Things to do in  South Australia

With its unmistakably Aussie name, it’s little surprise that Kangaroo Island is one of the best places to spot native Australian wildlife. Australia's third-largest island, this unspoiled haven is a trove of natural wonders, from red rock cliffs to sandy beaches, sweeping dunes, and wild bushlands.

Kangaroos might be the star of the show on Kangaroo Island, but the Aussie icons aren’t the only animals to call the island home. At Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, you’ll find more than 600 animals and 150 different species, including native Australian creatures such as koalas, wallabies, echidnas, cassowaries, and little penguins.

Kangaroos aren’t the only Aussie creatures that call Kangaroo Island home—you’ll also find one of the largest sea lion colonies in the world here. Seal Bay Conservation Park is dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered animals, and gives you the chance to admire wild sea lions in their natural environment.

Despite its name, Mt. Lofty is far from lofty, standing just 2,385 feet (727 meters) high in the Mt. Lofty Ranges, part of the Adelaide Hills. The summit offers views across Adelaide and the ocean, with a café, an information center and shop, and hiking trail access. Mt. Lofty Botanic Garden and Cleland Wildlife Park are on its slopes.

On the southwestern tip of Kangaroo Island, Admirals Arch offers one of the island’s most photo-worthy views. Framed by the jagged arch of an ancient cave—carved out of the sea cliffs by centuries of pummeling surf—the vast swaths of blue ocean and cloud-free skies are even more magical at sunset.

One of the world’s most scenic arenas, the Adelaide Oval dates back to 1871. Best known for cricket, the defining sport of British colonies, it also hosts concerts, rugby, Australian rules football, and more. Besides a cafe, fine dining restaurant, and corporate events spaces, it offers a museum devoted to cricket legend Donald Bradman.

Eucalyptus oil was once Australia’s first global export but has seen its industry decline worldwide. On Kangaroo Island, however, South Australia’s only eucalyptus distillers still operate out in the bush. With rusting relics scattered about the property and eccentric tastes, the family-run Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery still churns out the sweet-smelling elixir.

As the island’s largest town and main commercial hub, Kingscote is a historic gateway to Kangaroo Island. Perched on the northeast coast, it’s a lively town with a rich history—founded in 1836, it was the first European settlement in South Australia—and it's a starting point for many island tours, some specializing in food and wine.

On the south coast of Kangaroo Island, the Remarkable Rocks are one of the island’s most photographed landmarks. A geological wonder dating back some 500 million years, the series of gigantic sea-weathered granite rocks—perched on the clifftops against a backdrop of the Southern Ocean—make for a dramatic sight.

Tucked away in the Adelaide Hills, the tree-lined lanes and historic taverns of Hahndorf have a distinctly Bavarian feel; so much so that the village has dubbed itself “Australia’s oldest German town.” Founded by German settlers in the early 19th century, Hahndorf displays its heritage in its culture, architecture, and cuisine.

Jutting out into the ocean at the southwestern tip of Kangaroo Island, the windswept Cape du Couedic is among the many highlights of the Flinders Chase National Park. The rocky headland is famous for its landmark Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse, its colony of fur seals, and the natural wonder of Admirals Arch.

Grand 19th-century architecture laid out on a classically elegant street plan fringed with green parkland makes Adelaide perhaps Australia’s most beautiful city center—and North Terrace is at the heart of it. From galleries and museums to the state parliament, state library, and Adelaide University, the landmarks are all here.

With wind-sculpted coastal cliffs, remote bushland trails, historic lighthouses, and woodlands teeming with wildlife, Flinders Chase National Park is one of Australia’s most diverse wildernesses. Blanketing the western tip of Kangaroo Island, the park is ideal for hiking, animal-spotting, and outdoor activities.

The Whispering Wall is a time-honored stop at the southern end of the world-famous Barossa Valley. A walk across the dam perches you 9-stories high, with the Barossa Reservoir water on one side and a long drop on the other. The unique acoustics of the concave concrete dam wall allows you to hear sounds from afar, including whispered utterances.

Mengler Hill Lookout is a popular stop during Barossa Valley wine tasting excursions, providing a scenic panorama of the famed valley below. Mengler Hill Lookout was named for one of the area's early wine growers, and since 1988 has the added attraction of large granite and marble sculptures at the adjacent Barossa Sculpture Park.