tourist attractions in south australia

16 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in South Australia

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Mar 22, 2022

South Australia has captured the imagination of artists and adventurers for centuries. Sprawling wilderness, a stunning coastline, and stark desert beauty inspire all who visit, and the state capital, Adelaide, sits on the brink of all these natural wonders. Parks and gardens punctuate the city, and venerable 19th-century buildings grace the wide, tree-lined streets of this culture-rich capital. But this sparsely populated state has a trove of other tourist attractions.

Quaint country villages steeped in European charm, emerald hills, and cobalt crater lakes are some of the unique places to visit in South Australia. Along the coast, you can bask on beautiful beaches; picnic in secluded coves; or commune with wildlife on Kangaroo Island, one of the country's much-loved tourist gems.

South Australia is also a haven for foodies . The state's wild seas and picturesque pastoral land, fed by the mighty Murray River, produce a bounty of fresh produce–from citrus fruits and grapes to hand-made cheeses and some of the country's best seafood.

Further afield, in the west and northwest, the arid wilderness meets the pink-tinged peaks of the Flinders Ranges , the opal mines of Coober Pedy , vast deserts crossed by famous 4WD tracks, and the legendary Nullarbor Plain . Find the best places to visit in this diverse Aussie state with our list of the top attractions in South Australia.

1. Kangaroo Island

2. adelaide's art & culture, 3. barossa valley, 4. adelaide botanic garden, 5. clare valley, 6. flinders ranges, 7. the fleurieu peninsula, 9. the eyre peninsula, 10. murray river, 11. mount gambier & umpherston sinkhole, 12. dhilba guuranda-innes national park, yorke peninsula, 13. coober pedy, 14. the oodnadatta track, 15. adelaide oval, 16. adelaide central market, map of attractions & places to visit in south australia.

Kangaroo Island off the Fleurieu Peninsula is the third largest island in Australia and one of the country's top natural jewels. This beautiful island is a must-do on your South Australia itinerary.

Sparkling cerulean seas, pristine beaches, rugged coastal scenery, and fascinating rock formations and caves are some of the island's top draws. Top things to do on Kangaroo Island center around these beautiful wilderness areas. Enjoy close-up encounters with the namesake marsupial, as well as koalas, seals, penguins, sea lions, and a diversity of birds in their natural habitat. Surf down giant sand dunes, or dive the clear waters. Scuba divers frequently spot sea dragons in the temperate waters, and many wrecks lie sunken offshore.

In Flinders Chase National Park , the wind-sculpted boulders of the Remarkable Rocks and the eroded curve of Admiral's Arch are striking geographical features. The island is also known for its bounty of fresh produce including fresh seafood, free-range eggs, and Ligurian honey.

Wondering how to get to Kangaroo Island? You can fly direct to the island from Adelaide, or hop aboard a ferry from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is Australia's fifth-largest city and one of its most charming. Thanks to the city's affluent heritage, arts and culture thrive here – from opera and symphony to a vibrant live music scene.

Culture vultures should head to North Terrace first. Visiting the museums, galleries, gardens, and gourmet restaurants along this beautiful tree-lined boulevard are among the top things to do in Adelaide.

One of the cultural treasures on North Terrace is the Art Gallery of South Australia. Housed in a colonnaded Victorian building, it hosts one of Australia's finest art collections. Other must-sees include the Migration Museum; the State Library of South Australia ; and the adjacent South Australian Museum, renowned for its Aboriginal heritage collections.

Adelaide's architectural highlights reside along here, too. Don't miss Parliament House , with its grand colonnade, and the Mitchell Building, on the main campus of the University of Adelaide – it's one of the city's best examples of Gothic Revival style.

Prefer live performances? Opera, symphony, and a flourishing music scene lure aficionados from around the country, and you'll find an impressive line-up of performances and events at the Adelaide Festival Centre .

Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Adelaide

The Barossa Valley, about an hour drive from Adelaide, is a favorite day trip from the capital. Blessed with fertile soils, this verdant valley is one of Australia's oldest grape-growing regions and a haven for foodies, who are lured by the high-quality fresh produce and artisan foods.

German and English immigrants originally settled the valley, and their history and culture is still palpable today in the historic buildings, heritage trails, museums, and European-style cuisine.

In addition to all the historic attractions, the Barossa Valley offers plenty of other things to do . You can shop at the popular farmers markets, attend cookery schools, feast at the fabulous restaurants, relax at the day spas, and browse the many gift shops and art galleries.

Green thumbs take note: Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the best free things to do in South Australia. You'll find it at the east end of North Terrace behind wrought-iron gates.

Established in 1855, Adelaide Botanical Garden features a bevy of themed botanical beauties. Medicinal plants, a Mediterranean garden, and Australian native species are among the impressive collections. Interested in water conservation? The garden also hosts a wetland designed to sequester enough water to eventually irrigate the entire grounds.

Save time to visit the Santos Museum of Economic Botany . Here you can learn about the critical role plants play in everyday life.

Other garden highlights include Australia's oldest avenue of Moreton Bay fig trees, the Bicentennial Conservatory, the palm house, and the magnificent night-flowering Amazonica water lilies.

Mini green thumbs will love the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden with fruit and veggies, compost, and a worm farm.

Still haven't got your green fix? Head to Mount Lofty Botanic Garden to admire cool-climate plants and a heritage rose garden, or get your Zen on at Himeji Garden amid lily-topped ponds and fountains.

Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia

Official site: https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/visit/adelaide-botanic-garden

Along with the Barossa Valley , the Clare Valley is another famous Australian grape-growing region, about 136 kilometers north of Adelaide. Picturesque pastoral landscapes provide a perfect setting for romantic weekend retreats, and the region is known for its flourishing gourmet food culture. Polish, English, and Irish immigrants originally settled the valley, and their culture and customs are still evident in the charming heritage towns and historic bluestone buildings.

Named after County Clare in Ireland, the main town of Clare is one of the best country towns in South Australia for a weekend getaway. Explore the region's history in the town's museum, housed in a mid-19th century courthouse, or visit nearby Sevenhill, named for its rolling countryside reminiscent of the hills around Rome. From here, you can take the scenic drive to Polish Hills River Valley and visit the Polish Hill River Church Museum (open the first Sunday of every month), or bike the old railway route.

From 1845 to 1877 copper mining brought prosperity to the area around Burra , which has preserved its rich history in mine buildings, stone dwellings, and museums along Burra's Heritage Passport Trail. The English-style heritage town of Mintaro is home to Martindale Hall, a Georgian-style mansion, which you can tour.

Popular things to do in the Clare Valley include exploring the beautiful Skilly Hills; dining at the excellent cafés and restaurants; and browsing the local markets, gift shops, and art galleries. Each year in May, foodies flock here for the annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend , a celebration of the region's abundant fresh produce.

Named for famous explorer Matthew Flinders, the Flinders Ranges are a delight for nature lovers, photographers, and artists. In the shifting light of day, the arid landscapes provide a striking play of colors–from pale pink and burnished gold to vibrant burnt orange.

Despite the dry conditions, the area is home to a surprising abundance of wildlife. Emus, yellow-footed rock wallabies, and flocks of brilliantly colored parrots are frequently spotted.

The mountains run from north to south through the eastern part of South Australia, stretching northward for 400 kilometers into the scorched outback. Due to the high summer temperatures, it's one of the best places to visit in South Australia during winter. In Flinders Ranges National Park , the most scenic area of the region, a rich growth of vegetation cloaks the sheltered valleys, and wildflowers carpet the parched earth in spring, which is another great time to visit.

Top tourist attractions in the Flinders Ranges include the natural amphitheater of Wilpena Pound with St. Mary's Peak at its highest point, Aboriginal art at Arkaroo Rock, and interesting fossils. You can also hike part of the long-distance Heysen Trail , named for the famous German-born Australian artist, Hans Heysen.

The picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula sits on a spur of land projecting southwest from the Mount Lofty Ranges. It's a popular place to visit for foodies and outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, boating, bushwalking, whale watching, surfing, and swimming are just a few of the things to do here on and off the water.

Nature is a star attraction in the Fleurieu Peninsula. Beautiful scenery, wildlife reserves, and superb beaches lure visitors here year-round. The sheltered sandy inlets in Gulf St. Vincent are ideal for a relaxing day by the sea.

Victor Harbor is one of the most popular beach resorts on the peninsula. Connected by a long causeway, Granite Island, protects it from the turbulent Southern Ocean and is a haven for kangaroos and penguins.

Goolwa is another favorite destination. It sits on the narrow channel at the outlet of Lake Alexandrina, into which the Murray River flows. In its heyday, it was known as the "New Orleans of Australia" because of the numerous paddle steamers plying the river. Off Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island is a favorite haunt of bird-watchers.

Other popular places to visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula include the surfing hot spot of Port Elliot and the vine-draped hills of McLaren Vale , a prime grape-growing region. Exploring these areas is one of the top things to do south of Adelaide.

From Cape Jervis, at the tip of the peninsula, tourists can hop aboard a ferry service to Kangaroo Island.

Calm waters, soft white sand, family-friendly attractions, and a fascinating history are the top reasons to visit Glenelg. It's only a 25-minute trip from Victoria Square in Adelaide, and the journey is as fun as the destination. Most people take the Glenelg tram , Adelaide's only surviving tram, right to the beach. Best of all, the trip is free.

Glenelg is the oldest European settlement on mainland South Australia , and it's not hard to see why these free settlers disembarked here. One of the top attractions is the beautiful white-sand Glenelg Beach , lapped by the calm waters of Gulf St. Vincent.

Traveling with kids? Take them to The Beachouse , an amusement park with exhilarating rides, including a giant waterslide, bumper boats, and a Ferris wheel, and stroll along Glenelg Pier with an ice-cream cone in hand.

Aquatic activities are also popular in this picturesque seaside village. Cast a fishing line off the pier, go sailing, or book a dolphin spotting cruise.

Rimmed by a rugged and ravishing coastline of cliffs and sheltered beaches, the triangular-shaped Eyre Peninsula is one of Australia's least crowded coastal stretches. It's also one of its most beautiful.

The Eyre Peninsula is located east of the Great Australian Bight. Water sports are a top thing to do here, and cage diving with great white sharks scores top billing on the list of aquatic adventures. You can also snorkel with giant cuttlefish near Whyalla, or swim with balletic sea lions at Baird Bay . Whale watching is another popular activity during May through October, when southern right whales migrate along the Great Australian Bight Marine Park.

Coffin Bay is known for its superb seafood and stunning national park. Occupying the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, Lincoln National Park offers spectacular scenery with rugged cliffs and abundant birds, and Port Lincoln is becoming an increasingly popular holiday resort. Its fishing fleet, the largest in Australia, produces some of the country's best seafood.

Inland, you can explore the bushland and wildlife of the Gawler Ranges, or venture into the outback across the legendary Nullarbor Plain for a serious 4WD adventure through the scorched desert.

The mighty Murray is Australia's longest river . It flows from its source in the New South Wales Alps to the Southern Ocean in South Australia. Sandstone cliffs and tall eucalyptus trees fringe the river, and its wetlands are important habitats for many water birds.

Once home to the Ngarrindjeri and Nganguraku people, today the river irrigates a vast citrus-growing industry and agricultural region and provides a wealth of water-based activities, from fishing, boating, water-skiing, and swimming to gliding along on a paddle steamer.

Peppered with colorful gardens and fragrant roses, the riverside town of Renmark lies at the point where the states of South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria meet and is home to huge plantations of citrus fruits. From here, you can tour the Olivewood Historic Homestead and Museum, organize a river cruise, or hire a houseboat.

Another popular place to visit is Loxton . The "garden city" of the Riverland region brims with galleries and historical sites. Here, on the banks of the river, the Historical Village takes visitors back in time with a faithfully recreated late-19th century buildings and artifacts.

Northwest of Loxton, the little town of Waikerie is a popular spot for gliding, and offers a pretty cliff-top walk.

Located along the Limestone Coast , Mount Gambier is an extinct volcano with four beautiful crater lakes, as well as sinkholes and gardens. A curious natural phenomenon occurs on the Blue Lake annually in November. The color of the lake transforms from dull gray to a brilliant cobalt blue. A scenic drive with spectacular views runs round the crater.

While you're in the area, stop by the Umpherston Sinkhole. Created when the roof of a cave collapsed, this popular tourist attraction was transformed into a beautiful "sunken garden" by James Umpherston in the 1880s. Ferns, hot pink hydrangeas, and calla lilies flourish in the gardens, and lush plants cascade over the lip of the sinkhole, imbuing the space with a magical feel. In the evenings, lights illuminate the gardens, and friendly possums congregate here looking for a meal.

South of Mount Gambier, you can explore South Australia's only World Heritage Site: Naracoorte Caves . This is one of those hidden places in South Australia that is worth visiting – especially for its fascinating fossils. But you'll also see colonies of bats, and haunting subterranean scenery.

Other attractions on the Limestone Coast include the grape-growing region of Coonawarra , the former whaling station of Beachport, and the historic beach resort of Robe. Nature lovers will also enjoy the bird-rich lagoons and coastal dunes of the Coorong , a chain of lagoons and salt lakes between Lake Alexandrina and the sea.

Remote and refreshingly uncrowded, Innes National Park is an under-rated, raw slice of nature. It sits at the tip of the spectacular Yorke Peninsula, about a three-hour drive from Adelaide. If you look at a South Australia map, the Yorke Peninsula is the boot-shaped claw of land jutting out to the west of Adelaide, and it makes a wonderful weekend getaway from the capital .

Rugged seascapes, wildlife, and windswept white-sand beaches lapped by dazzling blue seas are the prime attractions. You can explore the park on hiking trails or by car , stopping at the empty beaches along the way.

Popular things to do in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park include surfing the remote breaks, camping, boating, fishing off the ravishing beaches, and diving the many wrecks scattered along this tempestuous stretch of coast. To learn more about the region's fascinating shipwreck history, visit the rusted hull of the Ethel , and follow the maritime interpretive trail along the coast.

Wildlife is abundant. Emus and kangaroos are among the most frequently spotted animals in the park, and you might also spot southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions off the coast. The park is also home to more than 150 species of birds, including ospreys, malleefowl, and hooded plovers.

Official site: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Yorke_Peninsula/innes-national-park#see-and-do

The opal-mining town of Coober Pedy lies in the heart of the South Australian outback. The name of the town comes from an Aboriginal phrase meaning "white fellows in a hole." It's an appropriate name since most of the inhabitants live in underground dwellings (dugouts) to escape the fierce heat of summer and the extreme cold of winter. This is definitely not one of the top things to do in South Australia in December or January when the summer temperatures soar.

In 1911, gold miners found valuable white opals here. Since then, opal mining has converted the desolate countryside around Coober Pedy into a lunar-like landscape. To capture some beautiful photos of this stark beauty, head to Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park . It's home to haunting, arid landscapes and around 60 native plants, as well as red kangaroos, echidnas, and numerous birds.

Want to find some opals? You can still try your luck looking for these pearlescent beauties after obtaining a prospecting permit from the Mines Department in Coober Pedy.

The Old Timers Mine & Museum displays exhibits on the history of prospecting for precious stones. Sightseers can also tour underground homes and the subterranean Catacomb Church .

If you're up for a rugged South Australia road trip, look no further. The legendary 620-kilometer Oodnadatta track is one of the most unique things to do in South Australia. It cuts through the heart of this vast state, following the historic route of the old Ghan Railway. Rust-red desert, otherworldly moonscapes, and weather-beaten outposts provide eye-popping photo ops along the way, and the wide-open spaces evoke an exhilarating sense of freedom.

Highlights include the quirky town of William Creek . With a population of around 10 people, it looks like it could be a movie set from Crocodile Dundee . You can also soak in artesian springs; camp by remote waterholes; and drive by Lake Eyre South and the largest cattle station in the world (it's larger than Belgium).

The Oodnadatta Track starts at Marree in South Australia and stretches northwest through the tiny outback town of Oodnadatta before circling back to the Stuart Highway at Marla. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended. This is one of the top things to do in South Australia in winter, when the temperatures are milder.

Adelaide Oval is more than just a sports stadium, It's a much-loved part of the city's history.

Established in 1871, the stadium sits in the center of Adelaide's Riverbank Precinct. Its first test cricket match was played here in 1884, and it has since hosted more than 16 different sports, including AFL, cycling, hockey, lacrosse, archery, and tennis. You can also catch a music concert here.

Book a tour to get the most out of a visit to this historic venue. Highlights include the old heritage-listed scoreboard and century-old Moreton Bay fig trees.

Better still, if you have time, catch a cricket match or AFL game here, or buy tickets for a special event.

Are you a cricket fan? Stop by the Bradman Museum to see memorabilia on the life of Australia's most famous cricketer. if you're looking for unique things to do in Adelaide, this is a top option.

Official site: https://www.adelaideoval.com.au/

Adelaide Central Market is a shopping institution. Founded in 1870, it's one of the oldest indoor markets in the world . Come hungry. The stalls here brim with fresh fruit, veggies, baked goods, cheeses, health food, meat, seafood, and a tantalizing array of culinary treats. It's also a wonderful place to purchase a vibrant bouquet of flowers.

Prefer to eat sitting down? You'll find some of Adelaide's top cafés and restaurants here, and Chinatown is right nearby with even more culinary gems.

Market days are Tuesday through Saturday . But for the best bargains, try to visit on Saturday afternoons, when some vendors cut prices. Don't forget to bring your own shopping bags or baskets.

Location: Between Gouger and Grote Street, Adelaide, South Australia

Official site: http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/

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Bunyeroo Valley, Flinders Ranges, South Australia © Ben Goode

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• Top things to do
• Getting to South Australia

Vast swathes of ochre outback, dramatic coastline, world-class wineries and historic towns and cities – you’ll find it all in South Australia.

South Australia has made a name for itself as a relaxed region full of wine, wildlife and natural wonder. Soak up the capital of  Adelaide's  sophisticated art and dining scene, taste classic Australian drops in undulating wine regions and watch koalas snooze among island treetops. 

Internationally renowned for its production of fine wines, a trip to South Australia's undulating wine country is a must. But the state is also blessed with azure waters, arid outback and unique natural attractions that will impress and confound. It's an incredible place to explore the outdoors, while never having to sacrifice life's little luxuries.

• Unwind with spectacular wines from the Barossa Valley , McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills
• Swim with sea lions, dolphins and giant cuttlefish on the Eyre Peninsula
• Discover epic nature and abundant wildlife in the Flinders Ranges or on Kangaroo Island

Adelaide is the most accessible hub to explore South Australia’s diverse regions. 

You can fly to Adelaide from many international destinations, as well as all Australian capital cities. If you’re coming from  Melbourne , don’t miss the opportunity to traverse one of Australia’s most famous road trips – the  Great Ocean Road . Or for an epic outback adventure, embark on the iconic  Explorers Way  road trip from the  Northern Territory's   Darwin  to Adelaide. 

Popular destinations in South Australia

Mclaren Vale

Fleurieu Peninsula

Clare Valley

Trips and itineraries.

Melbourne to Adelaide: A 5-day road trip

14 days from Darwin to Adelaide

Family road trip from Adelaide to Eyre Peninsula

5 luxurious days of Kangaroo Island and Adelaide

Things to do in south australia.

Top day trips around Adelaide

Adelaide's best rooftop bars

Unmissable winery experiences in the Barossa Valley

Looking for more inspiration? Go to southaustralia.com

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• Things to do
• Attractions

Tourist Attractions In South Australia

South australian tourist attractions: what to see and where.

The Flinders Ranges, Limestone Coast and Murray River are home to some of the country's most spectacular scenery while the Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula boast kilometres of jaw-dropping coast. Australia's best cool climate wine comes from the Adelaide Hills, with food to match, while the Barossa, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale produce incredible, internationally-acclaimed wine at gorgeous cellar doors. Catch an acclaimed show or concert spectacular at the Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Festival Centre, trek through the expansive, rugged outback or get your heart racing at   The Bend Motorsport Park .

South Australia POPULAR NATURE BASED ATTRACTIONS

View popular attractions in south australia, mount remarkable national park, lincoln national park, deep creek national park, coorong national park, coffin bay national park, flinders chase national park and ravine des casoars wilderness protection area, dhilba guuranda-innes national park, cleland wildlife park, popular foodie attractions, barossa valley chocolate company, barossa valley cheese company, the beerenberg family farm, mount pleasant farmers market, normanville farmers market, willunga farmers market, south australian tourist attractions, let’s stay in touch.

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Must-see attractions in South Australia

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Flinders Ranges

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Adelaide Oval

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Naracoorte Caves National Park

Limestone Coast

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Central Market

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Martindale Hall

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Flinders Chase National Park

Kangaroo Island

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Art Gallery of South Australia

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Twenty Third Street Distillery

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Adelaide Hills

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Alpha Box & Dice

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Skillogalee

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Outback South Australia

Check out this amazing leftover prop from the film Pitch Black, which has crash-landed on Hutchison St (a minor Millennium Falcon?). Intricate, creative,…

Remarkable Rocks

At Kirkpatrick Point, a few kilometres east of Cape du Couedic, the much-photographed, rather Dalí-esque Remarkable Rocks are a cluster of hefty, weather…

Woakwine Cutting

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Bellwether Wines

Sue Bell runs Bellwether (ha-ha), an irreverent, arty cellar door in a stone 1868 shearing shed – pretty much the first Coonawarra winery you come to…

Beer Garden Brewing

Eyre Peninsula & the West Coast

Right next door to Port Lincoln's backpacker hostel (savvy positioning), Beer Garden Brewing brings the craft-beer revolution to the Eyre Peninsula…

Midnight Oil House

Legendary Australian rock band Midnight Oil sold millions of albums in the late 1980s – and more than a few of them had a photo of this derelict stone…

Old Timers Mine

This interesting warren of tunnels was mined in 1916, and then hidden by the miners. The mine was rediscovered in 1968 when excavations for a dugout home…

Coorong National Park

The amazing Coorong National Park is a fecund lagoon landscape curving along the coast for 145km from Lake Alexandrina towards Kingston SE. A complex…

Seppeltsfield

Barossa Valley

The atmospheric, bluestone Seppletsfleld estate started life in 1851 when Joe Seppelt stuck some vines in the dirt and came up trumps. Now it's one of…

Head of Bight

The viewing platforms and boardwalks at Head of Bight overlook a major southern right whale breeding ground. Whales migrate here from Antarctica, and you…

Riddoch Art Gallery

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• The best places to visit in South Australia

From coast to outback, these are my top tips for the best things to do in South Australia!

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and loves exploring different parts of Australia.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today and has been a journalist for 20 years.

Last updated: November 8, 2021

The best things to do in South Australia

Use this table of contents to jump down, or keep reading to see my suggestions for the best places to visit in South Australia.

Barossa Valley

Fleurieu peninsula, kangaroo island, yorke peninsula, eyre peninsula, limestone coast, murray river, flinders ranges, coober pedy.

For such a large state, so much of the tourism is concentrated in a small area around the capital Adelaide. It’s understandable – there’s lots to see in that region – but there are so many other wonderful places to visit in South Australia if you look further afield.

The southeast of the state, along the coast, is relatively green, which is why you’ll find world-class wineries like the Barossa Valley here – one of the biggest attractions in South Australia.

But the mainland coastline itself – all 3800 kilometres of it – has so much else to offer. There are stunning cliffs, epic beaches, charming towns, and so many opportunities to get out on the water.

Heading inland, the South Australian Outback is as remote as it comes, and there aren’t many settlements out here. But there are incredible natural landscapes that are worth the drive, and quirky communities along the way – particularly the underground town of Coober Pedy.

While you can base yourself in Adelaide and do short trips to some of the best places in South Australia, like Kangaroo Island and the McLaren Vale, this is a state where you’ll benefit from having a car.

South Australia is built for road trips, whether its down one of the peninsulas, into the desert, or up into the bush along the mighty Murray River.

Don’t let anyone tell you that South Australia is boring. When you know what to do in South Australia, you’ll realise it’s full of adventure and you can have some remarkable experiences away from the tourist hordes you find in some other states.

The South Australian capital is a natural place to start a trip to the state, and luckily there are lots of things to do in Adelaide.

People often joke that it’s a boring city, but they’re just deceived by the relaxed atmosphere you’ll find here. Adelaide is full of innovative new restaurants and wine bars in the city centre, fascinating cultural institutions (the Art Gallery of SA is one of the country’s best), and even some nice beaches.

During festival period, Adelaide is particularly lively and there are lots to choose from, including the Adelaide Festival, Fringe Festival, and WOMAD. You’ll find the city’s streets filled with outdoor dining and events.

Even in the quieter months, you can explore the city’s parklands, learn about its unique history as the only state capital not to be a penal colony, and relax into the pleasant rhythm of life in the local neighbourhoods.

Just on the edge of the city, the Adelaide Hills present lots more opportunities for eating and drinking, with wineries and top restaurants just 30 minutes’ drive away. And whether it’s a day trip or an overnight stay, there are plenty of other things to do in the Adelaide Hills , with historic towns, natural reserves, and local producers.

There’s no doubt the Barossa Valley is one of the most popular places to visit in South Australia, with its wine region known around the world. It’s also one of the easiest wine regions to reach from a capital city, just 50 minutes’ drive from Adelaide.

There are more than 170 wineries and 80 cellar doors in the Barossa, with some of the winemakers the seventh generation of their family to be running the business. Shiraz is the red king of the Barossa, and it’s the variety that many people come to try – in terms of whites, Riesling is probably the best regarded. There are over 40 grape varieties grown here, though.

Beyond the wine, there’s the food, of course. Some of South Australia’s best restaurants are in the Barossa and it’s easy to spend a day or two moving between them. You can also visit local producers and pop into the acclaimed farmers market.

And, although the wine tends to overshadow anything else in the Barossa, there’s also heritage, art galleries, and even some national parks.

South of Adelaide is another of the state’s best wine regions – McLaren Vale. It’s also known for its rich Shiraz, but many people like it especially for its Cabernet and Grenache.

McLaren Vale is just 45 minutes’ drive from Adelaide and can feel more relaxed than the Barossa. Although there’s a lot of history in in the vineyards here, it’s also known for some experimental and modern touches – a good example is the d’Arenberg Cube, an avant-garde structure amongst the vines that’s home to a restaurant and art gallery.

The McLaren Vale wine region is just one of the attractions of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the stretch of land that goes south from Adelaide and turns to point at Kangaroo Island.

Along the west coast of the peninsula are long white beaches interrupted by eroded sandy cliffs. (You can even drive along some of the beaches). While on the southern coast as the holiday towns like Goolwa and Victor Harbor, which are lovely places to hang out for a few days.

At the very end of the Fleurieu Peninsula, you’ll reach Cape Jervis, from where you can get the ferry over to Kangaroo Island. Exploring the island and everything it offers is definitely one of the best things to do in South Australia.

About 150 kilometres long, Kangaroo Island is a natural wonderland and much of it is protected by national park. As well as wildlife like seals, penguins, koalas, and (of course) kangaroos, there are some stunning landscapes.

From the gravity-defying boulders of Remarkable Rocks, to the sand dunes of Little Sahara, there’s the dramatic coastline and plenty of bushland. Visitors definitely need a few days to see it all.

In recent years, Kangaroo Island has also blossomed as a foodie destination, with historic farms and young producers creating interesting experiences. There’s a distillery, wineries, a honey farm, and much more.

A trip to Kangaroo Island can be as rustic or as luxurious as you want. There are resort options where you’ll be pampered, or you can opt for more adventurous activities like camping or even hiking across the whole island.

Across the water from Adelaide, on the other side of the St Vincent Gulf, the Yorke Peninsula offers a relaxed and pristine seaside escape that feels remote but is just over an hour’s drive from the city.

The 700 kilometres of coastline on the Yorke Peninsula have sandy white beaches that meet turquoise water. Surfers will love the waves, divers will delight at the shipwrecks, and anyone will have luck with a fishing line.

The friendly villages along the coast can be a good base for a visit to the peninsula, but there are also experiences to be found inland. There are abandoned mining towns, farming heritage, and plenty of local artisans and food producers.

And while the whole Yorke Peninsula feels like a natural escape, the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park in particular is a haven for wildlife, including emus, kangaroos, wallabies, and more than 120 species of birds.

The Yorke Peninsula may not have lots of famous sites, but there’s a huge variety of things to see and do, with a relaxed holiday atmosphere and easy access to the water, the land, and plenty of great food and drink.

For more of an adventure, head further west to the Eyre Peninsula, one of the most dramatic places to visit in South Australia. With pink lakes, bright blue water, and red desert dirt, it doesn’t get more vibrant than this.

The whole Eyre Peninsula is a huge swathe of land, but the main town where people base themselves is Port Lincoln. From here, you can take tours to cage dive with sharks, swim with sea lions, and watch whales frolic.

The sea is one of the main focuses of the region and more than two thirds of Australia’s seafood comes from these waters. Being able to eat it fresh is a highlight. But even without going onto the water, there are the vast beaches, and the caverns and tunnels within the rocky cliffs.

Inland, the Eyre Peninsula offers a taste of the Outback, with striking red rock formations, a white salt lake, and plenty of wildlife. The northern end of the region also takes you across some of the Nullarbor for some epic landscapes and remote Aussie experiences.

To the east of Adelaide is one of the other beautiful stretches of South Australian coastline – the Limestone Coast, where the waters are just as clear but the landscapes are decorated by bush, rather than desert.

Along the Limestone Coast, there are more than 40 cellar doors offering wine tastings that are more relaxed and intimate than the Barossa. It’s easy to find a drop that will go well with the fresh seafood pulled straight from the water.

Natural wonders abound, from the Blue Lake to the extraordinary Umpherston Sinkhole. Along the coast or further inland, the caves, dormant volcanoes, and wild beaches are all here to explore.

The jewel of the Limestone Coast is Mount Gambier, a lovely town with heritage buildings and plenty of nice cafes and restaurants. It’s also an easy base to explore the sights in the region or for day trips to places like Robe.

The Limestone Coast is a natural extension to a drive along the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, with a much more scenic route than cutting inland towards Adelaide. It may not feel as remote as some of the other coastlines, but that means there are a lot more facilities along the way.

South Australia is home to the mouth of the mighty Murray River, which enters the sea after passing through the Coorong, the spectacular wetlands area full of wildlife and significant Indigenous sites. Easily accessible from Adelaide, there’s lots to do including boating, hiking, and four-wheel driving.

But the Murray gives more to the state than just the Coorong, and experiencing the waterway should be near the top of any list of what to do in South Australia.

A good place to start is Renmark, a town on the river near the Victorian border that has protected its cultural heritage and revitalised much of it into modern businesses and accommodation. It’s from here that you can hire a houseboat or a canoe and cruise along the Murray.

Stop along the way at the small towns like Loxton, or pull into a riverland winery. There are farms that offer tastings, walking trails along the banks, and swimming spots where you can swing on a rope into the water.

The Murray doesn’t just give life to southeast South Australia, it presents endless opportunities for visitors to enjoy its bounties.

There’s a push at the moment to list some of the Flinders Ranges as a World Heritage Site, such is its importance in the natural and cultural history of Australia. The rugged and rocky mountains, with their weathered gorges, are about 600 million years old and have been home to Indigenous people for tens of thousands of years.

About five hours drive north of Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges dazzle with their dramatic landscapes of red rock. One of the most famous sites, Wilpena Pound, is a huge crater-like amphitheatre about 100 kilometres wide that rises up from the plains.

But it’s not just about the scenery. 4WD tours will take you out looking for wildlife, there are walks exploring the Aboriginal cultural sites, and don’t forget this is the Outback, so there’s even a pub serving feral camel.

The Flinders Ranges really are one of the most spectacular attractions in South Australia, where it’s best to stay for a few days to see all its dimensions and soak up the energy of this ancient land.

And finally, I can’t forget Coober Pedy, a remote town that is one of the strangest places you can visit in South Australia. The temperature here often reaches more than 40 degrees in summer so, to protect themselves from the heat, many residents live ‘underground’ in houses that are dug into hills or covered in dirt.

Coober Pedy exists because it is an opal mining town, and many people have come here over the years to try to make it rich (as well as possibly disappear). Most of the world’s opals come from here and you can tour some of the shafts, meet some miners, and do a bit of shopping of course.

Around town, there are quite a few things to see – mostly relating to the opal industry or the unusual construction techniques. The underground Serbian Orthodox Church is a highlight.

And not far from Cooper Pedy is the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, a protected area with low hills eroded into strange shapes and decorated by different coloured sand. In a part of the country that is otherwise quite flat and stark, it’s a remarkable natural attraction.

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Home » Travel Guides » Australia » 15 Best Places to Visit in South Australia

15 Best Places to Visit in South Australia

The previously little-known charms South Australia are fast turning this state into a favorite destination for visitors to Australia, and for good reason: from charming cities and towns, fantastic food and wine, and renowned cultural festivals, to extraordinarily picturesque scenery ranging from barren outback to lush greenery and the iconic Murray River, there’s truly something for everyone in SA: even one of the world’s greatest fossil sites giving tourists a peek into millions of years of evolution on the most isolated continent!

The flora and fauna are amazing too, with native wildlife only minutes from the city, and if you’re a wine connoisseur, a trip to the world-famous Barossa Valley is a must. There’s also plenty of activities to do in the region: mountain-climbing, bushwalking, and surfing. And no trip to SA would be complete without visiting the intriguing town of Coober Pedy: it’s not only the opal capital of the world, but also an exotic township where much of the population live in caves. Whatever your tastes, you’re bound to have a wonderful holiday in South Australia, with many fond memories of your trip.

Lets explore the best places to visit in South Australia :

1. Adelaide

With just over a million residents, Adelaide is big enough to be fun but small enough not to have the rushed feeling of larger cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

Adelaide is famous for its cultural festivals, such as the legendary WOMADelaide and the Adelaide Festival of Arts; it’s also known for its funky atmosphere, excellent museums and galleries, the Rundle Mall shopping strip (Australia’s first pedestrian mall), and gorgeous scenery.

There’s also many farmers’ and makers’ markets, and a lovely Botanic Gardens.

Waterfall Gully is well worth a visit, as is the beachside suburb of Glenelg with its famous jetty and trams.

There are also many lovely heritage buildings in the area.

If you have time for a side-trip, check out The Big Rocking Horse an hour out of the city centre for a cute, quirky backdrop to your travel photos!

2. Murray River

Australia’s largest river is stunningly beautiful, and the land around it is so fertile that the area is often known as the “food bowl of Australia”. The Murray River is the third longest navigable river in the world, next to the Amazon and Nile, and a popular way to explore the river is by houseboat.

The Murray River spans three states (New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia), finally entering the Southern Ocean in the area of Coorong, South Australia.

The river starts off as a small spring in the Australian Alps, meandering for over 2,500km through five contrasting landscapes until it finally enters the Southern Ocean.

The river and its surrounds are perfect for exploring and relaxing alike, and there’s many interesting towns along the way to enjoy the differences in regional culture between the three states.

3. Coorong National Park

After your visit to the Murray River, exploring the Coorong National Park is a must.

With stunning beaches, abundant bird life, and great fishing, boating and bushwalking, coupled with its proximity to Adelaide, it’s a very popular getaway spot for locals, as well as beloved by tourists.

The flora and fauna in the area are spectacular: in particular, its worth visiting between September and November for the wader migration, when up to 100,000 wader birds of dozens of species come to the Coorong wetlands to feed.

4. Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is known worldwide for its premium wines, but it also boasts incredible produce and cuisine, as well as an interesting cultural combination of British-Australian and German-Australian heritage.

There are many winery tours and cellar-door tastings in the Valley, and lovely architectural, cultural and heritage sites: the churches in the area are particularly known for their beautiful designs.

The area was heavily settled by German-Australians, even leading to a German dialect called Barossa German.

You can still feel the German influence most strongly in Tanunda, a town which boasts delicious gourmet meats, breads and pastries in the German style.

5. Mt Gambier

Mt Gambier is known for its spectacular volcanic landscape, the crystal-clear Blue Lake, and its amazing caves: Tantaloona Caves’ stalactites are breathtaking, and the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves are considered one of the most important fossil sites in the world.

The Cave Gardens are lush, green and gorgeous, and the Umpherston Sinkhole is a very attractive sunken garden created on the site of a collapsed cave.

Hells Hole is another sinkhole, but much larger, deeper, and full of fresh blue water.

Diving into Hells Hole is allowed with a permit.

Farina is an uninhabited ghost town, and it’s a fascinatingly eerie site! This once-thriving township reached its peak population of 600 in the late 1800s: at the time, it had an underground bakery, two hotels, five blacksmiths, a general store, two breweries, a school, a church and a brothel.

It was once a major trucking yard for sheep and cattle, and there were also several mines in the region.

When the railway line was moved away from Farina, the town’s population began moving elsewhere, leaving the town to crumble into ruins; but in recent years, volunteers with the Restoration Farina group have begun to restore the town; funds for the project come from the restored underground Farina Bakery, which is sporadically open for business.

In the future, Restoration Farina hopes to open a museum in the town; in the meanwhile, the interesting ruins make it well worth the trip!

7. Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is a mining town specializing in gorgeous opals, but there’s plenty more to see in this popular tourist site: it’s perhaps best-known for the underground homes that many of the residents live in.

The town experiences freezing nights in winter, and extremely hot days in summer, so many of the residents live in “dugouts”, in caves carved out of hillsides.

They’re a lot more comfortable than they sound, though: Faye’s Underground Home is a gorgeous example, and it’s open to visitors; it even has a swimming pool in the living room! There’s also two dugout churches – the Serbian Orthodox and the Catacomb – and you can even stay in an underground hotel, or eat and drink at an underground restaurant or bar!

Several mines in Coober Pedy are open to tourists.

The nearby Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park is also well worth a visit, boasting breathtaking views and exotic flora and fauna.

If you’re a movie buff, you’ll also want to visit the Coober Pedy spaceship, which featured in the 2000 sci-fi movie Pitch Black.

8. The Painted Desert

150kms north of Coober Pedy, the Painted Desert is the barren outback at its most beautiful: awash with soft, fragile and colorful rock formations.

80 million years ago, this area was a seabed, and a combination of rain, weather and erosion has left masses of orange, yellow and white shale on the sloping hills, giving the area its apt name.

The desert is particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset, and it’s a great spot to get a charming taste of Australia’s beautiful desert landscapes.

9. Clare Valley

Clare Valley is a popular wine region, specializing in Riesling, and also a popular tourist destination: there are many gorgeous walking trails and beautiful scenery to enjoy.

Spring Gully Conservation Park is a 400ha woodland with many lovely native orchids, and it’s a great place to spot a kangaroo or echidna, or to go bird-watching.

Budding palaeontologists will love the Red Banks Conservation Park, considered one of Australia’s richest megafauna sites.

There’s also a golf course, and many small local galleries to enjoy.

10. Kangaroo Island

Australia’s third largest island boasts 509km of coastline, gorgeous scenery, and an abundance of wildlife: you can easily spot sea lions, echidnas, wallabies, goannas, koalas, pelicans, and of course kangaroos! Much of Kangaroo Island is still unspoiled greenery, so it’s perfect for bushwalking or hiking.

Enjoy the premium wine and gourmet food, check out one of the many studios and galleries, or enjoy the many water sports available on the island – scuba diving, fishing, surfing and more.

Seal Bay is a particular must-see, as it’s home to the third largest sea lion colony in the world.

While you’re on the island, make sure you visit the Remarkable Rocks: this natural rock formations are very interesting and unique.

11. Eyre Peninsula

Eyre Peninsula is considered the “seafood frontier”, with delicious local Bluefin tuna, Yellowtail kingfish, Pacific oysters, mussels, crabs and prawns.

There’s also seafood festivals such as the Oysterfest Festival.

Murphy’s Haystacks, a unique geological feature, is well worth a visit, and there’s plenty of fascinating eco-tourist options here: swim in a cage with Bluefin tuna, sea lions, or even great white sharks! You can also snorkel with sea lions and dolphins, and sometimes spot a humpback whale.

The Gawler Ranges are a particular highlight of the peninsula, with stunning rock formations such as the famous Organ Pipes, and a wide variety of native flora and fauna.

12. Flinders Ranges and the Outback

The largest mountain range in SA stretches for 430km, and the unspoiled 540 million-year-old landscape is breathtaking.

You can experience a taste of the true-blue outback with a station stay on a farm or cattle station, go camping in the depths of desert nature, and spot an abundance of native animals.

It’s also a great place to try bush-tucker – ever wanted to eat an emu egg? The Pichi Rich steam railway from Quorn is a heritage highlight, and the Tunnel of Time at the Wadlata Outback Centre is a fascinating insight into the ancient history of the region.

13. Yorke Peninsula

Yorke Peninsula is known for its gorgeous beaches, coastal towns and inland mining towns, and the scenery of the stunning national parks.

It’s a great spot for seafood, surfing, and shipwreck diving.

Natural beauty abounds in the area, with many walking trails and plenty of Australian wildlife to see, and the Peninsula has a fascinating history (both indigenous and European) which you can learn about at the many museums in the area.

The Moonta Mines Museum is fascinating, and nearby Kadina is a particularly lovely town to enjoy.

Wallaroo is also well worth a visit: the Heritage and Nautical Museum even offers ghost walks!

14. Lake Eyre

Lake Eyre is an oasis in the barren Aussie outback, covering 1 million square km and crossing the borders of three states: SA, NT and QLD. Technically two lakes connected by a channel, it’s the largest salt lake in the country, albeit not often filled with water: it has only been filled to capacity thrice in the last 160 years.

When the lake starts to dry up and the water evaporates, it appears to turn pink, and when it has dried up completely, the remaining snow-white salt crystals are a stunning sight to behold in of themselves.

15. Fleurieu Peninsula

Just under an hour south of Adelaide, Fleurieu is known as Adelaide’s playground: known for its wineries, water sports, and picturesque scenery, it’s a fun spot either for a day trip or to stay a few days.

The food is fantastic, the galleries and museums are fascinating, and there’s plenty of activities to keep any kids that are tagging along for the ride entertained: camel rides, a horse-drawn tram and even penguin tours!

15 Best Places to Visit in South Australia:

• Murray River
• Coorong National Park
• Barossa Valley
• Coober Pedy
• The Painted Desert
• Clare Valley
• Kangaroo Island
• Eyre Peninsula
• Flinders Ranges and the Outback
• Yorke Peninsula
• Fleurieu Peninsula

• My Favourites

50 best things to do in South Australia

With restrictions on travelling around the state now lifted, it’s time to hit the road, have some fun and support local businesses.

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With restrictions on travelling around the state now lifted, it’s time to hit the road, have some fun and support local businesses.

What to do in Adelaide city and suburbs

1. adelaide central market.

Australia’s best food market is as vibrant and varied as ever, with a few less customers making it easier to get around the stalls. Pre-order and drive by to pick up your goodies if you want to avoid all contact.

2. RoofClimb Adelaide Oval

While the footy season is on hold, high-flying is left to the small groups carefully making their way across the top of the grandstands at Adelaide Oval. See the hallowed turf from a completely different perspective, as well as one of the best views from city to sea.

See also: Top 10 things to see in Mount Gambier

See also: Aussie region set to open to tourists

3. Adelaide Botanic Garden

The concentrated photosynthesis of trees and lush greenery will automatically make you feel better but the Garden of Health goes a step further, with plants believed to cure many ailments of body and mind.

4. TreeClimb

Clamber up obstacles and zoom between platforms built high in a stand of majestic gumtrees in a corner of the Adelaide Park Lands. The eight courses range from Survivor-style challenges to kid-friendly options closer to the ground.

5. Historic Port Adelaide

Wander between the wharves and colonial buildings of Port Adelaide and imagine a time when this was the thriving gateway for all trade and immigration to the fledgling state. Find your own way or download the Living In Port app.

Best things to do in the Adelaide Hills

6. chambers gully walk.

While the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty route can resemble Rundle Mall in the week before Christmas, this nearby loop is far less busy and offers a better chance of bumping into random wildlife.

7. Sequoia Suites, Mount Lofty House

The new six-star addition to this historic property is full of hi-tech gizmos but it’s the glorious outlook and two-person tub that will leave the biggest impression. Order a butler-service dinner and don’t leave the room all night.

8. Lobethal

For a few terrible hours, it seemed possible that this jolly little town might have been lost in last year’s fires. See how close the flames came and celebrate its survival with a sweet bun from the much-loved Lobethal bakery.

9. Prancing Horse

Have your own Top Gear moment behind the wheel of a new Lamborghini, Ferrari and other supercars on a daylong drive through the Hills and Barossa. Booking now for spring.

10. Rock climbing

Test your athleticism and courage on the state’s largest climbing and abseiling wall at the Mount Lofty Adventure Hub. Head to the cliff faces of Onkaparinga or Morialta gorges for more natural obstacles.

These custom-built, sustainable cabins dropped into secluded locations in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula are an antidote to the complications of busy, connected lives. Light a fire, read a book, pour a wine – but leave that phone alone.

Best things to do on the Fleurieu Peninsula and Coorong

12. adelaide biplanes.

Pull on a pair of goggles and embrace your inner Biggles as you take to the skies in a magnificent replica biplane. Take a scenic flight over one of Australia’s most breathtaking coastlines, or strap in for some aerobatic thrills. One word of advice: don’t go with a full stomach …

13. The Salopian Inn

So better wait until later to order a feast from the Salopian , named SA’s Restaurant of the Year in 2018. Try Karena Armstrong’s dumplings or lamb pie and you will understand why. Takeaway for now, though you can eat in the garden.

14. Canoe the Coorong

Have your own Storm Boy experience paddling through the Murray Mouth and natural wonderland of the Coorong. Winter has some of the best canoeing weather and a good chance to see pelicans, fur seals and other wildlife.

15. Myponga Reservoir Trail

Take a gentle stroll around the recently opened Myponga Reservoir Trail and reward yourself with a purchase from the Smiling Samoyed brewery, situated right by the entrance to the track.

16. Willunga Farmers Market

A Saturday morning ritual for the region and brilliant way to do the weekly shop. Buy direct from growers/producers who like nothing more than sharing a few tips. For those north of the city, the Barossa market is also recommended.

Best things to do in the Barossa Valley

17. on your bike.

Something for cyclists of all dispositions. Cruise through the idyllic countryside between Angaston and Gawler on the 40km-long Barossa Trail, or go for more high-adrenaline pedalling on the new mountain bike track at the Barossa Adventure Station.

18. Sculpture Park

Get your fill of art in the outdoors. The Barossa Sculpture Park hosts a collection of abstract pieces as well as having sweeping views of the Valley floor. Head up Mengler Hill and look for the signs.

19. Casa Carboni

The cooking classes are on hold but Fiona and Matteo Carboni are still teaching Barossans to eat like an Italian. That would be cannoli for breakfast and ravioli (wild duck and Swiss chard, perhaps) that will make your heart sing. Takeaway for now, of course.

20. Hutton Vale

Farm life stops for no one. New-born lambs will be tottering about the paddocks at the Angas family’s spectacular 2000-acre property just in time for the reopening of accommodation in either a luxury villa or cabins.

Best things to do in Mid-North SA and the Clare Valley

21. burra heritage.

Time travel back to the 1840s when Burra was a wealthy mining town. Visit dugouts, cellars and the Redruth Gaol, where the film Breaker Morant was shot. Head north for 3km and see the ruin made famous on the cover of Midnight Oil’s Diesel and Dust.

22. Riesling Trail

An old rail corridor has been converted to a flat, cycle-friendly track that runs for 35km from Clare to Auburn. Hire bikes at either end and call into historic Sevenhill Cellars if you are passing by.

23. Spring Gully Conservation Park

Watch the sun’s last gasp light up golden fields of canola from a lookout with views across the prime farmland of the Wakefield Plains as far as the waters of the Spencer Gulf.

24. Minarto

Visit the historic town of Minarto and see why it has more than 30 buildings that are heritage listed. Order takeaway pub grub from the friendly folk at the Magpie & Stump which has been looking after travellers since 1851. Look for the Minarto Maze and Martindale Hall to reopen soon.

Best things to do near the Murray River

25. the bend motorsport park.

Feeling the need for speed? Experience the thrills of eight different vehicles – from V8 cars to racing karts and superbikes – all in one day at The Bend. Professional instructors will help put you on the right track.

26. Dark Sky Reserve

Shooting star, satellite or UFO? This national park, just out of Swan Reach, is officially Australia’s best place to see the stars, and one of only 16 Dark Sky sites around the world. You will need a four-wheel drive for access and equipment to stay overnight.

27. Houseboat hire

See the River Murray in all its glory, from lagoons where the birdlife has no concept of social distancing to the fiery glow of cliff faces in the setting sun. Drop in a line, try a new water sport or just go with the flow on a River Murray houseboat .

28. Twenty Third Street Distillery, Renmark

Pick up a bottle of Signature Gin, flavoured with mandarin and lime, and see the century-old copper still in which it is made. The original distillery building is a similar vintage and its modern revival is something worthy of a Kevin McCloud spiel.

29. The Frames

One of the state’s most eye-catching places to stay, this luxury retreat of three villas is set atop cliffs overlooking the river near Renmark. Splash about in a heated pool or tub and watch the stars come out.

30. Canoe Adventures

Paddle through the Murray’s network of creeks, inlets and wetlands, while getting up close and personal with pelicans and other birdlife. Hire a kayak, join a tour or even camp overnight.

YORKE / EYRE PENINSULA

31. Shark cage diving

Watch as many video clips as you like but nothing will prepare you for a nose-to-nose encounter with a great white shark . Calypso Star Charters was named Australia’s best tourist attraction last year for its daylong cage diving tours out of Port Lincoln.

32. Beach fishing

Look at the food chain from the opposite side while hauling Australian salmon from the surf. David “Lunch” Doudle runs bespoke expeditions and tours that make the most of the natural beauty of the southern end of the Eyre Peninsula. “Lunch” can even organise a cookout on the beach.

33. Cuttlefish courtship

Giant cuttlefish gather in their thousands over winter and put on a display more colourful than the Fringe parade. One of Australia’s great natural wonders occurs in June and July each year in the calm, rocky shallows off Point Lowly and Stony Point, east of Whyalla. Snorkelling is fine but you will need a heavy-duty wetsuit.

34. Lake Macdonnell

It’s the watermelon lake – one side a standard blue/green, the other bright, bubblegum pink. Little wonder Lake Macdonnell, in the far west of the state near Penong, is one of the most popular tourism pics on Instagram.

35. Troubridge Island

Stay in a heritage-listed lighthouse keeper’s cottage and have this island off the east coast of the Yorke Peninsula all to yourself. Explore the island’s sandy beaches and look out for members of the resident penguin colony.

36. Inneston

Spend the night in a ghost town. Inneston once had a population of 200 people, with a school, post office and store. Now it is deserted but does have a renovated cottage available to rent.

Best things to do on Kangaroo Island

37. nat’s retreat.

Stay in what is believed to be the state’s oldest inhabited house. Nat’s Retreat was built in the 1820s (long before Adelaide) by a whaler who wanted an unimpeded view of the ocean and his potential quarry. It’s now part of a working farm with expanses of bush and private beaches.

38. Lashmar Conservation Park

With the Chapman River on one side and Antechamber Bay on the other, Lashmar has the best of both worlds. Book one of the island’s most attractive campsites or visit for the day. Either way bring a fishing rod – bream are on the bite in the river, locals say.

39. Secret beaches

Follow the road (or dirt track) less travelled and discover a stretch of sand that you can call your own. Try King George Beach on the north coast of the island and Flour Cask Bay in the south.

40. Raptor Domain

A wedge-tailed eagle swooping down, talons raised, is a fearsome sight, but Jedda wants nothing more than a perch on your gloved arm. Raptor Domain has reopened with private sessions including a variety of birds, reptiles and other wildlife experiences.

41. Sand boarding

Can you tame the slopes of Little Sahara, a two-square-kilometre expanse of dunes, some up to 70m above sea level. Hire toboggans and boards from KI Outdoor Action which also offers quad bike and buggy tours around Vivonne Bay.

Best things to do in South Australia's South East

42. bellwether glamping.

Camp the night at one of the Coonawarra’s favourite wineries without the hassle of bringing the gear. Set on wooden platforms surrounded by 500-year-old gumtrees, the Bellwether tents will keep you cosy, especially with a bottle of cabernet on hand. Ask for a leg of lamb to roast in a camp oven on the fire.

43. Robe to Beachport

Walk the beaches between Robe and Beachport when the weather is wild and imagine what it would be like aboard an old clipper trying to reach a safe port. Start in the Little Dip or Beachport conservation parks, where a four-wheel drive will help you explore further.

44. Piccaninnie Ponds

A freshwater spring bubbling up through limestone has created a series of ponds so clear (visibility up to 40m) they are like looking into a fish tank. Book ahead for snorkelling or diving permits or simply enjoy wandering a wetland of international renown.

45. Seafood feast

A trip to Robe wouldn’t be complete without lobster, available live from a tank or freshly cooked at Sky Seafoods. Expect to pay $70-$100 for a lobster that will feed two.

Best things to do in the Flinders Ranges and Outback

46. Camping in the Flinders

Dig out the tent for a tour of the Flinders Ranges . Start in Melrose where the caravan park has plenty of space for bush camping and a trail to the top of Mount Remarkable.

47. Wilpena Pound flights

Take to the air to appreciate the scale and grandeur of the Wilpena Pound crater and its natural amphitheatre of mountain peaks.

48. Holowiliena Station

Owned by the same family for nearly 170 years, this station gives an insight into life back in those early colonial days. Stay in a private campsite, shearers’ quarters or the old governess’s cottage.

49. Dalhousie Springs

Packing your bathers for a journey into the red dust of the Simpson Desert might seem like madness – until you come across the warm waters of Dalhousie Springs, part of the Witjira National Park.

50. Arkaroola Ridgetop Tour

See rock formations nearly 1600 million years old and learn how the Flinders Ranges were formed a billion years later on this half-day tour of geological (and numerical) wonders. Take a break looking over a gully that’s a kilometre deep.

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Simon Wilkinson is the restaurant reviewer at The Advertiser and plays a lead role in compiling the delicious. 100 list every year. While living and working as a journalist in London, he has followed the food trails of Europe from Sardinia to Scandinavia. He lives in Adelaide's beachside suburbs where he is an enthusiastic home cook.

Snap to it for a tour that’ll challenge your photography skills.

Based in Bondi, Aussie chef and TV host Guy Turland loves nothing more than discovering food markets around the world.

Based on Phillip Island, this wildlife biologist and park ranger’s love of watching animals in their natural habitats has taken her all over the world. She shares her favourite experiences.

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10 of the best places to visit in South Australia

Have you tasted fine wines amongst the great Barossa vines? How do you feel about sinking with the Great White Sharks of Port Lincoln? Watched seals frolic as you rendezvous on the great Island of Kangaroo? Or have you experienced a sliver of the great Murray River? Well grab a mate and get out and discover what makes SA so great.

Watch rolling pastures pass you by, visit historic old towns and meet friendly locals as you journey outside Adelaide. Let your travels take you to contrasting landscapes around the state where you’ll enjoy stretches of isolated beaches, world-class wine regions, untouched natural wonders and wildlife experiences that get you back in touch with nature.

With accommodation and touring options around the state to suit every budget and taste, there’s no time like the present to get to know the city and state better. South Australia and its many natural, man-made and gourmet wonders are just waiting for you to explore…

Here’s our TOP 10 ideas:

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens - Adelaide Hills . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

1. Adelaide Hills

• Choose from one of the many cosy coffee spots in Stirling and Aldgate
• Wander through the German town of Hahndorf and taste Bavarian style platters and beers
• Enjoy a wonderland of spring or autumn colours at Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens
• Sample the range of world-renowned products and pick fresh strawberries (Nov-Apr) at the famous Beerenberg Farm
• Try an award-winning Gruner Veltliner at the Hahndorf Hills Winery

Two Hands Winery, Barossa Valley . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

2. Barossa Valley

• Enjoy a multitude of world-class wineries on a day tour – no designated driver needed!
• Wander down the charming main street of Tanunda and discover quirky boutiques, antique stores and gourmet eateries
• Sip world-class wine while gazing over picturesque rows of vineyards
• Check out the view from Mengler’s Hill Lookout then explore the Barossa Sculpture Park below

Cycling, Clare Valley . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

3. Clare Valley

• Hire a bike and explore the natural beauty found along the Riesling Trail
• Visit the recently refurbished Pikes Wines cellar door and restaurant
• Step back in time while staying in a historic Miner’s Cottage in Burra
• Take in the impressive view from the Quarry Hill Lookout
• Stop by the famous pink Lake Bumbunga on your way through to Clare

Cummings Lookout, Eyre Peninsula . Credit Tourism Australia

4. Eyre Peninsula

• Tour a Coffin Bay oyster farm followed by a fresh-as-can-be tasting
• Come face-to-face with Great White Sharks while cage-diving in Port Lincoln
• Pack a picnic and make the most of untouched and secluded beaches
• Enjoy fresh seafood and local wine with a view of the ocean at Sarin’s Bar & Restaurant, Port Lincoln

Port Willunga, Fleurieu Peninsula . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

5.Fleurieu Peninsula

• Wander around a local market and discover fresh produce and unique wares
• Explore the popular wine region of McLaren Vale , including the world-famous d’Arenberg Cube
• Retreat to a cosy cottage or lakehouse for a refreshing weekend away
• Swim with large Southern Bluefin Tuna next to Granite Island

Long Beach, Robe - Limestone Coast . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

6. Limestone Coast

• Explore the ancient beauty of South Australia's only World Heritage site at Naracoorte Caves National Park
• Take a guided tour around the burgeoning wine region and visit popular wineries
• Get a photo at the tourist icon of the striped Robe Obelisk
• Take a drive down 17 kilometres of pure white sand on the aptly named Long Beach

Waterskiing, Riverland . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

7. Riverland

• Forget waterside – stay on the river itself by hiring a houseboat
• Wander through the biggest winery and distillery in the southern hemisphere at Berri Estates
• Marvel at the view of one of the world's longest rivers from Headings Lookout
• Take a guided tour via kayak of the nature-filled waterways
• Try your luck fishing off the picturesque Marion Bay Jetty

West Cape, Innes National Park - Yorke Peninsula . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Peter Fisher.

8. Yorke Peninsula

• Walk or cycle the Yorke Leisure Trail for spectacular cliff views, pristine beaches and secluded coves
• Take a break from city-life in a coastal holiday cottage, tourist park or apartment
• Visit the Cape Spencer Lighthouse and watch the sun set over the ocean
• Spot native wildlife, like emus and kangaroos, while exploring Innes National Park

Glass Gorge, Flinders Ranges . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

9. Flinders Ranges

• Experience the splendour of the Flinders Ranges from above on a scenic flight
• Get back to nature by staying in a luxury glamping Ikara safari tent
• Explore the wonders of the Flinders Ranges via a multitude of 4WD tracks and walking trails
• Delve deeper into Indigenous culture with an experienced guide

Admirals Arch, Kangaroo Island . Credit South Australian Tourism Commission & Adam Bruzzone

10. Kangaroo Island

• Watch wild sea lions frolic and play at Seal Bay
• Take a break from the stresses of everyday life at a relaxing isolated lodge
• Indulge in local produce including the island ’s popular KIS gin varieties
• Visit Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch in the Flinders Chase National Park

Click here for all our of our great accommodation, packages and touring Australia wide in the Short Breaks Australia program.

For more information or to book your perfect getaway contact one of our friendly Short Breaks Australia team on 1800 810 910 or email [email protected].

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Plan your trip to South Australia

Can’t imagine being so ‘in the moment,’ that you forget to capture it? Swap the Instagram feed for feeding your soul when you travel our way. Why not feel a memory being made, instead of trying to capture it? Feel your heart race as you dive beneath the surface with apex predators. Feel the crisp morning air bite at your cheeks, as you awake on top of an outback mountain range. Feel a sense of awe as you take in flaming sculptures and light installations dotted across our city streets. 

Dare to travel differently? Then experience Winter. Our Way.

Top Experiences Discover the best of South Australia

South australia is a place of 'world-firsts' and 'only ins'. thinking of drafting one of those bucket lists we have a few items to add to the inventory of your life. like australia's darkest night sky and only national park city; the globe's best wine and the world's first shark cage divers; unesco world heritage sites and underwater gardens. travel our way, venture that bit further and breathe it all in – deeply..

Experience winter for less Warm up with these winter deals

Looking to book your dream winter break, without breaking the bank we've gathered some of the best deals and discounts to warm you up this winter, from accommodation and tours to food and drink experiences. find the perfect excuse to emerge from winter hibernation and explore south australia., cabn kuitpo forest, coonawarra experiences touring, bayside glamping's tiny house, naiko retreat, novotel barossa valley resort - the cellar kitchen, class act houseboat, cabn georgia, the old chaff mill organic vineyard retreat, my sister & the sea, flinders island eco escape, sequoia lodge - exclusive adults only luxury, the villas - barossa, cabn x kangaroo island.

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Get inspired Experience the magic of winter in South Australia

Winter in south australia is about discovering the magical moments that occur when the mercury drops. mingle with migrating giant cuttlefish, wake up on a ridgetop to a crisp desert morning, or look up at some of the world's clearest night skies and see the universe in all its glory..

Plan your trip to South Australia (Summer)

We do travel a little differently. We like collecting moments, not mementos. We notice. The micro moments.  The small smile instead of the scene. We want to feel a memory being made, instead of trying to capture it. 

Dare to travel differently? Then Travel. Our Way.

The Festival State

With a world class festival and events calendar that spans the whole year, you'll always find frivolity on your south australian itinerary. think festivals dedicated to australia's most watched game, or all things culinary excellence; australia's biggest cycling race, international sporting debuts or the world's second largest arts festival. there's a reason why south australia is known as the festival state., tasting australia presented by raa travel, 2024 santos wheelchair rugby national championship, illuminate adelaide, winter reds 2024, commbank matildas v china - the 'til it's done farewell - adelaide oval, clare valley sca gourmet week 2024, the 2024 english ale, flame festival - copper coast, gutsy kangaroo island, what to do in south australia, there's a world of new experiences and things to do in south australia. get up-close to iconic australian wildlife only minutes away from adelaide’s cbd or swim with sea lions and sharks on our eyre peninsula. adelaide is a culinary playground with a delicious mix of fine dining restaurants, award-winning cafes, bustling food markets and booming boutique bars. south australia is home to 18 wine regions and has officially been named a great wine capital of the world..

Plan A Trip

Planning a trip to south australia but don't know what to do once you get here we've got you covered. made up of 12 unique tourism regions, from the coast to the outback, there is something for everyone in south australia. the real question is, how much time do you have check out our dedicated trip planner tool that will help you build your own custom itinerary and an interactive map of your trip.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S REGIONS Explore places to go

From the outback to the coast and everywhere in between, get closer to the real south australia in our diverse regions..

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