Vast outback landscapes bordered by a spectacular coastline, a vibrant arts scene and the finest food and wine, means South Australia has to be part of your luxury vacation to Australia. Cosmopolitan Adelaide sits between the sea and wine regions such as the Clare Valley, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. Head inland to the Flinders Ranges to discover an ancient outback landscape shaped over millions of years. Kangaroo Island, dubbed the Galapagos of the Southern Hemisphere, is a sanctuary for indigenous wildlife and home to Australia’s first ‘super lodge’.
Adelaide & Wine Regions
Adelaide has a reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world with its wide leafy streets, vibrant arts scene and elegant mix of old and new architecture. Within close proximity to the city are the hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges and 30 kilometres of sandy coastline. Beach suburbs like Glenelg are a short tram ride away from the city centre, so it’s a perfect city/leisure combination. Nearby McLaren Vale, Barossa & Clare Valley offer everything you'd expect: Winemakers sharing their vintages at the cellar door; gourmet food producers supplying locally grown goodies to some of the best restaurants and hotels in the country and all within and all within an hour of the airport. We've put together a guide on Adelaide's flourishing gourmet scene here. As well as being an easy self-drive vacation, we have connections with the best guides in the region for anyone looking for a specialist wine-focussed vacation...plus they’ll do the driving!
Flinders Ranges & Outback
The Flinders Ranges National Park is an 800 million year old quartzite and limestone outcrop in the heart of the South Australia Outback, teeming with ancient fossilised remains of dinosaurs and other extinct creatures. The region's most well-known accessible landmark is Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre that needs to be seen from above on a scenic flight to fully appreciate its size and beauty. This is the place to come for wildlife and bird watching - emus, wedge-tailed eagles, bee eaters, parrots and kangaroos abound. Guided bush-walking, 4WD touring of Aboriginal sacred sites ancient rock art.
Kangaroo Island
Known as Australia's Galapagos and with more than one third of the island declared as Conservation or National Park, Kangaroo Island is home to an abundance of native wildlife and prolific birdlife amongst spectacular landscapes within easy access of the mainland by short flight or ferry. You can expect to have close encounters with sea-lions, koalas, kangaroos, Cape Barren geese, wallabies, pelicans, platypus and echidna amongst others. The scenery is dramatic: highlights include Admirals Arch, the Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Vivonne Bay. Quaint townships, boutique wineries, gourmet food, beaches and bushwalking whilst staying in boutique B&Bs or a luxury lodge, make staying on Kangaroo Island an easy way to enjoy the finest experiences South Australia has to offer, all within a few days' stay.
