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South Australia

Wildlife, wilderness & wine

South Australia tailor-made holidays

Introduction

South Australia is not merely a food and wine lover's dream. Whether you're looking to experience the award-winning wine regions, the diversity of the local produce, the spectacular landscape or remarkable fine dining, this region has an offering to suit all tastes. Call our Australia holiday specialists, who'll help plan your perfect trip.

Adelaide

The capital city of Adelaide brings together fabulous food and wine from right across the state. There is a distinct sense of the Mediterranean to Adelaide, and a handful of cellar doors and breweries can be found in the city's surrounding suburbs, including the lauded Penfolds Magill Estate. Adelaide is also home to the striking National Wine Centre – the largest open cellar in the southern hemisphere and the colourful Central Market, with its old school neon, painted signs, enthusiastic hawkers and gloriously exotic smells, is also where the city meets for a chat, listens live music, reads the paper and generally just lets its hair down.

Kangaroo island

This unspoilt island, often referred to as Australia's Galápagos, is just a short flight from Adelaide. Comprising a national park and nature reserve, it's a place of wild beauty home to possum, bandicoot, platypus, wallaby, more than 250 species of bird and hundreds of kangaroos. There's also some exceptional accommodation to be found, especially at Southern Ocean Lodge where sweeping Southern Ocean views are matched by fine wines, gourmet dining and a full spread of guided island activities.

Wines and wilderness

South Australia's wines, such as those produced in the Barossa Valley, Claire Valley and Coonawarra are right up there with the best in the country. Vineyards characterise much of the countryside surrounding the lively state capital, Adelaide, and are a mainstay of the region’s reputation for superb food and drink. North of the wine regions, huge tracts of wilderness extend inland, dotted with sheep stations and opal mines. The craggy terrain of the Flinders Ranges and the vastness of Wilpena Pound provide classic images of Outback Australia – sparse areas where cattle and sheep outnumber humans and whose sheer scale is best appreciated from the air.

 

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Top itineraries in South Australia

Flinders Ranges

Highlights of South Australia

15-day tailor-made holiday from £4,605 pp incl. flights

Combine the winelands of South Australia with a taste of the Outback, the urban delights of Adelaide and the famed wildlife of Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo in the vines of South Australia

Australia’s Wine, Outback & Wildlife Wonders

17-day tailor-made journey from £3,910 pp incl. flights

With stays on historic cattle stations and in cutting-edge urban hotels, all paired with a range of included excursions, this is the ideal introduction to the myriad delights of two contrasting Australian states.

Whale Shark, Ningaloo Reef, Coral Coast, Australia

Australian Wildlife Safari

16-day tailor-made journey from £6,390 pp incl. flights

Get up close to Australia’s famed wildlife, showcased across a range of included tours and excursions alongside stays in everything from beachside hideaways to luxury lodges.

Indian Pacific, Pinnacles, Western Australia

Australia by Rail: Indian Pacific

14-day luxury rail holiday from £4,725 pp incl. flights

Take to the rails on this luxury journey aboard the Indian Pacific. You'll travel across Australia’s vast outback as you journey coast-to-coast from Perth to Sydney, enjoying fine dining and tailored touring throughout.

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Top places to stay in South Australia

The Ghan, Australia

The Ghan

Luxury train

Regarded as one of the world's greatest rail journeys, The Ghan takes you on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Australia.

View of Sea Dragon lodge at sunset with sea in background, Kangaroo Island Australia

Sea Dragon, Kangaroo Island

Small & intimate lodge

Sea Dragon's stunning rooms and villas overlook the rugged coastline, beaches and verdant wilderness of Kangaroo Island, offering the ultimate in eco-friendly luxury.

The Louise, Barossa Valley

The Louise, Barossa Valley

Contemporary resort

The wonderfully stylish and homely Louise is a thoughtful blend of world-class wine, seasonal and regional food and private retreat-style accommodation in Australia's Barossa Valley

InterContinental Adelaide

InterContinental Adelaide

Contemporary hotel

Located in the centre of Adelaide on the banks of the pretty Torrens River, the Intercontinental Adelaide enjoys a prime position near the city's main attractions, including the beautiful Botanic Gardens and Festival Centre, the must-see art gallery of South Australia.

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Where to go in South Australia

Cape Willoughby Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island may be just 15km from the mainland, but it is a world away in terms of seclusion and natural diversity. It is regularly recognised as Australia’s own Galápagos: arguably the best place to see the widest range of Australian native animals in their natural habitat.

Oyster farm, Eyre Peninsula

Eyre Peninsula

Big skies, sparkling seas and vast unspoilt space make the Eyre Peninsula a joy to spend time in, and that’s without the extra delight of the region being something of a seafood frontier.

Wilpena Pound Scenic Flight

Outback & Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges and South Australian Outback is a rugged and majestic area, full of adventure. Australia’s most legendary countryside is dramatic, vast and full of outstanding natural attractions and indigenous culture.

Fleurieu Vineyards, Wine Valleys

South Australia's Wine Valleys

The wine regions surrounding Adelaide are among the best Down Under. The Barossa Valley in particular is certainly the wine capital of Australia. The Australian wine experience is relaxed and friendly, with an emphasis on the characters behind the labels.

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When to go to South Australia

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South Australia has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool winters. It’s Australia’s driest state, a fact that is particularly noticeable as you move inland, where semi-desert extends for miles. Most of what little rain there is falls between March and August, though the cooler air at this time of year makes the desert extremes more manageable.

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South Australia articles

  • Bungle Bungles, The Kimberley

    Australia: beyond the icons

    If you've holidayed in Australia before you'll probably have ticked off a few highlights from the standard Australia bucket list. However, look beyond the icons and you'll find there's much more to Australia than the famous reef and that rock.

  • Rocky Mountaineer

    The world’s best journeys by rail

    Travel in style with the ultimate collection of train journeys, chosen by our rail experts reporting back from the tracks. There’s everything from such old favourites as the Orient Express to new classics as Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer.

  • Koala, Australia

    Safaris in Australia

    Alongside their reputation for fine wines and glorious scenery, South Australia and Western Australia are home to some of the country’s most iconic wildlife encounters. Below, we pick out the best of them, showcased across two different safaris, taking in some of Australia’s wildest regions.

  • Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

    Alternative Australia: Unique ways to explore Down Under

    Australia is a land of world-famous cities, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and iconic wildlife. But, look past the big names and you'll find unexplored islands, indigenous experiences and remote bushland. Read our list for nine alternative and unique ways to explore Down Under.

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Meet our South Australia experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0634

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0634 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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