Adelaide’s elegant charm provides the gateway to South Australia, and is within easy reach of some excellent beaches, striking outback and one of the country’s most prolific wine regions, as well as the wealth of indigenous wildlife that calls Kangaroo Island ‘home’.
An overnight stay is highly recommended to see the best of Kangaroo Island, which in addition to its wildlife also includes wineries, arts and crafts, national parks and distinctive rock formations, all just 15 kms from mainland South Australia.
This is most definitely a state with the WOW factor!
No two explorers are the same, so you have the freedom to craft your experience exactly how you want.
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Highlights
Adelaide
The state’s capital is a cultural and gastronomic delight, yet with an intimacy and laid-back atmosphere more akin to a large town than a bustling city. Adelaide is also blessed with a glorious climate – hot dry summers and mild bright winters. The central city is compact and bordered by four terraces beyond which parkland and the botanic gardens are just waiting to be explored. Hang out in the bars, cafes and art galleries or jump on the tram to Glenelg, the relaxed coastal suburb only 30 minutes from Victoria Square. Perfect for al fresco dining at sunset.
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Highlights
Barossa Valley
Home to world-renowned wineries including Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek, this fertile valley is also scattered with orchards and picturesque churches and cottages. The weekly famer’s market near Angaston is a great place to pick up local produce including fruit, bread, jams and chutneys – ideal ingredients for a picnic perhaps washed down with a bottle of locally-produced wine. A trip to Mengler Hill is recommended for unrivalled views over the Barossa.
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Highlights
Kangaroo Island
This off-shore island is often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of Australia’, and it’s easy to see why. Here you may be lucky enough to find kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, possums, echidnas, goannas, platypus, penguins, sea-lions and fur seals in their natural habitats. The Parndana Wildlife Park provides guaranteed wildlife encounters, while a spectacular coastline, secluded beaches, the Remarkable Rocks and native forests complete the natural attractions.
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Highlights
The Flinders Ranges
Located just 5 hours north of Adelaide by road, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park boasts dramatic scenery of rust red mountains and deep gorges. The area’s most famous landmark is Wilpena Pound, a vast natural amphitheatre ringed by serrated mountains, which can be explored on foot, by 4WD or perhaps most spectacularly by air. Look out for wedge-tailed eagles, kangaroos and emus, and learn about the indigenous history of the region seeing examples of ancient Aboriginal rock art.
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Highlights
Coober Pedy
Due it’s extreme climate, the desert town of Coober Pedy is located predominantly underground – homes, businesses and hotels all shelter away from the scorching heat. The town is also renowned for its opal production, with 80% of the world’s opals mined here. As a result Coober Pedy is surrounded by mine shafts and extensive opal fields.
Trip ideas
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Wildlife and Wine of South Australia
Australia Self DriveExplore the highlights of South Australia taking in the capital, Adelaide as well as the remarkable Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and Kangaroo Island.
From £1439 Excluding Flights
7 Nights
Year Round
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The Ghan Expedition
Australia Escorted RailExperience the very heart of Australia aboard the legendary Ghan railway from Darwin to Adelaide.
From £2587 Excluding Flights
3 Nights
May-Oct
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Great Ocean Road Discovery
Australia Self DriveA spectacular self-drive along Australia's most iconic coastal route from Melbourne to Adelaide.
From £822 Excluding Flights
7 Nights
Year Round
Trip experiences
Accommodation ideas
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Rawnsley Park Station, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Australia Standard Unique And BoutiqueThis sheep station, overlooking Wilpena Pound, can be found 4.5 hours north of Adelaide and is ideally situated for exploring South Australia's beautiful Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
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Other Australia regions
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New South Wales
From the magnificent golden coasts meeting the Tasmanian Sea, travel inland through a rainbow of landscapes, discovering lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls, the rugged bush of the Aussie outback and on westwards to the sparkling Snowy Mountains.
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Northern Territory
Home to the most evocative and instantly recognisable of Australia’s landmarks, the Northern Territory has much to offer.
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Queensland
It’s easy to see why Queensland is Australia’s most-visited state, with highlights including the world’s oldest rainforest and the mesmerising Great Barrier Reef.
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Tasmania
Explore lush green valleys, uncrowded villages and undeveloped coastlines. Come face to face with unique wildlife, including the eponymous Tassie inhabitants of the island, whilst the bustling towns today thrive on fishing and wine production.
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Victoria
From the prolific wineries of the Yarra Valley to the wildlife of Phillip Island, from the spectacular scenery of the Great Ocean Road to the welcoming city of Melbourne, there is something for everyone in Victoria.
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Western Australia
A vast state of contrasts, WA represents iconic Australian landscapes, from the rust-red outback to the deep green southern forests, to the breath-taking colours of Ningaloo Reef.
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