South Australia by season

By Samuel Smith
Published: Wednesday, November 6, 2019

South Australia’s ancient outback, world-famous wine regions and impossibly beautiful coast play host to a plethora of unique experiences.

From shucking oysters in Eyre Peninsula waters to curling up by the fire with a Barossa red, there’s a time and a place for everything. To help you get the most out of your next SA escape, we’ve paired each region with its ideal month to visit. Come rain or shine, know where to go, when.

Summer

December on Kangaroo Island

Spend Christmas in paradise on Kangaroo Island. Just a 45-minute SeaLink ferry ride from Adelaide lies an island abundant with wildlife, boasting some of the best beaches in the world.

Come face-to-flipper with the locals at Seal Bay, unroll your towel at Vivonne Bay (once voted the best beach on Earth) and witness the grandeur of the aptly-named Remarkable Rocks.

When lunchtime rolls around, sink your teeth into fresh local produce at Ferguson’s Seafood in Kingscote, then wash it down with a glass of vino at Amadio Wines or Dudley Wines.

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island. Image: SATC.

January on the Eyre Peninsula

Boasting snow-white sand, glassy waters and succulent seafood, no region screams summer like the Eyre Peninsula.

After soaking up the sun at the beach, wade out to your dining table on a Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tour, where you can pluck your lunch straight from the ocean.

The Eyre Peninsula is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with adorable sea lions and come hair-raisingly close to great whites on a shark cage dive. Need we say more?

Coffin Bay oysters, Eyre Peninsula. Image: SATC.

February on the Fleurieu Peninsula

Gorgeous beaches meet sprawling vineyards on the Fleurieu Peninsula, making it an idyllic mix of wine and waves.

Keep your tastebuds entertained at the d’Arenberg Cube – a Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory of food and wine. Nearby, some of SA’s best drops can be sipped at Wirra Wirra, Alpha Box & Dice and Shingleback Wines.

Away from the dining table, spot dolphins on a Big Duck Boat Tour at Victor Harbor, hit the waves with Surf & Sun surf school at Middleton, Moana or Goolwa, or canoe the Coorong.

The d'Arenberg Cube, Fleurieu Peninsula. Image: SATC.

Autumn

March in Adelaide

Every March, Adelaide throws a month-long party, playing host to the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide. There’s no better time to visit our capital.

When you’re not busy partying, immerse yourself in Adelaide’s boutique food and wine scene. Explore a labyrinth of booming bars and restaurants on a Bar Boys tour or spend a day indulging at the famed Adelaide Central Market.

Adelaide Bar Boys tour. Image: SATC.

April in the Adelaide Hills

In autumn, tree canopies throughout the Adelaide Hills explode with vibrant yellows, reds and oranges.

Satisfy your appetite and sip award-winning cool climate wine at Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, The Lane Vineyard or Shaw + Smith.

Explore charming, leafy hamlets and lose yourself in Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, where you can unroll your picnic rug and feast on local smallgoods, surrounded by nature.

The Lane Vineyard, Adelaide Hills. Image: SATC.

May on the Murray

A sweet spot between blazing summer temperatures and winter rains, the end of autumn is one of the best times to cruise the Murray on a houseboat or the regal Murray Princess. Stop off at Monarto Safari Park – an open-range animal sanctuary, home to 50 exotic and native animal species as well as the mane-raising Lions 360 experience.

The monolithic Bend Motorsport Park is a must-visit too. Inspired by some of the world’s most iconic race circuits, it’s one of the most significant developments in Australian motorsport history.

Monarto Zoo, Murray region. Image: SATC.

Winter

June in the Clare Valley

Affectionately known as the home of Australian Riesling, the Clare Valley is a gorgeous patchwork of vineyards, historic farm houses, galleries and museums.

One of the best ways to see Clare’s iconic wineries is on the Riesling Trail. Hire a bike, then spend a crisp, winter’s day pedalling to Pikes Wines, Crabtree Watervale Wines and Sevenhill Cellars.

Clare Valley Riesling Trail, Clare. Image: SATC.

July in the Barossa

Just an hour’s drive from Adelaide, the Barossa is South Australia’s gourmet capital. Here, you’ll find some of the oldest vines on earth.

Known for its big, bold reds, the region is home to more than 150 wineries, where some of the most awarded wines in Australia are created. Grab a glass at Seppeltsfield, St Hugo, First Drop Wines or Jacob’s Creek.

At the end of the day, rug up by the fire at The Louise, one of the best luxury resorts in Australia, or grab a bottle to go and head back to the well-appointed Discovery Parks – Barossa Valley.

Chateau Yaldara 1847 Wines, Barossa. Image: SATC.

August in the Riverland

Follow the Murray to a land of dramatic cliffs, fruitful vineyards and charming towns.

Take advantage of cool August weather and embark on the Riverland’s epic Murray River Walk – a multi-award-winning 4-day, 3-night guided walk departing from Renmark. The Riverland’s famed Twenty Third Street Distillery is also a must-visit, producing a range of award-winning gins, brandies, whiskies and vodkas.

As the day draws to an end, watch the sun set from Headings Cliff Lookout, surrounded by ancient red gums, birdlife and ochre-coloured cliffs.

Headings Cliffs, Riverland. Image: SATC.

Spring

September in the Flinders Ranges and outback

With red earth, rocky ravines and dramatic gorges, nothing compares to the Flinders Ranges’ otherworldly landscape.

In summer, temperatures are known to regularly exceed 38°C.

Spring, however, provides a much cooler climate, perfect for outback exploration.

See the best of the Flinders on The Arkaba Walk – a 3-day walking safari, traversing the iconic Wilpena Pound and 60,000 acres of wild bushland. September marks the beginning of wildflower season, bringing even more beauty to the South Australian outback.

Willow Springs Station, Flinders Ranges. Image: SATC.

October on the Yorke Peninsula

Pack your bags, bundle the kids into the car and spend the school holidays exploring 700 kilometres of picture-perfect coast.

An ideal driving distance from Adelaide, the Yorke Peninsula is studded with secluded coves and family-friendly beaches. Our top picks include Marion Bay, Black Point and Flaherty’s Beach. Spend the night at the Marion Bay Motel or at a Moonta Bay Beach Villa.

Tiparra rocks, Yorke Peninsula. Image: SATC.

November on the Limestone Coast

From fossils and underground gardens to extinct volcanoes and jaw-dropping beaches, the Limestone Coast is brimming with natural wonders.

November is the ideal month to don your explorer’s hat and stroll around the stunning Blue Lake, a 77m-deep crater filled with striking cobalt-coloured water.

Sip your way around the Coonawarra wine region, visit the beautiful beachside holiday towns of Robe and Beachport and explore the Umpherston Sinkhole – a sunken garden in the heart of Mount Gambier.

Umpherston Sinkhole, Limestone Coast. Image: SATC.

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