About South Australia

South Australia covers one eighth of the Australian continent and is divided into 11 regions, including:

• Adelaide
• Adelaide Hills
• Barossa
• Clare Valley
• Eyre Peninsula
• Fleurieu Peninsula
• Flinders Ranges & Outback
• Kangaroo Island
• Limestone Coast
• Murray River Lands
• Yorke Peninsula

South Australia is located on the central southern side of Australia and is bounded by Western Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The southern coast fronts the Southern Ocean.

Mount Woodroffe (1,435 metres) is the highest mountain and is located in the granite hills called the the Musgrave Ranges. The lowest place in South Australia is salt lake, Lake Eyre in outback South Australia. It is 12 metres below sea level.

The state flower is the Sturt's Desert Pea, and the state animal is the hairy-nosed or plains wombat.

Adelaide:
In the friendly capital of Adelaide, walk the wide city streets lined with elegant colonial architecture, visit galleries and museums. Just 20 minutes from the city you can swim with dolphins, or relax on a sandy beach, or head to the Adelaide hills for wine tasting.

Adelaide Hills:
Explore galleries, shops, historic villages and wineries. Buy local fruit and vegetables from roadside stalls or dine out in wonderful restaurants sampling the local wines with your meal. Stunning views await just 20 minutes from the heart of Adelaide.

Barossa:
The Barossa is one of Australia's most famous wine growing regions, and includes world famous wineries such as Jacob's Creek and Wolf Blass. Talk with some of the best winemakers in the world whilst experiencing the region's German heritage. More information.

Clare Valley:
Famous for its heritage-listed towns and boutique wineries nestled amongst an Australian bush backdrop. Clare Valley is one of the most popular wine regions in South Australia. For the cycle enthusiast try the 27km Riesling Trail and stop along the way at dozens of cellar doors. More information.

Eyre Peninsula:
This untouched peninsula is bounded by the Southern Ocean, home to sea lions, dolphins, whales and great white sharks. Stand on a towering cliff overlooking the Great Australian Bight with the Southern Ocean at your feet and the Nullabor Plain behind you. This is truly a land of extremes.

Fleurieu Peninsula:
Stunning scenery, food and wine make the Fleurieu Peninsula a destination loved by many local South Australians. Taste the renowned wines of McLaren Vale, explore the wilderness area The Coorong, surf or fish at one of the many beaches. If you visit from June to October you have the opportunity to see the magnificent Southern Right Whales. More information.

Flinders Ranges and Outback:
The Outback offers wonderful views of deep red gorges, brilliant stars at night and stark deserts. It is the home to massive salt lakes, opal fields, abundant Aboriginal history and the famous Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks.

Kangaroo Island:
Famous for its wildlife, pristine beaches and wilderness, including sea lions,fairy penguins, platypuses, echidnas, koalas and the island's own species of kangaroo. Enjoy cycling, horse riding, bush walking and fishing.

Limestone Coast:
Brilliant white beaches, famous Coonawarra reds, rolling green pastures and sensational wines. Home to the Naracoorte Caves famous for their stalactites and ancient fossils and Mount Gambier famous for its mysterious Blue Lake.

Murray River Lands:
Cruise the Murray River under year round blue skies, enjoy a round of golf, take an evening eco-tour to discover the wildlife that venture out after dark, or bush walk through Mallee wilderness and possibly see one of the endangered birds or mammal species that inhabit this region. Stop to taste the local wines at the cellar door or buy local fruits and nuts at roadside stalls.

Yorke Peninsula:
Fishermans' paradise. Catch whiting, salmon, squid and crabs. You can surf, swim and dive in clear blue seas, hike through Innes National Park; or explore historic copper mining towns.

Around the coast of South Australia it is a temperate climate and it is generally free from extreme heat and cold. In the north however, temperatures can get extremely hot especially in the summer months. The hottest temperature recorded in South Australia was 50.7C in Oodnadatta

The average temperatures for Adelaide are:

• Winter temperatures - Max 15.9 Min 8
• Spring temperatures - Max 21.7 Min 11.6
• Summer temperatures - Max 28.3 Min 16.5
• Autumn temperatures - Max 22.4 Min 12.5

Getting there