Home to nearly 1.6 million people, South Australia only comprises less than 10% of the Australian population. The state also includes Kangaroo Island, Australia's third largest island which lies off the coast of the mainland in the south-east of the state. South Australia is a state that has remained politically innovative and culturally vibrant throughout its history. It is known for its festivals and fine produce. While South Australia is not the tourist magnet that its northern neighbour is, South Australia offers a different perspective on Australia from many of its different parts. With world-class wine and other produce, friendly people, unspoilt environment and a very relaxed pace of life, it offers the break in Australia that you may have been looking for. The state capital of South Australia is the city of Adelaide.
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Attractions, Activities and Events in South Australia
Barossa Valley
South Australia’s Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and the world's finest wine producing regions. This is where you get away from the fast paced city life and enjoy wandering around vineyards, cellars and cosy lanes with quaint shops filled with delicacies and fine art. Local companies offer a range of tours, from coach tours to more personalised experiences such as motorbikes, vintage cars, hot air balloon rides and helicopters.
Drive the Barossas carefully-designed food and wine trails or explore the countryside by bicycle.
Visit Lyndoch Lavender Farm , as well as the Barossa Historical Museum and the famous Penfolds Barossa Valley Winery.
The Barossa Valley is approximately 70 kilometres from Adelaide.
Source: Australia.com
South Australia’s Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and the world's finest wine producing regions. This is where you get away from the fast paced city life and enjoy wandering around vineyards, cellars and cosy lanes with quaint shops filled with delicacies and fine art. Local companies offer a range of tours, from coach tours to more personalised experiences such as motorbikes, vintage cars, hot air balloon rides and helicopters.
Drive the Barossas carefully-designed food and wine trails or explore the countryside by bicycle.
Visit Lyndoch Lavender Farm , as well as the Barossa Historical Museum and the famous Penfolds Barossa Valley Winery.
The Barossa Valley is approximately 70 kilometres from Adelaide.
Source: Australia.com
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
The stunning Adelaide Botanic Gardens are among the most beautiful in Australia. The three gardens that make up the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide, Mount Lofty (located at Piccadilly) and Wittunga (located at Blackwood) offer visitors an exceptional range of cultural, recreational, educational and scientific facilities. They enhance the community's enjoyment and understanding of the plant world.
Open weekdays 7.15am-6pm, Weekends 9am-6pm. Entry is free.
Explore both exotic and native plants, iconic cultural collections and stunning restored buildings.
Free guided walks depart from the Visitor Information Centre at 10.30am daily.
The lovingly restored Santos Museum of Economic Botany is one of the Adelaide Botanic Garden's treasures. On display are touring exhibitions and a permanent collection which was part of the original museum display.
Source: Botanic Gardens of Adelaide Website
The stunning Adelaide Botanic Gardens are among the most beautiful in Australia. The three gardens that make up the Botanic Gardens, Adelaide, Mount Lofty (located at Piccadilly) and Wittunga (located at Blackwood) offer visitors an exceptional range of cultural, recreational, educational and scientific facilities. They enhance the community's enjoyment and understanding of the plant world.
Open weekdays 7.15am-6pm, Weekends 9am-6pm. Entry is free.
Explore both exotic and native plants, iconic cultural collections and stunning restored buildings.
Free guided walks depart from the Visitor Information Centre at 10.30am daily.
The lovingly restored Santos Museum of Economic Botany is one of the Adelaide Botanic Garden's treasures. On display are touring exhibitions and a permanent collection which was part of the original museum display.
Source: Botanic Gardens of Adelaide Website
The Painted Desert
An ancient Inland Sea bed where the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion. The slopes and shapes include many different colours and shades of orange, yellow and white, and it is the coloured shale on the faces of the hills from which the name “Painted Desert” came. Located just a few miles away from Arckaringa. Drive up to the Painted Desert or better yet, take a walk through the hills to get up close and personal . A variety of tours are available including scenic flights, 4WD trips and hot air balloon tours.
There is an abundance of animals which inhabit the country on Arckaringa. Kangaroos are the most commonly seen, but also Dingoes, Reptiles and a vast array of bird life. During the summer months the temperatures may reach 45 to 50 degrees Celsius. Travel in the region between October and March is not recommended due to high temperatures.
Source: ExplorOz Website , The Painted Desert Official Website
An ancient Inland Sea bed where the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion. The slopes and shapes include many different colours and shades of orange, yellow and white, and it is the coloured shale on the faces of the hills from which the name “Painted Desert” came. Located just a few miles away from Arckaringa. Drive up to the Painted Desert or better yet, take a walk through the hills to get up close and personal . A variety of tours are available including scenic flights, 4WD trips and hot air balloon tours.
There is an abundance of animals which inhabit the country on Arckaringa. Kangaroos are the most commonly seen, but also Dingoes, Reptiles and a vast array of bird life. During the summer months the temperatures may reach 45 to 50 degrees Celsius. Travel in the region between October and March is not recommended due to high temperatures.
Source: ExplorOz Website , The Painted Desert Official Website
Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
Located in the city of Victor Harbor, the tramway links the visitor information centre in downtown Victor Harbor with the nearby Granite Island, running for half of its route over a 630 metre wooden viaduct or pier. It is one of the very few horse-drawn tram routes remaining in public transit service anywhere in the world, and provides service every day throughout the year. There are four tramcars, each hauled by one of 8 Clydesdale horses.
Return Tickets: Adult AUD$9, Children (4-15 years) AUD$7, Family Pass AUD$25
Trams run every day. Hourly from the Mainland 10.30am-3.30pm, and from the Island 11am- 4pm. At Granite Island, you’ll find the famous colony of little penguins, the penguin centre and the 2.9km Kaiki Trail, a truly scenic walk highlighting indigenous cultural history
Discover the personality of the clydesdale that is pulling your tram - just ask your tram guide for a horse business card!
Source: Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram Brochure (PDF)
Located in the city of Victor Harbor, the tramway links the visitor information centre in downtown Victor Harbor with the nearby Granite Island, running for half of its route over a 630 metre wooden viaduct or pier. It is one of the very few horse-drawn tram routes remaining in public transit service anywhere in the world, and provides service every day throughout the year. There are four tramcars, each hauled by one of 8 Clydesdale horses.
Return Tickets: Adult AUD$9, Children (4-15 years) AUD$7, Family Pass AUD$25
Trams run every day. Hourly from the Mainland 10.30am-3.30pm, and from the Island 11am- 4pm. At Granite Island, you’ll find the famous colony of little penguins, the penguin centre and the 2.9km Kaiki Trail, a truly scenic walk highlighting indigenous cultural history
Discover the personality of the clydesdale that is pulling your tram - just ask your tram guide for a horse business card!
Source: Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram Brochure (PDF)
Adelaide Panda Tours
Meet the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere, Wang Wang and Funi, at the Adelaide Zoo. Your tour host will provide you with an exclusive opportunity to enter the zoo before regular opening time and wander through the bamboo forest to the giant panda exhibit. You will meet the red pandas and see the keeper provide their morning feed before moving to the giant panda viewing area to see Wang Wang and Funi being released to their day exhibit.
Learn about the bamboo, where is it sourced and how the zoo keeps up the supply for their daily intake. Find out other interesting insights such as the significance of the genetic makeup of these two pandas. Participants can stay on at the zoo for the remainder of the day, or use the tour voucher to re-enter at a later time the same day.
Operates: 8:30am Wednesday to Sunday from the Adelaide Zoo entry gate. 135 mins.
AUD $130 per person, minimum age 6 years.
Source: Conservation Ark Website
Meet the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere, Wang Wang and Funi, at the Adelaide Zoo. Your tour host will provide you with an exclusive opportunity to enter the zoo before regular opening time and wander through the bamboo forest to the giant panda exhibit. You will meet the red pandas and see the keeper provide their morning feed before moving to the giant panda viewing area to see Wang Wang and Funi being released to their day exhibit.
Learn about the bamboo, where is it sourced and how the zoo keeps up the supply for their daily intake. Find out other interesting insights such as the significance of the genetic makeup of these two pandas. Participants can stay on at the zoo for the remainder of the day, or use the tour voucher to re-enter at a later time the same day.
Operates: 8:30am Wednesday to Sunday from the Adelaide Zoo entry gate. 135 mins.
AUD $130 per person, minimum age 6 years.
Source: Conservation Ark Website
Adelaide Festival - 28 Feb 2014 - 16 Mar 2014
Held annually in the warm South Australian autumn, the Adelaide Festival is Australia's largest multi-arts festival. With a focus on the contemporary, each Adelaide Festival program features the best in opera, theatre, dance, music, literature and the visual arts. A purpose-built late night club hosts nightly events, including performers and DJs from around the world.
Adult AUD$99, Held at various Performance and Gallery spaces around Adelaide.
Adelaide boasts great food and wine at more than 700 restaurants, cafes and pubs, great retail therapy in Rundle Mall and the “cultural boulevard” of North Terrace. It is home to some of Australia’s best museums and the South Australian Art Gallery.
Adelaide Writers’ Week will run from Saturday, March 1 – Thursday, March 6.
Source: Adelaide Festival Official Website
Held annually in the warm South Australian autumn, the Adelaide Festival is Australia's largest multi-arts festival. With a focus on the contemporary, each Adelaide Festival program features the best in opera, theatre, dance, music, literature and the visual arts. A purpose-built late night club hosts nightly events, including performers and DJs from around the world.
Adult AUD$99, Held at various Performance and Gallery spaces around Adelaide.
Adelaide boasts great food and wine at more than 700 restaurants, cafes and pubs, great retail therapy in Rundle Mall and the “cultural boulevard” of North Terrace. It is home to some of Australia’s best museums and the South Australian Art Gallery.
Adelaide Writers’ Week will run from Saturday, March 1 – Thursday, March 6.
Source: Adelaide Festival Official Website