Guides Attractions Events in South Australia

Adelaide is the festival city. The city centre, surrounded by parklands, is a charming blend of historic buildings, wide streets and a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. Adelaide is known as the 20-minute city because it’s so easy to get around.

Events:
Throughout the year attend great festivals and events. Look out for Clipsal 500 Adelaide V8 race, the international music festival WOMADelaide and the Santos Tour Down Under pro cycling event. The Adelaide Festival is one of the most innovative arts festivals in the world and the Adelaide Fringe is now the second biggest in the world.

Taste the Adelaide Central Market:
Join the bustling people buying, selling and tasting the best South Australian food at the Adelaide Central Market. It's the largest undercover market in the southern hemisphere.

Glenelg Trams:
Enjoy a ride on Adelaide’s tram from the city centre to beachside Glenelg. Enjoy the beach, jetty, lively shops and cafes along Jetty Road. At the other end of the tram line, get to concerts, circuses and entertainment at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Bonython Park and Governor Hindmarsh Hotel (The Gov).

Port Adelaide and Semaphore:
Visit the South Australian Maritime Museum and take a short cruise to see the Port River dolphins. At Semaphore, the majestic Palais has a great deck looking over the ocean. Stop in for a bite to eat and a glass of South Australian wine. Wander the boulevard of antique shops, cafes, bakeries and pubs.

Botany Bounty, the Adelaide Botanic Garden:
Marvel at native and exotic flower displays and 5000 roses at the International Rose Garden. Stroll through a tropical rainforest in the Bicentennial Conservatory.

The South Australian Museum:
Explore the world's largest collection of indigenous artefacts in the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery. For contemporary Aboriginal culture, visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.

The Art Gallery of South Australia:
The Art Gallery of South Australia holds one of the best Australian colonial art collections in the world. See Western Desert dot paintings and works by Sir Hans Heysen, Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin (some of Australia's best artists).

A beach so near! Just 15 minutes from the city, the waters of Gulf St Vincent wash onto a wide band of fine white sand, which stretches virtually unbroken for more than 30 kilometres.

The metropolitan coast begins at the tip of the narrow Le Fevre Peninsula, created by the Barker Inlet's sweep of waters, and ends at Sellicks Beach, where the sandstone cliffs begin their run down to the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

In between are wide sandy beaches and blue waters, reefs, wetlands and estuaries, and the cliffs that glow with the setting sun. There's a great choice of accommodation along the coast, particularly in Glenelg and Adelaide Shores.

More Information:
For further information on Adelaide's metropolitan coastline, pick up a copy of the Adelaide Coast guide and map from Visitor Information Centres in Adelaide and along the coast.

Drive Adelaide Hills's many scenic routes and you'll find picture postcard views at every turn. Enjoy some of the best cool climate wines in Australia. See koalas, kangaroos and enough cute native animals to melt your heart. Find gorgeous places to rest your head at the end of a gentle day of discovery.

Visit charming villages:

- Hahndorf for German heritage
- Woodside for antiques
- Stirling for the organic market and excellent shops
- Gumeracha for the Big Rocking Horse (voted best “Big Thing” in Australia)
- Bridgewater for the award-winning cellar door and restaurant at Bridgewater Mill
- Birdwood for the National Motor Museum
- Macclesfield for its Sunday market
- Norton Summit for the Scenic Hotel

Wine country

The cool climate wines of the Adelaide Hills are among the most prestigious in Australia. The region is home to more than 200 grape growers and 50 wine labels. Look out for famous names and cellar doors like Petaluma, Nepenthe, Shaw & Smith, Ashton Hills and Chain of Ponds.

Must visit:

Festivals and events

Experience the best of the hills at one of many great regional events. Try the Adelaide Hills Harvest Festival in February, the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, the Heysen Festival in October and the Lobethal Lights Christmas extravaganza.

Warrawong

At Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, Mylor, enjoy a self-guided walk between 9am and sunset. Take a guided nocturnal tour to see bilbies, brush-tailed bettongs, tammar wallabies and the shy platypus. The sanctuary is less than 30 minutes from Adelaide. It has a family picnic area, Bilby Café, accommodation and convention facilities.

Hills’ food trail

Adelaide Hills’ producers and chefs show off their skills on the Taste the Adelaide Hills Trail at restaurants, wineries, pubs and cafés. You’ll find local specialties at farmers’ markets throughout the region.

Hans Heysen's The Cedars

The Cedars is the former home of landscape artist, Sir Hans Heysen. The gardens and studio remain much the same as when Heysen lived there. It’s just outside the much loved heritage town of Hahndorf.

Balaklava

Balaklava is home of the 100 year old Balaklava Cup, held around August each year. It’s the largest of South Australia’s country race meetings. Play an 18 hole championship golf course. There are folk museums and art galleries nearby.

Port Wakefield

The town is located neatly between the Clare Valley and Yorke Peninsula. Enjoy great fishing and crabbing, interesting local heritage sites and mangroves.

Snowtown

Snowtown provides essential services for the busy farming district and is home to artists Marek and Anna Herburt, who have a small gallery.

Dublin, Middle Beach and Port Gawler

Dublin is the gateway to the “crabbing coast”. On the Middle Beach Samphire Discovery Trail, you can view mangrove forests, samphire (a type of coastal plant) flats and seagrass meadows. Just before crossing the Gawler River, you can visit one of South Australia’s pioneering sites, Port Gawler.

Mallala

Mallala is well known as a venue for many national and international motor sport events. Events are held at the racetrack, which was built on the site of a Second World War air force base. The local historical museum (located on the intersection) is housed in the former flourmill. It’s a first-class example of a South Australian country museum. A short distance from Mallala on the banks of the Light River is the picturesque Rockies Reserve.

Two Wells

Two Wells was named after two Aboriginal wells. You can follow the Pudnarla Food, Craft and Medicine Trail, which is dotted with statues of the Kaurna people. A heritage walk through town takes you on a circuit of early buildings dating back to the 1860s. The town has restaurants, hotels, a motel and snack bars. Internet services and tourist information (including heritage trail guides) are available at the Two Wells CABRI Centre.

Aldgate has retained a historic feel, with the town's buildings now home to a selection of art and craft shops and restaurants. This Adelaide Hills village grew following the construction of the Aldgate Inn in 1864, now the Aldgate Pump.

Stangate House, built in 1840, features an extensive camelia garden and the town's deciduous trees are a delight in both spring and autumn.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Aldinga is a seaside town near fabulous Aldinga Beach.

Aldinga Beach itself is one of the few in Australia where cars are permitted to drove on parts of the broad sand, making it easier for you to reach the water and surf. This is also a great spot for scuba diving and snorkelling, with the beach overlooking an aquatic reserve established to protect a rare reef formation.

An underwater trail includes a spectacular drop-off, or underwater cliff. A boat ramp provides easy access to the water.

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula inc McLaren Vale – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience, and top fishing spots.

It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842, and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There's also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

Aldinga Beach is one of the few in Australia where cars are permitted to drive on parts of its broad, sandy beach, making access to its safe swimming and surf especially easy.

Aldinga Beach is a top spot for scuba diving and snorkelling, with the beach overlooking a unique aquatic reserve established to protect a rare reef formation.

An underwater trail includes a spectacular drop-off, or underwater cliff. A boat ramp provides easy access to the water.

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience, and top fishing spots.

It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842, and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There's also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

American River is a small town tucked into native bushland overlooking Eastern Cove and Pelican Lagoon. Its natural surroundings, lack of crowds or hustle and bustle make it a haven for wildlife and birdwatching.

At night the town comes alive with nocturnal animals such as wallabies and possums. The town and surrounds are dotted with self guided walking trails that are the perfect setting for prolific birdlife and native flora.

For those seeking peace and quiet amongst nature, American River is an ideal central location for touring Kangaroo Island.

With the integration of bushland and accommodation, the nightlife in American River is naturally wild. A leisurely walk with a torch will reveal an array of native life including Tammar Wallabies and Brush-tailed Possums.

Organised nocturnal tours are available, incorporating Little Penguins at Penneshaw. The bushland surrounding the village is habitat to the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo, which are often seen in the area. Eastern Cove, the outer bay, offers excellent sailing and fishing in semi-protected waters. The village of American River supports these pursuits with an excellent boat ramp, barbecue and picnic facilities, fishing charters and boat hire.

The Kangaroo Island oyster industry is based here and oysters are available, seasonally. Pelican Lagoon, the inner bay, is a natural fish nursery and is protected as an Aquatic Reserve. The islands within the lagoon are important bird-breeding habitats. Black Swans, Cape Barren Geese, Australian Pelicans and other birds make the area an excellent bird-watching destination. The foreshore and the Fish Cannery Walking Trail are great places to pursue this.

Andamooka is a unique town of miner's homes and semi-dugouts nestled on a honeycomb of underground diggings, in a field famous for the quality of its gemstones.

Andamooka is 600 kilometres north of Adelaide and visitors today will discover that underneath its rugged exterior, like the rough opal itself, there is a wealth of warmth and colour.

There are a variety of things to do and see here. Discover Andamooka's unique 'matrix opal' or the rare beauty of the famous local crystal opal. Buy directly from the miners at one of the opal showrooms in town or from The Bottle House (built in 1972), eliminating the middleman and saving dollars. You can buy painted opals from Hilda, and art from resident artist Alex Mendelsohn.

Try 'noodling' (fossicking) for your own piece of elusive opal, but please check you are not on somebody's 'pegged' claim and always be alert as there are many old mine shafts around. Visit the vast, usually dry salt lake of Lake Torrens, the satellite opal fields of White Dam or the remote Stuart Creek opal diggings for a taste of the real outback.

Relax at the Tuckerbox or Opal Hotel for meals or a refreshing drink, or explore this tiny opal mining town and unusual lunar like landscape by foot. Andamooka is the gateway for four wheel drive vehicles connecting with the Oodnadatta or Birdsville Tracks, or taking the Farina Adventure Trail and linking up to the Flinders Ranges.

Andamooka opal adorned the hemline of the year 2001 "Opal Dress" worn by Olympian Tatiana Grigorieva; a breathtaking beauty valued at AUD500,000 and housed at the South Australian Museum.

The opal fields were discovered in 1930 by two drovers from Andamooka Station who saw flashes of brilliant colour on a hillside after a rare thunderstorm. Opal is still mined in close proximity to the town and extends into 24 fields, giving the area a fascinating moon-like appearance. Andamooka is the only town in Australia where none of the streets are named and the main thoroughfare is built in a creek bed.

There's a real buzz in the Angaston main street - cafés, cheese makers, wine bars, cellar doors, smart little antique and retail shops and traditional shops.

Blond Coffee is a Mecca for the locals that visitors should not miss: a modern coffee shop that offers fresh light lunches, great coffee, and a selection of local and imported produce. Similarly, just a minute from the main street.

The South Australian Company Store offers visitors a truly regional experience, stocking a large range of Food Barossa products as well as a sensational dining experience, compliments of renowned local chef Chris Wilksch. Both businesses typify the way the Barossa constantly reinvents itself to reflect the best contemporary culture while keeping its feet still firmly rooted in tradition.

The Barossa Farmers Market on the edge of town is another example. Held each Saturday morning, it showcases real food produced in the homes and farms of the Barossa. Local food producers offer the freshest of home grown produce, from fruit and vegetables to meat, poultry and free-range eggs, along with a huge variety of locally manufactured food products.

But history is never far away. With a population of around 2000, Angaston is at the "English" or eastern end of the Barossa and was named after one of South Australia's founders, George Fife Angas, who sponsored many of the region's early German settlers. The Angas family was a major influence here for many generations, with one of their homes, Collingrove, now providing accommodation and a popular tourism attraction. There is a terrific selection of bed and breakfasts, both hosted and self-contained, as you'll need a rest after all of the activity Angaston has to offer.

An easy 90 minute drive from Adelaide on the east coast of Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan sits on top of imposing red cliffs providing excellent views of Gulf St Vincent. Wander down the jetty at sunrise to see the cliffs' amazing display of colour in the morning light.

If Blue Swimmer Crabs are your favourite, then this is the place to be; drop a net from the jetty or rake in the shallows and you won't be disappointed. Fishing from the jetty or boat will often return you a catch of Tommy Ruffs, Mullet, Garfish, squid or the prized King George Whiting. A sought after holiday destination, Ardrossan offers you a wonderful place to enjoy spectacular coastline and all of the activities it has to offer.

A main agricultural centre for surrounding districts, Ardrossan is a well serviced town offering good shopping and facilities. Drop in to the golf club or Ardrossan Motel Hotel. Ardrossan Museum is located in the former factory of CH Smith, developer of the Stump Jump Plough. This plough has legendary status in South Australia's history and is at the heart of the Ardrossan Museum's displays.

Ardrossan has a temperate climate with regular sea breezes. The maximum temperature is usually a few degrees cooler than Adelaide.

The town was proclaimed in 1873 and named by Governor Fergusson after Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Scotland. The jetty was built in 1876 and proclaimed a port in 1878. Early European settlers new the area as 'Clay Gully' or 'Parara'. A busy grain port, produce was carried along the jetty by horse-drawn trolleys to the ships and hand loaded by skilful deckhands to ensure the load was secure in rough seas. Steamers also provided a passenger service to Port Adelaide on Tuesdays and Fridays, which took four hours to make the crossing in good weather. South Australia's first silo was erected at the site in 1952 and today the silos can handle in excess of 250,000 tonnes of grain.

Located 600 kilometres north of Adelaide and 130 kilometres east of Leigh Creek, and in the ruggedly spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, this 610 square kilometre multi award-winning Wilderness Sanctuary, operated by the Sprigg family, contains some of Australia's most spectacular mountain views and offers numerous Advanced Ecotourism accredited guided tours.

Arkaroola features rugged mountains, towering granite peaks, magnificent gorges and mysterious waterholes, the home to over 160 species of birds and the shy and endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby.

Arkaroola is a Mecca for bushwalkers and four wheel drivers. The spectacular Advanced Ecotourism accredited rugged four wheel drive Ridgetop Tour is world famous; journey to the depths of ancient seabeds and across razor-back ridges and peaks of the Flinders Ranges most rugged mountains to the magnificent climax at Sillers Lookout.

Being the first Flinders Ranges tourist organisation to achieve the coveted Advanced Ecotourism accreditation, and with now a total of eleven such products available for you to enjoy, Arkaroola is truly unique.

Most visitors tend to travel to Arkaroola via Leigh Creek and Copley, a trip that is about 130 kilometres in distance. The road from Copley is unsealed but generally in excellent condition. The average driving time from Leigh Creek via Nepabunna is approximately two hours.

During the summer season, holidaymakers flock to Arno Bay on Eyre Peninsula to enjoy the mild climate, the boating and angling and the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

The scenic shoreline stretching away from Arno Bay is formed by a series of lovely beaches surrounded by unique cliff formations. One of these areas, known as Redbanks, was once designated a geological monument by the Geological Society of Australia.

A visit to nearby Hincks Conservation Park and pristine Wharminda Soaks is a must for bushwalkers to discover interesting rock formations, abundant wildflowers and flora.

Nilka's Simply Rustic Gallery, a unique 1909 building and once the farm's shearer’s quarters, is now home to works of art, pottery and craft for sale. Telephone 08 8628 9050 for opening times.

Arno Bay began as a shipping port servicing the local farming districts, where superphosphate was brought in and cereal crops were sent out. The jetty, an old beacon and the original super shed still stand as a reminder of this era.

Ashton is a small village in the Adelaide Hills, central to the wonderful attractions of this picturesque region.

Make it your base for a romantic holiday or relaxing retreat. It's only a short drive to renowned restaurants and eateries including the Bridgewater Mill at Bridgewater, Mt Lofty House at Crafers and Maximilians at Verdun. The Scenic Hotel at Norton Summit is only minutes away, offering restaurant meals by a roaring log fire in winter, as well as breathtaking views. Nearby the Uraidla Hotel has a split-level restaurant overlooking the beautiful Piccadilly Valley.

Ashton is home to Ashton Hills Vineyard, which offers wine tastings and sales on weekends and public holidays. There is also a charming bed and breakfast. Enjoy the many antique stores, arts, crafts and cafes in the region.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum, Melba's Chocolate Factory and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Auburn is one of the oldest settlements in the Clare Valley, so it's a great place to explore the history of this famous wine region.

The National Trust cares for a number of beautiful buildings, including the old Police Station (1859), the Mechanics Institute (1859), St John’s Anglican Church (1862), Post Office (1862) and the Council Chambers (1879), and all are located in St Vincent Street, the picturesque street now recognised as an historic precinct.

Auburn also has a claim to fame in poet CJ Dennis, who was born here in 1876 and went on to become most famous for his poem ‘A Sentimental Bloke’. You'll find many of his works at the National Trust and library.

Located at the southern approach to the Clare Valley, Auburn began as a resting place for the ore laden wagons and their teams as they made their way from the Burra copper mines to Port Wakefield.

It's here that you will first be introduced to the wine lands of the Clare Valley. The undulating hillsides have extensive plantings by both the large and smaller wine growers and provide a stunning backdrop to the town.

Auburn
Auburn’s magnificent bluestone buildings line the quiet streets, many of them listed on the National Trust and State Heritage Registers, and not a few offering excellent Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
Auburn is also the southern start (or end!) of the Riesling Trail which runs 25 kilometres to Clare, through picturesque countryside and past a dozen cellar doors. More ambitious cyclists and walkers can visit some 40 outlets.


Tarlee
The farming community of Tarlee, is a great place to stop for antiques, arts and crafts. Stroll down the main street to admire some of Tarlee’s buildings and stop for a while at the picnic area. Accommodation options include a bed and breakfast, motel and nearby farm stay. If you’re in the Clare Valley for the Gourmet Weekend, drop into Tarlee for the annual Country Market held on the Monday morning of the May weekend.

Riverton
Up the Barrier Highway you will come to Riverton. This charming town continues to thrive as the commercial centre of a rich farming district. The local community has preserved many of the significant heritage buildings.
The Riverton Railway Station is undoubtedly a highlight, having gained some notoriety as the site of Australia’s first ‘political assassination.
McCaw Creek Winery is the only winery in the Gilbert Valley, located midway between Riverton and Rhynie along a very pleasant drive.


Saddleworth and Manoora
Stop in at Saddleworth to experience a traditional country town atmosphere and to wander through the shops. The old Catholic Church cemetery atop the hill has interesting epitaphs as well as a nice view over the town. A heritage walk brochure is available from the Saddleworth Institute.
Further north on the highway you come to the small railway town of Manoora, the gateway to the heritage town of Mintaro and the start of an especially lovely drive.

Marrabel
The small town of Marrabel is renowned for its annual rodeo on the October long weekend, an event that has been drawing enthusiastic crowds since 1935.

A spectacular and peaceful part of the South Australian coastline, Baird Bay is teeming with marine life and offers you the opportunity to swim with sea-lions and dolphins on organised tours. It's an unforgettable experience.

This protected bay is fast becoming a 'must do' holiday experience for travellers. There are safe swimming beaches, boating and fishing - and anglers are rarely disappointed, with handy launching facilities guaranteed to lead to a good day's fishing.

Baird Bay, sitting on the Eyre Peninsula, offers accommodation ranging from upmarket resort style eco villas, holiday shacks and a budget camping ground.

While you're visiting the Eyre Peninsula, why not follow Australia's first Seafood and Aquaculture Trail. The trail brings together seafood, dining and aquaculture experiences to help you chart the journey of our delicious seafood from the sea to restaurant plates.

Only an hour north of Adelaide and 25 kilometres east of Port Wakefield, Balaklava is famous for its race course, home of the 100-year-old Balaklava Cup held every August or September which is the largest country race in South Australia.

Visitors also come for the 18-hole championship golf course, offering 6 kilometres of manicured fairway. The Balaklava Courthouse Gallery hosts work by local painters and potters, and Centenary Hall is one of two sites operated by Balaklava Museum and was purchased by the local branch of National Trust in 1975.

Join the friendly crowds at the annual Adelaide Plains Festival held across this region, featuring music, art and craft, golf and clay-pigeon shooting.

Nearby Rocks Reserve is a formation of rock carved by the waters of the River Wakefield. Enjoy the wildlife along the reserve's walking trails.

Balaklava is one of the main agricultural townships in the region, with the state rail network connecting grain silos from Balaklava, Owen, Nantawarra, and Long Plains to Adelaide. Balaklava is based around the beautiful River Wakefield and offers many lovely old buildings.

In 1849, Balaklava was a stopping point for bullock trains which traversed the Gulf Road from the Burra Burra copper mines to Port Wakefield. The town was surveyed in 1877 and named after the Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean War.

Balhannah is a pleasant Adelaide Hills village, popular for its roadside stalls, such as the Olde Apple Shed.

Balhannah boasts a renowned chocolate shop for pure indulgence. If wine tasting is your thing, be sure to visit Nepenthe Wines and Shaw and Smith, just out of town. The Balhannah Hotel is popular with locals. The Stanley Bridge Hotel and Maximilian’s Restaurant can be found nearby at Verdun.

Balhannah was founded by a Scottish immigrant named James Turnbull Thomas. There has long been controversy about the name he gave the village, since it may have been known at one time as Belhannah. His mother’s name was Belle and his sister was Hannah and Bel is Gaelic for village.

There is so much more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Barmera, with its ideal location on the shores of Lake Bonney, is one of South Australia's most popular aquatic playgrounds.

Throughout the year the town comes alive for many festivals and events. The Barmera Main Street Markets held once a month from February to April and October to December are no exception - you can try and buy local produce, arts and crafts.

Barmera has a range of accommodation including hotel, motels, country club, lakeside caravan parks, a backpacker hostel, bed and breakfast, self-contained cottages and numerous lakeside camping sites.

Barmera was named after the Barmera Aboriginal people that lived on the shores of Lake Bonney. The lake itself was named after Charles Bonney who saw it on the first overland trek from Sydney to Adelaide in 1838.

On and around Lake Bonney
Lake Bonney – full, fun and fantastic. In summer there are boats everywhere. The Yacht Club runs weekly races that are a great spectacle to watch from the shore. Canoeists and other boaters enjoy great fishing and sightseeing on the lake and adjoining wetlands abound with wildlife. It’s a freshwater lake and is popular with water-skiers, windsurfers and jet ski enthusiasts, and has excellent safe swimming areas.

Country Music Hall of Fame
A family-oriented town, Barmera boasts the SA Country Music Hall of Fame that displays extensive memorabilia. In June of each year the town hosts an important annual country music festival attended by people from all over Australia.

Napper’s Ruins
Located on the north side of Lake Bonney, Napper’s Ruins once stood strong as a hotel built for former workers of Cobdogla Station. It was originally called Lake Bonney Hotel and consisted of 11 rooms that included a well stocked bar and an eating room that could cater for 12 people. The hotel is now nothing more than ruins and includes interpretive information around the site.

Explore the many different river environments, from the floodplain and billabongs to the limestone cliffs on the Overland Corner Walking Trail. This trail explores the European and Aboriginal heritage of the area and features an ochre quarry with fossils.

Barmera, with its ideal location on the shores of Lake Bonney, is one of South Australia's most popular aquatic playgrounds.

Throughout the year the town comes alive for many festivals and events. The Barmera Main Street Markets held once a month from February to April and October to December are no exception. You can try and buy local produce, arts and crafts.

Barmera has a range of accommodation including hotel, motels, country club, lakeside caravan parks, a backpacker hostel, bed & breakfast, self-contained cottages and numerous lakeside camping sites.

Lake Bonney
In summer the Yacht Club runs weekly race and canoeists and other boaters can enjoy great fishing and sightseeing on the lake. The adjoining wetlands abound with wildlife. The lake is also popular with water-skiers, windsurfers and jet ski enthusiasts, and has excellent safe swimming areas.
To help you enjoy your time in Barmera kayaks, golf clubs, jet skis and tandem bikes are available for hire – enquire at the visitor information centre. There is also a free putt golf course and skate park adjacent to the lake.

Country Music Hall of Fame
A family-oriented town, Barmera boasts the SA Country Music Hall of Fame that displays extensive memorabilia. In June of each year the town hosts an important annual country music festival attended by people from all over Australia.

Wine, Dine and Produce
Dine overlooking the lake, golf course, vineyards or even a plant nursery at the Highway Fern Haven. Barmera offers diverse dining experiences and boutique wine tasting.

Historic Overland Corner Hotel and Walk
The historic Overland Corner Hotel, 18 kilometres north of Barmera is both a pub and a museum. Explore the many different river environments, from the floodplain and billabongs to the limestone cliffs on the Overland Corner Walking Trail. This trail explores the European and Aboriginal heritage of the area.

Heritage Tours
Discover the history of the town and its charming between-war architecture on the Barmera Heritage Walk. There are many historic sites in and around Barmera for those keen to learn more about the regions colonial and more recent past.

Australia’s wine capital features more than 80 cellar doors, less than two hours' drive from Adelaide.

Immerse yourself in a place where luxury retreats offer award-winning wines, world-class cuisine and panoramic views.

The Barossa is a great romantic escape. The hills and valleys have inspired many local artists, so take some time, just the two of you and escape here for the weekend. Spend the night in million-star accommodation under clear skies.

The Barossa has cool summers and rainy winters, which make it perfectly suited for red wine production, particularly Shiraz and richly flavoured Cabernet.
Nearby Eden Valley is less well known but also boasts a stellar reputation for premium wines. A higher altitude and cooler climate lends itself to Riesling and Chardonnay.

Unlike us, wine really doesn't enjoy travelling. If you have picked up a few treasured bottles, don't leave them in the car on a warm day! Many cellar doors offer specialist wine transport services, to make sure your precious cargo gets home safely.

In terms of a famed wine region, the roots of the Barossa stretch back to 1839 with the arrival of early settler Johannes Menge. Although a small community had established themselves in the small village of Lyndoch, it was Menge who saw the opportunity for wine. In fact, in April 1839 he described the district as, "The cream, the whole cream and nothing but the cream."

Aside from an amazing array of wines and wineries to discover, there are regional arts and a rich, pioneering history worth exploring, including the short-lived gold rush of the 1860s. Of course, with great wine comes great food. So make sure you leave enough time to sample all of the locally produced delights the Barossa has to offer.

All of this and more is available via a network of well signposted heritage trails that can be accessed by car or on foot.

The Visitor Information Centres at Gawler and Tanunda are open seven days a week and the friendly staff are always on hand to help you with your plans, so drop in and say hi.

Beachport is an isthmus with the sea on two sides and Lake George beside it. Sandy beaches stretch around Rivoli Bay offering great surf and safe swimming, while Bowman Scenic Drive allows visitors to explore the coastal dunes offering spectacular views of the rugged coast of the Southern Ocean.

The Beachport jetty is the second longest in South Australia. The jetty reaches out into the bay and is a popular spot for local and visiting anglers of all ages.

For the more adventurous explore Beachport Conservation Park by four wheel drive. Take in the coastal scenery, escape to secluded beaches and see intriguing shell middens. Take some time to explore Lake George and the magnificent bird life. Be sure to call into the Beachport Visitor Information Centre and collect a copy of their new four wheel drive maps and for up to date information.

'The Old Wool and Grain Store' National Trust museum tells the story of the district's past and provides an insight into the whaling history.

Woakwine Cutting 10 kilometres north of Beachport is where you will find Australia's biggest one-man engineering feat. The Cutting was created to drain swampland for pastoral use. A viewing platform has been erected and the accomplishment documented for all visitors to read.

Beachport also boasts a number of walking trails offering uninterrupted views of the picturesque bay and rugged coastline. The walks around town including the popular Lighthouse walk and lookout, or the Lagoon walk, Lanky's Walk, Wendy's Walk and the Jack and Hilda McArthur Walk.

Play the excellent golf course, sample some fine fare at local eateries or simply float your cares away at the Pool of Siloam. The Pool of Siloam is fed by underground springs with the water seven times saltier than seawater which provides fantastic buoyancy. Swim pontoons are provided at the pool.

Beachport has a variety of excellent accommodation ranging from classic beach holiday houses to four-star bed and breakfasts and provides the perfect stopover destination or base for day trips with major attractions and towns all within a short drive.

The once thriving settlement of Beltana is now little more than a picturesque ghost town. Today there is the licensed Beltana roadhouse and the Beltana heritage township 13 kilometres east of the main route between Hawker and Leigh Creek. However it is well worth the detour.

It was here that John Flynn worked as a clergyman in the Smith of Dunesk Mission before eventually establishing the Australian Inland Mission and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It is said that his work in Beltana inspired his later efforts to provide health care to those living in the outback.

Copies of the great little book Beltana Trails are available at the former Railway Station (now the Beltana Visitor Information Centre) and afford amazing insights into the town and its involvement in many defining Australian moments: some of the great inland explorations left from Beltana; a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph was established here; and Beltana Station was base for sheep and camel-breeding giants Thomas Elder and Robert Barr-Smith.

Berri is the commercial hub of the Riverland, set amongst a sea of vineyards. It's a popular riverside town and is surrounded by host a number of attractions worth visiting.

Walk the meandering two kilometre riverfront from Berri to the popular recreational and camping reserve at Martins Bend. Stop in at 919 Wines or Berri Estates, the largest winery and distillery in Australia, or Berri Direct for fruit juices, dried fruits and more.

Berri has a range of shopping facilities, accommodation and restaurants including the award-winning Mallee Fowl Restaurant, with good food served inside a former shearing shed filled with Australian memorabilia. For informal dining, try the modern Redgum Cafe, offering an alfresco experience on riverfront decking.

Visit Bella Lavender Estate and experience the aromatic fragrance of lavender set amongst a beautiful backdrop of family owned vineyards and olive trees. You can also relax and enjoy a cappuccino and home-made cake or try some of their lavender based products.

Just north of Berri is Monash Adventure Park. This fantastic family destination features giant swings, leaning towers, an exhilarating flying fox and more. Set amongst shady trees and water features, the park offers free barbecue facilities and free admission.

The name Berri is taken from an Aboriginal word 'bery bery' meaning 'bend in the river'.

Berri is in the heart of the Riverland and located on the Murray River and takes its name from the Aboriginal 'bery bery' which means 'bend in the river'.

Local produce outlets with notable names such as Berri Direct are located on the outskirts of the town, including Berri Estates, the largest winery and distillery in Australia, whilst a little further afield you will find CobbWebb Leadlight Studio and Gardens and Gills.

There are a variety of activities to partake in while in Berri including river sports, birdwatching safaris, scenic flights, walking trails, more information on all of these is available at the Visitor Information Centre, on Riverview Drive.

There is a mural under the bridge that depicts the Aboriginal heritage of the area and visit the monument that stands in tribute to Australia’s famous Aboriginal tracker, Jimmy James (born in 1910, died in 1991). Walk the meandering three-kilometre riverfront walk from Berri to the popular recreational and camping reserve at Martins Bend, where you can sit back and relax.

Berri is home to the multi-award-winning Mallee Fowl Restaurant is a rare experience: good food served inside an old shearing shed filled with an eclectic array of memorabilia and Australiana. The Redgum Cafe, unmistakable with its modern leaning architecture, offers alfresco informal dining on the riverfront decking - just follow the aroma of coffee. The smartly renovated Berri Resort Hotel has a good bistro offering pub classics, along with popular Asian and Italian dishes. During October visit the popular Riverland Food and Wine Festival on the riverbank at Berri, here you can taste great food and wine from all over the region.

Accommodation in the Berri area includes a country club, motel, hotel, houseboats, bed & breakfasts, a riverside caravan park and a backpacker hostel. Alternatively, pitch a tent at any of the numerous locations along the river, including the Murray River National Park - Katarapko.

The small village of Bethany is the site of the first German settlement in the Barossa.

It is one of the few surviving examples of a ‘hufendorf’, a democratic form of Silesian village layout, where each family had its own long strip of land stretching from the main street in front of the cottage to a common pasture bordered by a creek. Beautiful Herberge Christi Church is a focal point, alongside the old school buildings and opposite the pioneer cemetery with its distinctive 18th century revivalist ornamentation.

The street is still lined with many early cottages (most now private residences), with some faithful examples of early German peasant architecture.

Towards the hills is Bethany Reserve, a popular, peaceful and shady picnic location.

The Bethany Vineyard, owned by the fifth generation of the Schrapel family is nestled into the ranges at the top of Bethany Road and offers sweeping valley views.

Birdwood is an attractive Adelaide Hills village that's home to the popular National Motor Museum.

This museum tells the history of motoring in Australia and has an excellent collection of vintage cars - more than 300 in fact. It’s set in a beautiful complex by the River Torrens. The museum hosts special events each year including the Bay to Birdwood "Run" vintage event, held in September on even years. This is one of the world's great historic motoring events, with a spectacular list of more than 1800 vintage vehicles, complete with passengers in period dress.

The Bay to Birdwood "Classic" is held in September on odd years. More than 2,000 classic motor vehicles follow the route from Glenelg to Birdwood, followed by a day of pure classic entertainment at the museum.

Birdwood is the major town in the eastern Adelaide Hills. You'll find a traditional Australian pub and gallery that displays work by local artists, plus several cafes you can stop in. There are some good bushwalking and cycling trails in the area, including the famous Mawson Trail which is over 900 kilometres in length.

Birdwood was initially named Blumberg by the German settlers who farmed the area in the late 1840s.

Black Point's long stretch of sand lining a glistening bay makes it a popular destination for holiday makers.

Stay in a beachfront holiday home and soak up the ocean views. Relax while fishing, swimming, sailing, boating or crabbing - the perfect summer holiday.

Black Point is centrally located on eastern Yorke Peninsula, which is home to fantastic beachside towns, premier surfing destinations, heritage sites, great restaurants and more. Make Black Point your base as you explore this delightful region of South Australia.

Come to Blanchetown for its uncrowded waterways, sheltered river bends and sandy banks. This is a popular spot for waterskiers and you can also watch the large riverboats that pull into Blanchetown each week. Blanchetown's towering cliffs are famous for the grand views of their changing colours.

Attractions include the Brookfield Conservation Park - a breeding ground for Hairy-nosed Wombats - and the Burk Salter Wines cellar door.

This is where the Murray River's lock and weir water flow management system starts. The system was constructed along the river in the 1920s and 1930s to help control the water level so that cargo and paddle steamers would always be able to navigate the waterways.
The old bridge gives an excellent view of Lock 1. Here you can also get a great view of the large riverboats that pull into Blanchetown weekly.

This quiet township is in essence an informal holiday town made up of unpretentious river shacks for lovers of relaxed river days. The uncrowded waterways, sheltered river bends and sandy banks are popular with water-skiers in the summer months.

Although Blanchetown's towering cliffs are famous for the grand views of their changing colours, closer inspection reveals fossilised treasures such as starfish, shells and fish.

Blanchetown's history is full of quirky stories such as this: the Post Office building was originally intended to be a railway station, but the rail plans changed and no track was ever built. Discover more about its history by undertaking the Blanchetown Historical Walk. Pick up a copy of the booklet from various outlets in the town.

Blanchetown has a variety of accommodation including tourism award-winning Quality Houseboats, riverfront caravan parks, or bed and breakfasts.

Blinman sits at the northern edge of the Flinders Ranges National Park and is a good base for exploring this rugged, beautiful region of Australia.

Discover Aboriginal carvings, old homestead ruins, walking trails and rock pools. The rusting ruins of the Blinman mine now form an historic reserve, complete with interpretive information for self-guided tours. The sparse, hilly countryside makes for great four wheel drive journeys and bushwalks. South on the Wilpena Road is the 'Great Wall of China' - lines of rocks topped with ironstone which resemble the Chinese landmark.

To the north-east are the Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Also near Blinman are the ruins of Artimore Station and the Nuccaleena Mine, which can be accessed via pastoral access routes. There are self-drive, tag-a-long and guided four-wheel-drive tours available.

The town offers facilities including a hotel and motel, shearers’ quarters and beautifully restored cottage accommodation.

In 1859 Robert Blinman discovered copper here. The Blinman Mine was the largest mine in the Flinders Ranges and was worked extensively up to 1908.

The area located on the western side of the Clare Hills, alternates from hilly in the east, to flat in the west. Graziers settled the area in the middle 1800s. The railway helped to develop the town of Blyth and it was once quite a large centre.

Now Blyth is a quaint country town. Its hills offer stunning views of the western plains, with a scenic patchwork of colours created by different crops, especially in spring and autumn. Join the short interpretative botanical walking trail.

First proclaimed in 1860, the Hundred of Blyth was named in honour of Sir Arthur Blyth who arrived in South Australia as a teenager with his parents in 1839 and went on to become a successful business man and parliamentarian. The town of Blyth was created in 1875.

In Blyth it is the original German Saint Petrie Kirche Lutheran Church that will delight the visitor. Whilst the 1886 building with its tall steeple is a timely reminder of the many nationalities that first settled in this area, today the building is the Medika Gallery.

With Mount Remarkable as a spectacular backdrop, Booleroo Centre is the hub of a rich agricultural area 17 kilometres east of Melrose.

Booleroo Centre is home to South Australia's largest collection of steam and traction engines. Look through more than 150 machines housed at the local museum. Every April, steam enthusiasts from across the country come to Booleroo Centre for its annual rally.

Together with the twin farming community of Murraytown, Booleroo Centre has many points of interest and can provide a range of basic facilities for the tourist.

Follow one of the scenic drives and lookouts such as Box Hill, Magners Hill and Baroota Nob.

Booleroo Centre Hotel offers comfortable, affordable accommodation with shared facilities in four large queen size rooms in a superbly refurbished hotel. Dine in Arbons Restaurant with its 120 year old polished boards, or relax in the bar and the revamped Gossip Lounge. The cafe lounge and art gallery are open daily for lunch or sumptuous coffee and cake.

Situated on the Dukes Highway, Bordertown is the entry point from Victoria for many visitors to the Limestone Coast. Birthplace of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke and home to Australia's only known colony of white kangaroos Bordertown is ideal as a stopover point or as a touring base for the surrounding Tatiara district.

Visit the Bob Hawke Gallery in Woolshed Street, pick up a copy of the interpretive walk from the Visitor Information Centre in beautiful Tolmer Park or travel to nearby Poocher Swamp, a wetlands reserve set among magnificent red gums several centuries old, for a picnic or spot of yabbying.

Bordertown is also the Southern Gateway to Ngarjat and Big Desert National Parks offering four wheel drive enthusiasts a chance to see the beautiful, rugged environment up close.

Nestled within the Adelaide Hills, Bridgewater provides a pleasant village retreat.

Delight in Bridgewater's European gardens and lines of deciduous trees along the creek.

Grab the brochure, "Two Walks in Bridgewater", which covers most of the historic buildings in Bridgewater including the Millers Cottage (1860), the Bridgewater Mill, the Bridgewater Inn, the General Store (1877) and the Old Police Station. Both walks are ideal ways to experience the beauty of the area.

The elegant Bridgewater Mill Restaurant provides exquisite meals and fine wine at this restored flour mill, where the giant waterwheel still turns. The Bridgewater Mill also houses the cellar door for Petaluma's famous wines and the cellars where the company's sparkling wines are made. Enjoy wine tasting and sit outside to dine while overlooking the spectacular waterwheel or inside the renovated historic building.

There is more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Brighton Beach is a little south of Glenelg. It has an art deco feel, jetty, cafés and restaurants.

Recline in the sunshine out the front of the many lovely cafes. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and a walk along the wide, sandy beach.

At the beach end of Jetty Road stands a grand memorial to Australian soldiers who fought in the first World War. The Anzac Memorial attracts a large crowd each Anzac Day dawn (25 April).

The Brighton Surf Life Saving Club is based at Brighton Beach, you’ll feel safe knowing that they’re nearby. The Brighton Jetty Classic occurs each year at the surf life saving club. There are a series of swimming competition events for various levels of swimmers. It is held in February and is accompanied by the
Brilliant Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures event, inspired by the Cottlesloe Sculptures by the Sea event held in Western Australia.

Grab some fish and chips and nestle in the sand while waves wash up the shore. After a busy day in the sun (or not so busy) this is a blissful way to spend a summer evening.

If you’ve got energy to burn, go south and walk along the cliffs and trails down the coast. You can catch a spectacular view of the city.

Bruce, between picturesque Wilmington and Quorn, lies on the Willochra Plain surrounded by the Flinders Ranges and the Horseshoe Range.

Mount Remarkable, Mount Brown and Moockra Tower are among many landmarks that can be seen and explored from this 1880s settlement.

Bruce has three cottages, a memorial institute and a railway station that has been restored. The railway line is still in existence from Bruce to Quorn, and is owned by the Pichi Richi Railway Society.

During Bruce's settlement, settlers were allocated a square mile, 640 acre blocks of land of what had been open pastoral holdings. In the 1890s drought forced many settlers off their properties and in most cases the land was reverted to grazing for sheep and cattle.

Burra is one of the most beautifully preserved towns in South Australia.

This former copper mining town is listed on the National Estate Register and also declared a State Heritage Area.

Today you can explore the town using Burra’s Heritage Passport Trail. Armed with a charming little guidebook and your own key which you collect from the Burra Visitor Information Centre, you'll drive past 49 fascinating sites and learn why Burra was once South Australia's copper central. The 11 kilometre route includes Redruth Gaol, the Monster Mine and "Creek Street", where 1600 people lived in dugouts along the riverbank. The Heritage Passport Trail also provides access to three museums throughout the town, all with fantastic interpretation.

Burra is also a great place to look for art and antiques. Don't miss Thorogoods of Burra, a boutique cider brewery. You'll also find walking trails, a golf club, bike hire, accommodation and more.

The great Burra Jinker holds pride of place in Market Square. It was once pulled by some 40 bullocks, four abreast. Straining to the vivid exhortations of six bullock drivers under the leadership of William Woollacott, they hauled the massive jinker for three months, on a 100 mile journey from Adelaide. In April 2001 the Jinker was included in the BankSA Heritage Icons List.

Burra began with the discovery of copper in 1845, by shepherds Thomas Pickett and William Streair. A number of townships soon developed - the South Australian Mining Association town of Kooringa, plus Redruth (Cornish) Aberdeen (Scottish) Llywchwr (Welsh) and Hampton (English).

By 1851, the settlement now collectively known as Burra had a population of 5,000, second only to Adelaide with a population of 18,000. After the closure of the Monster Mine in 1877, the town became a service centre for an extensive agricultural and pastoral area.

Less than half an hour's drive from Burra you can explore the Mongolata Goldfield, part of which is still operating. You can picnic at Burra Creek Gorge or discover the old copper refinery ruins at Apoinga.

Nestled on the southern tip of Lacepede Bay, Cape Jaffa offers a peaceful alternative to the busier Kingston and Robe. This seaside village provides the ideal setting for a relaxed family holiday, offering plenty of scope for many water activities such as fishing, swimming and scuba diving over the wonderful reefs and snorkelling around the safe swimming beaches. For an experience to remember, explore the underwater world and varied life of Margaret Brock Reef. Seals, dolphins and penguins can often be seen close to shore.

The Mount Benson wine region is one of the Limestone Coast's newest official wine regions, boasting more than 600 hectares of vines and seven cellar doors. The moderate climate, together with the terra rossa soil, produce premium Cabernet, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

So what are you waiting for? Don some diving gear and explore Margaret Brock Reef, catch dinner off the jetty and enjoy a local wine with the evening meal.

Cape Jervis is the jumping off point for daily car and passenger ferry services to Kangaroo Island. It's a 45 minute journey that reveals the spectacular coastline of this part of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Cape Jervis is a popular base for fishermen, with good boat, jetty and beach fishing. Climb aboard a fishing charter or take a cruise along the coast. Bushwalkers can stretch their legs through nearby Deep Creek Conservation Park or start out on the four day Heysen Trail walk to Victor Harbor.

Cape Jervis is on Tourist Route 52 and part of the Fleurieu Way Tourist Drive.

You'll also find holiday unit and cabin accommodation there.

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience and top fishing spots. It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842 and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There's also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

Carpenter Rocks is situated on the coastline, 37 kilometres west of Mount Gambier on the Limestone Coast.

It has a beautiful bay, which provides a safe haven for the many fishing boats moored there.

Cape Banks Lighthouse sits approximately four kilometres from the town and is the area where the Admella was wrecked in 1859, resulting in the loss of 84 lives.

Also nearby are Canunda National Park and Lake Bonney. The lake is ideal for sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, skiing, boating and fishing.

Carrickalinga is a tiny coastal village that's become a popular holiday retreat, thanks to its white sandy beach and fabulous views over Roma Mitchell Bay and Yankalilla Bay.

The HMAS Hobart was sunk nearby and is an exciting diving attraction. It was originally one of Australia's great naval destroyers and is now Australia's most accessible war wreck. A short 10 minute boat ride from Marina St Vincent, the Hobart enjoys underwater visibility of more than 10 metres most of the year.

You'll find plenty of quality coastal accommodation in Carrickalinga. It also offers reef snorkelling and fishing, making Carrickalinga a treasured location. The best approach is from the north via Myponga Reservoir to enjoy dramatic coastal views.

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience and top fishing spots.

It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842 and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There's also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

Carrieton was named in 1878 after the daughter of Governor Jervois. This small but extremely enchanting town is surrounded by gum lined creeks. Carrieton has many attractions nearby, including the Yanyarrie Whim, Moockra Tower and the Horseshoe Range.

The annual Carrieton Campdraft, held in November each year, is one of the biggest and most popular in South Australia. Thousands of people come from all over Australia to either participate in, see, or soak up the atmosphere of the Carrieton Campdraft.

Sitting on the sweeping shores of Murat Bay, Ceduna is blessed with blue skies most days of the year and has excellent tourist facilities, including five caravan parks and four motels.

In Ceduna, you can relax while diving, sailing, taking in a scenic walk or drive or heading to nearby sandy swimming beaches.

Ceduna boasts rich Aboriginal cultural ties and a proud history in the agricultural, seafood and mining sectors. It's the last major town on the drive west to Perth and the first after crossing the Nullarbor from Western Australia.

But it's much more than a resting place. Today, its annual Oysterfest is gaining national acclaim and the Ceduna Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Centre is a must for anyone with an eye for unique Aboriginal and contemporary arts. There's also a golf course and National Trust Museum.

Christies Beach is one of Adelaide's popular family beaches.

It provides safe swimming for all ages, with a large foreshore reserve for picnics, gatherings and other outdoor activities.

A well used, all season boat ramp provides access to many good fishing grounds near to Christies Beach. There's also a large shopping precinct providing an extensive range of services nearby.

Clare

A pretty country town at the centre of one of South Australia's premier wine regions, Clare offers fine dining, panoramic views and secluded accommodation.

Just north of the town is one of South Australia's finest country racecourses, along with a cluster of wineries: Mt Surmon, Cardinham and Phoenix Estate. Wineries in and around Clare include the much-lauded Tim Adams and Knappstein (in the old Enterprise Brewery). Clare is also at the northern end of the Riesling Trail. Bike hire is available from Riesling Trail Bike Hire located directly on the Riesling Trail.

Choose from a gourmet food and wine experience, to traditional pub grub. Enjoy the view from Salt 'n' Vines Bar and Bistro, or indulge in the relaxed, vineyard atmosphere at The Last Word Inn. Clare Asian Restaurant and Clare Chinese are both located in the heart of town.

There are three pubs in town, all within a couple of minutes walk of each other. For nightlife, the Bentley's Hotel at the southern end of the main street features live bands at weekends.

For those with a sporting interest, there's the highly rated Clare Golf Course, as well as tennis courts and bowling greens. Spare the time to browse through a number of specialty shops and be sure to look out for local handicrafts and produce.

If you want accommodation venues with large capacity, Clare has several motels, a very well-appointed caravan park and a country club - all ideal locations for large groups. There are also a number of charming bed and breakfasts and some apartment-style accommodation for those who prefer a secluded getaway.

Visitor Information: Clare Visitor Information Centre, Corner Main North Road and Spring Gully Road, Clare. Telephone: (08) 8842 2131 or
freecall 1800 242 131.

Attractions include the Riesling Trail, cellar doors, golf course, olive oil tasting, Bungaree Station and great restaurants.

Polish Hill River Valley
The drive between Mintaro and Sevenhill is especially scenic. It is home to the Polish Hill River Valley, a notable wine sub-region. It takes its name from the Polish settlement that occurred in the 1850s along the upper reaches of the Hill River. The local history is recorded in the restored church, which now acts as a museum.

Annie's Lane Vineyard is here, though the cellar door is near Watervale. Annie was the wife of a migrant. As for the 'Lane', it was where her cart got bogged! The Wilson Vineyard and Pikes Wines are nestled in the floor of the valley; while Pauletts perches high on the hill-face, providing heart-stopping views.

Attractions include cellar doors, Quarry Hill lookout and the Polish church museum.

Armagh and Blyth
The winding hills around the village of Armagh are becoming well known as the home of gourmet olive oils. Visit Patly Terrace Gallery for a tasting. Jim Barry Wines produce the world-renowned 'Armagh Shiraz' from vines grown in the area.

For stunning views of the western plains, continue your climb through the hills to Blyth. The scenic patchwork of colours created by different crops is a treat for all visitors, especially in spring and autumn. Pack a gourmet picnic and stop in at the Brooks Lookout to take advantage of the view. For nature buffs, there is a short interpretative botanical walking trail, with up to 100 plants of remnant vegetation. Don't miss a visit to Medika Gallery, housed in the original German St Petrie Kirche Lutheran Church.

Farrell Flat
To the south west of Burra is Farrell Flat, home to one of the region's two airstrips catering for light aircraft. Farrell Flat was originally a stopover point for bullock and mule teams transporting copper ore to Burra. You can learn more about the town's history at the interpretive centre, located in the main street Community Gardens.

The picturesque Clare Valley is one place you will want to stay longer. From world class wineries and food producers, the famous Riesling Trail cycling trail, to historic mining agricultural and rail towns there is something for every-one.

The township of Clare itself offers fine dining, panoramic views and a variety of accommodation options.

The Riesling Trail runs from Clare to Auburn and bike hire is available from several outlets through-out the region. They are happy to pick you up or drop you off so you can make the journey your own.

Possibly the most famous winery along the route is Sevenhill Cellars, founded by the Jesuit’s in 1851 to produce sacramental wine, a function which continues today. Whilst you are there take time to visit the magnificent Saint Aloysius Church and crypt.

From Sevenhill, you will find the drive to Mintaro extremely scenic. This area is known as the Polish River Valley, itself a notable wine sub region. Settled in the 1850’s the local history is recorded in the restored church, now museum.

Mintaro is a Stage Heritage Listed area. Stroll the main streets of the little village where you will find beautiful old stone churches, antique shops and art galleries. Whilst in the area make sure you visit the stately Martindale Hall, where you can tour, or even stay overnight in the grand mansion dating back to 1879. The Mintaro Maze provides hours of fun for children of all ages.

Approximately 30 minutes drive north east of Clare is the Copper mining town of Burra. The best way to explore this town is via the Burra Heritage Passport Trail which you can collect at the Burra Visitor Centre. Nearby Kapunda is where copper was first found.

To the south of Clare you will find the picturesque rural towns of Jamestown and Spalding. Stop for a picnic in the beautiful Bundaleer Forest, or enjoy the hospitality at the magnificently restored North Bundaleer Homestead.

To the north of Burra, you will be greeted with what remains of once bustling rural townships. They all have their own story to tell about how they came to be, although most now just serve as small service centres for surrounding properties. All have escaped modern development, however and you truly do 'step back in time' when you enter these historic townships.

Mount Bryan

Just a short drive north from Burra is Mount Bryan, a small service town renowned for its quality merino studs, notably Collinsville. Both the Mawson and Heysen trails pass nearby here, with basic accommodation available for weary walkers at the old Mount Bryan School House. Approximately 20 kilometres north is the Mount Bryan East Road, which takes you to the birthplace of Sir Hubert Wilkins, one of Australia's greatest adventurers and Arctic explorers. This cottage has recently been restored into a memorial depicting the architecture of Australian pioneering farming families. Stop at the Mount Bryan or Hallett hotels to obtain a key for entry into the cottage.

How quickly times change in the harsh era of the pastoral pioneers. Hardly had the cry died down after the tragic loss of Henry Bryan, from whom the township's name evolved, when much of the Mount Bryan district was transformed from a wild and dangerous wasteland to a district which became one of the colony's richest sheep runs. With Burra not far away, it had no need to grow. Its role has always been to provide services on a local scale, so on your way through, call in and have a beer at the Mount Bryan Hotel.

Hallett

Hallett lies within the northern area of the Mount Lofty Ranges. It was the birthplace of the aviator, Sir Hubert Wilkins. From a pile of rubble and a lonely chimney, it has at last been transformed to its former glory - that of a homestead. As the birthplace of Sir Hubert, it is a fitting honour to a great pioneering aviator, explorer, writer and naturalist. Today you can visit the reconstructed home of this great Australian at Mount Bryan East. The town's story follows the pattern of others in the area, with a population of approximately 100. It does allow the visitor the opportunity to visit a town of historic importance. While you are in Hallett, be sure to call into the Wildongoleeche Hotel.

Located on the Barrier Highway, Hallet is renowned for its quality merino studs, notably Collinsville. Take the 'Dare's Hill Circuit' scenic drive from Hallett, through majestic blue bush country. Pocket a guidebook to discover the history of the imposing ruins and learn why the pioneer communities found it necessary to simply desert their homes and livelihoods. You will stumble surprisingly across Dare's Hill and marvel at the spectacular panorama stretching for miles. Continue along until you reach the highway once again, then on to the historic town of Terowie.

To the east of Hallett is Tooralie Homestead. Here you can relax and soak up the country air, whilst sitting around a camp fire with friends. Bring your swag, tent, caravan or experience silver service dining and bed and breakfast in the main homestead.

Terowie

Once a prosperous railway town known as 'the hub of the north', Terowie appears relatively untouched by the modern era. On arrival, you will soon appreciate why it was declared a historic township in 1985. Stroll through the expansive main street to discover shop facades still in original condition. You will find charming buildings that once housed a blacksmith and newspaper office. Look out for the Pioneer Gallery, where you can view a display of the town's photographic and archival records. Make sure that you visit the old railway station. Here you will see the plaque marking the spot where United States General Douglas MacArthur delivered his famous ''I shall return'' speech, after retreating from the Philippines to Melbourne during the depths of the Second World War. Terowie was the site of a huge military transit camp in those days.

The town of Terowie occupied a unique position within the rail network. Passengers and goods came through Terowie, to be transferred from one gauge to another. The railway yards were a hive of activity. Terowie's population numbered more than 2000 at its peak. In 1969 the broad gauge was extended to Peterborough and the station became a whistle stop. With the major employment base gone, the town's population declined to 130 and it appeared that it would become a ghost town. However the last years of the twentieth century attracted new businesses and the refurbishment of many historic buildings. During your visit, be sure to drop into the Pioneer Gallery, where you can browse through a photographic display of the town's history, before heading to the Terowie Hotel for refreshments. The Old Terowie Hospital Retreat is now a bed and breakfast, offering visitors a truly unique experience.

Peterborough

The historic railway town of Peterborough is a must for train enthusiasts. The majesty of the great steam era has been well preserved. Take the time to explore the walking and driving trails, or take a guided tour for a further insight into Peterborough's railway heritage. Visit Steamtown, the only place left in the southern hemisphere where three different rail gauges still exist. There are also two museums and the only Government owned gold battery in South Australia.

Jamestown

Travel west to Jamestown, a picturesque rural township with beautifully maintained gardens and gracious stone buildings. Stroll along the manicured main street and look out for the wall murals adorning many heritage buildings. Wander down to the meandering creek and enjoy the serenity of the bird life – this is 'a must' if you happen to be there in the evening, as the creek becomes alive with lights. On your way to Spalding, stop in at the beautiful Bundaleer Forest for a picnic lunch, or simply enjoy the many historical and botanical walks.

Spalding

Travelling south to Spalding, stop in at the beautiful Bundaleer Forest for a picnic lunch or enjoy the many fascinating historical and botanical walks.

For those who enjoy the finer things in life, visit the North Bundaleer Homestead, now a country retreat. A charming farming community is renowned as the location of the largest water catchment area within South Australia. If you enjoy fishing, head out to the Broughton River, just south of the town where you will find large numbers of trout. On your journey south, stop in at Geralka Rural Farm for a tour of the replica Wheal Sarah Copper Mine – an experience not to be missed. Children can view the farm animals and also take a ride on a wagon pulled by a team of magnificent Clydesdales.

Brinkworth

Travelling east you will find Brinkworth, a township settled in 1892 after the Victorian gold rush, primarily to service the surrounding pastoralists and farmers. Today, Brinkworth continues to provide these services and is also home to a several bed and breakfasts that mainly cater for larger groups.

Snowtown

The expansion of farming in the north saw the settlement of Snowtown on a rapid scale to cater for the growing number of farmers. Snowtown remains a service centre today, providing essential services for the district and a rest for motorists on the busy Stuart Highway.

Booborowie

Booborowie is an Aboriginal word meaning 'round water hole.' The original Bungaree 24-stand shearing shed still stands and this building was the centre of the district's social life. A cluster of solid outbuildings demonstrates the quality of East Bungaree's halcyon years. The Booborowie Hotel is great for a nice meal on Saturday night.

The town of Clayton hugs a small, shallow bay dotted by reedy islands. More experienced boat owners and fishermen head for the open waters of Lake Alexandrina, just minutes away.

Clayton is perched across the river from the north-east tip of Hindmarsh Island on the Murray River, Lake Alexandrina, the Coorong Waterway and the myriad of protected creeks and channels which surround the islands of the Mundoo Hindmarsh Island system.

It's home to the Clayton Bay Classic Picnic - an annual casual gathering for those interested in classic motorcars, sailing boats, aeroplanes, model trains, motorcycles and other vehicles. People are invited to bring a picnic to Clayton Bay for a day of show and tell on the foreshore.

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience and top fishing spots.

It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842 and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There's also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

The District Council of Cleve is situated on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, between Whyalla and Port Lincoln, and is characterised by panoramic views, cereal crops, sandy beaches and some of the best fishing in Australia.

Cleve has all major shops, varied accommodation and great country sports facilities including a 18 hole golf course running along a creek bed.

Visit the National Trust listed Old Council Chambers, housing a museum of early day heritage attractions. Stand atop the look-out adjacent to the town, offering fine panoramic views.

An attractive scenic drive follows the line of the Cleve-Cowell Hills, offering you fine views of the plains and Spencer Gulf. It is not uncommon to spot emus, kangaroos or mallee fowls during this drive.

The township was surveyed in 1878 and Cleve was proclaimed on 6 March 1879, named by Governor Jervois after his cousin's county seat in Devon, England. The new town was only 27 kilometres from the shipping port of Arno Bay. Cleve is a unique inland Eyre Peninsula town in that it is not serviced by either rail or Ausbulk silo.

Cobdogla is a small irrigation settlement about five kilometres west of Barmera in the Riverland.

It's home to the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum, originally the pumping station for the district's vineyards and horticultural crops. Here, you can see pumping equipment and all manner of the machinery used in the development of the district's irrigation system, including the mighty Humphrey Pumps - the only remaining examples in the world.

One of these pumps is demonstrated during the four main open days during each year, often attracting visitors from the United Kingdom where the pumps were designed and built.

Cobdogla offers a caravan park, licensed club, general store and fuel is available.

It has an historic pumping station that formerly supplied the Barmera and Cobdogla area and was first settled as a pastoral base in 1851.

The original settlement of Arno Vale was settled by John Hallett in 1840, on the fringe of where the current settlement lies. It was later named for the flocks of cockatoos that congregated in the ancient old gums surrounding the town. Its convenient rural location – only 8km from Gawler – has seen recent land subdivisions for people seeking a country lifestyle. The Barossa Goldfields, Sandy Creek and Para Wirra Conservation Parks are a short drive away. The local general store can provide fuel and provisions seven days a week.

Coffin Bay Township is located west of Port Lincoln, on the shores of one of the most beautiful estuaries in Australia. The visitor is offered an unparalleled scenic view of meandering waterways with bays, channels and inlets. They provide a variety of fishing to excite both the amateur and professional fisherman. It is an unspoilt family holiday retreat, so much so that its permanent population of around 600 swells to over 4,000 in summer, an indication of its popularity. Coffin Bay provides the ultimate escape from big city pressures. There are very few locations more ideally suited for fishing (rock, surf, angling and boat), or as safe for boating, sailing, swimming, water-skiing, skin-diving and wind-surfing.

Accommodation is provided by way of a hotel/motel, holiday units and houses, beach shacks, cabins and a caravan park. Camping is also permitted within the nearby National Park areas, for those who prefer a wilderness environment (a permit is required).

Coffin Bay also boasts a yacht club, nine-hole golf course, bowling green, an award winning restaurant, two general stores, post office with internet access and much more.

Oyster farming is a thriving industry in Coffin Bay, with approximately 100 people employed either on the leases or back on shore in the sorting sheds. Fresh oysters are available from various locations in the town; you can even purchase them directly from the grower.

Renowned for its recreational fishing, charter trips may be arranged to the offshore game fishing areas. Boat owners are catered for by a modern pontoon style launching ramps, which are floodlit at night and protected by groynes for easier boat handling. The Yacht Club jetty mooring area is popular with trailer-sailors.

In the opal mining outpost of Coober Pedy, half the population lives in underground dugouts to escape high temperatures in summer. It's a fascinating and friendly place to visit, and a must-do on your Outback holiday.

Only in Coober Pedy will you find a underground hotels, restaurants, bars, an underground church, and a golf course without a blade of grass.

Coober Pedy has some 4000 residents from more than 40 countries. Taking its name from the Aboriginal word "kupa" (uninitiated man or white man) and "piti" (hole), Coober Pedy produces most of the world's opals. Its opal fields, discovered in 1913 by 14-year-old Willie Hutchison, cover an area of 4,954 square kilometres and consist of 70 individual fields.

Try your luck at "noodling" (fossicking) at various spots around town; get a great insight into the history of Coober Pedy at the Old Timers Mine and Museum or Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, then buy up big at more than 30 shops.

Town tours feature underground homes and opal mines, an art gallery and pottery. There's also a host of awesome natural landscapes, including the Painted Desert, the Moon Plain and the Breakaways. Incidentally, these great desert locations have attracted film makers from around world, for movies including 'Fire in the Stone', 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome', 'Ground Zero', 'Pitch Black' and Val Kilmer's, 'Red Planet'.

You can tag along with the famous Outback Mail Run to Oodnadatta and William Creek, or join the nightly Star Gazing Tour on the Moon Plain.

Visit over Easter for the annual Coober Pedy Opal Festival (featuring events from the fun to the outrageous), or in October for the Coober Pedy Races.

Lazy days on the beach ...

Coobowie is a great destination for your next relaxed, easygoing holiday. The beach is a top spot for swimming and fishing, as well as making for delightful sandy walks. There's beachside accommodation available, including villas and a caravan park. Enjoy the friendly local welcome and slow pace.

You'll find other great coastal towns nearby, including Stansbury and Edithburgh, which both offer boat ramps and jetties. If you'd like to explore the region by foot, try the Stansbury Coastal Trail or Edithburgh Environmental Walk. It's a chance to exercise and take in some wide sea views.

Coobowie is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. It's just one of many Yorke Peninsula towns offering a fantastic coastal getaway. Be sure to book your accommodation early during the summer season!

Did you know: In 1838 because the area around the bay was so beautiful, the explorers assumed there must be fresh water. After travelling 40 kilometres inland and finding none, they named Coobowie, 'Deception Bay'.

Located on the Dukes Highway, between Tailem Bend and Tintinara, Coonalpyn is central to an emerging olive industry - which is perfectly suited to its semi-arid climate. In town, the train line underpass to the dog exercise park is well worth a look and contains the artwork "Tunnel Vision". The series of murals depicting the town history were painted by students and community groups.

If you like rich, colourful wines, you’ll love Coonawarra. Coonawarra is the Limestone Coast’s main wine region. Often called Australia’s “other red centre”, its premium red wines have won many awards. Its Cabernet Sauvignon is internationally renowned and its Shiraz isn’t far behind. The region’s terra rossa soil (red soil found on limestone) is perfect for grape growing.

Coonawarra is a small region, only 20 kilometres in length and two kilometres in diameter. Despite this, it is home to more than 24 cellar doors. They’re close together and well signposted, so you’ll find them easily.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate produced the first vintage in 1896 and is now one of the region’s most recognisable wineries. Make your own blend on a unique winemaking experience. Take home your own personalised bottle.

Taste several Coonawarra labels under one roof at the Coonawarra Wine Gallery. Try Jamieson’s Run, Mildara and Lindeman’s Coonawarra range. There’s also a cheese platter, tea, coffee and ales.

Hollick Wines’ cellar door is modern and features a restaurant. Its floor to ceiling windows enable visitors to see into its barrel shed.

Watch the winemakers at work at Leconfield Wines. Leconfield is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, which is more fruit than oak-driven.

Stay overnight at the Yalumba Menzies Retreat. With beautiful views over the surrounding environment, taste the premium Menzies’ wine range.
Zema Estate is a family owned and operated winery. The family proudly uses the “vine to wine” process, hand pruning the vines, bottling and packaging it on-site.

Relax on the decking and admire the roses at Balnaves of Coonawarra. Try award-winning wine at its cellar door.

Two bronze stallions mark the entrance to Rymill Coonawarra. See the winemaking process unfold from the elevated viewing platforms.

With a big reputation for reds, Coonawarra is the perfect place to compare them. Its wineries are so close together, it’s easy to visit a few in a day.

Of course, you could stay longer.

Tourists have been known to travel for miles for a bite of bush baking at the Quandong Cafe in Copley.

Here you can join the twice-weekly mail run to nearby stations and Aboriginal communities at Nepabunna and Iga Warta and also see the Mount of Light copper mine and Copley's historic two-storey Leigh Creek Hotel.

To the east of Copley, the road leads to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and the rugged Gammon Ranges National Park. Nineteen kilometres north are the Leigh Creek coalfields. Continuing north, the road goes on to Lyndhurst - gateway to the Outback desert parks run by National Parks and Wildlife South Australia.

Originally named Leigh Creek after a nearby pastoral holding, it was surveyed in 1891 and officially named Copley after William Copley, Commissioner of Crown lands. The Great Northern Railway made its way to the town in 1881.

Sitting on the north west tip of the Yorke Peninsula, Corny Point is a delightful seaside town.

Corny Point offers sheltered beaches. It also offers some excellent surf beaches within 15 minutes drive, including Rock Pool, Salmon Hole, Daly Head and Berry Bay. Enjoy a wide variety of water sports, time to relax and some amazing scenery. From Corny Point to Point Turton, you'll find some wonderful rock and beach fishing, offering Salmon, Snook and Trevally.

It's an easy drive away from Innes National Park and Stenhouse Bay and some great coastal drives - making it the perfect base for travelling the foot of Yorke Peninsula.

Corny Point is 260 kilometres from Adelaide and you can find accommodation in the Corny Point Caravan Park, as well as local holiday homes.

It was named Corny Point by Captain Flinders in 1802, due to the fact that it looks like a growth on the toe of the Yorke Peninsula. The town was originally established as a place for a lighthouse, which was completed in 1882 and is 12.2 metres high. Built of local limestone, it was initially serviced by a head keeper and assistant. The lighthouse ceased being manned in 1920.

Coulta is a small country community, situated at the foot of Marble Range, in picturesque sheep and cereal farming country.

A short drive takes you to the beautiful, tranquil beaches for surf fishing, diving, board surfing or sunbathing. These beaches are Coles, Greenly and Convention Beach, the latter being famous for its salmon fishing. A large salt lake, Lake Greenly can be seen at the foot of Mount Greenly - an area frequented by hang-gliding enthusiasts. Some 35 kilometres north of Coulta is a stretch of highway between Mount Hope and Sheringa. It runs tantalisingly close to some of the most spectacular coastline to be found on Eyre Peninsula.

Cummings Monument Lookout, 60 kilometres south of Elliston, affords an uninterrupted view from Point Drummond in the south to the rugged cliffs of Sheringa in the north. It is also home to a family of osprey, which nest on a craggy pinnacle adjacent to the lookout. The lookout is serviced by a short, well-formed access road and carpark, with plenty of room for caravans. It is well worth a stop for tourists travelling the Flinders Highway between Port Lincoln and Ceduna.

Cowell is a seaside town on the Eyre Peninsula offering interesting attractions, a variety of accommodation and a fascinating history.

Franklin Harbour, a 48 square kilometre natural harbour with calm, fish filled waters, has for many years fostered Cowell's reputation as one of the best fishing destinations in South Australia and now it's also helping to put Cowell on the map as an oyster producer.

Franklin Harbour's popularity has been backed by many foreshore developments including the deepening of the boating channel, a new enclosed tidal aquatic area, sheltered barbecue facilities and a large adventure playground.

There's also plenty to do away from the water. Cowell boasts one of the largest jade deposits in the world and the famed Gumnuts children's author May Gibbs spent part of her life here. Settled in 1853, Cowell has developed into a substantial township with a variety of shops, telecentre with internet access, accommodation and sporting facilities.

Cowell jade is recognised as the oldest and one of the largest deposits in the world, discovered in 1965, with a variety of colours and patterns not found anywhere else. There are souvenirs, cut jade, jewellery and some of the most colourful marble available at the Cowell Jade Motel Showroom.

Oyster farming is a relatively new but thriving industry in this community, with an increasingly large percentage of South Australia's oyster supply coming from Cowell.

Eyre Peninsula's largest wind farm is the Mount Millar Wind Farm is operational on an escarpment approximately 38 kilometres from Cowell travelling towards Cleve. From the public viewing area at the top of Range Road see the enormous two-megawatt wind turbines with a blade diameter of 71 metres atop an 85 metre tall tower – a total height of 120 metres. The viewing area is signposted at 17 kilometres from Cowell on the Cowell-Cleve Road and is open to the public seven days a week.

May Gibbs Memorial - approximately 10 kilometres from Cowell on the Cleve Road. A memorial and plaque marks the nearby location of the first Australian home of renowned children's author May Gibbs.

Established in 1878, the town takes its name from the then Governor of South Africa, Sir John Cradock. There was once a school, police station, two hotels, two blacksmith shops and a saddler situated in Cradock, which is now virtually a ghost town. Any hopes of a thriving community died when grain growing proved impossible, however the remaining old sandstone buildings are fascinating and a delight to view.

No visit to Cradock is complete without wining and dining at the lovely Cradock Hotel, one of the few businesses to continue to operate in this pretty Flinders ghost town.

Largely regarded as the gateway to the Adelaide Hills, Crafers is one of the oldest towns in the region.

Adelaide’s highest peak, Mount Lofty Summit (710 metres), is a three minute drive from Crafers and there is an excellent Visitor Information Centre and cafe at its peak.

Other Crafers attractions include the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens - which has an extensive collection of deciduous trees, rhododendrons and a fern gully - and wonderful Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can see and interact with South Australian wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos.

The nearby market gardens and vineyards of Piccadilly and Summertown provide an ideal backdrop for a scenic drive, and the picturesque Mount Lofty Golf Course is nearby.

Crafer's first building was the Sawyers Hotel, built by David Crafer in 1839 – just three years after South Australia was settled. The gathering place of ‘tiersmen’ (timber cutters) who worked the Stringy Bark forests that covered the hills, the pub was a popular haunt for the colony’s cattle thieves, sly grog merchants and bushrangers, who took refuge in the relative isolation of the Hills.

A village quickly grew around the pub and, in 1840, Crafers built a second inn – the Norfolk Hotel, but this burnt down in 1926. In 1880 the Crafers Inn was built and it has remained a popular watering hole to this day.

Cummins sits at the centre of rich undulating farmland on lower Eyre Peninsula and offers a good array of shops, health, sport and accommodation facilities.

Only half an hour drive away from Cummins, you'll find the east and west coasts, with their magnificent fishing and surfing beaches. To the east coast there is the Glendara Rose Garden, Koppio Smithy Museum and Tod Reservoir and Museum. Enjoy the picturesque scenery on the drive through the hills to Koppio or Tumby Bay.

Cummins hosts an airshow, the Cummins District Community Bank Airshow, which will be on 11 April 2010.

In February each year Cummins presents a weekend of entertainment with Cummins Under Canvas and Wildeloo Music Festival. Friday night is a family night of entertainment featuring local talent as well as a feature band. Wildeloo is on Saturday night and is a youth music festival attracting a crowd of approximately 2000 people. The festival begins in the afternoon and features a variety of bands. Both events are fully catered with bar facilities.

Cummins's central location makes it a great spot to visit or stay while exploring the lower Eyre Peninsula.

The small township of Curramulka is located 186 kilometres from Adelaide and is part of a busy farming community. It is within easy driving distance of the coastal townships on either side of the Peninsula. It is also only a short drive from Minlaton.

Curramulka is acknowledged as having the most extensive chain of limestone caves in the southern hemisphere. They are not open to the public for exploration but the Police Rescue Squad are a regular visitor to the caves, who use the caverns as part of their training exercises.

In the late 1800s, Curramulka became an important service centre, providing services to the farmers who were travelling to the main port of Port Julia with their grain. It is local folklore that the name Curramulka came from the Aboriginal words 'gorry' meaning 'emu, and 'moolka' meaning 'stone watering holes'.

Currency Creek is a beautiful part of the world and it has wine to match. The main varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. The climate is warm but moderated by ocean and lakes.

See cellar doors and wonderful country within an hour or so of Adelaide.

Ulithorne is one of Australia’s leading small quantity wine producers. The property’s original owners planted the first vines in 1971. Try the Frux Frugis Shiraz, which gets better with every release. Taste the cassis, chocolate and black fruit. The cellar door is at The Mill in Middleton, open for tastings on Saturdays and Sundays. Admire art and antiques while you’re there.

Ballast Stone Estate is the largest vineyard in the region. Its comfortable tasting room is open seven days a week. Try award-winning wines. They’re a favourite with wine connoisseurs. Ballast Stone Estate’s range of labels includes Ballast Stone Estate Range, Stonemason and Steeple Jack. Tastings are also available at Signal Point in Goolwa.

Want something gourmet? Make a booking to visit Currency Hill Wines. Their cellar door has a wood fired oven. Eat delicious pizza and try quality wine. No need to taste and run. You can stay as long as you like.

Currency Creek Estate is family owned. You can stroll through gardens and vineyards. The cellar door is open seven days. Friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through a range of wines. The cellar door also stocks local produce from the Fleurieu Peninsula. Find sauces, chutneys, olive oils and body products. Dine in the restaurant. The menu changes with the seasons. Eat the best local cuisine from an á la carte menu.

Deep Creek Wines is a boutique winery. The cellar door is open Wednesday through Sunday. Sit by a fire in winter and sip some red wine. Sample freshly baked bread, dipped in olive oil and dukka. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate is available and free for designated drivers. Picnic and barbecue facilities are also available.

You can bank on great wine at Currency Creek.

Darke Peak is a small community on Eyre Peninsula which is an ideal base for local bushwalking and birdwatching.

You'll find Darke Range, Caralue Bluff and Carappee Conservation Park nearby. Carappee Hill is the highest point - 495 metres above sea level. Hambidge Wilderness Area and Darke Range conservation parks are also nearby - good locations for bushwalking and birdwatching.

The town of Darke Peak and the nearby range were named after John Charles Darke who was speared in 1844 while on an exploratory trip. His grave is located on the western side of the Darke Range.

A historic small town on the shores of Murat Bay, Denial Bay is one of the major areas for oyster growing and production on the Eyre Peninsula.

Denial Bay offers a good jetty perfect for catching the abundant blue swimmer crabs, King George Whiting and other fish species.

The historic McKenzie Ruins and the McKenzie’s Landing provide an interesting history to the settlement of the region.

Denial Bay is close to Ceduna, one of the larger towns of the Eyre Peninsula, serviced by an airport, accommodation facilities, art galleries and more.

Once the most important gold fossicking area in South Australia, today Echunga is a pleasant farming town with historic buildings to admire.

The Jupiter Creek Heritage Trail interprets the mining craze that took place in the mid to late 1800s and includes visits to the 80 metre New Phoenix Tunnel and several old shafts. Don’t forget to take your torch! There’s also a heritage walk available in town, and a treasure market on the first Saturday of each month.

Surrounded by rich farmland and natural bushland, the 18 hole Echunga Golf Club is another attraction.

Echunga Golf Course covers 5,403 metres of well watered fairways in an Australian setting among large gum trees. 18 greens complement the par 70 course that will suit the average golfer, while providing a challenge to the more experienced. The course is available for play everyday with an honesty box available when the clubhouse is closed.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Eden Valley is a garden of grapes and gums. It’s next door to the Barossa Valley and together they make up the Barossa region.

The Eden Valley has some superb cellar doors.

Henschke is one of them. It’s one of the oldest wine names in the Barossa. Five Henschke generations have made wine. Their Hill of Grace Shiraz is world renowned. Visit the original two storey cellar, built in 1868. See open fermenters and memorabilia. The rustic cellar door has low doorways, stone walls and family portraits. It’s open Monday to Friday and Saturday until noon.

Visit Mountadam Winery, built in 1972 by David Wynn. David was a legend of the Australian industry. He recognised the cool climate potential of an area he called High Eden. His Chardonnay helped pioneer the variety in Australia. Make sure you try it. The cellar door is open for tasting and sales weekdays and weekends.

Don’t miss Irvine Wines. Jim Irvine’s Merlots are among the best in Australia. He also makes great sparkling Merlot, Zinfandel and Pinot Gris. Taste the full range. The Irvine Wines cellar door is open by appointment.

See Peter Seppelt Wines at Grand Cru Estate. Peter’s family has been making wine for over 150 years. Eat gourmet pizza at the Grand Cru Wood Oven Restaurant. It’s open weekends for lunch and dinner. The cellar door is open five days a week, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family owned winery. It started in 1849. For the past decade, it has helped introduce Australians to new styles like Viognier and Tempranillo. Yalumba is a must see.

Taste Eden Valley in Angaston is a collaborative cellar door. It brings together some of the region’s most impressive wines under one roof. Many are only available through Taste Eden Valley. Try wine from some of the region’s smallest and most exclusive producers. Learn about the region's distinctive wines and the people who make them. Relax in the bar with a glass of wine and regional nibbles.

Enjoy the heavenly Eden Valley.

Edithburgh is a delightful holiday destination, just 233 kilometres from Adelaide and with a population of around 450. Once the third busiest port in South Australia, today it is a popular tourist and fishing village, making it the perfect place for a family holiday. There are nearly 200 hundred lakes, most of which are salt, in the Edithburgh area. It is no wonder that this town was once a major salt provider to South Australia.

Today, the town is known as being an excellent location for keen fishermen, with mullet, yellow fin, whiting and larger fish being found in its waters. Fishing is available off both jetty, beaches - try Sultana Point Beach, which is great for those with kids and boats, as it has an all weather boat ramp.

Edithburgh is the perfect place to take the family for a holiday, with great swimming beaches and a tidal swimming pool with a shallow area for kids. The sandy beaches are perfect for fishing, swimming, scuba diving or snorkelling and sail boarding. Why not have a picnic or BBQ on the foreshore, or enjoy one of the many walks ranging from historical to scenic and coastal.

Edithburgh and Troubridge Island are home to a number of shipwrecks, one of the worst being the 'Clan Ranald' where close to 40 lives were lost. Their graves can now be found in the cemetery.

A short drive from Edithburgh, south-east along Sheoak Beach Road, is the Wattle Point Wind Farm. A newly constructed viewing area allows visitors to stand right underneath one of these amazing 68m high structures. Learn about how they capture nature's renewable resource.

Established in 1869, Edithburgh is Southern Yorke Peninsula's oldest town. Edithburgh was named after Governor Sir James Fergusson's wife, Edith and the two main roads after his daughters, Edith and Blanche. The town was laid out with terraces and parklands allowing for a beautiful environment. The Jetty was built in 1873 and salt, gypsum and lime were shipped off to Adelaide. Salt was one of the major industries of this town. Prior to 1891, 7,000 tonnes of salt were provided to South Australia by scrapings. Between 1891 and 1900, they were supplying over 40,000 tonnes per year and a number of salt factories. By 1950 this business had ceased.

This popular coastal town on the Eyre Peninsula is famed for sightings of whales, sea-lions and dolphins.

Elliston sits on tranquil Waterloo Bay - ideal for fishing, swimming or snorkelling. The bay is protected by Port Wellington and Point Wellesley, making it the perfect breeding habitat for many fish species. Explore the caves scattered around the bay and use the boat launching facilities and pontoon. There's also a heritage-listed jetty that has been recently restored.

Take time to discover Lake Newland Conservation Park, with its fascinating lake system and bird observation areas. Walker's Rocks offers a bay for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. And the Talia Caves, 40 kilometres north west of Elliston, feature patterns etched into limestone roofs by years of sea and wind. It's a spectacular scene.

The Elliston township boasts the largest mural in the southern hemisphere, measuring 500 metres squared. It was painted by local artists and the community.

Emu Bay is a popular bay on Kangaroo Island. It is an ideal destination for holiday makers. Accommodation is available overlooking a beautiful beach, with four-and-a-half kilometres of clean white sand.

Emu Bay offers a jetty for relaxing fishing and also fishing charters, with guides showing you the best areas to land a catch.

Emu Bay is on Kangaroo Island's North Coast, only 10 kilometres on a sealed road from the island's main town of Kingscote.

Kangaroo Island itself is South Australia's nature wonderland, where you can see fascinating wildlife in the wild including seals, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and much more. Explore its conservation parks and its natural wonders, including Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Kelly Hill Conservation Park and Seal Bay.

There are daily ferry services to Kangaroo Island and you can take your car across. There are also flights from Adelaide.

Eudunda locals are proud to claim Eudunda as the birthplace of Colin Thiele, author and educator, who is recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile writers. He has published more than 100 books in many fields. Some of his novels include Storm Boy, Blue Fin, The Fire in the Stone, Sun on the Stubble and Uncle Gustav’s Ghosts.

It is from the latter that Eudunda has chosen to use the interpretation of Uncle Gustav as their logo. Uncle Gustav and his dog are not only characters of fiction, they also are indicative of the pioneers who opened up this area with their wives and families and of course their faithful companions nearby to help in their daily chores.

To those pioneer families who settled in the district and made this their home, the locals pay tribute in the Family Heritage Gallery. They invite you to take a few hours to walk around the town, spend some time looking at the many gardens, the trees and the bird life. Visit some of the shops and try their traditional wares, the bakery that has stood on the same site for more than 100 years and the butcher has operated for more than 80 years. You can also call in for a meal at one of two hotels or historical Community Club or visit the craft shop where you can pick up a locally made memento of your day in Eudunda.

At 11 Bruce Street you can see what the 1920s and onward had to offer in radio and electrical equipment. Just three doors down the street, find more than 1,000 archival items including photographs, books, newspapers and memorabilia dating back to 1870.

The locals are proud of Eudunda which has developed a character of its very own, where the architecture of its houses span every period of those years and most have withstood the renovator’s hammer.

Eudunda was named after a spring that the Aboriginal residents called Jundundakawi and was first settled by Europeans in 1870. The Eudunda cowie still flows and rehabilitation of the original spring indicates a renewal of interest in the history of the local area.

There are 2000 kilometres of coastline to explore on Eyre Peninsula. Rarely will there be another boat bobbing on the best patch, tourists blocking your camera lens or even footprints in the sand. It's a tranquil coastal holiday destination.

Watch Southern Right whales play with their young beneath cliffs at the Head of Bight during winter. Jump in and swim with dolphins and sea lions at tranquil Baird Bay. Dive with the fluorescent cuttlefish at Whyalla.

Get a sense of time and space on the drive across the Nullarbor Plain. Stretch out under a billion stars in camping spots along Eyre Peninsula's coast. You'll find wildlife everywhere, especially in the Gawler Ranges. Start the World’s Longest Golf Course at Ceduna.

Buy seafood straight from the factory or the fisherman. Take the Seafood and Aquaculture Trail to get a look behind the scenes of the seafood industry. Listen to your own line sing, as a salmon takes the bait in pounding surf. Hike across dazzling dunes or stroll along the water's edge in search of delicate seashells.

See the volcanic monoliths and stark salt lakes of the Gawler Ranges, a hinterland of golden grain and vast desert plains extending right up to the outback.

Talk to the Animals at Baird Bay. Play with sea lions and dolphins on the swimming experience of a lifetime in the pristine waters of Baird Bay.

Time your journey to coincide with one of many quirky Eyre Peninsula events. See thousands of oysters shucked at the Ceduna Oyster Festival in October. Toss a tuna at Port Lincoln's Tunarama Festival in January. Go off the rails at the Kalamazoo Classic in Cummins each April. Wander around a country show, punt at a race meeting or cheer on a team at a sports carnival.

Surf's Up. Hang ten at legendary Cactus Beach on Eyre Peninsula. These surf breaks aren't for the faint-hearted, so inexperienced riders might do well to catch the action from the beach. Pitch a tent at a campsite nearby and enjoy the waves.

It's no surprise that Australia's richest landscape art prize is staged on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Visit the beautiful hills that sweep down to sun-drenched sandy beaches. Wineries, orchards and pastures are patch-worked between bushland and roads that lure you to cellar doors.

It's all on Adelaide's doorstep, the wine capital of Australia.

Jump in the car. Travel south on the Fleurieu Way and in about an hour you'll be swimming, surfing, hiking or fishing on long, sandy beaches.

Drive straight down the coast to dive on the former warship HMAS Hobart at Yankallila Bay. Tackle a section of the 1500 kilometre Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis. Weave your way through the dense bushland of Deep Creek Conservation Park.

Further around the coast is Victor Harbor, South Australia's most popular seaside town. Ride on the horse-drawn tram to Granite Island, the historic Cockle steam train or watch whales playing offshore during winter. Travel south-east to the pretty river port of Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, the mighty Murray River mouth and Coorong National Park.

All over the peninsula you’ll find seriously good wine and some great restaurants, produce outlets and markets, enough to break even the strictest diet. McLaren Vale is the most popular wine region. You'll also enjoy the Southern Fleurieu, Currency Creek and Langhorne Creek.

At Blessed Cheese, on the main street of McLaren Vale, you can start the McLaren Vale Wine and Cheese Trail. You can pop in and pick up a cheese platter to enjoy at one of the local wineries. One word - bliss. (If you have time, book into one of their home cheese making workshops).

French Connection - among the first travellers to South Australia's coast were explorers Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin. Although their respective nations, England and France, were at war at the time of their encounter in 1802, the pair peacefully went about their business mapping the southern coast of Australia. The name is thanks to Baudin, honouring French politician, Comte de Fleurieu. Learn more about the historic meeting at Victor Harbor's Encounter Coast Discovery Centre.

The Fleurieu Peninsula, get into it!

A Flinders Ranges and outback holiday gives you beauty on a massive scale and mateship in the smallest pubs.

The Flinders Ranges covers more than 80 per cent of South Australia. From the red parallel dunes of the Simpson Desert, to gulf water cruises in the south, the Flinders Ranges is a place of contrasts. You'll find ancient ranges steeped in Aboriginal legend, bird filled lakes in the middle of the desert and unique, outback towns. There is the history of heroic pioneers, who built the Overland Telegraph and the Old Ghan railway.

What’s it like? Be a postie for the day on the Outback Mail Run and discover the outback life.

The Flinders Ranges is one of Australia's National Landscapes - a place of great natural and cultural significance.

You'll find great attractions in the Flinders Ranges. Take the time to discover your favourites.

Port Augusta:

Travel into our big backyard. Be welcomed to the outback at Port Augusta's Wadlata Outback Interpretive Centre. Take a water cruise at the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens and follow in the wake of Matthew Flinders, the first European explorer in the area.

Pichi Richi Railway:

Ride the Pichi Richi Railway between Port Augusta and Quorn, relaxing in timber carriages. Pass pretty scenery in the Central Flinders Ranges. Take a guided tour of the railway workshop in Quorn.

Wilpena Pound and Lake Eyre:

Take an unforgettable scenic flight across the amazing Flinders Ranges and outback region. The scale and beauty of these amazing landscapes will take your breath away.

Parachilna's Prairie Hotel:

Join a growing number of celebrities for a night of gourmet "Flinders’ feral food" at the famed Prairie Hotel in Parachilna.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary:

Be blown away by some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia and look out for rare flora and fauna on Arkaroola's famed four wheel drive (4WD), Ridgetop.

Coober Pedy:

Visit a beautiful underground church. Play golf on a course without grass. Noodle for opals and keep what you find in the world's opal capital.

Outback safety:

South Australia's outback is vast and isolated, with few towns and facilities. Stay safe and plan well to ensure your holiday is enjoyable.

The rough and tumble times of early whaling have made way for peace and tranquility at Fowlers Bay, where the sand hills are awesome and fishing is fine.

Named by Matthew Flinders, in honour of his First Lieutenant Robert Fowler, the site was later used by explorer Edward John Eyre as a base camp for his historic overland journey to Albany.

Fowlers Bay, situated in the Fowlers Bay Conservation Park, has a seaside caravan park, kiosk (serving diesel only) and holiday units. Take time to observe the wildlife both onshore and offshore.

Just a couple of hours drive from Fowlers Bay is Head Bight. During the whale watching season from May to October, you can view the magnificent Southern Right Whales.

Fowlers Bay is blessed with an abundance of good fishing including Mulloway, Whiting, Garfish, Tommy Ruff, Trevally and Sweep to name a few. For the casual fisherman, Fowlers Bay jetty is just a short walk from your accommodation. Nearby Scott's Beach and 'Mexican Hat' are very popular for surf fishing.

Spectacular beaches, unspoilt coastline, rugged cliffs and sand hills are all close to Fowlers Bay.

Once known as the railway town, the rural community of Frances is now famous for the annual Frances Folk Gathering. Held every February, Australia's only participation-based Folk Festival features music awards, workshops, songwriting, dancing and poetry. More than 3000 people get involved each year.

Enjoy bushwalks and picnics at Little Desert National Park, just five minutes from the town centre. Gaze in wonderment at the majestic red gums and rich bird life at Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park. One 800-year old tree is so large that a family is said to have once lived in its hollowed out base!

Frances is located between Bordertown and Naracoorte.

Wheat and women have put the town of Freeling firmly on the map, cementing its place in both reflective and modern history.

Freeling was the 'home' of the award-winning Australian TV show, 'McLeod's Daughters'. It's a quaint rural town with many historical buildings. You can wander the heritage streets at leisure, or follow the walking trail and learn about Freeling's rich farming history.

A number of visitors head straight for the Gungellan Hotel - as seen by fans of McLeod's Daughters in some 100 countries. The pub and streets of Freeling featured regularly in the McLeod shooting schedules, with nearby Kapunda and Roseworthy occasionally being called into the action. The proprietors of the Gungellan Hotel (formerly The Railway) are used to answering questions from the series' many fans. Souvenirs are available to purchase.

If you're wondering, the McLeod's station 'Drover's Run' lay some 15 kilometres to the south-west, filmed on a real property called Kingsford. But the local countryside is one of the major stars of the show - and free for everyone to enjoy!

Freeling is set on gentle, rolling hills. In the early 1900s, it was the largest hay-producing centre in the state. Haystacks were so large, they could be seen for miles. Today, although the haystacks have diminished in size, the town’s popularity has boomed due to McLeod's Daughters.

Gawler is a picturesque, well-planned country town. It is located below the Mount Lofty Ranges, where the rivers of the North Para and South Para join.

Established in 1839, Gawler is the oldest country town in South Australia. It contains the Church Hill State Heritage Area and majestic historic buildings. The town is, and has been since earliest colonial times, the hub of a prosperous agriculture region. This is partly due to its idyllic location, just 43km north of Adelaide and on the main metropolitan train line.

While in Gawler, enjoy the largest and most diverse service and shopping experience in the Barossa tourism region. It has modern shopping complexes, boutique retail outlets, commercial services, arts, crafts and gourmet food. Whether you’re looking for the region’s cinema, indoor swimming pool or a walk through manicured parklands (which abound with family playgrounds), then Gawler is the place for you.

As the sun sets, Gawler continues to thrive. Its 10 historic hotels offer Adelaide’s finest live bands and attractions. Community markets, galleries, micro-lights, gliders, horse-racing, local and major events can all be found in Gawler. Gawler’s Visitor Information Centre on Lyndoch Road is open seven days, phone (08) 8522 9260.

Geranium is a pretty farming town named after the wild geraniums that grow in abundance there.

The town has a hall, two churches, store, garage, extensive sporting facilities and the only bowling green in the area, making it an important local centre and an attractive township for retiring farmers. In an era of centralisation to big towns, Geranium’s future as a small centre seems assured.

In 1999 the Geranium was named South Australia’s Tidiest Town. The town still consistently features among the top achievers in these annual awards.

Geranium went on to compete in the National Finals of Australia’s Tidiest Town and won an Award of Excellence for Environmental Action and Education. Geranium lies on the far western border of the Southern Mallee. The Geranium residents put in many hours to achieve this award, indicative of the communal spirit of South Australians, who have the highest participation in the tidy town judging of any state in the nation. Geranium won the competition from a huge field of 316 separate communities and 220 schools, competing with many towns far greater in size and population.

Grab a map from the caravan park and get walking to discover Gladstone's fine old sandstone homes and commercial buildings. A town highlight is the Southern Flinders Discovery Centre, offering insights into the region, local produce tastings and guided town walks.

Don't miss the Gladstone Gaol, a heritage-listed building that has also served as an internment camp, a barracks and even a film set. The gaol was in official use until 1975. Day tours are available.

Gladstone High School hosts wine tastings and tours as part of the students' viticulture program. And active visitors can hire a mountain bike from the Gladstone Caravan Park to explore the back roads.

The early pastoral lease 'Booyoolie Run' purchased in 1851 established the pastoral and grazing pursuits of the district, which still form the backbone of the area today. The enormous grain storage silos holding 82,500 tonnes are the largest inland grain storage facilities in South Australia.

An important railway centre for many years, the Gladstone railway yards will hold the train enthusiast's attention as one of the world's few junction points of the three different gauges - narrow, standard and broad, all laid together in one siding.

A friendly outback town, Glendambo provides essential services for travellers into South Australia's Outback.

There's accommodation, dining, a bar and fuel facilities - even an Outback swimming pool. It's a good spot to rejuvenate and rest during your driving holiday.

Each June, Glendambo hosts a 4WD Outback Challenge and Field Day. The population also soars during Glendambo's annual Bachelor and Spinster Ball.

If you're in the mood for adventure and excitement, then venture further into South Australia's Outback. It's a dramatic departure from the hectic pace of big cities, but it's surprisingly accessible. See the majestic natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, drive legendary desert tracks, or take a scenic flight over the Flinders Ranges.

There's hiking trails, places to fossick for opals, and even a desert golf course with no grass.

Whatever sort of adventure suits you, the Flinders Ranges and Outback has got it.

Glenelg is Adelaide's most popular beach destination. It's always buzzing with people enjoying the sand and sea, foreshore parks and summer entertainment. Stroll along the jetty. Browse through the hundreds of shops and dining at sidewalk cafes along Jetty Road.

Moseley Square, where Jetty Road meets the beach, is the terminus for the City-to-Bay Tram. Modern trams travel to and from Glenelg frequently. Historic trams operate during holidays and are an icon of Glenelg; they operated for over 70 years and were used and adored by residents and visitors. A short stroll to Holdfast Shores Marina will lead you to bars, restaurants and Temptation Sailing's dolphin cruises.

The Bay Discovery Centre at Glenelg Town Hall will give you a glimpse at the history of Holdfast Bay. Have a picnic at Kingston Park Coastal Reserve. Walk the Federation and Proclamation Trails to explore the area by foot.

Five kilometres south along the Esplanade, is the seaside hamlet of Brighton, which is also a favourite beach playground. It has a delightful village atmosphere along its own Jetty Road.

At Kingston Park, Kingston House is the oldest building in Holdfast Bay, built in 1840 and set on a three-acre reserve with stunning coastal views. On the foreshore, a striking monument by South Australia sculptor John Dowie marks one of the significant spring sites on the Tjilbruke Trail and a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk heads south to Marino Rocks.

Glossop is a small service town for the surrounding fruit growing area in the Riverland. The small irrigation settlement is situated on a scenic drive between Barmera and Berri on Old Sturt Highway.

If you love to dabble in a bit of wine tasting, you must visit Australia's larges winery and distillery located just on the edge of Glossop. Berri Estates Winery Cellar Door Sales is towered over by a 70-year-old lemon scented gum tree, which acts as a sentinel welcoming its visitors to a wide range of wines for tasting. It produces wines for the domestic and export market of consistently high quality under the BRL Hardy label. Products include table wines for both the bottle and cask markets, along with fortified wines and brandy. Some familiar brand names are Nottage Hill, Banrock Station and many more.

While you're driving through, you also must stop at one of the fruit stalls dotted along the Old Sturt Highway between Berri and Glossop that sell a large variety of in-season fruit and vegetables. For great fruit and vegetables fresh from the block, stop in!

Glossop was named after Vice Admiral Glossop of the HMAS Sydney, which sank the German vessel Emden in the First World War. An anchor serves as a memorial to this commander.

Historic Goolwa stands at the mouth of the Murray River on Lake Alexandrina and derives its name from an aboriginal word meaning elbow.

Every type of water sport is available in Goolwa, and if you don't own a boat you can always hire one. Hindmarsh Island and the Coorong provide kilometres of unspoiled wetlands and at the end of the day you can enjoy award winning local wines. It's an ideal destination, just over an hours drive from Adelaide through breathtaking countryside.

The nearby Murray Mouth is renowned for its mulloway fishing, while surf fishing from Goolwa Beach is usually rewarding for the angler. The lakes are a haven for boating enthusiasts. With both fresh and salt water, Goolwa is a Mecca for the keen fisherman and the Murray Mouth is not only a great place to fish but also a remarkable feature of the landscape.

Goolwa hosts a variety of exciiting events, including freshwater boat racing, air shows, and golf tournaments. And there's plenty of local accommodation.

The first part of Goolwa was surveyed in 1840. With the introduction of paddle steamers to the river in 1853, Goolwa became the first major shipping port in the state, with produce from the interior being barged down the Murray system for loading onto overseas vessels.

The subsequent silting-up of the Murray Mouth led to the port becoming inaccessible to the larger ships. As a result, the first railway line in South Australia was opened between Goolwa and Port Elliot in 1854, the latter then becoming the overseas port. Early in the 1880s the Morgan railway took away most of the trade by directing it through Adelaide, and by 1890 shipping was virtually finished at Goolwa. Today Goolwa is a popular, fast-growing tourist resort offering quiet, relaxing all-year-round recreation with its historic buildings greatly enriching the town's interest.

Grange Beach is a quiet, seaside beach a little north of Henley Beach.

Enjoy a walk between these two popular suburban beaches. Bring the kids, the dog and a frisbee.

Keep your feet sand-free and enjoy a drink and a meal at the Grange Jetty Kiosk. The Grange Hotel will keep you sheltered from the elements and give you prime views of the ocean.

Watch the sun set over this beautiful beach.

Nestled in the heart of western Barossa, Greenock is a picturesque village. Sometimes it is referred to as a ‘little Scotland in the Barossa’. The name 'Greenock' literally means ‘sunny hill’ and is derived from the Gaelic, Grain (meaning sun) and Cnoc (which means hill).

The town’s oval, with its magnificent restored grandstand, hosts some of the region’s most competitive cricket and soccer matches. The shady recreation park is a popular spot for picnics and gatherings. The village green is a popular spot in the centre of town, which comes alive when the Tour Down Under cycling race runs through.

The silos, mill and wheat store are still standing, reminiscent of the days when Greenock served as a hub for the grain trade and farming community. Time has passed, but Greenock still has a comfortable village feel, with the tavern being the regular meeting place for many locals. Travellers are guaranteed a warm welcome, whether or not they are staying in the region or just passing through. In recent years, Greenock has become a popular destination for those wanting to experience something a little different with ‘olde worlde’ charm. Greenock is home to a new boutique beer brewery, the Barossa Brewing Company. Located in the historic 1860s wheat store, the brewery is open for tastings and sales on weekends. The owners are happy to give visitors a tour.

Another great place to visit and linger is Murray Street Vineyards. Its cellar door is set in the centre of a working winery. It opens onto a decking, with vineyards so close, you could reach out and touch them. For most days of the year, visitors can taste some of their unique wines and indulge in delicious local produce, cheese platters or a freshly brewed coffee. It is total decadence!

Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills is famed for its 18-metre high Giant Rocking Horse, which visitors can climb to survey the leafy surroundings.

Afterwards, wander through the toy factory featuring a wealth of charming wooden creations. Continue through the toy factory and into the adjoining wilderness park, where you can see (and feed) a variety of birds and animals.

Gumeracha is a town that is proud of its history. See beautifully restored buildings, including two churches. The Gumeracha and District History Centre holds a collection of photographs and paraphernalia.

There are also craft and antique shops, two winery cellar doors with restaurants at nearby Chain of Ponds, and various accommodation options.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks. Wander through the National Motor Museum and explore the local wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

One of the Adelaide Hills' most famous towns, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement.

There’s still a strong German flavour in Hahndorf, most evident in the smallgood outlets and German bakeries that line the bustling main street.

Visit the former home and studio of artist Sir Hans Heysen - The Cedars. Take a guided tour of this gracious old home, still owned by the Heysen family. It houses a fine collection of paintings and drawings displaying Heysen's remarkable versatility in subject and medium. Also on the grounds, see Heysen's working studio, his painting materials and tools, sketches, notes and more.

Near Hahndorf, you can pick your own strawberries at Beerenberg. And there are several good winery cellar doors in the area.

Hahndorf has plenty of souvenir shops, craft outlets and galleries, including the Hahndorf Academy - a regional centre for the arts and heritage based in a charming 150-year-old building. Walk through its four galleries, migration museum, artist's studios, art classes and retail gallery.

Take the children to the Hahndorf Farm Barn, a combination of a children's farmyard and a nature wildlife park. You can interact with a wide variety of tame and friendly animals.

Dine at Hahndorf's restaurants and cafes, including the Hahndorf Inn Hotel's award-winning restaurant. It offers traditional German fare and a delightful range of local favourites. Faithfully following traditional German recipes and cooking methods, the Hahndorf Inn is a delightful retreat with family and friends.

Hamley Bridge is a beautifully situated small town in a picturesque valley surrounded by some of the richest farming land on the Adelaide Plains, between the rivers Light and Gilbert it is literally a town of bridges.

Hamley Bridge is a riot of lilac blooms from late November and through December from the Jacaranda trees that have been planted along the main street in remembrance of those who fought for their country, and makes for a beautiful walk around the town which must include the River Light with its great picnicking areas which the local community are re-greening and improving.

Other settlements in the area had commenced in the early 1860s and it was not until 1868 that the junction of the two rivers came under notice as a possible site for a township. The northern railway was extended from Roseworthy to Tarlee during 1868 and a bridge, said to be the highest in South Australia was built over the River Light. A railway station was established a few hundred metres north of it in 1880 and was first know as the Alma Railway Station. The stone building, occupied as a private residence today represents the fine architecture of the era, as do many other prominent buildings in the town; especially the Catholic Church, which is one of the finest examples in South Australia made from local stone. The Railway Station is heritage listed along with the signal box and water tanks at the station, as well as the Institute, two bridges over the River Light (railway and old car bridge), which also has the heritage brick kiln chimney near its banks.

Named by the government of the day, after the Acting Governor Colonel Francis Hamley whose wife laid the foundation stone of the River Light railway bridge on 25 July 1868.

Beautiful pristine sandy beaches, perfect for young children, make Hardwicke Bay irresistible to families, retirees or romantic couples alike. Its sheltered bay is perfect for swimming, fishing, yachting and boating - which are all popular pastimes, especially during holiday seasons. This peaceful, sleepy town offers everything for anyone wanting to relax and looking for the great escape.

Hardwicke Bay initially evolved as a small shack settlement for the locals on weekends and a base for professional fisherman in the 1940s. The council opened land up in the 1960s and a farmer subdivided his land in the 1980s. Today, Hardwicke Bay is rapidly developing, with permanent and holiday dwellings.

Story of Interest:
In the 1950s, a fisherman built a tin and brush dwelling around a tree, on the beach. He, his wife and several children lived there for sometime. Their original means of transport was a Harley Davidson Motorcycle and box sidecar, which was used for supplies, carting water and transporting fish to the market.

Hawker is a great little outback town 400 kilometres north of Adelaide.

It's the hub of the Flinders Ranges, being the junction of roads from Port Augusta, Orroroo, Leigh Creek, Marree, Wilpena and Blinman.

There are numerous heritage buildings in Hawker, dating from the 1880s, with evidence that it was once a thriving railway town before the line was relocated further west in 1956. Hawker is now an important tourist centre in the Flinders Ranges and provides all essential services to the visitor.

Hawker is a great place to base a holiday in the Flinders Ranges, and enjoy half day and day trips to popular attractions such as Wilpena Pound, the Flinders Ranges National Park, Bunyeroo Valley, Brachina Gorge, Blinman, Parachilna Gorge, Quorn, Pichi Richi Railway and the Moralana Scenic Drive.

Local accommodation includes a hotel and caravan park.

Many of the buildings around Hawker are of corrugated iron construction together with a number of the present day homes and businesses. Truly this is the first of the outback towns you will come across, on your way into the north of South Australia.

A number of small gardens along Elder Terrace have some rock carvings mounted for viewing. These carvings were made in 1997 during the Opera in the Outback week of functions, which took place at Quorn, Hawker and Blinman. Hawker staged a very well received art show during this period, along with other functions.

Henley Beach is a popular beachside suburb of Adelaide, offering white sand, gentle surf, a popular dining square and regular live entertainment in the summer.

Take your family and spread out on the sand, or enjoy a picnic on the grassed areas. Take advantage of the shade beneath Henley Beach's long jetty, or bring along the fishing rod and try your luck. The lapping waters are ideal for families.

Henley Square is here - a popular Adelaide dining spot, offering fine cafes and restaurants including Thai and Greek. Dine outdoors while you watch the sun set over the ocean. The square fills up quickly in the summer months. Enjoy a few drinks at the nearby Ramsgate Hotel or Bacchus Wine Bar. There’s no shortage of indoor dining options, but sometimes the best option is tried and tested fish and chips on the grass.

During the summer months, you can watch bands playing in Henley Square or enjoy a local festival.

Henley Beach Road has a cornucopia of food stores and eateries - Asian, African, Mediterranean and Indian. All this, just 20 minutes from the Adelaide city centre.

Henley Beach is located around 20 minutes west of the Adelaide city centre. Walk north along the beach and after about twenty minutes you’ll reach the Grange Jetty. Here you’ll find the Grange Jetty Kiosk, the perfect spot to kick back with a coffee (or meal) while enjoying amazing ocean views.

Hindmarsh Island is the site of the southern hemisphere's largest freshwater marina development.

It's a river bound island, connected by a bridge from Goolwa, a boatie's haven. This is where you can find cruises into the Coorong National Park, bare boat and skippered yacht charters.

Hindmarsh Island offers you the chance to marvel at the Murray Mouth, impeded by a twisting, shifting mass of sand dunes.

There is a range of accommodation available and marsh land on the eastern end of Hindmarsh Island has been incorporated into the Coorong National Park. Recognising good aquatic bird habitats, the island is popular with bird watchers. Local Ngarrindjeri people have particular interests in the island.

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience, and top fishing spots.

It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842 and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There are also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

An historic and popular Adelaide coastal area, Holdfast Bay encompasses Glenelg, Brighton, Seacliff and Kingston Park.

Holdfast Bay is just 20 minutes from Adelaide's city centre and less than 10 minutes from the domestic and international airports. Its coast offers great opportunities all year for both business travellers and holiday seekers.

Glenelg's well-known 'Old Gum Tree' was the site chosen by Governor Hindmarsh to read the proclamation of South Australia on 28 December 1836. Each year this event is celebrated on Proclamation Day with a re-enactment of this reading on the same site. While visiting, see the HMS Buffalo - an authentic replica of the original ship that brought the state's first Governor to Holdfast Bay - now a floating restaurant.

Experience Glenelg's bustling Jetty Road, the marina and Holdfast Shores development, beautiful white beaches, heritage walks and buildings, as well as a wide variety of accommodation, attractions, activities, festivals, cuisine and shopping.

Brighton, Kingston Park and Seacliff boast a relaxed lifestyle and superb coastal views. They offer a variety of shopping, dining, historical features and seaside activities.

The area has a Mediterranean climate characterised by warm dry summers and cool mild winters, with summer temperatures averaging 27 degrees Celsius and winter months around 15 degrees Celsius.

Located 86 kilometres south of Adelaide, Inman Valley is part of the wonderful journey that leads to the seaside town of Yankalilla.

The Inman Valley Road is lined with majestic gum trees and sits between the river environment of the Coorong and bushland of the south-western Fleurieu Peninsula.

Bushwalkers love this region, while amateur and professional geologists head for Selwyn's Glacier Rock, one of the world's largest glacial relics dating back to when the region was covered with ice. You can also enjoy a local golf course.

Inman Valley was settled before 1842. In 1839 it was described officially as "a lovely valley, ranging from two to six miles in width, well watered and rich in soil for agriculture and herbage for pasture".

See more of the Fleurieu Peninsula – a coastal playground famed for its laidback lifestyle, beach breaks for surfers of all levels of experience, and top fishing spots.

It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers, with dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Seadragon.

Enjoy some of the best produce and vineyards in Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some prestigious winemaking regions, including McLaren Vale. The history of winemaking in this region goes all the way back to 1842, and it consistently produces some of the best drops you'll ever taste.

There's also national parks, golf courses, top quality cuisine and more.

Innamincka is a fascinating outback destination with a permanent population of about 12 residents. Nestled near the Cooper Creek, 1,065 kilometres north-east of Adelaide and 459 kilometres from Lyndhurst up the Strzelecki Track.

You can camp along the creek which has good fishing and canoeing or for a well earned rest check into a motel room at the hotel. Tourist information and Park Passes are also available at the Innamincka Hotel. Supplies can be purchased from the hotel or store.

The Innamincka Regional Reserve spans a total of 1.3 million hectares and is home to 200 species of birds, many native animals and reptiles.

View the memorial plaques to expeditions by Charles Sturt in 1845 and explorers Burke and Wills, who in 1861 led an expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. East along the creek is Burke's own memorial, and west is Wills'. The famous Dig Tree is just over the Queensland border 70 kilometres from the town centre. There is also King's Marker, where sole survivor of the Burke and Wills expedition John King was found.

Cullyamurra Waterhole on the creek is always good for camping and fishing and has never been known to be dry since first discovered by Sturt in 1845 and is eight kilometres long and up to 28 metres deep. At the eastern end you'll find ancient Aboriginal rock carvings.

North-west 112 kilometres are the Coongie Lakes, which are wetlands of international significance. This area is protected - dogs, guns, fishing, campfires and generators are not permitted. It's important to keep to the road as the ecology off the road is fragile. You need a four wheel drive vehicle to visit this area and a Desert Parks Pass or camping permit. The Town has no fresh water supply and collecting wood in the reserve is not allowed.

Innamincka took its name from the Aboriginal word Yidniminckanie and is a fascinating area rich in natural, indigenous, pastoral and explorer history.

Iron Knob is the birthplace of the Australian steel industry.

Iron ore was first discovered here in the mid 18th century, but it was not until 1899 when BHP (BHP Billiton/BHP Steel) was granted iron ore leases that the true value of the rich high grade ore deposits were recognised. The mine operated for 99 years with 150 million tons being mined from the twin leases of Iron Knob and Iron Monarch.

Today Onesteel Whyalla Steelworks primarily operates from Iron Duke in the Middle Back Ranges.

Situated just off Highway One, Iron Knob is 50 kilometres north west of Whyalla. In Whyalla, you'll find plenty of opportunities for fishing, beach activities, diving and more. There's also a Maritime Museum and plenty of places to eat and stay.