The sun always seems to shine in South Australia—a warm Mediterranean climate gifted by its location between the Southern Ocean and the arid Nullarbor Plain. Endless blue skies reign over the rolling, vineyard-dotted Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, and Barossa Valley wine regions as well as Adelaide, the coastal capital. Yet just beyond Adelaide awaits a wildlife-rich wilderness, comforting beaches, and powerful waves along the spectacular 1,600-mile Great Australian Bight coastline. Travel to Southern Australia to witness a haven of vineyards and surf in the Down Under sunshine.
The aptly nicknamed “City of Churches”, Adelaide charms visitors with stately Victorian architecture, leafy parklands encircling the city center, a buzzing Central Market, and a packed calendar of arts festivals. You haven’t experienced Adelaide like a local if you haven’t tried a “pie floater”—an iconic local snack of meat pie dunked into thick green pea soup, best sampled at Balfours Cafe.
An easy drive south transports you directly into the region’s famous wine country. The Adelaide Hills produce world-class cool-climate wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir against a backdrop of misty eucalyptus forests. German settlers influenced the heritage of the Barossa Valley’s small towns, evident in the Lutheran churches and festivals like the Barossa Vintage Festival held annually in April and May to celebrate wines like Shiraz and Riesling. McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate nurtures the growth of Grenache, various Syrah blends, and other red varietals amongst breathtaking coastal scenery only 30 minutes from Adelaide.
Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home thanks to Southern Australia’s mild weather and boundless public lands. You’ll spot kangaroos and koalas on your hikes inside Deep Creek Conservation Park and Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island. You can learn how to surf along the Limestone Coast, where breaks like Boomers and Greenland attract board riders of all levels. The Nullarbor Plain’s endless karst and desert landscape enthralls road trippers driving the famous Eyre Highway across Australia’s belly. Don’t forget to stop and see the strange stromatolites in Shark Bay—these living fossils have remained unchanged for millions of years!
Experience a haven of vineyards and surf in the Down Under sunshine when you visit Southern Australia. With golden landscapes, burgeoning beaches, and outdoorsy adventures through historic towns, South Australia dazzles under blue skies and sunshine more days than not. Its pleasant climate and warm people make it the ultimate haven to relax, indulge, or explore Down Under.
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