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Places around South Australia

Kangaroo Is
Fleurieu Peninsula 
Victor Harbour
York Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula
Murray River
Barossa Valley
Coorong

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. 

victor harborYou 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 creyre peninsulaowds. 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.

barossa valley winery 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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