SA’s top 25 bucket list

By Ellen Morgan
Published: Thursday, November 26, 2020

As proud South Aussies, we’ve all got our own local bucket lists. We share them with friends, revisit favourites, pass traditions on to family and make new memories with every summer that passes.

Whether it’s touring the grounds of Adelaide Oval, soaking up the seascapes of the Yorke Peninsula or hitting the track at The Bend, there really is something for everyone across our spectacular state. Here’s our ultimate bucket list, featuring SA’s top experiences – from us to you – so you can holiday here this year. Enjoy.

Experience iconic Adelaide Oval from above on the RoofClimb. Image: SATC/Ian Routledge

Adelaide

Great heights
One of SA’s top tourist attractions, Adelaide Oval is beloved by locals and visitors alike. If you haven’t seen the impressive structure from above, pop it on your list. The RoofClimb experience takes you across the very top of the stands, where you’ll see the sights of the city from a bird’s eye view, as well as the historic scoreboard. Learn more.

Taste the state
There’s no doubt Adelaide Central Market is a South Aussie landmark – it’s one of the largest undercover markets in the Southern Hemisphere. But now you can experience the market after dark with the Collaborators Dinner Tour, thanks to Food Tours Australia. A local guide will take you on a small tour through the market, with a roving dining experience to remember. Check out a range of other market tours.

Paddle in peace
Feel like you’re floating through a Jurassic Park set as you paddle along the creeks of Garden Island, surrounded by 10,000-year-old mangrove forests. Accompanied by a tour guide (who’s also a marine biologist), you may even encounter some of the local dolphins as they swim through the creeks. Learn about the area, soak up the scenery and take in the natural wildlife as you float along in your intimate tour group. Book your tour.

Sample a cool climate drop at Anderson Hill. Image: SATC/Ryan Cantwell

Adelaide Hills

The Hills are alive
Now a popular household name in the beauty world, Jurlique still proudly operates its farm in the Adelaide Hills. Take a tour of the Biggs Flat property to learn more about the biodynamic farming and explore the stunning property. Visit the Farm Shop and take home some goodies. Trust us, this place is good for the soul and the skin. Buy tickets.

Platters & pinot
Delicious drops abound in our gorgeous Adelaide Hills, and it’s no exception at Anderson Hill. All you have to do is sit back on the deck, relax and take in the beautiful views. Pre-purchase a Tapas and Wine Experience at a special price, which includes a mezze platter of cured meats, cheese, antipasti and bread, and a bottle of wine. Book your wine-and-dine experience.

Discover historic cellars at Seppeltsfield. Image: SATC/Ryan Cantwell

Barossa

Fly, fly away!
There’s something romantic about flying. Sinatra knew it, and we think you will too once you step foot in one of Barossa Balloon Adventures’ balloons. Glide over the vineyard valleys and soak up the golden fields and lush green symmetry as you soar amongst the clouds. Enjoy a sunrise flight, a gourmet local brekky and glass of sparkling. Get more information.

Step back in wine
One of the country’s most renowned wine regions, the Barossa Valley is a treasure trove of wining and dining experiences. The region is steeped in history, with some wineries calling the valley home for more than 150 years. Seppeltsfield is no exception, established in 1851, with cellars that hold decades of stories as well as wine. Discover the cellars during the Moments in History Tour and sample drops from another lifetime. Book your experience.

Cycle the Clare Valley region. Image: SATC/Adam Bruzzone

Clare Valley

Historic adventure
You might’ve been to Clare to sample the wine, but do you know about the region’s intriguing history? Clare Valley Tours can show you. Their Nomads Tour takes you on a historic journey through a variety of iconic locations including Sevenhill Cellars, the township of Mintaro, Martindale Hall and Skillogalee Restaurant. See a secret church crypt, 160-year-old vines, and maybe even a few ghosts (don’t tell Ghostbusters – these guys are friendly). Find out more details.

I want to ride my bicycle
Cycling through vineyards only to stop for a sip of wine and a wedge of cheese is just about as romantic as it gets. Make your movie-moment a reality along the iconic Clare Valley Riesling Trail. Pedal your way through pretty-as-a-picture vineyards and country fields, before stopping off at a collection of wineries for a sip of iconic Clare Riesling and a picnic.

Swim with sea lions in the Eyre Peninsula. Image: SATC/David Edgar

Eyre Peninsula

Seal it with a kiss
Ever wanted to steal a kiss from a sea lion? You might strike lucky on a swim with these playful creatures, an experience offered by Adventure Bay Charters. The half-day tour departs from Port Lincoln and takes you to Seal Cove, where you’ll jump in the sea and get up close and personal with the friendly lions of our southern seas. Find out more.

Freshly shucked
Learn to shuck your own oysters and taste them fresh from the ocean with this unique tour. Get knee deep in this experience (quite literally) as you wade through the shallow waters to select your own gems from the salty seas. Take a seat, sip a glass of local wine and learn about how these delicious morsels are farmed. Trust us, your tastebuds will thank you for it. Book this culinary adventure.

Taste history at McLaren Vale's Wirra Wirra. Image: SATC/Jonathan van der Knaap

Fleurieu Peninsula

Barrels & bells
One of SA’s most historic wineries, Wirra Wirra is a McLaren Vale favourite. Featuring a café, tasting space, grandiose cellars and picturesque grounds, there’s plenty to explore. With several tours and experiences to choose from, you can sip wine, taste chocolate and even ring the historic bell that still hangs from the original stone tower. Visit the Experience SA website for more information.

Off-road adventure
If you’re up for an experience off the beaten track, why not experience the Fleurieu on 4 wheels? Fun for the whole family, Waitpinga Farm Quad Bike Adventures gets you out in the bush, kicking up the dirt as you take in views of ‘Waits’ beach and the Southern Ocean. You might even spy some native wildlife as you ride through the farm. Find out more.

Soak up the rich red earth of the Flinders. Image: SATC/Australian Air Holidays/Adam Bruzzone

Flinders Ranges

Blue sky, red earth
The rugged clifftops and red-earth valleys of the Flinders Ranges are almost other-worldly. Take it all in from the ridgetop at Arkaroola and feel on top of the world. Hop in a 4WD, hit the dirt and watch as the sun touches the bushland and deep ochre hillsides. Find out more.

Outback dining
Set in the grounds of stunning Rawnsley Park Station, the Woolshed Restaurant is a dining experience that’s just about as unique as they come. Sit inside the revamped woolshed and look out at the rugged landscape, or sit out on the deck if the weather permits. Sample lamb from the property or a selection of other local produce on the cleverly crafted menu. For more details about Rawnsley Park Station, visit the Experience SA website.

Little Sahara is fun for the whole family. Image: SATC/Adam Bruzzone

Kangaroo Island

Ride the dunes
Vivonne Bay’s Little Sahara has long been a bucket list destination for little and big kids alike. The jaw-dropping dunes look as though they belong on a movie set. Add in a board and pretend you’re a true action hero, gliding your way down the dunes in style. The best part? If you’re not athletically inclined, the soft sands are a kind landing – perfect for little boarders who are still learning. Book today.

Bushland recovery
There’s no denying the impact the recent bushfires have had on Kangaroo Island. But with nature slowly recovering, SeaLink SA has developed a tour to showcase some of the regeneration, as well as tick off some Island hot spots. Seal Bay and Flinders Chase National Park are on the list, with regular stop-offs throughout the day, helping you discover nature’s marvels. Accommodation is included. Find out more.

Naracoorte Caves National Park. Image: SATC/Adam Bruzzone

Limestone Coast

Underground discovery
A World Heritage-listed site, Naracoorte Caves National Park is open to the public every day of the year (except Christmas Day). Over half a million years old, the caves are home to an incredible collection of fossils as well as stunning stalactites and stalagmites. 4 caves are available for public viewing, and you can purchase tour tickets while you’re there to explore them and learn more about these historic wonders.

Blue beauty
A popular road trip destination for South Aussies, Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake is particularly striking in summer as it shows its true colours. From around November to late February each year, the lake turns a vibrant turquoise, prompting nature-lovers to get their cameras clicking. The body of water is housed in an extinct volcano crater, and with a walking track surrounding the edge, there are plenty of spots to soak up its natural beauty.

Thrill seekers will love The Bend. Image: SATC/Elliot Grafton

Murray River, Lakes & Coorong

Zero to 100
If you’ve got a thrill-seeker in the family or your travel crew, a visit to The Bend Motorsport Park should certainly be on your list. Take your pick of cars, from their latest Porsche 911 to the classic Holden V8, then whiz around at top speed and feel the full force of these powerful 4-wheelers. Check out your options.

Fancy a float
Seeing the Murray River region from the water is a great way to soak up the scenery from a different perspective. Book in for a lunch-time cruise on a historic paddle boat. Staying a little longer? Spend the night in a houseboat or at a riverside retreat. Find more Murray experiences and accommodation.

Murray River Safari. Image: supplied

Riverland

River safari
Whether you’re a keen walker or you prefer to paddle your way along the river in a kayak, Murray River Trails has the tour for you. Their 3-day tour combines houseboat accommodation with outdoor activities to make the most of the picturesque Riverland scenery. Adventure by day, enjoy the deck spa by night, and indulge in a 3-course meal to top it all off. Find out more.

Thrills & spills
Strap in, folks – the high-powered lap experiences on offer at Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park are for the travellers who live life in the fast lane. With a host of action-packed activities including jet ski tours, rally drives and turbo buggy laps, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can also camp on-site by the river to complete your experience. Choose your own adventure.

Pondalowie Bay, Yorke Peninsula. Image: SATC/John Montesi

Yorke Peninsula

Seascape spectacle
Arguably the jewel in the Yorke Peninsula’s crown, Innes National Park is a South Aussie treasure just waiting to be explored. Whether you want to tackle a 4-hour trek, or you’re just there to drop a line and take a leisurely stroll through the bushland, the park is a beauty to behold. The park is open daily, so there’s plenty of time to take in the spectacular scenery.

Ride the waves
Any Aussie summer road trip needs a spot of surfing, and the Yorke Peninsula happens to be home to one of the country’s best spots. Daly Head is in fact a National Surfing Reserve – one of just 21 in the country. There are a number of other surfing hot-spots on the Yorke Peninsula to make the most of the swell, including Pondalowie Bay and Trespassers. Take your own board out or join a local academy to learn.

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