Really Wild Show

A glorious climate, a vibrant and cosmopolitan capital, award-winning wineries and prolific wildlife – a week in South Australia is packed with quintessential Australian experiences

How do you sum up somewhere as diverse as South Australia? From its verdant coastline and red plains to its island retreats and world-class vineyards, the state offers visitors an astonishingly varied palette. Wild yet luxurious; epic enough to be soaked in drama et contained enough to be explored, there are countless reasons to fall in love with the region. But its overriding allure lies in its unique ‘WOW’ factor – wildlife, outback and wine. In short, it’s everything you hope Australia’s going to be.

Wildlife

Kangaroo Island is the undisputed jewel in South Australia’s crown. Considered Australia’s very own Galapagos, it’s a pristine wilderness with an extraordinary array of inhabitants: koalas, kangaroos, sea lions, wallabies, dolphins, penguins, whales and seals among them. It is, quite simply, the best place in the country for natural wildlife viewing.

And elsewhere in the state, the spectacle continues – the Flinders are home to red kangaroos, emus and wedgetailed eagles, while the Eyre Peninsula is the place to head for superb whale-watching and the unique opportunity to swim with sea lions and dolphins.

Outback

There is 700,000 sq km of landscapes waiting to be explored in South Australia. Just three-and-a-half hours from the cosmopolitan charm of Adelaide you’ll find hill ranges that stretch to the horizon, where ancient Aboriginal culture still finds voice. There are waterholes, thermal springs and gorges to explore and an eclectic range of desert flora and fauna to take in. Highlights include mining town Coober Pedy, famed for its underground houses, and Wilpena Pound, a colossal natural amphitheatre that was once an inland sea.

Whether you’re visiting a working sheep station, taking a 4WD tour or stargazing into clear outback skies, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable adventure.

Wine

Wine and South Australia go hand in glove. The state accounts for no less than 70% of Australia’s exported wine and connoisseurs will find themselves spoilt for choice by the 17 different wine regions. There are hundreds of different cellar doors for tours and tastings – a wonderful way of seeing the countryside while sampling world-famous labels such as Wolf Blass, Penfolds and Jacob’s Creek. Wines can be sampled in Adelaide too, where more than 700 restaurants pair the grape with fresh seafood, Australian steak and other culinary treats.