South Australia Tours & Holidays

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 has diverse landscapes and weather patterns. Southern regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale have a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. As you go further north, the weather generally gets hotter and drier. But remember, even in the outback, the temperature can drop considerably at night.

Down south and along the coast, summer (December-February) is the busiest time of year thanks to warm, sunny weather and a busy festival calendar. Autumn (March-May) is probably the best time of year for foodies and wine lovers with all the harvest and Vintage celebrations in wine country.

Winter (June-August) is a fab time to see wildlife, with the opportunity to see humpback and southern right whales off the coast, and wallabies, kangaroos and other native critters making the most of abundant vegetation in Flinders Ranges National Park.

Spring is a particularly good season for hiking and bushwalking as temperatures are pleasant and native wildflowers are in bloom.

Learn more about the best time to visit South Australia

Bring a trusted pair of walking shoes and a pair of thongs to wear around your accommodation. Layered clothing is best, including a fleece or jumper to pop on in the evening and a rain jacket in case the weather turns. One or two smart casual outfits should be more than enough for dining out unless you plan on visiting many high-end restaurants or wineries.

Travelling around South Australia often involves a lot of time on the road. Services/amenities can be limited, so bring ample snacks and be sure to download a few podcasts for the journey.

Most people have heard about Bondi, Byron Bay and Whitehaven Beach, but South Australia's beaches are super low on the tourist radar (for now!). 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