Home to the biggest and quirkiest festivals, world-renowned wineries and distilleries turning the most discerning drinkers into fans, and coveted chefs that are fast-tracking SA to the food capital of Australia. Here, we list 23 reasons why you need to book your next holiday to South Australia in 2023.
Sip wine in a rubik’s cube 45 minutes outside of Adelaide at d’Arenberg Cube
Savour the greatest Australian wine whilst unwinding in an architectural masterpiece! The five levels that make up d’Arenberg Cube have been thoughtfully constructed to appeal to the different senses. Tour the ground-floor’s Alternate Realities Museum and take in the numerous art installations on display or pretend to be a winemaker for the day by mixing and bottling your own wine.
2. You can swim with sharks in Port Lincoln
Face your fears and swim alongside the top predator in the ocean in their natural environment. Port Lincoln shark-diving is provided by Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions, with staff trained to act with the utmost care for both the sharks and divers. Rodney Fox has accomplished everything—from spearfishing champion to shark attack survivor to Hollywood fame and the creation of the first shark cage—and he invites everyone to dive into their worst fears!
3. Experience ‘The World’s Festival’ of WOMADelaide at the Botanical Park
Held on the traditional lands of the Kaurna People, WOMADelaide – World Of Music Arts & Dance – is an iconic open-air festival celebrating its 30th year anniversary of cultural discovery in the heart of Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla.
4. Take your food festival journey to new heights with Tasting Australia Airlines
It’s time to fly. Go to the heart of South Australia’s ancient Flinders Ranges on an overnight adventure or set off for a day on the pristine Kangaroo Island. Venture further, discovering these beautiful regions alongside leading chefs inspired by their produce. Details? Sorted. Each itinerary leaves you free to enjoy travel at its very best. Welcome aboard.
5. Stay in luxury beachfront accommodation enjoyed by Australian actress, Teresa Palmer on Kangaroo Island
One Kangaroo Island and Hamilton House are two of the secluded beachfront properties Teresa Palmer and her family stayed during a family holiday on Kangaroo Island. From cosy fireplace living rooms to open air bathtubs looking out to the crystal blue ocean, you’ll feel like a celebrity on these stays.
6. Join the 2023 SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER in the Barossa Valley
If you’re looking for an extra excuse as to why you need to visit the Barossa, Santos Tour Down Under is it. Enjoy the festivities of BAROSSA LOOP DE LOOP and take in the best-of-the-best food, wines and all that the region has to offer as part of the Australia’s biggest cycling event.
7. Swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat
Always dreamt of swimming with wild dolphins? A bucket list item for many wildlife lovers, joining these curious and incredibly intelligent mammals in their natural environment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures offers charters from Kingscote and Emu Bay to remote coastal beaches where you can swim with wild Bottlenose dolphins and frolic with seals.
8. Indulge in pure luxury at Sequoia Lodge in Mount Lofty
Sequoia sits on the side of Mount Lofty, high above the Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills, a region currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. Nowhere else in the world are there four world-class wine regions found within a 50-kilometre radius. These range from the cool climate Adelaide Hills to the maritime McLaren Vale to the historic agricultural area of Langhorne Creek and the high-altitude Eden Valley.
9. Swim with giant cuttlefish
The annual migration of the ‘chameleons of the sea,’ the Australian giant cuttlefish, is a natural wonder that attracts crowds to the historic town of Whyalla every May to August. This is an excellent stop on one of the best road trips in South Australia – the Seafood 
Frontier journey. A world-class natural phenomenon only seen in South Australia, glass-bottom boat tours are now available and provide a perfect viewing platform for this colourful encounter.
10. Experience the largest open-access festival in the Southern Hemisphere at Adelaide Fringe Festival
Adelaide Fringe Festival is the largest open-access festival in the Southern Hemisphere, bursting at the seams with local, interstate and international five-star acts that transform the state for 31 wonderful days and nights.
11. Taste world-class food and wine as part of Tasting Australia
South Australia’s food and wine are renowned the world over and for 10 sumptuous days one of Australia’s oldest food festivals dishes up the very best from around the state. With events across South Australia showcasing the best produce served up by our most awarded chefs, winemakers and restaurateurs, Tasting Australia is foodie heaven.
12. Witness Adelaide light up in winter
Reignite your curiosity this winter with Australia’s newest major event, Illuminate Adelaide, returning bigger and brighter than before. This city-wide spectacle invites you to experience a program of art, light, sound and imagination.
13. There is a festival dedicated to red wine – need we say more
Winter Reds Weekend is happening in July. Adelaide Hills plays host to the annual Winter Reds Weekend. The best time to enjoy the Hills is on a cold wintery weekend, the rain pelting the window of a rustic cellar door, a fire roaring, a glass of Shiraz, Pinot Noir or even Tempranillo in hand and a bowl of warming, slow cooked nourishment on your lap. Be tempted by this food and wine festival showcasing more than 30 beautiful Adelaide Hills wineries offering sumptuous events, tastings and entertainment both day and night. The perfect excuse for a ladies weekend away.
14. Salvate at the lucky dumpling markets
Part of the OzAsia Festival – Australia’s leading contemporary Asian arts festival held over 18 days – you can experience the very best in contemporary theatre, dance, music, visual art, film, literature talks, food and more from across Asia. The Highlights? The dazzling Moon Lantern Festival and the mouth-watering Lucky Dumpling Market.
15. Take the family to an African-inspired safari at the new Monarto Safari Park
Monarto’s vast expanse of South Australian outback is transformed into African wild plains where giraffe, lion, hyena and even rhinos roam alongside native and endangered animals. It becomes the largest safari experience to exist outside of Africa.
16. Sleep at the biggest safari park outside of Africa
Soon you’ll be able to sleep nestled in the wilderness under a blanket of stars at Monarto Safari Park’s Resort set to be completed by mid 2023. Sleep nestled in the wilderness under a blanket of stars or retreat to luxury after a day of exploring the park. The expansion includes a resort, restaurant spaces, as well as luxury eco-glamping facilities.
17. Have a cheeky gin at Australia’s most awarded gin distillery
It’s time to sip on some damn good gin, as Never Never Distillery serves up its bold gins full of concentrated juniper flavour. An afternoon hot-spot adored by travellers and locals alike. Sit back and enjoy the stunning view from the top of Chalk Hill with a cocktail crafted by one of our talented team of bartenders and enjoy food from their friends at Cucina di Strada.
18. Stroll down laneways that make you feel like you’re in Europe
Peel street has a vibe of its own that rivals those you dream about half way across the world. Food, wine, ambience – it has it all. Just a street over from the beautiful Leigh Street, Peel Street is located between Currie and Hindley street in Adelaide’s West End and is home to some of Adelaide’s best venues. Sip on signature cocktails, craft beer and local wines at some of the best boutique bars, cool cafés, and progressive restaurants.
19. Curated wine tastings on a redesigned bus by local favourites
Down The Rabbit Hole is a place you can pop in and try their stunning wines, enjoy an outstanding fine dining restaurant or roll out a rug and enjoy platters of delicious goodness. We recommend a tasting followed by buying a bottle and sitting for an afternoon to watch the sunset.
20. Experience ex-MasterChef contest Callum Hann’s Eleven Restaurant
Eleven is an ambitious venue by Themys Chryssidis and ex-Masterchef contestant Callum Hann – who also run Sprout Cooking School together – located in a courtyard surrounded by office buildings just off Waymouth Street in the city centre. They describe it as ‘a modern French restaurant & open-air bar inspired by that little Parisian bistro just down the laneway..’
21. Go fully off the grid in a CABN designed for escaping
Unplug and unwind at one of four CABNs tucked in secluded serenity around the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. From falling asleep surrounded by nature in the bush, to just a short stroll to some of McLaren Vale’s wineries, there’s a cosy CABN to suit every getaway. The completely off-grid, eco-friendly tiny homes are the perfect base to kick back in nature.
22. Visit ~ that ~ little blue lake
In short, the Little Blue Lake is a volcanic sinkhole in the middle of a paddock that the public can swim in! It is located in the Kanawinka volcanic area between two dormant volcanoes, Mount Schank and Mount Gambier. The sinkhole’s name is attributed to the fact that its water used to turn blue in colour on an annual basis similar to Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, however in more recent times the sinkhole generally remains green in colour.
23. You can cycle a trial that is made for tasting riesling
Yes, you read that correctly. The cycling clare valley riesling trail is an experience where you can hop on the saddle (the bike saddle, that is) for wine touring on pedal power along the Riesling Trail – a breezy, easy 33km-long flat rail track that connects the charming villages of Auburn and Clare. Set your own pace and marvel at the breathtaking views, vast parks and friendly cellar doors and see what makes this one of the ultimate winery experiences in South Australia.
