barossa Valley, a renowned wine region with over 80 cellar doors where you can taste some of the most celebrated wines not only in Australia, but in the world.
If you’re looking for the rugged outdoors, the Flinders Ranges and the Outback will provide it in spades. For a real Outback experience, visit Coober Pedy where 70 per cent of the residents live underground to escape the heat. Like a scene out of Mad Max, this is the centre of Australia’s opal mining industry.
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.
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.
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Between them, our travel advisors can boast almost 800 years of holiday expertise.
Our tailor-made packages make it easy for you to discover more of the world.
Whether you're looking for luxury or simplicity, we've got the perfect holiday for you.
Travelbag is fully protected by ATOL and ABTA, so your booking is completely secure.
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