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The coastal regions
Kangaroo Island
Located just over 110km (68 miles) southwest of Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is home to
seals, sea
lions, koalas and, of course, kangaroos. Australia's third largest island, it makes
for a good summer
escape with its beaches and wonderful wildlife. A car or scooter is recommended if you plan on seeing
the island's more remote remarkable features. Transport can be hired on the island.
The main town on the island is Kingscote, located on Nepean
Bay. Penneshaw is the town where the ferry from the mainland will most likely dock. Don't leave Penneshaw without
a visit to the Little Penguin Colony and Interpretive Centre where you can find out all that is
known
about the smallest of the penguin family.
The Flinders Chase National Park, on the west end of Kangaroo Island, is South Australia's largest
national park. It has beautiful forests of gum where you can see koalas, possums, and kangaroos. There is also
a seal breeding area and some striking rock formations. The Seal Bay Aquatic Reserve is
another natural attraction
on the island where visitors can walk through a colony of Australian sealions.
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The Fleurieu Peninsula
Southeast of Adelaide, the green Fleurieu Peninsula is fringed by some of South Australia's
best beaches and
has some of the state's finest wineries. McLaren Vale is your destination for a wine-tasting excursion from Adelaide.
Be sure you have a driver of sober habits and investigate a selection of the area's almost 50 wineries.
Victor Harbor,
, located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, once South Australia's first tourism spot is now a sleepy coastal town for those charming seaside holidays. When you're
not on the beach visit
the fairy penguins on Granite Island, learn more at the South Australian Whale Centre, or see some of the four-legged
locals at the
Urimbirra Wildlife Park.
You
can walk across to Granite Island, but a horse drawn tram, that operates around
the year, makes crossing the
bridge a bit more enjoyable. It also takes you a bit further in on the Island
where you then can enjoy a scenic walk round the Island and back to the main
land.
If you wish to spot penguins it is best to come here at dusk when the penguins
come back from spending a day out in the ocean.
You can follow boardwalks around or get of the track to try to spot their
nests. Please avoid using flashlight if you take pictures, it scares
the penguins.
Location: Victor
Harbour is about an
easy hour's drive south of
Adelaide, and makes a perfeft stop over
destination for those heading out to Kangaroo Island.
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The Yorke Peninsula
Lying to the west of Adelaide is the York Peninsula where you can get a good dose of
mining heritage
in the towns
of the Copper Triangle, Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta, all created after the 1860s discovery of the useful metal.
Sandy coves shelter between the coast's rocky cliffs, providing plenty of space for
snorkelling, swimming and
fishing. The Innes National Park is an excellent place to indulge in these pastimes, and keep an eye
open
for wallowing whales passing by.
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The Eyre Peninsula
This large peninsula towards the west is your destination if you're after remote beaches and
a holiday
away from the cr owds. Take your pick between the ocean-buffeted and rugged west coast or the more sedate and
sheltered shores of the east. At the tip of the peninsula is the fishing town of Port Lincoln, a good option
if you want the beaches and the modern conveniences of a well-stocked town.
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The Southeast
The Murray River, at its prime in South Australia, boasts spectacular scenery with huge cliffs and abundant
bird life. Take a cruise on a paddle wheeler, stopping off at river towns along the way. Or hire a houseboat
from one of the many river centres. The rich agricultural area produces large fruit crops.
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Barossa Valley
Situated about 45km (28 miles) northeast of Adelaide, this is the Heartland of
Australian wine country. There are well over 40 wineries producing about two-thirds of Australia's wine.
The district was settled in 1839 by English and German settlers and Barossa today maintains a distinct
German flavour in the Lutheran churches, bakeries, and restaurants which pepper the area. Tours and
tastings at the wineries can be arranged.
To the northwest of Barossa lies the reputable Clare wine district. The town of Burra, its historical buildings
surveying the surrounding rolling
hills, is a popular stopover if you're planning on spending a night in the region.
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Coorong National Park
This national park, which comprises a narrow strip hugging the coastline from Lake Alexandrina (where the
Murray River meets the sea) to just north of Kingston SE, offers some very special scenery. A narrow
stretch of lagoons are separated from the sea by the Young husband Peninsula. There is good
fishing along the ocean
beaches and bird-watching enthusiasts are well-provided for with pelicans, terns and swans amongst the numerous
bird species.
However, if neither of these pastimes takes your fancy, this stretch is
ideal just for taking a relaxed drive and stopping to enjoy the scenery, a picnic or walk.
In the south-eastern corner of the state lies one of the country's most recent World Heritage sites, the
Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park. One of the park's most renowned caves is the Victoria Fossil Cave
which held the fossils of a number of unique pre-historic animals. Nearby, the Bool Lagoon is worth you while
if you're a keen bird-watcher.
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