Adelaide and South Australia awaits: 3 reasons to visit

South Australia is oh so easy to fall for. It might not be the country’s most famous state, but among those in the know, it may well be the best loved. It has iconic wildlife, world-class wineries and a dynamic state capital, as well as landscapes ranging from pristine coastlines and rolling outback to towering mountains and dreamy riverscapes. And with Qatar Airways flying regularly into Adelaide, it’s now easier than ever to visit. Here’s what to expect...

City lights

There’s only one place to start, and that’s the buzzing festival city of Adelaide, one of the country’s most underrated urban destinations. Full of graceful period architecture, busy markets and vibrant multiculturalism, it’s located between the beach-fringed coastline and the vineyard-dotted Adelaide Hills, making it the perfect setting for enjoying the laid-back lifestyle the state is famed for. As one of only two National Park Cities worldwide, it’s also a superb gateway for exploring the region’s nature and wildlife. You can sample Adelaide’s delights on many Trailfinders itineraries, including the South Australia Highlights trip.

Fine wine

The soft clink of wine glasses on a balmy South Australian evening must be one of travel’s purest pleasures. More than 200 cellar doors offering vineyard tours sit within an hour’s drive of Adelaide, hence its status as one of the world’s Great Wine Capitals. Big-name wine regions, such as the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, can be explored at leisure, with small-group 4WD and cycling tours among the best options. At d’Arenberg, a vineyard famed for its five-storey Cube building, you can even blend your own wine. Join Trailfinders’ Nature & Gourmet Retreats of South Australia trip to experience the region for yourself.

Wild wonders

Adelaide and South Australia has enough natural wonders to last a lifetime – this is a richly diverse state as big as France and Germany combined – but certain highlights are unmissable. Chief among these is the Murray River, a beautiful, bird-rich waterway best enjoyed from the deck of a river cruiser. Just as impressive are the Flinders Ranges, a timeless spread of red, rocky mountains, and the Eyre Peninsula where you can sample fresh seafood and swim with sea lions. Arguably topping the lot is the wildlife paradise of Kangaroo Island, reachable via a 30-minute scenic flight from Adelaide and home to Stokes Bay, named ‘Best Australian Beach’ by Tourism Australia in 2023. See it first-hand on Trailfinders’ Wine, Kangaroos & Southern Sights Motorhome Holiday.

Meet the experts

Adelaide and South Australia is best enjoyed under the guidance of experts, which is where Trailfinders come in. With extensive experience of the region’s myriad highlights, and with their collective ear to the ground for what’s new and exciting, Trailfinders are ideally placed to help you uncover the best of this unsung state.

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