Bountiful and beautiful, South Australia is a natural playground peppered with all the ingredients for a romantic escape.
Gourmet food and wine experiences on tap. Incredible landscapes and boutique accommodation at every turn. A spirit of wildness and wonder you won’t soon forget. Australia’s southern gem is brimming with year-round short break adventures.
Wine wonderland
Sip your way around some of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions (including the Barossa, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills) just a short drive from the historic churches of South Australia’s capital, Adelaide. Cosy up with a glass of red in one of the region’s vineyard B&Bs and luxe hideaways or immerse yourselves in Adelaide’s buzzing bar scene (well stocked with SA’s superb wines, gins and craft beers).
River romance
A South Australian sojourn isn’t complete without a meander along the majestic and ancient Murray River. Flowing more than 2,500 kilometres (from the Snowy Mountains all the way to the Southern Ocean), the river is rich in Aboriginal history and offers a memorable way to unwind. Look out for the sprinkling of restaurants, pubs and intimate retreats that are perfectly positioned along the Murray’s mighty banks.
Beach scenes
A fabulous coastline is one of South Australia’s most underrated assets. Think powder-white sands, sapphire waters and exceptional seafood. Road trip alert! Even the capital itself has a beautiful ‘metropolitan beach’ in Glenelg. Just grab your towel and jump on a tram to access this popular stretch of sand — just steps from the cafes, boutiques and restaurants of Jetty Road.
East of Adelaide you can sample oysters fresh from the sea at Coffin Bay on the wildly idyllic Eyre Peninsula (look out for Memory Cove or Almonta Beach, glorious!) or head just south of the capital to explore the coastal paradise of the Fleurieu Peninsula — also home to the cellar doors of McLaren Vale.
On the fascinating Limestone Coast in the south-east (bordering Victoria) you’ll find world-class wineries and a range of outdoorsy adventures and beautiful beaches. Dive into the gin-clear waters of Salmon Hole and sun yourselves on the brilliant white sands of Glenn Point in Beachport before heading underground at the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves National Park.
Time for more? Try the dramatic outback allure of the Flinders Ranges or take the 45-minute ferry crossing to the wildlife sanctuary of Kangaroo Island where sea lions, penguins, koalas and of course, kangaroos, plus luxury accommodation awaits.