South Australia Travel Information

Nature

South Australia is a haven of dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife. Against a spectacular backdrop of limestone cliffs, volcanic craters and desert gorges, you can find a rare display of native flora and fauna. Along with breathtaking views, the coast offers excellent whale watching between October and June when Southern-Right whales gather in South Australia's waters to mate and raise their offspring. Kangaroo Island is a world-class eco-sanctuary and there’ll never be a better chance to get close to such a diverse selection of Australian wildlife. Walk among Australian sea lions in the Seal Bay Conservation Park or join them in the water at Eyre Peninsula and Baird Bay.

For spellbinding scenery, it is impossible to overlook the Flinders Ranges National Park where rugged peaks meet sheltered creeks and glorious gorges and the 16,000 hectare Mount Remarkable National Park boasts a bit of everything, from coastal plains to arid outback. Geology lovers will be in their element in South Australia, amid fossils, indigenous cave paintings and rare gems while green thumbs will fall in love with the wildflowers and botanic gardens.

Culture

South Australia has established itself as a state of true cultural appreciation: it even beat the Sydney Opera House to the punch by four months when it opened the Adelaide Festival Centre in 1973.

This state loves its festivals, playing host to the annual innovative Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts, the Adelaide Fringe festival (second only in size to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival), a colourful Cabaret Festival and the international music celebration of WOMADelaide, to name a few.

And there’s no secret South Australians love their sport. This is expressed no more clearly than by the Bradman Trail, a tribute to the greatest batsman in the history of cricket. The trail highlights historic sites in the three main places in where he lived – Cootamundra, Bowral and Adelaide – together with their dedicated museum exhibitions.

Adelaide has some great shopping opportunities: King William Road at Hyde Park is the place to be for fashion and design, Rundle Mall offers elegant arcades and major department stores, and Jetty Road at Glenelg is the perfect excuse for mixing shopping with a stroll along the beach. The bustling Adelaide Central Market is the place to go for fresh food and specialty stores, as well as Asian grocery stores, cafes and food halls.

History

South Australia is also proud of its indigenous history, which extends back 45,000 years. Prior to European settlement, the state was home to around 10,000 indigenous people across 45 tribes: hear fascinating stories about their survival at the South Australian Museum. Move through the ages via a long list of heritage walking trails through key historical sites including Murray River ports, beautiful colonial buildings and Port Adelaide with its popular South Australian Maritime Museum. Pick up a Burra Heritage Passport which includes a key allowing access to eight locked heritage sites including an old goal, brewery cellars and a monster mine.

Dining

South Australia is well regarded for its gastronomic pleasures. Besides the award- winning wines of the Barossa and Clare valleys and the Coonawarra region, there’s a restaurant to suit every taste and budget, particularly in Adelaide, which is renowned for its range of quality and diverse cuisines. Local produce also features strongly: head to South Australia’s fresh produce markets, including Adelaide’s wonderful Central Market, where you can enjoy the wonderful fresh aromas of South Australian produce, a chat with the local growers, and special gourmet South Australian goodies. Follow one of the many magnificent wine and food trails for a true taste of the state and a deliciously indulgent holiday experience.

Get in the know...

Kangaroo Island is home to the purest strain of bee in the world and their Ligurian honey is said to be the finest outside Italy. Try Bickfords Lime Cordial from its 150-year-old source, or for something stronger sip a cold Coopers, crafted in the country’s only remaining family-owned brewery. Sweet tooths may prefer a handcrafted Haighs chocolate from the nation’s oldest family-owned manufacturer, or even the bizarre Balfours frog cake from Australia’s largest fresh bakery. Or gogourmet with a Peter Lehmann or Wolf Blass wine and Maggie Beer delicacies from her farm shop near Tununda. Whatever your tastebuds, SA offers plenty of food for thought.