There are so many epic road trips in Australia, from Victoria, Western Australia and the legendary East Coast. But if you are looking to escape the tourist crowds plan a trip into the breathtaking arenas of South Australia.
Often overshadowed by the backpacker magnet of the east coast, we reckon the south side is the perfect place to start an Aussie adventure.
This is one of Australia’s most refined states, where gourmet lovers come to wine and dine in the lingering sunshine that melts onto the soft mountain ranges, awesome outback, and dramatic coastline.
However, it’s not all stuffed olives and sparkling wine, this is a state with a true wild side, where some of Australia’s most active wildlife comes to play amongst the meadows, and dramatic seascapes of the Southern Ocean.
Australia’s wildest state is home to all kinds of diverse wildlife – say hello to sea lions, great white sharks, eagles and kookaburras, to name a few.
You can also take a rumble in the Outback before heading to the gorgeous Indian Ocean flanked beaches, before finishing it all off with a drive to more vineyards than you can shake a wine glass at.
Could South Australia be the state that has it all? Quite possibly. To help you narrow it down, here are some of the most unmissable experiences to be had in South Australia.
1. Wildlife Spotting on Kangaroo Island
For a quintessential Australian experience, hop on the ferry from Cape Jarvis over to the slightly deceptively named Kangaroo Island for some classic wildlife spotting! This is one of the more slightly off the beaten track destinations in Australia, but well worth the trip.
Kangaroo Island is the roughly the same size as Manhattan, and is positively crawling in wildlife. From the rare sea lions, and little penguins that bumble around the beaches, to the amazing birdlife that soars through the sky.
Rest assured they’ll be plenty of the pouched marcupials hopping around for you to get up close to, but you’ll also find sea lions, koalas, sandboarding, surfing and caneven learn to shear a sheep.
They could make all this clearer, but then they’d have to name the island Kangaroo-Sealion-Koala-Sandboarding-Surfing–Sheep-shearing Island, which sounds a bit silly, really.
2. Sand-boarding at Little Sahara
Second stop on our road trip through South Australia, is the Sahara.
Not the great big whopping sands of northern Africa, but the lesser known Little Sahara, on Kangaroo Island. The dunes cover two square kilometres, and if you arrive early enough you’ll be greeted by a smattering of curious footprints from the local wildlife.
But you don’t come here for the footprints, you come for the sandboarding! Grab a sandboard or toboggan from nearby Vivonne Bay, and hurl yourself over the ledge and down the rolling white dunes, then schlep your way back up and do it again (and again, and again!)
Dust yourself down, this is just the first of a ‘six pack’ of South Australian adventures!
3. Swim with sea lions!
Cruise over to the Eyre Peninsula, for the chance to swim with a quartet of incredible marine life: dolphins, sea lions, tuna and great white sharks all inhabit the waters off South Australia, and with a little luck, you can get up close to them all!
We especially like the local sea lions, otherwise know as the ‘puppy dogs of the sea’ in Port Lincoln or Baird Bay. Drop into the water and watch these cheeky characters swirl, loop and somersault around you!
4. Hiking in Flinders Ranges
We reckon that South Australia is the wildest of Australia’s states, and that means it’s full of opportunities for an adventure in the Outback. Head to the magnificent Flinders Ranges – just a couple of hours drive from Adelaide, you’ll feel like you’ve gone a million miles.
No visit to South Australia is complete without a visit to the characterful Flinders Ranges, a vast expanse of rumpled hills that appear to soak up the summer sun like a sponge.
Glamping isn’t on the cards here, but stay overnight and you’ll rise to the call of the Kookaburras and eat breakfast with a spectacular mountainside view.
Start your exploring with the famous Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, and look out for the slightly elusive yellow footed rock wallabies. Get your transport and camping included on official Flinders Ranges Safari Tours.
5. Wine o’clock
It’s always a good time for a glass of wine in South Australia!
The region is crawling with wineries just begging to be visited. You’ll learn how your wine gets from grape to glass, and, of course, get a few free samples along the way. Head to Barossa Valley, arguably Australia’s most famous wine region and the home of everyone’s favourite reasonably priced wine brand, Jacob’s Creek.
We can hook you up with a full day tour of the region, and take you on a de-tour past the world’s biggest rocking horse – no, that’s not the wine tricking you, it really is that big.
6. Cycling through Barossa Valley
Park your motor on the side of the road, as the Barossa Valley is not the place to find yourself behind the wheel — this is one of the world’s premier wine regions, and features some of Australia’s most accessible vineyards.
One of the more fun ways to explore, is by a Harley Davidson powered trike, on the Barossa Trike Tour, where local boy, Tony Tscharke acts as your personal chauffeur, offering in-helmet commentary and tailor made tours.
After you’ve done for the day, get stuck into a kangaroo kofta wrap, or share a ‘feral antipasto’, featuring red gum-smoked camel and kangaroo, roo mettwurst, emu paté, goats cheese, and chargrilled vegetables. Thirsty for more?
7. Shark Cage Diving
For the perfect pick-me-up after the laid back Barossa Valley, head back to the Eyre Peninsular, and Port Lincoln where you can come face to face with the ocean’s ultimate predator, the Great White Shark.
This is a special place, not least because it was the location for most of the classic film, Jaws, but it’s an eco-friendly operation. Rather than ‘baiting’ the sharks to come close, this particularly operator plays music to attract the sharks (the most successful band is ACDC!)
Round off your underwater adventures with a swim with the giant blue-fin tuna that carve up the ocean.
8. Take a swim on the wild side
For an adrenaline-packed dip in the ocean, head to the Eyre Peninsular. This hidden gem is relatively untouched by tourists, so it’s full of beautiful, unspoilt wildlife. There’s the chance to swim with sea lions and dolphins – surely an experience that’s on everyone’s bucket list.
Push your senses to the extreme with a visit to Port Lincoln, where you can cage dive with great white sharks. You can experience all of this and more on our 6-day tour, Secrets of the Eyre Peninsular.
9. Adelaide
South Australia has an incredible number of offerings, both nature and wildlife, but it also has some pretty impressive towns and cities than you should add to your itinerary. Adelaide is one of the locations, this is the capital of South Australia and one of the most prized local destinations.
Adelaide is the largest city in South Australia and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. A lot smaller, cheaper and more relaxed than Sydney and Melbourne, it is worth spending a few days taking the laid back atmosphere and cultural attractions.
10. Beaches
It wouldn’t be Australia without the beaches, and South Australia has some pretty awesome stretches of sand.
There’s a very fine selection just 30 minutes from Adelaide – check out Glenelg, just a short a tram ride from Adelaide, and take a dip in the Gulf of Vincent. Excitingly, it’s also the only beach in Austraila that’s name is a palindrome. This fact may only appeal to the word geeks among you, but as a self-confessed word nerd, I think it’s pretty damn cool.
Offshore, expect to witness migrating humpback and southern right whales, while scuba divers enjoy over 50 shipwrecks playing host to abundant sealife. Missing someone? Don’t worry, there are plenty of koalas on the island, too!
Sadly, that’s it for South Australia, one of the country’s most infusing regions. Has this feature given you the itch to explore more? Visit our Australia travel guide for more ideas, deals and accommodation recommendations! If you want to explore more of the country you might also like to check out our ultimate Australia West Coast itinerary or top tips for visiting the Northern Territory.
