SA’s most-visited regions

Where South Aussies love to travel.

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Friday, December 4, 2020

The Barossa Valley, with its beautiful vineyards and vast array of cellar doors, is the most-visited region in South Australia.

According to an RAA member survey, 64% of us have visited the region over the past 5 years.

The Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula – 2 regions on Adelaide’s doorstep – were the 2nd and 3rd most visited respectively.

The Clare Valley and Riverland rounded out the top 5, with half of us travelling to the regions in the past 5 years.

The Survey

The survey asked over 500 RAA members questions about which regions they visited over the past 5 years, their motivations for travelling and what they think needs to be done to improve tourism infrastructure.

RAA regularly surveys members via our online member panel. If members want to join, RAA will send a survey once every 2 months – which will only take about 10 minutes to complete.

To join RAA’s member panel, click here.

The results from the surveys help create a range of RAA policies and advocacy activities.

Most people who took the Tourism Infrastructure Survey believed improved roads and more public transport would make our regions more attractive for tourists.

Improved mobile phone coverage, more road signage, more EV charging points and sealing outback roads were also mentioned often.

When asked how they chose which region to visit, members said scenery and wildlife were the most important factors.

Results also found we tend to spend longer in some regions, compared to others. For example, 84% of people planning to visit the Adelaide Hills intend to go for a day trip. While almost half who plan to visit the Barossa Valley or Fleurieu intend to stay for 1 to 3 nights.

Here’s a breakdown of our 3 most visited regions, and just some of the many reasons we can’t get enough of them.

1. Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is home to some of the world’s most iconic wineries, and those vineyards among the rolling hills create some of the best views on the planet.

Cycle through the Barossa in summer and soak up the colourful vines with their plump fruit, almost ready for picking.

For those a little more adventurous, take to the sky and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of one of SA’s most visited regions.

With Barossa Balloon Adventures’ flights lifting off at sunrise, you’ll get breathtaking views as the light filters across the region’s stunning landscape.

Vineyard in the Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley, South Australia. Image: Getty

2. Adelaide Hills

Only 30 minutes up the South Eastern Fwy, the Adelaide Hills is one of the closest tourism regions to Adelaide. It’s also one of the most beautiful.

The Adelaide Hills is brimming with wildlife and beautiful scenery. In autumn, visitors will be treated to an array of oranges, reds and yellows, as the seasons change, and leaves begin to fall from the trees and vines.

Stroll through Mount Lofty Botanic Garden or down Hahndorf’s main street for stunning scenery at any time of the year. If you’re after a bite to eat or glass of local wine, you can’t go past LOT.100 or The Lane Vineyard.

If you’re looking to cuddle a koala or get up-close to more of the region’s native wildlife, visit Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek or Warrawong Sanctuary at Mylor.

 

Autumn landscape under the rain in Adelaide Hills
Mt Lofty Botanic Garden, Adelaide Hills. Image: Getty

3. Fleurieu Peninsula

Stunning views and wildlife abound on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Here, you’ll find rugged coastline and sea life like whales and dolphins.

There’s something for everyone on the Fleurieu. Visit Mclaren Vale for wine tasting or head down the road to Willunga for the weekly farmers’ market, held every Saturday.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? grab your surfboard and hit up one of the many surf spots. Mid-coast beaches like Southport, Seaford and Sellicks Beach are great for beginners.

If you’re a more experienced surfer, hit up Knights at Port Elliot.

To experience the Fleurieu’s famed wildlife, you can take a whale watching tour or get wet and swim with tuna at Oceanic Victor.

Want a view from above? Take a helicopter ride with Helivista over the region’s vineyards, lush rolling hills and rocky coastal cliffs.

Looking down at the jetty ruins at Port Willunga, South Australia, during the golden hour, nearing sunset and at high tide.
Port Willunga, Fleurieu Peninsula. Image: Getty

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