About
the South Australia Region
| Area: |
983,480
sq kms (379,723 sq miles) |
| State
Population: |
1,500,500 |
| Capital:
|
Adelaide |
| Population:
|
1,100,000 |
 South
Australia is the fourth largest state - four times
the size of the UK and slightly larger than Texas
- and offers all the experiences synonymous with Australia
in one accessible area. Except for Adelaide (home
to 1 million of the 1.5m residents), South Australia
is sparsely inhabited and is the country's driest
state.
The terrain
ranges from craggy mountains of the Flinders Ranges
(the southern reaches begin only 220kms out of Adelaide)
to the vast expanses of isolated, desert outback broken
by the fertile wine growing areas, including the world-renowned
Barossa and Clare Valleys. Just offshore is Kangaroo
Island, a wilderness and wildlife haven.
Climate
Adelaide
has a temperate Mediterranean climate with long warm
to hot summers and short cool to mild winters and
low rainfall (most falling in winter from May to August).
The average temperature ranges from 15°C (59°F) in
July to 29°C (84°F) in January. In the far north of
the state the temperatures can be more extreme, one
of the hottest places in summer is the opal-mining
town of Coober Pedy, 863km north west of Adelaide,
which can reach temperatures of up to 45°C (113°F)!
|
Average Minimum
|
Average
Maximum |
Description |
| Mediterranean |
Summer
|
15°C |
30°C |
The
climate is Mediterranean, with long warm to
hot, dry summers with relatively mild nights
and short cool to mild winters. South Australia
is the driest state in Australia, with most
of the rainfall occurring in winter between
May and August. In the far north of the state
the temperatures can be more extreme, Coober
Pedy is one of the hottest places with temperatures
getting up to 45 degrees in summer. |
| Winter |
7°C |
18°C |
Adelaide
Arriving in Adelaide we'll take you on a quick orientation
tour. Beautifully planned and laid out - you'll find
Adelaide a very easy city to get around. Adelaide
was the only Australian colony that started with free
settlers, not convicts. Settlement was originally
made on Kangaroo Island, and then it moved to Glenelg
and then to its present location. It's thanks to surveyor
Colonel William Light that Adelaide is a planned City.
In 1836 Colonel Light designed the city along a clearly
defined grid pattern with two major centres 'Adelaide,
now being the shopping and commercial hub and North
Adelaide, now with its trendy bars and cafes.
Interspersed with gardened Squares, and surrounded
by an abundance of Park Lands, more than any other
city in Australia. It has a country town friendliness
with an urban feel that is European.
The Adelaide Festival of Arts and the Festival Fringe
bring the City a world-class extravaganza of cultural
delights. These and other festivals, events and concerts
dotted throughout the year, give Adelaide its title
as the "Festival City".
The colony attracted many German settlers, who headed
to the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley and are
responsible for the success of these famous wine-growing
districts. Adelaide was the first capital city in
Australia to get a direct telegraph link with Europe
- this became operational in 1872. They got this privilege
at what was undoubtedly great expense as they had
to lay a land line all the way through the centre
of Australia through countryside which had only once
been previously covered (by that dude who obviously
totally enjoyed getting off the beaten track by the
name of John McDougall Stuart) - but they considered
that it was worth it to prove that South Australia
was flasher than Victoria or New South Wales. Beyond
the city limits, a dizzying assortment of wineries,
historic townships and unspoilt beaches lie less than
an hour away.
List of unique South Australian Icons he reckons you
can't leave town without trying:
Popeye Motor Launches
The very first of the Pop-eye fleet set sail in 1935
carrying 25 passengers for a short outing along the
river Torrens. It was such a success that between
1948 and 1950 three new boats were commissioned to
be built. These three boats are still in use today
and trips along the river Torrens to the Adelaide
Zoo are enjoyed by overseas, interstate and local
visitors of all ages.
Balfours Frog Cake
The Frog Cake is the 'Balfours Mascot'and has been
used in promoting the culture of the State. Introduced
during the 1920's when tearooms were the height of
fashion in Adelaide, the Frog Cake was originally
made with green fondant, the chocolate and pink versions
were introduced later. Frog Cake lovers have also
created a demand for the Red Father Christmas Frog
Cake and the Easter Yellow Chick Frog available during
these festive seasons.
Stobey Pole
In 1924, South Australian James Stobie invented a
steel and concrete pole to carry electricity and telephone
lines, due to SA's lack of suitable timber. Stobie
Poles have other advantages too 'they're termite proof
and have a life span of around 50 years. All Stobie
Poles end at the SA border, with most other States
preferring wooden telegraph poles.
Pie Floater
It looks like a bowl of green mushy gruel with a lump
of something solid sitting in it. On closer inspection
this absolutely strange looking mush turns out to
be a hearty pea soup, with a meat pie turned upside
down. Delicious? Many South Australians and lesser
numbers of their visitors think so. It's South Australia's
own culinary specialty, the 'pie floater'. The hearty
meal is traditionally eaten at kerb side from a 'pie
cart', the most famous being Cowleys', which still
stands alongside the GPO in Victoria Square. These
pie carts became a meeting place where cabbies, police,
night watch men and other workers rubbed shoulders
with theatre patrons in formal evening wear, musicians,
politicians and businessmen. Today the pie cart remains
one of our most favourite of eateries and the pie
floater's curb-side consumption by people from all
walks of life for more than 130 years makes it an
authentic and uniquely South Australian culinary tradition.
Things to do:
Adelaide Zoo
Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Ph: (08) 8267 3255
http://www.adelaidezoo.com.au
> SKYCITY Adelaide
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Ph: (08) 8212 2811
http://www.skycityadelaide.com.au
> Museum of SA
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Tel: (08) 8207 7500
http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au
>South Australia Art Gallery
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Tel: (08) 8207 7000
http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au
> Haigh's Chocolate Factory Tours
153 Greenhill Road, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Tel: (08) 8372 7000
http://www.haighschocolates.com.au
Things to do: Near Adelaide
Victor Harbour is the largest town on the Fleurieu
Peninsula and is popular with the Adelaide locals,
many of whom have weekenders there. It is located
on the shores of Encounter Bay that got its name from
a meeting between Flinders and Baudin back in 1802.
The town has a notorious past as a whaling town, first
established in 1837. Whaling operations lasted until
1864. Victor Harbour is a great place to spend a few
days. While you're there check out the Bluff, Granite
Island, which is connected by a causeway. You can
get to the top by chairlift or walk. There's also
whale watching during winter months and cable hang-gliding.
For more info contact the Visitors Centre (08) 8552
4255 or Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism on Ph (08) 8323
9944.
The Barossa Valley is about an hour and a half drive
north of Adelaide. The Barossa Valley is one of the
best wine producing districts in Oz. The Valley has
a distinct German feel to it, as the early settlers
were, surprisingly, Germans. Prior to WW1 many of
the original German names were changed to Anglo names
to chill out the locals. After the war some were changed
back, but most remained Anglicized. Whether you're
into wine or not, check out the Barossa Valley as
the scenery and the culture is seriously outstanding.
It is possible to have wine tastings at over 40 wineries
(you may never leave the Barossa!)
Places
of Interest
Penneshaw
- is currently the most important arrival
point on the island. Ferries depart from here several
times daily as it is the shortest point to Cape
Jervis. It has fantastic views back to the mainland,
abundant wildlife on Hog bay within minutes walk
from the main street of Penneshaw.
Mt
Thisby - this natural sand hill look out
gives impressive views over the eastern end of Kangaroo
Island, the southern and northern coasts, American
River, and even back to the mainland. There are 534
steps to the top, which means that while travellers
should have a reasonable level of fitness, the views
are accessible to virtually everyone.
Kingscote
- the largest town on the island with a population
of 1500 people, or about 1/3 of the islands' population.
It is the most important town on the island.
Reeves
Point - the site of the first settlement
in South Australia located because of its beauty and
the proximity to what they thought was bountiful whaling
grounds. The colony eventually failed due to a lack
of water and shifted to Glenelg, but there are still
some reminders of that era including the old 'Mulberry
tree' which still bears fruit.
Flinders
Chase National Park - covers nearly one third
of Kangaroo Island on the western end. It is the home
to amazing features such as Admirals Arch and Remarkable
Rocks, Rocky River Headquarters, the Ravine de Casoars
spectacular walks, and of course a vast number of
animals including koala, platypus, wallabies, Cape
Barron Geese and many more.
Remarkable
Rocks - no prizes for guessing why this feature
got its name, but does make you question the creative
skills of the first explorers. This is a granite outcrop
that has been shaped by wind, sea and chemical reaction
to the salt water to make an amazing rock feature.
Cape
du Couedic - first named by early French
explorers. The name means 'the brothers' as there
are two islands off the Cape. This area is simply
spectacular. Even world weary travellers can't help
but be impressed with the view, the surf, the spectacle
of Admirals Arch and a colony of New Zealand fur seals
living on and around the rocks on the cape.
Little
Sahara - is an extensive area of drifting
Sand dunes.
Anti-Chamber
Bay - is another of the islands' pristine
beaches with charming views and a creek that runs
to the sea.
Seal
Bay - a colony of nearly 600 Australian Sea
Lions live, work and play on this beach. At any given
time there are up to 150 seals resting, sleeping and
playing on the beach. Under the direction of Rangers,
visitors can get to within 6 metres from these amazing
animals. This is the only place in the world where
people can interact with the Australian Sea Lion,
the rarest of all the world's Sea Lions.
Beaches
Kangaroo
Island
Stokes Bay
- on the northern coast has entry through a natural
rock tunnel onto a pretty, secluded beach
Ravine
Des Casoars - is a secluded beach at the
rugged western end of the island
Hanson
Bay - This picturesque and rugged bay offers
great swimming and fantastic views
Hikes
Kangaroo
Island Ravine des Casoars, Flinders Chase
National Park - (5-6hrs) This is a wonderful loop
walk through changing vegetation that ends on a secluded
beach at the rugged western end of the island. There
are caves and it's a good idea to bring a torch to
see if you can spot penguins.
Kelly
Hill to Hanson Bay Walk - (9km - 3hrs) This
is arguably the best walk on Kangaroo Island. Starting
at the Kelly Hill Caves reserve it passes through
5 different forms of vegetation and stunning scenery
on the way to picturesque Hanson Bay.
Between
Adelaide & Alice Springs
Flinders
Ranges - are made up of colourful cliffs,
rugged granite peaks, sharp ridges and deep gorges.
These majestic ranges house caves and significant
Aboriginal cultural sites and we do various walks
exploring them.
Wilpena
Pound - a huge natural amphitheatre, which
resembles a crown of pointed mountains, is the jewel
of the Flinders. The challenging climb of Mt Ohlsen-Bagge
is rewarded with magnificent views over the ranges,
the desert and Lake Torrens.
Arkaroola
- enjoy various hikes exploring this rugged outback
country
Uluru
Base Walk - view the mysterious formations
and Aboriginal art sites on the 9.4km circuit around
the base, which takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Valley
of the Winds (Kata Tjuta) - this spectacular
hike, varying in length from (approx) 6-8km depending
on the trip chosen, winds through some of the 36 weathered
domes. The trail is closed when temperatures rise
above 36°C.
Kings
Canyon - We spend approx 3-4 hours walking
around the canyon's rim, enjoying the awesome views
of the sandstone chasm 270 metres below and exploring
it's unique features.
Culture
Early
Australian Settlers - Learn about Kangaroo
Island's first official settlers who arrived in July
1836, aboard the Duke of York. As the first free settlement
in Australia, Kingscote (still a major town on the
island) was dogged by lack of water and suitable building
timber. After four years, it was abandoned in favour
of Adelaide.
Kanyaka
Homestead Ruins - Kanyaka Station was founded
in 1851 and by 1856 the leases totalled 365 square
miles or 233,600 acres and at one time housed up to
70 families. After years of poor seasons and drought
it was abandoned in 1888 but the homestead ruins serves
as a poignant reminder of the harsh life of the early
explorers.
Yourumbulla
Caves - houses 3 Aboriginal art sites. The
Adnyamathanha people, who lived in the Flinders Ranges,
did the paintings. The name Yourambulla is derived
from the Adnyamathanha phrase "yura pilla", meaning
two men, and is related to the two peaks (to the east
of the painting sites).
Wildlife
Kangaroo
Island - is world-renowned as a place to
see native Australian wildlife in its natural habitat.
There are several reasons for this, firstly, more
than half the island has never been cleared of vegetation,
with about one third conserved in National and Conservation
Parks. In addition, foxes and rabbits were never
introduced onto the island, ensuring the integrity
of the uncleared bushland and the presence of abundant
wildlife, much of which is uncommon or extinct on
mainland Australia. On your trip, you may get to
see the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo, Tammar Wallaby,
Short Beaked Echidna, Southern Brown Bandicoot,
various species of possum, Cape Barren Geese, dolphins,
penguins, whales (seasonal) and the endangered Glossy
Black Cockatoo. The island also has flourishing
populations of the rare Australian Sea Lion, New
Zealand Fur Seal and Australian Fur Seal, which
are all native, plus koalas and platypus (though
the latter are pretty hard to spot!), which were
introduced but still survive there.
Flinders
Ranges - as well as wallabies and kangaroos
you may also see huge goannas and a variety of bird
life, including eagles and osprey, when travelling
through this area.
Other
Activities
Opal Mine
Tour - in Coober Pedy we take you around
Umoona mine, where you will see an opal cutting
demonstration and (time permitting) get the chance
to go 'noodling' (local lingo for fossicking) for
your own opals.
|
ATA Tours: 
