South Australia
About South Australia
We had very few expectations when we came into South Australia. It wasn’t long before we were completely blown away by how awesome this state is. So much so, we have nick-named it “The Under-rated State”.
South Australia has amazing beaches, beautiful bushland, rugged mountain ranges and some of the most incredible outback desert we’ve experienced. We also stayed a week in Coober Pedy – maybe the weirdest town in Australia. And let’s not forget about the wine regions! It’s probably the most diverse state we’ve visited on our 3 year road trip of Australia. We absolutely love South Australia.
If you’re planning a South Australia road trip, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll learn about the best places to visit, highlights AND the hidden gems. We’ve also driven down those iconic outback drives, like the Oodnadatta Track, so we’ve got your adventurous spirit covered.
South Australia Travel Guides
- Limestone Coast Road Trip – South Australia’s stunning coast
- Best things to do in Coober Pedy – the Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Flinders Ranges Itinerary
- The Best Things to do in Mount Gambier
More South Australia Travel Guides coming soon!
Getting to South Australia
By Air
The state capital, Adelaide, is the main transportation hub and is where the main airport is located. You’ll also find regional airports in regional centres like Ceduna, Mt Gambier, Coober Pedy and Port Lincoln, to name a few.
By Road
There are many roads coming into the state from the East, the Princes Highway, Western Highway and Sturt Highway from Victoria, and the Barrier Highway from New South Wales.
From the North there is the Stuart Highway from the Northern Territory and the Eyre Highway which comes from Western Australia across the Nullarbor.
South Australia is the perfect state for a road trip, whether you want to visit beaches, vineyards, historic towns or the outback.
Quarantine
South Australia has strict quarantine laws regarding bringing fruit and vegetables into the state. These restrictions are an attempt to prevent the spread of fruit flies. For a full list of what is allowed and prohibited, check the Primary Industries website.
There are permanent quarantine stations at some border crossings, and you may be subject to a spot check anytime. We simply made sure we had no fresh fruit or vegetables or plants when we crossed into SA.
Time Zone
SA is in the Australian Central Time Zone, and observes daylight saving from early October to early April each year. This time zone is 30 minutes behind AEST and 1hr 30 ahead of AWST.
Getting around South Australia
South Australia is the perfect state for a road trip. The distances aren’t huge (except maybe in the northern outback areas, and there is so much to see. SA is also an incredibly diverse state – perfect for driving through.
When is the best time to visit South Australia?
The best time to visit South Australia depends on whereabouts in the state you wish to go. You’re best off to visit the southern parts of the state (Limestone Coast, Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas) in the summer time. If you’re visiting the Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, or the outback and deserts you’ll be more comfortable in the cooler spring or autumn months.
Adventure Travel Films
Binge watch our entire South Australia video series HERE
Got questions about travelling in South Australia?
Please reach out! Use the form below to send us a message and we’ll get straight back to you. We’d love to help you plan your South Australia Road Trip.