What to do in South Australia
South Australia is located on the southernmost end of the Australian mainland. The state is about three times the size of Belgium and is home to a lot of great national parks. On the coast, beautiful beaches stretch for hundreds of miles, and you can explore the state's unique Outback on Kangaroo Island.
Get ready for the adventure of your life
Sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean, South Australia is a state full of natural beauty and history. Surrounded by deserts and sand dunes, this diverse state also has mountains, rolling hills and beautiful coastline dotted with national parks.
From the state capital, Adelaide, travellers can explore much of the state on beautiful roads built for the car, or take the train from Adelaide to reach the coastal areas and the Outback.
A few popular attractions
The Adelaide Hills
Adelaide itself has a beautiful city centre, with gardens and historic architecture. But to really get away from the city, get a rental car and explore the Hills, a green area north of Adelaide.
You can visit the city's oldest botanic gardens, Botanic Park, and the University of Adelaide.
Outback
The Outback is home to wildflowers and rugged, beautiful scenery. Take the train to reach the spectacular scenery and the historic mining towns of Quorn, Lyndoch and Yunta.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is known as the 'Island of Kangaroos' for good reason, and if you like exploring nature and the outback then you'll love visiting. Kangaroo Island is popular as a surfing destination, but it's also home to beautiful beaches and national parks.
In fact, Kangaroo Island boasts the highest proportion of national parks and reserves of any Australian state. Visit the spectacular, rocky coast with its deep sea inlets and natural pools.
You can travel by train, bus or on your own vehicle. You'll enjoy long drives on the scenic, winding roads.
Port Augusta
Port Augusta, home to the Port of Newcastle, is a small town in South Australia. It has a lovely beach with a promenade and swimming pool, and is a great spot to stay with access to the beach.
Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Zoo is a big, sprawling wildlife park, and is located near the Adelaide Central Market and Adelaide City. The zoo is a great family place to visit with a wide range of attractions, from penguin penguin pools and orangutans, to koalas and echidnas.
The zoo also has many different types of exhibits, from the small exhibits for smaller children, to the larger areas such as the Rainforest Adventure, which is a huge area to see exotic animals and birds.
Adelaide Festival Centre
The Adelaide Festival Centre is a venue for concerts and shows in Adelaide. The theatre is housed in the Old Gaol building, which dates from the 1860s. The Old Gaol is a great place to visit, with exhibits about the history of Adelaide, and a great place to look for a bargain.
Bicentennial Steps
Bicentennial Steps are a large set of stairs on the steps outside the Adelaide railway station that is a place to see for anyone visiting Adelaide. There are thousands of pictures and paintings of Adelaide around the steps and around the railway station, and you can take lots of photos here.
The Adelaide Aquatic Centre
The Adelaide Aquatic Centre is a modern, air-conditioned indoor pool that is open year-round. The pool is open Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm.
There is also a sauna, steam room, and hot tub. The Adelaide Aquatic Centre is right near the train station, and is a good place to come to the Aquatic Centre if you're tired after a long day of sight-seeing.
Spencer Street
Spencer Street is a wide tree-lined street that is right near the Adelaide Railway Station. There are many cafes and restaurants here and this is a great place to come for lunch or dinner. The street is quite busy with many different restaurants and coffee shops.
The Royal Adelaide Show
The Royal Adelaide Show is held in September each year, and includes lots of different farm, farm equipment and machinery shows, as well as animal shows, children's shows, competitions, art shows and cooking shows. It is a must-see for people who like food, and is a great way to learn about the agricultural history of Adelaide.
The National Wine Centre
The National Wine Centre is an impressive building that is an indoor wine store, where you can purchase wine from over a thousand wineries and more than 200 different wine varieties.
The Royal Adelaide Show is held in September not May.