Jul 21, 2020
If you love to travel, South Australia is a joy for the senses. A Scenic small group tour of South Australia offers a diverse range of handcrafted experiences for all travel interests. There’s something for all foodies, lovers of culture, unique flora and fauna enthusiasts and of course, the stunning landscapes. From lush green valleys and vineyards, to rugged ancient plains, cosmopolitan Adelaide and an incredible coastline, South Australia is where your wonder and curiosity will be rewarded.
Experience the relaxed lifestyle of Adelaide, venture back to ancient times in the Flinders Ranges and the 540 million-year-old Wilpena Pound, plus give your tastebuds a tickle with world-class wines in the Barossa Valley. The wonders keep coming on Kangaroo Island. There will be opportunities to support local cheese, honey and wine producers, as well as the community in general as they recover from the recent bushfires.
Here are some of the must-see destinations we have handcrafted for you.
Adelaide
There is so much to do in Adelaide, including guided walks of the city’s history and culture, or a tour into foodie heaven at Adelaide Central Markets, or a city sights tour which includes Adelaide Oval. You can also take to the water on a Torrens River cruise with a visit to the Adelaide Zoo.
Adelaide Central Market has been a thriving hub of food and culture for over 145 years. It is truly foodie heaven. You will find over 80 traders under one roof, including the best cheese shop in South Australia - Say Cheese. The bank account may get a workout here with the best selection of local, interstate and imported cheeses, pates and dips, caramelised figs, fruit pastes and freshly made chutneys.
Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound
The setting as you head out of Adelaide and into the Flinders Ranges morphs to one of wide-open spaces made up of rugged mountains and gorges that date back 600 million years. This is a showcase of the beauty of the Australian outback and a place rich in Aboriginal history. Unwind on Stokes Hill after a day exploring, drink in hand, while the sun sets. The spectacular panoramic views of Wilpena Pound from here will take your breath away.
Wilpena Pound from the air looks like a colossal crater. At almost 100km wide it stands out above the surrounding plains. Surprising for many is that the rim is made up of the remnants of huge mountains, once believed to have been as high as the Himalayas that have eroded over millennia. The best way to see the distinctive shape is on a scenic flight. On the ground, the best way to explore Wilpena Pound is by 4WD. With a local guide on hand, hear stories of how this natural amphitheatre came to be and its use as a ‘Meeting Place’ by the Adnyamathanha people for tens of thousands of years, then later, as a natural livestock enclosure by early pastoralists (hence the name ‘pound’).
Barossa Valley
South Australia is famous for its world-class wine regions, and the Barossa Valley is one of the best. The gorgeous landscape, laidback culture and welcoming hospitality make it a popular stop for many. There are more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors. Jacob’s Creek Winery is one of the most well-known vineyards in the region and at Seppeltsfield you can enjoy the chance to try wine from the year of your birth.
Kangaroo Island
From Cape Jervis, you can board the 45-minute ferry across to Kangaroo Island, one of Australia’s most remote and rugged coastlines. The island stretches 155km east to west, much larger in size than many expect. The island will inspire you with its native wildlife and grand rock formations. It is also famous for its gourmet and artisan food scene, in particular for its freshly caught seafood, cheeses and wines.
At Seal Bay in Flinders Chase National Park, surrounded by the raw beauty of the coastline, hundreds of Australian sea lions laze on the beach. A visit to Kangaroo Island isn’t complete without a trek to one of the island's signature landmarks - Remarkable Rocks. It took 500-million-years for the ocean, rain and wind to create these suitably named boulders.
McLaren Vale
When you continue on the foodie trail, McLaren Vale is only 45 minutes’ drive south of Adelaide and is the birthplace of South Australia’s world-class wines and gastronomic experiences. The Mediterranean-like climate fosters the region's wine and food culture.
Explore South Australia with Getaway Presenter David Reyne
Learn more about Adelaide and Kangaroo Island with David Reyne and the team at Getaway. Watch the video below.
View the 11 day Taste of South Australia tour.
Guest Testimonial
Visiting South Australia instead of travelling overseas was a brilliant thing to do. Being with a knowledgeable driver and guide who supported us all through the trip was so worth it.
We were taken to different areas which we had wanted to visit and also had specialist guides who informed us of all the details pertaining to that area and having not to drive was a bonus as we did not have to concentrate on the road and therefore able to take in the beautiful scenery that South Australia had to offer. Hotels were of a very high standard all throughout and we were also given optional experiences. We are not wine drinkers however enjoyed the visits to various wineries in the Barossa Valley.
Scenic are like family - they listen and care for you. We have made many new friendships on the Scenic trips we have done and keep in contact with them all.
Taste of South Australia Tour, Feefo Review, Neil C, May 2018
