South Australia Holidays Guide

Beautiful Australia Holidays

australia accommodation guide

South Australia is a fascinating region which stretches from the rugged deserts and farming regions of the Outback to the cultured and elegant streets of the capital city of Adelaide. Begin your tour in Adelaide and visit the State Art Gallery, home to some incredible Aboriginal art, or enjoy some of the buzzing cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Rundle Street.

South Australia Highlights

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and most sites of interest can be accessed within an hour or two by car. The most popular attractions are the verdant green vineyards of the Barossa Valley, the picturesque German village of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills and the stunning wildlife sanctuary of Kangaroo Island. To the north-west of Adelaide you will find the historic towns of the Murray River valley, where you can embark on a paddle steamer cruise or drop a line for the famed Murray River cod.

Further north will bring you into the arid region of the Flinders Ranges, with its spectacular red gorges and wild-flowers. Beyond the Flinders Ranges lies the vast Outback region, home to the underground mining town of Cooper Pedy and the famous 'inland sea' of Lake Eyre, which fills with water and bird-life after heavy rains. These regions are best explored on organised tours with experienced guides as they are extremely isolated and remote. South of Adelaide you will find the charming coastal area of the Fleurieu Peninsula, with its pristine beaches and quaint seaside villages. Or for a more wild coastal experience, head to the Eyre Peninsula and spot whales on the rugged Great Australian Bight.

South Australia Holidays Planner

Covering a massive expanse of land, South Australia is home to gorgeous beaches, arid expanses of the Outback, thriving wineries and cool rainforest retreats. A culturally vibrant region known for festivals like WOMADelaide and Robe Village Fair, the region is also famous for its top-notch produce and wine, which it flaunts shamelessly. With a number of friendly regional towns and historic pubs added into the mix, its easy to simply grab a Coopers, kick back and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life.

Start off by exploring SA's wildlife on Kangaroo Island and see koalas and echidnas, or go sand-boarding for a few hours at Little Sahara. Visit Adelaide Central Market to put the region's reputation for fine food to the test and sample a stunning array of local cheeses, meats and dairy products. Stop by the wooden cellar doors of wine regions like Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale for a wine tasting tour, or head south to the coast to explore the National Parks of Coorong or Mount Remarkable National Park and enjoy the outdoors. The main coastal town of Victor Harbour is a good base to explore the region and you may see the Southern Right whales in winter (May to Oct).

Inland, the the Flinders Ranges is home to natural wonders like Wilpena Pound or take a trip to Coober Pedy and spend a night looking at the stars in the "opal capital of the world".

Adelaide has a temperate climate with cool, wet winters (May to August) and hot, dry summers (November to March). The Adelaide Festival in March each year is one of Australia's premier cultural events, with prestigious local and international dance, opera and theatre performances.

South Australia Accommodation Search

Accommodation in Adelaide is excellent and there are many hotels, apartments and B&Bs to choose from in and around the CBD area. Further afield you will find small hotels, caravan parks, cosy B&Bs and backpacker hostels in all the major regions. There are camping grounds located in the National Park areas of the Flinders Ranges. The following South Australia hotels provide some of the best deals for a holiday in Australia – please search below to obtain the best available prices from over 100 booking sources:

South Australia Travel Info
Adelaide is the gateway to South Australia. There is a domestic airport with connections to all Australian states. Car and campervan hire are available and visitors can also arrive via interstate train.