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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Capital City: Adelaide
Airports: Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Olympic Dam
Climate: The southern part of the state has a Mediterranean climate with cool wet winters with hot dry summers.
* South Australia's average maximum temperature in summer (Dec-
*The highest maximum temperature was recorded as 50.7 °C (123.3 °F) at Oodnadatta, The lowest minimum temperature was −8 °C (17.6 °F) at Yongala.
South Australia Fun facts
* South Australia produces half of Australia’s wine with over 70 wineries in the Barossa valley alone
* Jesuit priests planted the first grapes in the Clare Valley in 1851
* Adelaide has a higher ratio of cafes and restaurants to residents than any other city in Australia.
* South Australia has a population of 1.64 million with 1.28 million of these people living in the capital Adelaide (Australia’s 5th largest city)
* South Australia is the driest state in Australia (the world’s driest continent)
* South Australia boasts Australia’s longest jetty 1.8km in the port town of Beachport
* The largest farm (ranch) in Australia (and the world) is Anna Creek Station in South Australia. At 23,677 km² Anna Creek Station is roughly the same size as Belgium.
Destinations and Experiences
Flinders Ranges and Outback
* Explore the majestic Flinders Ranges, by car, foot or plane.
* Hike to the highest point in the Flinders ranges, St Marys peak at 1170m above sea level, or walk the end of the 1200km Heysen Trail to the top of Parachilna Gorge.
* Walk to the rim of Wilpena Pound, a huge natural amphitheatre
* See Aboriginal art at Arkaroo Rock and fossils in ancient sea beds at Brachina Gorge
* Four wheel drive the Oodnadatta Track to salty Lake Eyre along a traditional Aboriginal trading route, or take the Strzelecki Track past scenic wetlands such as Coongie Lakes and desert landscapes. This is very remote country so thorough preparation and a four wheel drive is essential.
* Fossick for opals in the underground town of Coober Pedy or Andamooka
Kangaroo Island
* Observe the colony of Australian sea lions at Seal Bay up close with a ranger
* See pink pelicans at Reeves Point and sea lions on the rocks at Cape du Couedic
* Surf at Vivonne Bay or swim on secret beaches at Stokes Bay
* Watch the Fairy (Little) Penguins make their nightly journey to the shore in Penneshaw or from Kingscote Wharf.
* Visit the underground caves of Kelly Hill Conservation Park and the Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park
* Dive off American Beach through shipwrecks and with leafy sea dragons
Limestone Coast
* Visit Blue Lake of Mount Gambier, which changes from steel-
* Discover the World Heritage-
* Canoe or sail along the lagoons and waterways of the Coorong, getting up close to hundreds of wetland birds and learning about Aboriginal history
* Fish, dive, windsurf and sail from the picturesque crayfishing town of Kingston
* Snorkel and cave-
Murray River
* Explore the Murray River with its’giant red gums, sandstone cliffs, and weeping willows by houseboat, luxury cruiser or paddlesteamer
* Go sailing, water-
* Stay in Berri or Lyrup in the Murray River National Park, and canoe through the
bird-
* Cycle along the scenic East Front Road or four wheel drive in Ngarkat Conservation Park
* See the birthplace of the Black Duck Dreaming with a Nganguraku Aboriginal guide in the Loxton Historical Village
Barossa Valley
* Visit the world-
* Sample high quality, local produce on the Butcher, Baker, WineMaker Trail
* See artisans at work in one of the many studios in the region
* Visit the old steam trains, stone churches, galleries and museums in the heritage town of Gawler, South Australia’s oldest country town
Clare Valley
* Walk or cycle the 25km Riesling Trail between green hills, vineyards and restaurants
* Taste sacramental wine made by Jesuit priests at the cellar door in Sevenhill, or buy country produce from the markets
* Drive the Heartland Heritage Trail through restored heritage towns such as Burra, Kapunda and Mintaro
* Explore the Aboriginal history of Two Wells or sample gourmet meals at the restaurants, cafes and pubs of Auburn
Eyre Peninsula
* Snorkel with giant cuttlefish near Whyalla and swim with sea lions at Baird Bay
* Go cage diving with a Great White Shark south of Port Lincoln
* Spot Southern Right Whales in the Great Australian Bight Marine Park between May and October
* Visit the Lake Newland Conservation Park, home to hundreds of wetland birds
* Head inland to the Gawler Ranges and see colourful volcanic rock, shimmering salt lakes, wildflowers and native wildlife
* Four wheel drive further into the Nullarbor Plain -
Fleurieu Peninsula
* Dive or snorkel with leafy sea dragons from the jetty at Rapid Bay or dive off
Yankalilla Bay and swim through the sunken engine room and turrets of the ex-
* Watch migrating whales and waddling little penguins in Victor Harbor
* Walk, fish or surf on the white sand of Goolwa, Cape Jervis, Christies and Middleton Beach
* Visit wineries and art and craft galleries in the McLaren Vale wine region
* From Goolwa you can canoe down the Murray River past wetland birds in the Coorong’s shallow lagoons
Adelaide
* Sample the fresh produce from Adelaide Central Market or go shopping at Rundle Mall
* Swim with dolphins in vibrant Glenelg
* Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery
* Bike ride in Elder Park or picnic in sprawling Botanic Park, where the international music festival WOMADelaide is held.
* Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide
Adelaide Hills
* Visit Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German village, browse the bakeries,
craft shops and galleries and stay in Bavarian-
* Visit The Cedars, once the gracious home and studio of famous landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen
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