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Best Places to Visit in South Australia You Should Not Miss [updated 2024]]

South Australia is a mesmerizing state located in the southern central part of Australia, offering an array of breathtaking sights and unforgettable experiences for travellers. If you are looking for the best places to visit in South Australia you will be spoilt for choice. From stunning coastal landscapes to vibrant city life, this diverse region has something for everyone.

Whether you’re seeking adventure in the great outdoors or looking to immerse yourself in rich cultural heritage, South Australia is sure to captivate your senses. Join us as we explore some of the best holiday destinations in South Australia and uncover its hidden treasures.

South Australia is often overlooked by travellers who spend time visiting the neighbouring states of Victoria and New South Wales and  Queensland with its Great Barrier Reef. From the ocean to the interior, South Australia offers so much to the visitor. We fall in love with South Australia, even more, every time we visit.  When you are driving through the countryside it is like every corner you travel around there is another wow!

If you are longing for:

  • gastronomic delights
  • excellent wineries
  • Getting back to nature
  • stunning beaches
  • getting up close and personal with the wildlife
  • great accommodation

you have come to the right place.  Travel in South Australia has all of this and more.

Adelaide City
Adelaide City – Canva image

Let’s start your travel planning now and have you heading off to have one of your most memorable vacations ever. We will show you the best places to visit in South Australia.

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If you are looking for a new staycation adventure Australia has some of the best cities and towns to visit.

Contents hide

South Australia Map

South Australia Map
Map of South Australia

 

Things To Do in Adelaide – the capital

Adelaide the City of Churches
Adelaide is known as the City of Churches with 529 listed

When you visit Adelaide we recommend that you spend at least 3 nights and then plan to visit the other places of interest in South Australia to you. You can either hire a car on arrival at the airport or book an airport transfer to your city hotel.

Book here

 

How to get around Adelaide City

Adelaide City is easy to get around, very walkable and one of the fun things we loved doing was catching the Glenelg Tram to the beach.

It may be worth considering the 3-day Metro Visitor Card which is valid on all trams, buses and trains.

Adelaide Attractions

For some of the most popular things to do in Adelaide see our recommended tours through Get Your Guide.  One of the fun tours is a visit to the Central Market with over 80 stalls.  Allow some time to wander through the Botanical Gardens as well.

 

 

Top Restaurants in Adelaide

Where to stay in Adelaide



Booking.com

 

Flights to South Australia

Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our go-to when we are researching and booking flights to worldwide destinations.

Top Things to Do in South Australia

Things to do in Port Lincoln

Map of Port Lincoln
Visit the seafood capital of Australia – Port Lincoln

 

You can fly from Adelaide Airport to Port Lincoln in just 50 minutes with Qantas or Regional Express.

If you are travelling by car the journey is 651 km and takes on average 7 hours.

Port Lincoln is the perfect holiday location to get back to nature. You can visit the two National Parks on the Lower Eyre Peninsula – Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park. Both offer pristine sandy beaches, abundant wildlife and many photographic opportunities.

To Travel Too Tip: There are park fees associated with both the Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park

Sea Lions of Port Lincoln
Sea lions of Port Lincoln

Spring and Summer is the best time to visit the sea lions and take a submarine tour or cage dive with the magnificent great white sharks.

As Port Lincoln is known as the ‘seafood capital of Australia’ you must try the local seafood in the restaurants in Port Lincoln.

For the best seafood restaurants in Port Lincoln click here

Port Lincoln Attractions

 

 

Port Lincoln Hotel Search



Booking.com

 

Hahndorf

 Hahndorf Attractions

Where is Hahndorf located?

Hanhdorf Map
Hahndorf from Adelaide Map

Hahndorf is located about 30 minutes drive (28 km) from Adelaide.

The German town of Hahndorf was built by Prussian settlers in 1839. When visiting Hahndorf you can visit German-style pubs, cuckoo clockmakers, bars, restaurants, and artisan shops and wander the main street with its trees that were planted by the early settlers in 1885.

Top things to do in Hahndorf:

Hahndorf Top Restaurants

 

Top Wineries to visit in Hahndorf

The top wineries to visit in Hahndorf are:

Where to stay in Hahndorf

Hahndorf Accommodation

Things to do in the Barossa Valley – the popular region of South Australia to visit

Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley

Map of the Barossa Valley

Barossa Valley Map
Visit the Barossa Valley

Where is the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is located 50 minutes northeast of Adelaide (56 km).  It is Adelaide’s premier wine-growing district and one of Australia’s oldest.  The towns of

are the main towns of the region.  The Barossa Valley is not short of cellar doors, in fact, they have 80 cellar doors to choose from.  If you are a wine lover plan to spend a few days enjoying the delights of this region.

Check out the Top 10 Best Restaurants in the Barossa Valley here

 

Things to do in the Barossa Valley

 

Where To Stay in the Barossa Valley

Top Places to Stay in Tanunda 

Top Places to Stay in Angaston 

Top Places to Stay in Nuriootpa 

Wondering where to stay in the Barossa Valley for your next staycation? Click here

Top Wineries in the Barossa Valley

    • Chateau Tanunda
    • 9 Basedow Road Tanunda
    • Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm
    • Henschke Wines
    • 1428 Keyneton Road Keyneton
    • Opening Hours: 9.00 to 4.30 pm Closed Sundays
    • Seppeltsfield Wines
    • 730 Seppeltsfield Road Seppeltsfield
    • Opening Hours: 10.30 to 5.00 pm
    • Yalumba Wines
    • 40 Eden Valley Road Angaston
    • Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm
    • Grant Burge Wines
    • 279 Krondorf Road Krondorf
    • Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm
    • Kies Family Wines
    • 1303 Barossa Valley Way Lyndoch
    • Opening Hours: 9.00 to 4.00 pm
    • Saltram Wines
    • Murray Street Angaston
    • Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm
    • Jacobs Creek
    • 2129 Barossa Valley Way Roland Flat
    • Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm
    • Wolf Blass Wines
    • 97 Sturt Highway Nuriootpa
    • Opening Hours: 10.00 to 4.30 pm Closed Tuesdays
    • Penfolds Wines
    • 30 Tanunda Road Nuriootpa
    • Opening Hours 10.00 to 5.00 pm

Things to do in the Clare Valley

Map of Clare Valley
Map of Clare Valley

 

Where is the Clare Valley?

The Clare Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions located 100 km north of Adelaide with a drive of approximately 90 minutes.  It is known as the “Home of Australian Riesling”.

The main towns of the region are Clare and Auburn and there are over 50 cellar doors to choose from. If you plan to spend a weekend we have the perfect Clare Valley itinerary for you.

Find out what the Top 10 Restaurants in the Clare Valley are here

Top Things To Do in Clare Valley

 

Walk or Cycle the Riesling Trail

The 33 km trail runs from Auburn to Barinia via Clare and takes in historic sites and wineries along the way.

For more information on the trail click here.

Visit the Top Wineries of the Clare Valley

Pike Wines
233 Polish Hill Road Sevenhill
Opening Hours: 10.00 to 4.00 pm

Sussex Squire Wines
293-295 Spring Gully Road Gillentown
Opening Hours: 11.00 to 5.00 pm

Sevenhill Cellars
111C College Road Clare Valley
Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm

Taylors Wine
89A Winery Road Clare Valley
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 pm Saturday/Sunday 10.00 to 4.00 pm

Jim Barry Wines
33 Craig Hill Road Clare
Opening Hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Claymore Wines
7145 Horrocks Highway Leasingham
Opening Hours: 11.00 to 5.00 pm

Eldredge Wines
Spring Gully Road Clare
Opening Hours: 11.00 to 5.00 pm

Paulett Wines
752 Jolly Way (Sevenhill – Mintaro Road) Polish Hill River
Opening Hours: 10.00 to 5.00 pm

Where To Stay in the Clare Valley

Clare Valley Accommodation

Read what travellers have said about the Top Ten Places to Stay in the Clare Valley here

Things to do in McLaren Vale

Map of McLaren Vale

Map of McLaren Vale
Map of McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale is only a 45-minute drive south from Adelaide and as such is a popular day trip.  Why not stay longer and enjoy the wineries that this region is famous for? There are over 80 cellar doors offering wines such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache and Chardonnay. You can also experience top South Australian pristine beaches and stunning scenery.

What are the Top 10 Restaurants in McLaren Vale? Find out here.

Top Things to Do in McLaren Vale

 

 

Top Wineries to visit in McLaren Vale

D’arenburg Wines

Osborn Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Hardy’s Tintara

202 Main Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 11 am – 4 pm

Saturday 10 am – 4 pm.  Sunday 11 am – 4 pm

Wirra Wirra Wines

255 Strout Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm Sunday and Public Holidays 11 am to 5 pm

Angove Wines

117 Chalk Hill Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours: 11 am – 5 pm

Battle of Bosworth (Organic Wines)

92 Gaffney Road Willunga

Opening Hours:  11 am – 5 pm

Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards

246 Seaview Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours: 10 am to 4 pm

Coriole Vineyards

Chaffeys Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday from 12 pm to 4 pm Thursday and Friday 11 am to 5 pm

Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm

Samuel’s Gorge

193 Lot 10 Chaffeys Road McLaren Vale

Opening Hours 11 am to 5 pm

Where to stay in McLaren Vale

For a range of accommodations in McLaren Vale click here

Top Ten Places to Stay in McLaren Vale

Flinders Ranges Attractions – One of the best places of interest in South Australia to visit

Map of Flinders Ranges
Map of Flinders Ranges

Where are the Flinders Ranges?

The Flinders Ranges, the largest mountain range in South Australia, covers an area of 95,000 hectares that reaches 430 km from Port Pirie to Lake Callabonna.

Taken from the National Parks of South Australia website:

“Before you visit, download the Discover the Flinders Ranges free mobile app. The app includes narrated driving and walking tours, guides to geology, birdlife and wildflowers, information and special offers. The app is produced by the Friends of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

 

 

What you need to know about visiting the Flinders Ranges:

The Wilpena Pond Visitor Centre is open between 8 am and 5 pm daily.

Old Wilpena Station is open from 8 am and 5 pm.

Call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 during high fire periods.  The Walking Trails will be closed if there are fires in the area.

Best time to visit is during the months from April to October.  During Summer temperatures can reach into the low 40s.

There are fees associated with entering the park for full details click here.

Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound is a natural ‘amphitheatre’ which is 8 times the size of Uluru and 300 m higher.  Geologists believe that it was formed 600 million years ago in the Palaeozoic era.  It resembles a meteorite impact crater.

Arkaroo Rock

Arkaroo Rock is an aboriginal art site where you can see images of Wilpena Pound, birds, people, snakes and the waterhole created by the use of ochre and charcoal. The looped trail is 3 km long and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.  There are no toilets on the trail.

Sacred Canyon

Sacred Canyon is a small chasm with aboriginal art that depicts local tracks, people and local waterholes.

Brachina Gorge

You can drive the Brachina Geological Trail to learn the history of the region.  The Gorge is home to the yellow-footed rock wallaby, birds and reptiles.

For maps and walking trail information visit the Wilpena Visitor Centre.

Where to Stay in the Flinders Ranges

Wilpena Pound Resort

Motel accommodation, chalet and self-contained units that offers guests a swimming pool, gym, on-site lounge bar and bicycle rental. Click here for the latest accommodation deals.

Rawnsley Park Station

Rawnsley Park Station offers visitors self-contained holiday units, cabins and on-site caravans, as well as a restaurant, local store, swimming pool, and BBQ’s. There are walking trails available.

Click here for the latest accommodation deals.

 

Things to do in Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island

Map of Kangaroo Island

Map of Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island Map

We enjoyed this video from Sealink’s website on Kangaroo Island – you can watch it here.

Featuring “SA Life and Times with Grant Cameron” showcasing some of the wonderful histories of Kangaroo Island, including archive footage, and “SA Life must-see, must do with Peter Michell” (at 3:50) with a checklist of the top must-see and do on Kangaroo Island.”

Where to eat on Kangaroo Island?

FAQ’s on Kangaroo Island

How large is Kangaroo Island?

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s 3rd largest island.  It covers an area of 4416 km,  155 km long, 55 km wide and has 540 km of coastline.

Can you stay overnight on Kangaroo Island?

Yes, there is a range of accommodation to suit all travellers and budgets.  We recommend at least 2 nights and more.

How do you get to Kangaroo Island?

Sealink Ferry has a range of fares and departures to Cape Jervis and Penneshaw. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

What activities can you do on Kangaroo Island?

There are many activities you can do:

      • see the penguins at night
      • see koalas, echidnas, kangaroos and wallabies
      • enjoy the gastronomic delights such as local wines, cheeses, honey and more
      • enjoy bushwalking, caving, surfing, quad biking, sandboarding, kayaking, snorkelling, swimming and boating

Hotel Accommodation Kangaroo Island

For the latest hotel deals on Kangaroo Island click here.

Read what travellers have said about the top 10 places to stay on Kangaroo Island here

FAQ on South Australia

When is the best time to visit South Australia? 

The climate in South Australia is perfect for the visitor exploring South Australia.  If you are travelling around we would recommend Spring and Autumn, winters can be quite cold and high temperatures can be experienced in the middle of summer. The heaviest rainfall is usually around June.

How far is the Adelaide airport from the Adelaide CBD?

Adelaide’s airport is around 15 minutes from the city.

What are the best beaches to visit in South Australia?

South Australia has some of the best beaches in Australia. Some of the most popular ones to visit are within a short drive from Adelaide CBD are:

        • Glenelg Beach 11 km
        • Henly Beach 12 km
        • Brighton 15 km
        • Semaphore 16 km
        • Christie’s Beach at Port Noarlunga 30 km

Conclusion:

In conclusion, South Australia offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences for travellers to explore. From the bustling city streets of Adelaide, the smaller towns in South Australia,  to the stunning landscapes of Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley’s renowned wine region, there is something for everyone in this vibrant state.

Whether you are seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, South Australia’s holiday destinations have so much to offer. You will find the most beautiful places in South Australia.

With its breathtaking natural beauty, rich history and culture, and warm hospitality from locals, it is no wonder that this region is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. So pack your bags and make sure to include these best places to visit in South Australia on your travel itinerary – you won’t be disappointed!

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Best Places to Visit in South Australia

 

Best Places to Visit in South Australia

best Places to visit in South Australia

 

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Thanks for stopping by and welcome to To Travel Too – Australia’s top Baby Boomer lifestyle and travel blog, with an international worldwide audience in mind, run by the married couple, freelance writers and full-time travellers Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith. Come with us as we explore the world. Our two mantras that we live by are 'chase time not money' and 'age is no barrier when it comes to travel'.

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