Top places: Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, the central deserts, Flinders Ranges, Nullabor Plain, Barossa Valley, Coober Pedy.
South Australia is the only state to border every other mainland state in Australia. The state is the driest in the country, but the south enjoys a Mediterranean climate and receives enough rain to support
a city and a superb wine industry. The rest of South Australia is located
in the harsh Outback and there is plenty of it to explore
Adelaide is South Australia's capital city and is situated on the Torrens river. 
The city centre is surrounded by a large green belt and these
parklands divide the city from the suburbs. The Adelaide Hills can be seen
from the city and were the scene for the notorious Ash Wednesday Fires, Australia's
worst ever bush fire which burnt large areas of South Australia and Victoria
in 1986.
Adelaide is close to the Barossa Valley which is one of Australia's premium wine producing areas. To the north are the scenic Flinders Ranges, an area of rugged mountains and valleys. Further north from there and you will find yourself in the Simpson Desert and if you head west you will head into the Nullabor Plain, a vast flat plain with no trees. Nullabor is latin for no trees.
One
of the best rail journeys in Australia starts in Adelaide and heads north
to Alice Springs and now extends to Darwin at the northern end of Australia.
This rail trip is known as the "Ghan" and is a comfortable way to see the rugged Australian Outback.
If you choose to travel north by road you will pass a few small towns including Coober Pedy. The inhabitants of this small mining town live underground as this is the best way to escape the searing heat above. Pubs, church buildings, and houses are cleverly constructed and look more like luxury caves than buildings.
If you head in an easterly
direction you will eventually cross into Queensland, New South Wales, or Victoria.
To the north lies the Northern Territory and to the west lies the vast state,
Western Australia. The southern coastline is pounded by the Great Southern
Ocean and this beautiful coast is called the Great Australian Bight.
| Related pages
More Australian states |
All images can be purchased for commercial and non-commercial use.