South Australia

On the mainland there is the wild coast of the Southern Ocean, the Great Australian Bight and the rugged beauty of the Flinders & Gawler Ranges - known as the Southern Outback this area covers 80% of the state and yet is home to just 1% of its population.

Offshore - and one of Original Travel's all-time favourite places - Kangaroo Island is perhaps the best place to see Australian wildlife up close. Separated from the mainland eons ago, almost half of Kangaroo Island is virgin bush and its diverse landscapes provide ideal habitats for many of Australia's unique creatures, including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, possums, bandicoots, platypus, goannas (a large species of lizard) and a vast range of rare and endangered birds.

On top of this, the coast is home to sea lions, fur seals, dolphins and even whales. Closer to civilisation (ie: Adelaide), the wine country of the Barossa and Clare Valleys and the McLaren Vale offer wine styles and gourmet experiences that have evolved out the European traditions of the early settlers. To the east, dry plains surround the Murray, Australia's greatest river. The graceful river red gums that line its banks are a quintessential Australian scene and they harbour a diverse bird life and provide beautiful settings for some fine heritage homesteads.