A curated list of enchanting experiences unique to South Australia

South Australia is bursting with epic experiences you won’t find anywhere else. So if you’re the kind of traveller looking for a little more adventure, excitement, and wonder, you’ll find it in the Festival State.

As a landscape, South Australia covers some of the most awe-inspiring terrains. Pristine beaches scatter the wild coast and are home to an ecosystem of iconic Australian wildlife. Extensive salt and clay-encrusted lake beds create mesmerising wonders like pink lakes. Off-grid cabins have been constructed near natural thermal pools, offering solace from the hustle and bustle. And incredible produce is grown locally to star in culinary delights, including fantastic dishes found at Australia’s best restaurants. Bellies will be full, and hearts will be content as you explore everything this magical place offers.

If that piqued your curiosity to uncover a little more, we’ve partnered with South Australian Tourism Commission and HotelsCombined to guide you through the ever-enchanting South Australia.

Natural wellness retreats

Escape the everyday pressure and demands, and reset your mind and body with some of nature’s therapy. Devour arguably the best oysters in the world, plucked right from the sea in award-winning Coffin Bay National Park on the Eyre Peninsula. Wind your away across pristine coast to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula. Coastal landscapes meet rugged cliffs, providing a stunning backdrop to boating, fishing, scuba diving, windsurfing and bushwalking. As night falls, star-filled skies blanket South Australia. Take the opportunity to stargaze while camping, or stay off-grid at tiny eco-friendly homes, luxury villas and seaside glamping spots you won’t want to miss.

Unbelievable wildlife encounters

Get up close and personal with some of our planet’s most majestic and fascinating creatures as they freely roam their natural habitat. Make new friends with Australia’s marsupials and have lunch with them on Kangaroo Island, only a 45 minute ferry ride from the mainland. Watch the sleepy koalas dozing in the treetops and sea lions lounging on pristine beaches. For even more action, we recommend an adrenaline-fuelled shark dive where you can come face-to-face with an apex predator near Port Lincoln. Finally, for an equally exciting yet tranquil experience, you can follow the sea’s gentle giants and go whale watching during their annual migration periods. Promise us you won’t miss these once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.

Curiouser and curiouser

Home to some of the world’s most beautiful and enchanting wonders, South Australia has vibrant pink lakes, luminescent mushrooms, sunken gardens, and freshwater caverns. There’s a never-ending list of bucket list items you’ll want to include, but here are our top five. 1. Kilsby Sinkhole is world-renowned for offering crystal clear water and breathtaking visibility. If you’re a diver, this is a must. 2. Lake McDonnell, a.k.a the most beautiful Pink Lake, is separated by a road track and on the other side is Green Lake, and further down the small bridge is the Blue Lake, offering an incredible view of colours. 3. Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul is one of the most spectacular gardens in South Australia and has to be seen to be believed. 4. Visit Ghost Mushroom Lane to see luminous mushrooms glowing after dark in the Limestone Coast pine forest during winter. 5. The Pool of Siloam is a salt lake alleged to possess therapeutic assets.

Foodie heaven awaits

Whatever your taste buds desire, we’ve got it. Craving some fresh oysters from the unspoiled water of the Eyre Peninsula? Coming right up. Keen to cycle the wine trails and meet the winemakers? Head to Clare Valley and take in the breathtaking views of the Riesling Trail. Perhaps a food safari on an island known as nature’s playground tickles your fancy? Make sure you bring your appetite. When it comes to the best in gourmet food and drink, South Australia doesn’t disappoint. Don’t forget to try the award-winning gins created from local botanicals like Prohibition Liquor Co. in Adelaide or 78 Degrees Distillery in the Adelaide Hills. Or add a masterclass full of flavour and fun at a distillery like Ambleside Distillers to your itinerary – home to Australia’s Best Gin 2022. And last but not least, you can’t miss the d’Arenberg Cube, a building of optical illusion floating in a vineyard in McLaren Vale.

Visiting South Australia is something everyone has to do at least once in their lifetime. So clear your calendar and prepare for an epic adventure you won’t regret. To make it easier to plan your trip, HotelsCombined will curate your flights, accommodation and car hire for you. Just enter your dates and destinations, and they’ll do the rest!

This article is sponsored by South Australian Tourism Commission,and endorsed by HotelsCombined.