From the sun-drenched outback to luscious wine regions to paradise beaches, South Australia is chock-full of adventures.

There’s so much more to South Australia than amazing wine, but we have to admit, winding through three wine regions on a bicycle is one of our favourite ways to explore. Whether you’re a keen hiker, avid cyclist, beach lover or wildlife enthusiast – or anyone else in between – our South Australia tours are packed with unforgettable experiences. Follow your Intrepid leader as you journey through the spectacular Flinders Ranges, discover pristine beaches and wildlife on Kangaroo Island, explore the underground world of Coober Pedy, or let your tastebuds lead the way on the Eyre Peninsula’s seafood frontier—all while learning about the spiritual significance of these places from local First Nations guides.

Popular regions

Our South Australia tours 

5 Days From 1450

Spend five incredible days discovering the natural and cultural wonders of South...

6 Days From 1238

Explore South Australia’s famed wine regions the best way – on a 6-day cycling...

10 Days From 2274

Explore the South Australian outback on a 10-day small group tour which includes Coober...

9 Days From 2710

Spend nine days exploring South Australia’s stunning Eyre Peninsula, from Adelaide to...

7 Days From 1862

Get a taste of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges on a 7-day adventure, including...

7 Days From 2285

Set off on a six-day adventure through the Flinders Ranges, joining a local leader and...

5 Days From 1665

Explore Kangaroo Island on a scenic 5-day adventure that follows the Kangaroo Island...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Highlights of South Australia 

Vineyards in Barossa Valley at sunset

Cycle (and sip) your way through wine country

Experience the beauty of Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley on two wheels as you wind down quiet country roads lined with neverending vineyards and lush paddocks. Uncover the Barossa's rich history on the traffic-free Heritage Trail, visit the traditional German village of Hahndorf or tuck into delicious platters filled with fresh seasonal produce. Cycling is thirsty work, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to rest (read: drink wine and eat delicious food) in wineries and cellar doors along the way.

Learn about local First Nations cultures

Learn about the spiritual significance of Ikara-Flinders Ranges by experiencing a Welcome to Country ceremony in Yura Ngawarla (the language of the Adnyamathanha people) on a Flinders Ranges Explorer tour or spend time at Iga Warta with music, singing and storytelling. Or stay two nights in the Scotdesco Aboriginal Community in Bookabie (wombat country) where you can visit local Aboriginal art galleries and take part in cultural activities to gain a deeper understanding of the community.

A coastal view on Kangaroo Island

Discover paradise beaches

There’s no need to jet off to a tropical island when the beaches are this gorgeous. From the bright blue waters of Kangaroo Island to the dreamy sands and golden cliffs on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia is full of postcard-perfect beaches. They’re also quiet on the tourist radar, so you can enjoy them without the crowds. Enjoy the sea breeze on pristine coastal walking trails, discover hidden coves on the Eyre Peninsula or wade through crystal clear waters at Coffin Bay to pick, shuck and eat oysters straight from an oyster farm.

A sea lion on the shore on Kangaroo Island

See native wildlife

From koalas to bearded dragon lizards to southern hairy-nosed wombats, South Australia has some fantastic opportunities to see native wildlife. Watch a colony of Australian fur seals sunning themselves on Kangaroo Island’s rocky coast, visit orphaned kangaroos and wombats in a Coober Pedy wildlife sanctuary, watch playful sea lions along the Eyre Peninsula, or see short-beaked echidnas and wallabies at Red Banks Conservation Park - one of Australia’s richest megafauna sites.

Explore Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Lose yourself in the spellbinding beauty of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park on a Walk the Flinders Ranges tour. Follow your leader as you hike through valleys and gorges filled with ancient granite, mountains and unique plant life. You’ll see Wilpena Pound – an 800-million-year-old natural amphitheatre – come alive as you search for ancient rock engravings and hear the story of two giant Akurra (serpents) who carved out the landscapes. It’s even more magical at night when the sky glitters with millions of stars.

An aerial view of Lake Macdonnel

Marvel at Lake Macdonnell

It's hard to believe your eyes as you drive along the long, dusty road that separates the ocean and Lake Macdonnell, or ‘Watermelon Avenue’ as it’s warmly called by locals. The cotton-candy colour pops against the sparkling turquoise ocean thanks to salt-loving algae that feed off the salt and secrete red pigments into the water. So technically, you’re marvelling at a algae poop-filled lake. Still, it’s a sight you’ll never forget. Winter and early spring are the best times to visit when there’s plenty of water.

Our South Australia tour reviews 

South Australia FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

South Australia is a large state with diverse landscapes and climates. Southern parts of the state have a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. As you go further north, it’s hot and dry all year round with minimal rainfall. 

Summer (December to February) is the busiest time of year in the southern parts of the state like Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley. It’s a popular destination for summer holidays with warm, sunny weather and a busy events calendar. However, visiting in the cooler months has its perks. It’s quieter, spring wildflowers and autumn foliage add distinct beauty to the landscapes and there are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. 

The shoulder seasons at the end of spring and early autumn are a great time to plan your trip if you want to balance good weather and small crowds.

Read more about the best time to travel to South Australia

What to pack will depend on where in South Australia you're going, the time of year you're visiting and the activities you're doing. You can't go wrong with clothes you can layer, plus a jumper or jacket to pop on in the evening when the temperature drops. You might also want to bring a rainjacket and wet weather gear depending on the season. One or two smart casual outfits should be more than enough for dining out unless you're planning on visiting a lot of high-end restaurants or wineries.

Australia is a big place so tours in South Australia can involve a lot of time on the road covering long distances and services can be limited so bring some snacks and a book or some tunes to keep you company. Or you can sit back and enjoy the scenery and keep an eye out for eagles, emus and other wildlife along the way. 

People all around the world have seen or heard about Bondi Beach, Byron Bay and Whitehaven Beach, but unless you’ve lived or travelled in South Australia, you might not know how stunning its beaches are. Some of our favourite spots include:

  • Maslin Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula 
  • Glenelg Beach, Adelaide
  • Port Willunga, Fleurieu Peninsula 
  • Crackalinga Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula 
  • Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island
  • Almonta Beach, Eyre Peninsula
  • Cactus Beach, Penong
  • Perlubie Beach, Streaky Bay
  • Memory Cove, Eyre Peninsula
  • Emu Bay Beach, Kangaroo Island

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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