12 best things to do in South Australia
With amazing beaches, unspoiled landscapes, a lengthy list of family attractions and a thriving food and wine scene, there is a veritable treasure trove of things to do in South Australia.
So join us as we reveal an array of experiences that stretch from Adelaide to the outback, and Kangaroo Island to the Clare Valley.
1. Adelaide
Chances are you’ll start in Adelaide, the state capital and home to LIV Golf, AFL Gather Round, the Adelaide Festival and Fringe, Tour Down Under and WOMADelaide.
The return of the VAILO Adelaide 500 has been hugely popular. Staged in November, it brings Supercars to the streets of Adelaide. There’s a special family zone with simulators, slides and rollercoasters, as well as a motorbike ‘ride and try’.
So start your engines and book into Discovery Parks – Adelaide Beachfront. A Deluxe 3 Bedroom Cabin is perfect for families – and it’s just 30 minutes from the track! With a great playground, pool and spacious accommodation, you can visit the city by day and the bay by night for the best of both worlds.
In Adelaide, you can also visit the Adelaide Zoo and their famous pandas, get close to nature on a dolphin sanctuary tour, let the kids run free in the Adelaide Botanic Garden, take a tour of Adelaide Oval or wander the Adelaide Central Markets.
Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
2. Kangaroo Island
People all over the world are attracted to KI for so many reasons. Vivonne Bay has previously been voted Australia’s best beach. With glass-like waters and the glorious white sands, it’s no surprise. An easy ferry ride from the mainland, it’s a haven for wildlife, with dolphins and kangaroos galore. But a real highlight is a guided tour of Seal Bay. It’s been described as “one of the most exceptional nature-based experiences in the world” because guides lead you deep into the heart of the seal colony itself. If you prefer to keep your distance, you can DIY on the boardwalk and viewing platforms. A KI trip is never complete without a visit to the Flinders Chase National Park and don’t forget to get photos at the Insta-famous Remarkable Rocks.
The best place to stay, hands down, is Discovery Parks - Kangaroo Island.
Seal Bay Converstaion Park. Image Credit: Kangaroo Island Tourims Alliance
3. Coober Pedy
Heading north of Adelaide, Port Augusta makes a great base for the next two trips.
First is Coober Pedy. Its stark, sun-beaten landscape has forced most of the locals to live underground - and that’s where you’ll find 'the fire in the stone’, Coober Pedy’s glorious opals. Try “noodling” (sifting) for small pieces of opal at Tom’s Opal Mine, pop into the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum and then drive out to the eerily coloured hills in Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park.
You can also find opals at Andamooka and if you stay at nearby Discovery Parks - Roxby Downs, you’ll receive a discount code for attractions in Andamooka. Also close-at-hand is magnificent Lake Torrens.
Discovery Parks – Port Augusta is another excellent, family-friendly base for Coober Pedy … and the next incredible attraction.
Tom's Working Opal Mine. Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
4. Flinders Ranges
From Port Augusta, head north towards the awe-inspiring Flinders Ranges. Set yourself up at Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound, which is the only accommodation within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - and you can’t go wrong. Wilpena Pound is the ideal base to explore the 800 million years old Flinders Ranges. A few ideas include bushwalking, Aboriginal guided cultural tours, scenic flights, ancient fossils and rock art, 4WD adventures and mountain biking.
Safari Tent at Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound
5. Clare Valley
Due to their proximity and the scenic route, many people combine a Flinders Ranges holiday with a trip to the Clare Valley. From hiring a bike and cycling the Riesling Trail through the local countryside, to bushwalking, you won’t be disappointed. Many would also know that the region is famous for its wines and craft breweries, with more than 30 cellar door experiences dotted throughout the valley.
For a great meal, the Watervale Hotel has won international awards but it’s also very down to earth. You can expect to encounter the hotel pooch roaming among the tables, making new friends.
However, if you’re staying at Discovery Parks – Clare Valley, your kids may never want to leave. It features an incredible waterpark, playground, bouncing pillow, swimming pool and bike hire to explore the nearby Riesling Trail. The waterpark includes slides, splash zones and other interactive features in a safe environment, with space for parents to relax nearby.
Discovery Parks - Clare waterpark. Image Credit: @zarah-davey
6. Coffin Bay
Continuing our aquatic theme, people are dying to get to Coffin Bay (sorry, dad joke!) In fact, it was named after Sir Isaac Coffin and the pristine waters are just superb for water fun in all its forms, from fishing and scuba diving, to swimming, sailing and kayaking. The waters are so calm you can even go waterskiing.
The star attraction is oysters, some of the best in the world. There are a range of tours where you can slip on waders and walk amongst the oyster beds, then eat them fresh from the shell. 30 minutes away is beautiful Port Lincoln where you can swim with sea lions! Coffin Bay is also a good place to stop if you are driving to the Head of Bight marine park to see Southern Right Whales (May to October).
Need somewhere to stay? We’ve got you covered at Discovery Parks – Coffin Bay.
Oyster Farm Tours. Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
7. Goolwa
For a different type of seaside holiday, head to the Fleurieu Peninsula, about an hour from Adelaide. The beaches stretch on and on, with different locations for family wading and pipi hunts, or high-adrenaline surfing, drive-on beaches, sailing and kayaking. It’s also a great location for whale watching from May to October. At different times of the year you can expect to see dolphins and seals, endangered Hooded Plovers and over 230 species of birds that migrate to the nearby Coorong and Lake Alexandrina. Ride the bike/walking path from Goolwa all the way to Victor Harbor. Venture inland to the McLaren Vale wine region, with its many cellar door experiences and the d'Arenberg Cube, an architectural statement that rises from the vineyards. McLaren Vale is home to many cafes, restaurants, the McLaren Vale Cheese and Wine Trail created by Blessed Cheese and hand-made chocolates at Bracegirdle’s. The greater Fleurieu area is also a foodies playground where you can enjoy everything from fish and chips on the beach, to a Swiss-inspired cooking class at Foodbuilder, a SA Tourism Awards finalist. And don’t forget a ride on the Cockle Train that runs between Goolwa and Victor Harbor
Discovery Parks – Goolwa is perfectly situated as a base to do it all! A real highlight is its location a short distance Goolwa Beach, where families can delve in the sand to collect cockles (pippis) from November to May. It’s a wonderful chance to learn about marine life, while enjoying the beautiful beach setting.
Discovery Parks - Goolwa swimming pool. Image Credit: @gypsyandherwild
Five Quick Hits:
Here are five more postcard perfect South Australian attractions and locations you really don’t want to miss.
- Barossa Valley. From Adelaide, go via the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, the Whispering Wall at Williamstown and Barossa Bowland and Mini Golf and you will win the Parents Of The Year Award. Wineries abound and it’s heaven for lovers of big, bold shiraz. After satisfying your hunger at Maggie Beer's Farm, the Barossa Farmers Market and the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, drive up to Menglers Hill lookout at sunset for the ‘golden hour’. Then wander back to Discovery Park - Barossa Valley to enjoy a well-earned glass of red.
The Farm Eatery. Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
- The Riverland. The river calls! Jump on a cruise or DIY with a hired canoe. Barmera’s lake is so serene, Loxton has a historic village to explore and Berri, Renmark and Waikerie are all full of riverside charm. But for kids of all ages, you can’t miss the Monash Adventure Park. It’s big! It’s epic! It’s so much fun! At the end of a long day, head back to Discovery Parks - Lake Bonney and watch the sun set over the lake.
Monash Adventure Playground. Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
- Hahndorf. Close to Adelaide – as in, an easy 30-minute jaunt – is picturesque Hahndorf. Discover (and taste) the town’s strong German traditions as you wander down the main street, popping it galleries, lolly shops, trendy boutiques, Misty Hollow Fantasy Cave and further on is, Beerenberg Farm which is famous for its pick your own strawberries experience. You can eat in a wide range of cafes, pubs and restaurants, or head out of town to the local wineries that have dining rooms looking over the vines. Also just out of the hustle and bustle is Discovery Parks – Hahndorf.
Beernberg Farm. Image Credit: @gypsyandherwild
- Robe. Robe is a favourite getaway for SA locals that flies under the radar of many interstate visitors. It’s another one of those locations where you can opt for fish ‘n’ chips on long sandy beaches or dine in one of the town’s eateries. You can also drive on to Long Beach which is a 4WDers dream – all 14km of it – but stay on the packed sand so you don’t get bogged. Robe is also known as the gateway to the Coorong National Park that stretches for 140km. And with its indoor heated swimming pool and stunning beachfront location, there’s no better place to stay than Discovery Parks – Robe.
Canoe the Coorong. Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
- Houndsville. Okay, so there’s no such place as Houndsville but what if you want to bring your pooch on holiday? Many parts of SA welcome pets and here’s a list of some of the parks that let you bring your fur baby.
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There’s so much more to South Australia than many people realise. Dubbed the Wine State, it offers a five-star lineup of attractions that all the family can enjoy – from fast cars and fun-fuelled festivals to outback adventures and amazing coastal destinations with whale watching and seal encounters.
Discovery Parks are perfectly located to help you make the most of every experience. The parks have accommodation for all types of travellers and with a focus on families, your kids will never be bored.
