Discover South Australia: Pristine Beaches, World-Class Wines, Iconic Wildlife, and Rugged Outback
If you're unfamiliar with South Australia, prepare to be captivated. From its diverse beaches to its striking red-earth outback, this state is gaining global attention—not least for featuring on the cover of the Sports Illustrated 2019 Swimsuit Issue. This exposure has highlighted its extraordinary wildlife, landscapes, and wines.
South Australia deserves the acclaim. It hosts one of the Nine Great Wine Capitals of the World and produced the 2019 Wine of the Year at the London Wine Competition: Kellermeister’s Wild Witch Shiraz—a vintage worth the journey.
The state is also home to Orana, the Good Food Guide's 2019 Restaurant of the Year, located in Adelaide, the vibrant capital and ideal starting point with its exceptional dining scene.
Beyond gourmet experiences and wildlife wonders, South Australia offers thrilling adventures and cultural highlights, all easily accessible from Adelaide. A 20-minute flight lands you amid the unique wildlife that starred with SI Swimsuit models. A 40-minute flight delivers a Southern Ocean seafood safari. A two-hour flight transports you to an otherworldly Mad Max-like landscape.
Read on for details on these and five more must-do experiences.
Sample World-Class Wines in Premier Regions
South Australia's wine accolades are flowing, with thriving Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. From Adelaide, over 200 cellar doors are within a two-hour drive. Begin at Kellermeister Wines, home of the Wine of the Year, offering stunning Barossa Valley views and tastings paired with fresh local produce.
McLaren Vale, the cradle of South Australian viticulture, unveiled the innovative d’Arenberg Cube—a Rubik’s Cube-inspired showcase of winemaking complexity. Explore interactive installations, blend your own wine to take home, or join a varietal masterclass.
Adelaide Hills pioneered Australian sparkling reds over 125 years ago and continues innovating. Visit Unico Zelo/Applewood Distillery for handcrafted wines, artisanal gins, and native botanical Amaro.
With 18 wine regions, dedicated oenophiles should explore widely. For a curated taste, visit the National Wine Centre of Australia at the University of Adelaide, featuring samples from top labels and award winners.
Encounter Extraordinary Wildlife Up Close
Kangaroo Island (KI), seven times Singapore's size, lies just 10 miles off Adelaide's coast—a vast natural haven. Expect kangaroos galore, including the endemic sooty kangaroo, plus koalas, echidnas, black swans, sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, and wombats, thriving without natural predators.
A koala even featured in the Swimsuit Issue with Hailey Clauson. The Australian photographer called it a microcosm of the homeland: surf spots, dunes, bush, and red rocks. Stay overnight at Southern Ocean Lodge for wildlife viewing from its coastal boardwalk, plus spa treatments like the Kodo Massage and ocean-view farm-to-table dining.
The outback draws emus, wallabies, parrots, bearded dragons, hairy-nosed wombats, pygmy possums, and kangaroos too. Prime spots: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and Arkaroola.
Embark on an Outback Expedition
The outback spans nearly 80% of South Australia but houses just 1% of its population. Recent floods transformed the usually dry Lake Eyre into a vibrant salt lake, drawing rare wildlife. View it via flightseeing from Coober Pedy, a direct flight from Adelaide.
This opal capital, featured in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, lives underground: dugouts shelter half the population, including hotels, eateries, churches, pubs, and museums.
Savor Exceptional Culinary Delights
South Australia's food scene emphasizes fresh, produce-driven cuisine. Chefs source from local markets brimming with orchard fruits, vegetables, quince paste, and sourdough.
Adelaide shines, with Jock Zonfrillo's Orana earning 2019 Restaurant of the Year and the Basque Culinary World Prize for native ingredients like crocodile with botanicals or eucalyptus whiting. Nearby Bistro Blackwood offers fire-pit lamb and chargrilled squid. Africola delivers bold African-inspired grilled meats and Mpumalanga Fire sauce.
Eyre Peninsula's Port Lincoln supplies 65% of Australia's seafood. Join a seafood safari to forage cockles, fish, and abalone, then enjoy a beach barbecue with local wines.
Immerse in Vibrant Cultural Experiences
Adelaide, once the 'City of Churches,' is now 'Festival City' or 'RAdelaide.' Enjoy events like the Film Festival, Fringe, or Adelaide Cabaret Festival (June 7-22), featuring stars like Ute Lemper and Megan Mullally.
Year-round: Jam Factory for craft and design; Mortlock Wing at the State Library; South Australian Museum. Catch Aussie Rules Football ('footy') at Adelaide Oval—cheer the Crows and sing their anthem to the U.S. Marines' tune.
