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The Australian Holidays Getaway Project

A National Collaboration

A previous version of this website encouraged people throughout Australia to contribute useful facts and travel related information about their town and/or district. The initiative met with mixed success and the following contributions for South Australia are published as an extract from the original.

Adelaide
Adelaide is a lovely city built on a square grid that flanks the Torrens River. It is known as the "city of churches" and St Peter's Cathedral is in the centre. All around the city centre are various squares and parklands which makes Adelaide a very green city. The main shopping area in the city is Rundle Mall. Visitors will find an excellent selection of Adelaide hotels in all price ranges.

Sidewalk cafes are an established part of the local scene. The river precincts offer gardens with walking and cycling tracks. Details of he city transport services are available at the TransAdelaide site. Adelaide's major cultural boulevard is North Terrace wihere visitors will find the restored Mortlock library, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum with its spectacular whale displays and collection of Aboriginal natural history and Dreamtime exhibits.

More Aboriginal culture is on display at Tandanya Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Port Adelaide is the home of the maritime history of the region which can be found in the Maritime Museum. Alicia Stokes

Barmera
Bedford Park
Birdwood

Birdwood is situated around half an hour drive from Adelaide set in the scenic hills area. The town's main interest lies with the old Birdwood Mill - National Motor Museum which is internationally renowned. To soak in everything the museum has too offer at least half a day should be dedicated. Occasionally special events are run by the Museum, two of the more notable are the Bay to Birdwood run and the Rock and Roll Reundavous. Chris Martin

Bordertown
Burra
Clare

Situated 135km north of Adelaide, amongst wooded hills and surrounded by grapevines, Clare and the Clare Valley is gaining a well deserved reputation as a great place to visit. Most people come to taste some of the award winning wines produced at nearly 30 wineries, and to enjoy country hospitality at the many accommodation places.

If wine tasting is not your thing, (or you just want a break from it), you can call into some of the antique shops and galleries, enjoy old buildings, explore famous places like Martindale Hall or Bungaree Station or simply take in the natural beauty of the area. Peter Verrion

Coober Pedy
Glenelg

The suburb of Glenelg is located on the beach, west of Adelaide. It takes approximately twenty minutes by car, and twenty to thirty minutes on the Glenelg Tram from Victoria Square in the heart of Adelaide. Jetty Road, Glenelg has many restaurants and cafes. There are also several restaurants located on side streets - all within walking distance. The Stamford Grand also offers three restaurants to choose from if you are seeking a little luxury.

Glenelg is an important piece of South Australia's history as this is where Governor Hindmarsh proclaimed the colony. Historical landmarks such as The Buffalo Replica ship and the Old Gum Tree should not be missed. The suburb also has a lot of magnificent architecture and beautiful churches. Glenelg offers a range of attractions ranging from the its historical sites, an excellent range of restaurants and cafes, Magic Mountain - a mini fun park and of course its beautiful beach and jetty. Samantha Kelly

Goodwood
Goolwa

Goolwa is about 90km south of the Adelaide CBD. Goolwa is located on the River Murray and is at the exit to the ocean of the river. Goolwa once was a thriving paddleboat port and is a designated inland port in Australia. Sites and attractions include river tours, especially to The Coorong, a designated RAMSAR ecological migratory birds area. The Murray mouth is another popular tour where you can see where the Murray exits to the ocean. The Goolwa Barrage is interesting in showing how the Murray River was controlled to stop flooding and drought further upriver. The Goolwa barrage is one of 5 barrages in the area. There is lots of accommodation and rental holiday houses in Goolwa. Vicki Crawford

Gumeracha
Hahndorf

Hahndorf is a pretty little town situated in the Adelaide Hills. It is the oldest German Village in Australia. Hahndorf is a very popular tourist attraction where descendents of the settlers still make and sell tradional crafts such as leatherwork and woodwork. Alicia Stokes

Hindmarsh Island
This is a small island (19km x 9km) with mainly rural aspects. It is 100km south from the Adelaide CBD and is joined to the mainland at Goolwa by a bridge. It sits in the estuary of the Murray River as it exits to the ocean. 25% of the island is part of the Coorong National Park and you are able to see the Murray mouth from the lookout area.

Facilities include a caravan park, a tavern (excellent meals), a very small general store (licensed bottleshop), a café in the centre of the island (excellent meals, licensed). There are several B&B’s on the island and a farm stay and the island has several small boat launching ramps. The island is a photographers and birdwatchers paradise, excellent fishing and boating destination and a very picturesque area to visit. Vicki Crawford

Jolimont
Kadina
Kapunda
Leigh Creek

Leigh Creek is virtually the southern end of major tracks like the Birdsville Track, Oddnadatta Track etc. and has become a major tour staging post for the far northern part of South Australia, Western Queensland and NT. Beat

McLaren Vale
Meadows
Meningie
Milang
Mt Compass
Mt Gambier

Located mid-way between Melbourne and Adelaide, Mount Gambier is a fine stop off point for those interested in coastal regions, forests and of course the famous Coonawarra vineyards. Travel time from either Adelaide or Melbourne is approximately 5 hours. Mount Gambier offers varied accommodation from budget to 4 star and has one of the best camping grounds and sites in South Australia, located immediately adjacent to the famous Blue Lake and the other crater lakes in the region.

Mount Shanck, the little Blue Lake (sink-hole actually) are only 15 minutes away with a little extra travel to get to the south coast and cray-fishing port of Port McDonnell. The Great Ocean Road, Portland and Warrnambool are an easy drive from this location The town boasts 2 fine 18 hole golf courses, race course, motor cycle racing, speed cars and is the venue of some Ladies International tennis competition.

The Lady Nelson Park offers full tourist information and literature on the area and is located just out of the town centre, which incidentally has a number of heritage buildings over 100 years old, including Jens Hotel, the Old Town Hall, Cave Gardens and the old Post Office. Take some time to come and enjoy this area of South Australia. A great summer location but can get cool to cold in the winter - bring a jacket at all times. Ken Haig

Nailsworth
Naracoorte
North Adelaide
Parkside

Parkside and Unley are two neighbouring suburbs about five minutes out of the city on the southern side of Adelaide. They feature many trendy cafe's and King William and Unley Road offer some of the best shopping to be had in the state.. as does Glen Osmond Road, which is where many of the state's seconds shops are located. Rebecca Wenzel

Port Adelaide
Port Augusta

Port Augusta is a relatively unknown town that has a lot to offer, about three hours drive north of Adelaide. Name another place where you can stand on a bridge, over the sea watching the dolphins play, and be surrounded by hills and mountains, only a stones throw away from the Outback. From Port Augusta you can visit the amazing Flinders Ranges and take a ride on the Pichi Richi Railway or go on a quiet cruise to the top of the Spencer Gulf.

Visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, hosting one of the world’s largest Erempohila gardens. Other attractions include the Wadlata Outback Centre and the Fountain Gallery, as well as the newly developed Foreshore. The crossroads of Australia and the gateway to the Outback. A. Greenfield

Port Lincoln
Renmark
Roxby Downs
Stirling
Strathalbyn
Tanunda
Underdale
Unley
(see Parkside)
Venus Bay

Venus Bay is a picturesque small seaside holiday town which sits on a narrow peninsula overlooking Venus Bay and its islands, about 700 km west (7hrs) of Adelaide. It is quiet, peaceful and friendly and its tranquil sheltered waters provide an absolute mecca for the small boat and jetty fisherman as well as water-skiing, swimming, canoeing or sailing. The town Lookout offers breathtaking views of towering cliffs and booming surf rolling in from the Great Australian Bight.

Keen board riders can also view surf conditions of nearby surf beaches from here. Venus Bay offers a variety of facilities by way of bed & breakfast, holiday units, caravan park, licensed general store, fuel & gas, fish-scaling bay, boat-launching facilities, playground, public toilets, safe swimming beach with shade, public phones, visitor information and boat hire . A 9 hole “scrape’ golf course is located nearby (halfway between Port Kenny and Venus Bay). Nearby Port Kenny has a hotel which serves great local grub and cold beer most nights. See: http://www.venusbaysa.com  James Horne.

Wayville
Whyalla
Woomera

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