Words courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission
South Australia is a place of hidden gems, unexpected curiosities and unspoiled vistas. Take its lush capital Adelaide, a city famous for a year-long calendar of events and festivals yet within driving distance to an outback mountain range and rugged coastlines. The state is also home to the globe's best wine and the world's first shark cage divers, so if you're thinking about your travel bucket list, we have a few items to add that you can only do in South Australia.
Adelaide Oval RoofClimb
Arguably the best sports stadium in Australia, nothing compares to the thrill of watching a game at Adelaide Oval. And the excitement doesn’t end when the siren sounds. After the game, reach new heights on an Adelaide Oval RoofClimb. One of Australia’s most iconic stadiums, climb over billowing rooftops and historic grandstands by sunset on a spectacular twilight tour. Snag the bests seats in the house and see the sun set from the best vantage point in Adelaide.
Festival State
South Australia’s year-long event and festival calendar celebrates its world-class food, wine, sport, art, design and culture. This is the state that loves to party, both in the heart of the city and across the regions. Indulge in one of the many festivals and events in Adelaide this winter, like the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June or the month-long art, light and sound extravaganza that is Illuminate Adelaide. Then step into the Art Gallery of South Australia and explore brilliant works by two of the most influential and loved artists of the twentieth century – Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera – in an Australian exclusive exhibition.
Australia’s Largest Outback Mountain Range
Take a road trip from Adelaide and feel connected with the ancient landscapes found in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National park. With towering ancient cliffs and deep craters bordering dusty red roads, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were navigating the unexplored face of Mars. At Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre - the largest inland lake in Australia - take an aerial tour or drive along the Aboriginal Dreaming Trail. Continue your journey and marvel at Wilpena Pound, a shockingly large amphitheatre, created through erosion over millions of years, or look up at night for a sky show like never before.
Wine in a Giant Rubik’s Cube
McLaren Vale is a place where rolling vines tumble into azure blue waters and is a true mecca for vino-lovers. This famous coastal wine region is nestled less than a 40 minute drive from Adelaide’s city centre and provides an extraordinary chance to taste a drop of shiraz in a giant rubik's cube. The d’Arenberg Cube is one of South Australia’s must-see attractions and treats visitors to five levels of wonder: a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, the Alternate Realities Museum and wonderful art installations that create perfect selfie opportunities.
Shark Cage Diving
Brave the vast deep blue ocean and face your fears while getting up close and personal with great white sharks. Port Lincoln on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula is one of the few places in the world, and the only place in Australia, where you can come face-to-face with great whites in their natural environment – all from the safety of a cage. Jump on board a guided tour and get ready for an exciting day of adventure, education and a whole lot of fun!
The Best Beaches All on One Island
You're spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches on Kangaroo Island. Boasting more than 500 kilometres of coastline and two beaches to have held the title of 'Australia's Best Beach', you'll find everything from the whitest of white sandy beaches to awesome surf breaks. Check out the most recent titleholder, Stokes Bay, reached by weaving through a little labyrinth of caves before you emerge onto some of the whitest sand and clearest water in Australia. Another past winner, Vivonne Bay, is a six-kilometre-long, U-shaped bay where white sandy shores meet gently lapping waves, perfect for wading waist deep. With a jetty framing the south-end and distant dunes in the north, it's the definition of picture-perfect.
The Great Wine Capital of Australia
Almost all of South Australia is 'wine country' and Adelaide itself lays claim to being a Great Wine Capital, one of just 11 cities globally whose wine regions are recognised as significant cultural assets. Within an hour’s drive of the city, more than 200 cellar doors are located across the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale. Just a little further afield lies the Clare Valley, famed for five-star wineries showcasing its signature drop, Riesling. So pull up a stool in South Australia and sample the sweet labour of vintages past.
If you want more from your weekends and getaways, get in touch with your local
Travellers Choice agent to book your holiday to South Australia.
