The only state in Australia to be settled by free settlers (rather than convicts), South Australia centers around the “City of Churches”: Adelaide. It’s home to some of Australia’s most celebrated festivals and a vibrant cafe culture, together with alluring beachside communities and accessible wine growing regions.
Travel into the Adelaide Hills that surround the city to explore the quaint towns and wildlife sanctuaries that dot the region or head down to Glenelg Beach to dine alfresco with the locals on Jetty Road. Wine lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s most acclaimed wine growing regions, or make the short drive south of Adelaide to beautiful McLaren Vale.
Soak up the sun, surf and sand in the coastal villages of the Fleurieu Peninsula that stretches to the south of Adelaide. It serves as the gateway to Kangaroo Island, which is renowned for its wildlife and natural beauty. Go camping in the magnificent Coorong region and watch as the mighty Murray River pours into the Southern Ocean.
Venture west to the Yorke Peninsula where locals spend their holidays, with an endless array of recreational activities on offer at the national parks and beaches. Or explore the breathtaking coastal landscapes and deserts of the remote Eyre Peninsula.
To the north of Adelaide sprawls the vast “Outback”, home to the rugged and dramatic landscapes of the Flinders Ranges. Spend time hiking through the natural amphitheater of Wilpena Pound and exploring the soaring gorges of Mount Remarkable National Park.