South Australia family-friendly travel guide

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About South Australia

Many people might think that South Australia is a playground for adults with its wonderful wineries and gourmet foods, but it is just as fascinating for children.

In Adelaide, the choice is endless, with something for kids of all ages. Visit the zoo to see some of the world’s rare and endangered mammals, birds and reptiles as well as our own native animals. Hire a paddleboat on the Torrens River or jump on board the tram to Glenelg for a day at the beach. For a real treat, take the kids to Melba’s Chocolate Factory, where artisans still use old-fashioned methods to make their chocolate, or buy up big at the Big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory.

South Australia abounds in nature’s gifts both rich and rare. Stay a few days at Kangaroo Island and marvel at the incredible sea lions at Seal Bay and the spectacular scenery at the Remarkable Rocks and Flinders Chase National Park. Ride on the horse-drawn tram at Victor Harbour on the Fleurieu Peninsula, a small coastal town with safe beaches, fairy penguins and, in winter, southern right whales.

Other holiday suggestions include a farm stay in the Clare Valley, cruising down the Murray River on a houseboat, cycling through the spectacular volcanic craters at Mount Gambier or enjoying a family hike on the Heysen Trail in the Flinders Ranges. Parents are looked after as well, with plenty of distractions for kids in the wine-making regions of the Barossa and Clare Valleys and the Adelaide Hills.

South Australia facts

Capital

Adelaide

Population

1.68 million (2016)

Official language(s)

English

Time zone

ACST (GMT+9:30), ACDT (GMT +10:30)

Landmass

983,482 km²

Currency

Australian Dollar

Emergency number

000

Religion

35% non-religious, 18% Catholic, 47% other

Helpful information

Where to go

Adelaide

Adelaide, as South Australia’s capital city, has a lot to offer families. First stop should be the Adelaide Zoo, which has a dedicated kids’ zoo and a free guided tour. There’s also Cleland Wildlife Park, where your kids will have a chance to get up close with Australian animals.

If you’re in need of food, try Adelaide Central Market, the largest undercover market in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, you’ll find fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, as well as cafes and bakeries to try some of the produce. You should also stop by Haighs Chocolate Factory for a free tour and free chocolate samples.

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are also worth a visit. There are various sections in the gardens, including a Garden of Health and an International Rose Garden. There’s also the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden for kids, which you can explore on your own or with a guide. Mount Lofty, Adelaide’s highest peak, also has its own botanic gardens.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is a popular South Australian destination with lots of conservation parks to explore and wildlife to see. While significant parts of Flinders Chase National Park and Kelly Hill Conservation Park were burned during the 2019-20 bushfires, and the park is closed indefinitely (check the park websites for updates), there are plenty of other attractions making Kangaroo Island a worthwhile destination.

If the kids are keen to see some wildlife, there’s Seal Bay Conservation Park, which is home to an endangered species of Australian sea lions, or Raptor Domain, where injured birds of prey are rehabilitated. Visit or volunteer at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, where a huge amount is being done to rehabilitate and take care of the animals harmed by the fires.

For something a bit different, try your hand at shucking oysters at The Oyster Farm Shop, which provides some of the best sustainable seafood in the region.

Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges are a great spot to take the family if you are after natural landscapes and outdoor activities. Wilpena Pound is a popular part of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The Wilpena Pound Resort has a variety of accommodation to suit everyone and there are many bushwalks around the area, including a hike to St Mary Peak, the highest peak in the Flinders Ranges.

From the Flinders Ranges, it’s not far to Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest salt lake. The lake can be best seen from the air.

There are a number of gorges to explore in the region, including Bunyeroo Gorge, Sacred Canyon and Brachina Gorge.

The Barossa Valley

The fertile land of the Barossa Valley has resulted in its status as one of Australia’s top wine regions, boasting more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors all less than an hour from Adelaide.

You cannot visit the valley without wining and dining your way around and fortunately, a lot of the popuilar wine destinations cater to kids as well. Seppeltsfield is one of the oldest wineries in Australia with stunning grounds, heritage tours, picnic grounds and bikes for hire to make for a family day out.

In terms of food, you can stuff yourself silly at the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company and book in to a chocolate making class, or leave the creating to the children while you test out some of their chocolate and wine pairings.

Robe

Home to about 1500 people, this picturesque town on the Limestone Coast draws in visitors year after year. Robe has hundreds of years of history to wade through with plenty of landmarks and Heritage-listed buildings. .

Take a walk up to the Cape Dombey Obelisk for views of the limestone cliffs or the Indian Ocean or hire a 4WD and drive along the aptly-named Long Beach – it’s a great place for beginners to give off-roading a go. A day at this seaside town would not be complete without some fish and chips and an ice cream from Robe’s Ice Cream Shop, where 45 flavours are waiting to entice children and parents alike.

Best time to go to South Australia

South Australia is blessed with a warm, dry climate so any time is an ideal time to visit SA. South Australian summers can be very hot but are usually quite bearable due to mercifully low humidity. Winters are mild with an average maximum temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius in mid-winter.

South Australia is the driest of the Australian states and territories. Its average annual rainfall is 528 millimetres, but just over 80% of the state receives an average of less than 250 millimetres of rain a year. The highest rainfall occurs during May and August.

Summer

The summer months between December to February enjoy average temperatures between 17 and 29 degrees Celsius, and the average monthly rainfall is 20 millimetres.

Autumn

The autumn months between March to May see average temperatures between 10 and 24 degrees Celsius, and the average monthly rainfall is 37 millimetres.

Winter

The winter months between June to August see average temperatures between seven and 17 degrees Celsius, and the average monthly rainfall is 55 millimetres.

Spring

The spring months between September to November see average temperatures between 11 and 25 degrees Celsius, and the average monthly rainfall is 36 millimetres.

Getting in and around for families

Major airport

South Australia is easily accessed by air, with all capital cities serviced by regular flights to Adelaide. Adelaide Airport is the major airport in South Australia and caters for international, domestic and regional flights. The domestic and international terminals both have good facilities including restaurants, bars, coffee shops, ATMs, public telephones, disabled facilities and baby changing rooms.

Public airports in South Australia are located in Adelaide, Kingscote (Kangaroo Island), Mt Gambier, Renmark, Port Lincoln, Coober Pedy, Ceduna and Whyalla.

Drive

By road, Adelaide is about 18 hours from Sydney, 10 hours from Melbourne and 24 hours from Perth. Make sure your family and car are well prepared for long-distance travel and make plenty of rest stops along the way.

Long interstate driving trips can be a wonderful experience but they can also be extremely hazardous if you’re not well prepared. Ensure that your car is roadworthy and capable of a long-distance haul well before you leave. Take a break from driving every two hours to refresh yourself and give the family a chance to stretch their legs.

Rental car companies including Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty are all represented at the airport.

Trains

A unique and scenic way to travel to South Australia is by rail. Three interstate trains stop in Adelaide. The Ghan runs weekly return services between Darwin and Adelaide. The Overland operates daily between Melbourne and Adelaide and the Indian Pacific leaves twice weekly from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide and back again.

Taxis

Adelaide Airport is about six kilometres from the city centre. Airport shuttle buses to the city leave from outside the terminal. There are always plenty of metered taxis around.

Buses

Hiring a car or bringing your own is the best way to make the most of a trip to South Australia if you want to visit regional areas. Major regional centres can also be accessed by air and coach.

Adelaide has an efficient public transport system – Adelaide Metro – which services the metropolitan region with trains, buses and the Glenelg tram. Of particular note are the Adelaide free buses that cover the CBD.

Food and drinks that kids will love

South Australia is more closely associated with wine and food than any other state. You’ll be spoiled for choice in Adelaide with its myriad eat streets – home to everything from pie shops to breezy European-style cafes, sumptuous Asian banquets and classy modern Australian brasseries.

Outside Adelaide there are plenty of food and wine trails to explore. Many of the state’s fertile regions offer their own outstanding local produce. Kangaroo Island has its cheeses and marron; the Fleurieu Peninsula boasts olive oil, almonds and yabbies; the Riverland along the Murray is nut, grape and citrus country. The Eyre Peninsula is one of Australia’s most important regions for seafood, with its outstanding prawns, lobsters and King George whiting. Coffin Bay oysters are arguably the best in the country.

There’s no doubt that South Australia is one of the premier wine-growing regions of the world, with more than 350 wineries and 250 cellar doors across its 15 wine regions. Wine-lovers will be in heaven in the world-famous vineyards of the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale.

Shopping

Count on spending plenty of time at Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s famous shopping precinct. Opened in 1976, Rundle Mall was Australia’s first street mall and is now home to over 600 retail shops, from the big department stores to unique speciality boutiques. Also check out Adelaide’s Central Markets, behind the Adelaide Hilton. Here you’ll find Australia’s largest range of fresh produce.

South Australia is the world’s largest source of white opals, and there are plenty of places in Adelaide and around the opal fields (Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Mintabie) where you’ll find a wide choice of opals and opal jewellery.

Customs

Tipping

Australia does not have a significant tipping culture. However, you may want to tip a waiter in a restaurant or a taxi driver a maximum of 10% for good service.

What to wear

Casual, lightweight clothing is fine for much of the year in South Australia. Hats and sunscreen are absolutely essential for any season. During winter, a lightweight overcoat and woollen garments may be required. Remember that in the outback there may be blistering heat during the day, but night-time temperatures can drop to below zero. Warm, comfortable, layered clothing is a must when visiting inland South Australia.

Electricity

The voltage in Australia in 230V and the power socket is Type I.

Health and safety precautions

Health

No special immunisations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or have visited, a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the Australian Department of Health before you leave home.

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Australian cities.

Safety

Bushfires can occur in South Australia between November and April. Fire restrictions and bans may apply.

Given that the temperatures can be warm in summer and it’s easy to get sunburnt, make sure you dress appropriately with a hat and lightweight clothing and apply sunscreen. Also make sure that you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated.

Most photographed places

South Australia is full of beautiful coastline, stunning natural land formations and unique national parks. We’ve covered the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island in ‘Where To Go’ and both of these are full of dreamy destinations for your holiday album. If you’ve been there and done that, there are plenty of other family-friendly places to visit for some inspiring travel snaps.

Innes National Park

A long-time favourite of visitors to the region, South Australia’s Innes Park has a particularly spectacular coast just begging to be photographed. The park is on the Yorke Peninsula and easily accessible for all vehicles, although we highly recommend downloading a map before entering as reception can be unpredictable. Cape Spencer Lighthouse is a beautiful lookout for 360-degree views and definitely worth a stop, as are the numerous shipwrecks that lay off the coast of Innes, the most famous being The Ethel. The shoreline is one of the biggest draws for amateur photographers and a favourite spot is the natural rock pool at Shell Beach, perfect for a quick dip or simply enjoying the sun.

Mount Lofty

Mount Lofty is the quintessential Adelaide hike and a popular sunset lookout for those in the know. The peak sits at 710 metres above sea level, offering views out over the city and towards the coast and lots of great walking trails. The Summit restaurant and café are perfect for resting weary legs after a day of exploring the conservation park where you’ll find botanic gardens and a boutique hotel.

The Pink Lakes

There is no better colour than millennial pink for an aesthetic Instagram feed, and there are several lakes in South Australia that deliver pink in spades. The high salinity levels in the water combine with salt-loving pink bacteria, turning the lakes every shade from a soft rose to a bright bubble gum. Lake MacDonnell is on the Eyre Peninsula with its bright colours drawing quite the crowd. As an added visual bonus, the pink waters are separate from the neighbouring blue lake by a straight dirt road in a beautiful contrast that many a photographer has taken advantage of. Lake Bumbunga is another fuchsia fantasy, made up of three salt pans and located less than two hours from Adelaide.

Wine country

It’s no secret that South Australia is full of wineries and cellar doors, and what makes for a better photo than a glass of wine in a picturesque vineyard? One of the most distinctive wineries is D’Arenberg in McLaren Vale where the new-age d’Arenberg wine centre has been likened to an intergalactic Rubik’s Cube. Another beautiful spot is Seppeltsfield road, where an avenue of over 2000 palm trees provides a spectacular welcome to visitors of the region.