The 13 best places to visit in South Australia

Named by Lonely Planet as one of the 25 best places to travel in 2026, this beautiful outback region is full of geological wonders that have been millions of years in the making – 600 million years, to give you a rough idea. The best way to explore the Flinders Ranges is by hitting the open road and stopping at all of its charming small towns. Venture off the beaten track in the 95,000-hectare Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, learn about the rich Aboriginal culture on a guided walk at Wilpena Pound Resort, and 

EAT: Flinders Food Co. for delicious dishes crafted with native Australian ingredients and cold beers on tap. 

STAY: Wilpena Pound Resort for glamping, camping and accommodation with actual walls, all in one.

DO: Marvel at the wonders of the cosmos at Arkaroola – Australia's first-ever internationally recognised dark sky sanctuary.

Spend a wilderness-filled week on Australia’s third-largest island, which is home to many of its namesake animals, along with koalas, dolphins, sea lions and penguins. Despite its remote feel, Kangaroo Island is actually pretty easy to reach via a 40-minute flight from Adelaide or a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis. The latter is preferable as you can bring your car or campervan along for the journey. Given that the island is more than one-third protected national park, you’ll want to pack hiking shoes for the trails, plus your bathers to enjoy its spectacularly secluded beaches.

EAT: Millie Mae’s is a gorgeous garden café that serves up the best coffee on the island, alongside seasonal soups, homestyle paninis, vegan cakes, and a K.I. tasting platter filled with local cheese and charcuterie. 

STAY: Perched atop limestone cliffs between Flinders Chase National Park and Seal Bay Conservation Park, Southern Ocean Lodge is one of only two places in Australia named on National Geographic’s world’s best hotels list for 2024.

DO: Check out Australia's best beach (and our personal fave), Stokes Bay.

With its lush rolling hills and charming stone churches, the compact Barossa Valley is home to many of Australia’s most renowned and historic wineries. Just under an hour’s drive northeast of Adelaide city, it’s an easy day trip from the capital – but trust us, you’ll want to stay at least a night or two. The Valley boasts more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, including the iconic Penfolds, Henschke and Seppeltsfield. 

EAT: Nothing better with wine than cheese, fresh from the amazing Barossa Valley Cheese Company.

STAY: The Louise, for a luxurious lodge experience.

DO: Float over vineyards with Barossa Valley Ballooning. 

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Adelaide is one of the most underrated cities in the country. South Australia’s capital punches well above its weight with its stunning walks, beautiful gardens, top-notch restaurants and unexpected water adventures. First-timers will need at least three days to tick off all the essentials: visiting Adelaide Central Market, hiking to Mount Lofty Summit and getting lost in the Botanic Gardens. Oh, and be sure to book a table at one of Adelaide’s best restaurants or rooftop bars.

EAT: Africola, an Adelaide institution serving bold African-inspired cuisine bursting with smoke, spice and flavour.

STAY: Vibe Hotel Adelaide for a chic and super convenient city stay.

DO: Stroll around the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

For the finest and freshest oysters in South Australia, look no further than the crystal-clear waters of Coffin Bay. Located in the pristine Eyre Peninsula – Australia’s major seafood hub – this beautiful bay is fully surrounded by ocean and nature reserves. Slurp up the little morsels straight from the source on a scenic cruise, spot native wildlife on a hike through Coffin Bay National Park, or hunt down one of the many secluded beaches. 

EAT: Ocean-fresh oysters from the Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tour.

STAY: Almonta Holiday Apartments for a self-directed and spacious stay.

DO: Visit Almonta Beach, where you’ll find untouched wilderness, sparkling waters, and sand so white it almost blinds you.

Soaking up the sun in a McLaren Vale vineyard on a balmy afternoon, gazing across the vines to the shimmering Gulf St Vincent, this place could easily be mistaken for Tuscany… but that’s just the wine speaking. Only 45 minutes south of Adelaide, this renowned South Australian wine region is one of the most easily accessible in the country. Shiraz grows ridiculously well in the vale’s deep terra rossa limestone soils – but with 80-plus cellar doors to visit, you’ll also find grenache, sangiovese, fiano, vermentino and other Med styles with which to blur your afternoon. 

EAT: Tin Shed Café, for affordable and great coffee, lunches and dinners in a casual outdoor setting. 

STAY: CABN McLaren Vale for a lush and elevated cabin experience. 

DO: For the ultimate McLaren Vale time, pay a visit to Coriole, D’Arenberg or Hugh Hamilton Wines.

Vines, views and village charm abound in the Adelaide Hills, arguably one of Australia's most underrated wine regions – just 20 minutes from the CBD. Pick sunflowers and strawberries in summer and wander through a canopy of bright red trees in Mount Lofty Botanic Garden during autumn.

EAT: Sazón Espresso in Mount Barker for amazing coffee and Mexican-inspired fare. 

STAY: Sequoia Lodge, an intimate adults-only lodge offering a taste of paradise atop a misty mountain.

DO: Have a picnic in the verdant Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.

Did you know that the Adelaide Hills is home to Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement? Now you do! Dating back to 1839, heritage-listed Hahndorf stands as Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement – and is the perfect day trip for those staying in Adelaide. 

EAT: It’s not a real trip to Deutschland without a frothy pint or two, and there are twelve on tap at local favourite, Haus Restaurant. Pair your pint with German specialties, like chunky wurst, juicy pork hock, real-deal Vienna schnitzel and fresh pretzels.

STAY: Amble at Handhorf B&B for a cosy and homey stay.

DO: Wander along the leafy main strip and discover local artisans selling everything from German cuckoo clocks and candlesticks to traditional sweets, cheeses and craft beers. 

Just 40 kilometers from Adelaide is the wide, turquoise vistas and incredible wineries of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Perfect for a weekender from Adelaide, the immense Peninsula offers a whole heap more than just culinary delights. Explore the Mediterranean-like coves of Second Valley, lap up the rugged cliffs of Port Willunga, trail around Myponga Reservoir, or perhaps sneak down to Maslin Nudist Beach for a full-bore dose of Vitamin D. 

EAT: Seaside Kuti Shack for amazing local produce that's twisted into special shapes by local and passionate chefs who used to work in some of SA's most prestigious restaurants.

STAY: Nest and Nature for an impeccably designed and deeply luxurious romantic stay.

DO: The 12-kilometre-long (but stunning) Deep Creek Circuit hike.

Mount Gambier sits perfectly between Adelaide and Melbourne, making it an easy addition to any Limestone Coast road trip. Despite being South Australia’s largest regional city and its second-most populous, this underrated gem often flies under the radar. However, it’s hiding a whole lot of natural geological wonders. Think gorgeous sunken gardens, secret underground caves and that famous blue crater lake.

EAT: The Barn Steakhouse for farm-to-table meats and seasonal vegetables, plus an epic wine cellar.

STAY: Mount Gambier Hotel for an Art Deco, boutique stay that's close to everything.

DO: While you can’t swim in Blue Lake, you can go for a dip in its charming little sibling. Aptly named Little Blue Lake, this natural water-filled sinkhole sits between two dormant volcanoes, Mount Schank and Mount Gambier, in the middle of a paddock. You can climb down the stairs or dive bomb off the floating pontoon into the refreshing blue waters, which range in depth from 25 to 47 metres.

Best known as Australia’s opal capital, this remote mining settlement has served as a backdrop in countless films, like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It's wild, wacky and a once-in-a-lifetime, classic Australiana experience that everyone deserves to have at least once. Wander the dusty streets and quirky opal shops, snap photos with oversized sculptures and colourful murals, and stay in an underground cave motel.

EAT: John's Pizza Bar and Restaurant for unexpectedly good Outback pizzas. 

STAY: When it comes to unique stays, you can’t beat Coober Pedy’s series of underground cave motels, originally built by locals to escape the dry summer heat.

DO: Learn more about Coober Pedy’s fascinating past by going on a self-guided tour of its labyrinth of underground galleries, mines and museums, featuring the world’s largest display of opals. 

You’ll want to bring a robe so you can relax to the max at this pretty Limestone Coast town, just 3.5 hours south of Adelaide CBD. You can dive into the town’s past as one of the state’s busiest international ports by following the Robe Coastal trail. It links the historic Robe Lighthouse, the ruins of Old Robe Gaol, and the Insta-famous Cape Dombey Obelisk to the town centre, before winding all the way to Long Beach.

EAT: Caledonian Inn for delicious, heritage pub food by the beach.

STAY: Robe Hotel for a classic Aussie seaside vibe that looks about the same as when it was built in 1947.

DO: This is one of Australia’s few shores where you can drive onto the sand, offering plenty of secluded spots to go for a swim or set up a sunset picnic. 

The Clare Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine-producing regions, and just like a fine wine, it only gets better with age. Located 90 minutes north of Adelaide, the picturesque valley is home to 50-plus wineries (around 35 cellar doors), bottling up mineral-rich reds, semillon and riesling to rival the world’s best. The good news is that you don’t need a deso driver to explore this fertile haven. Snaking through it all is the 33km Riesling Trail, a disused rail line that’s been converted into a bike/hiking path, taking you past some of the valley’s top cellar doors. 

EAT: Watervale Hotel for incredible farm-to-table food.

STAY: Bungaree Station for a classic, country heritage experience.

DO: Check out O’Leary Walker and Claymore Wines. They're worth it.