Wine tastingOver 70 per cent of Australia’s wine exports come from South Australia, where many of the region’s wineries and cellars are open for tastings. The famous
Tasting Australia wine and food festival is held bi-annually. For further information on the main wine-growing areas, see the
Where to Go section.
BushwalkingThe remote
Flinders Ranges, a vast area of plains, gorges and desert, located some 450km (280 miles) north of Adelaide, provides one of Australia’s best gateways to the outback. The well-known
Heysen Trail, the longest trail
in Australia, which begins at Cape Jervis, winds its way north through scenic coastal areas to the Flinders Ranges. Bushwalkers can also head to the
Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheater, 16km (10 miles) long and 6km (3.7 miles) wide, with a possible two-day itinerary along well-marked tracks; or on a one-day climbing expedition to
St Mary’s Peak, a trek best tackled between May and October, when temperatures are milder and water more readily available (permits can be obtained from the ranger on site). More experienced walkers can embark on longer walks to the
Gammon Ranges National Park, further north; the
Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island; or the
Deep Creek Conservation Park south of Adelaide. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Environment and Heritage, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001 (tel: (8) 8204 9000; website:
www.environment.sa.gov.au).
WatersportsThe third-largest river in the world, the
River Murray, winds its way through South Australia, providing opportunities for cruises, houseboat hire, sailing and water-skiing. The coast offers good diving facilities, with the best sites located near
Adelaide,
Port Lincoln,
Kangaroo Island,
Yorke Peninsula,
Eyre Peninsula and several offshore islands and reefs. It is possible to wreck-dive and also dive with Great White Sharks. The best time for diving is between December and May. Whale watching is possible on the
Fleurieu Peninsula around
Victor Harbor and on the
Nullarbor coast, where large colonies of Southern Right whales breed from June to October. Fishing is also good, and South Australia has a particularly abundant population of large snapper (with
Whyalla, 397km/247 miles northwest of Adelaide, being the best region). Freshwater fishing can be undertaken on the Murray and Wakefield rivers. Game fishing is best around
Kangaroo Island and
Port Lincoln, the latter being known for its large concentration of giant great white pointer sharks. For surfing enthusiasts, South Australia offers uncrowded beaches and excellent waves, particularly at
Victor Harbor,
Kangaroo Island and the more remote
Yorke and
Eyre peninsulas (with Eyre’s
Cactus Beach attracting surfers from all over the world). The many deserted islands and beaches throughout the
Spencer Gulf offer plenty of opportunities for sailing cruises.
Adventure sportsBallooning is popular in the
Barossa Valley, while the coast south of Adelaide is one of the country’s major regions for hang-gliding. Caving is popular in the southeast and on Eyre Peninsula. It is possible to swim in an underground lake in the Nullabor caves.
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