Tumbrella

The Oodnadatta Track

Should I bother going to South Australia?
Carlos Giva, via email

Far too many travellers write off South Australia as being boring, but the reality is there’s plenty to do in this massive, sun-baked state.

For a start it’s home to some of the most surreal, gorgeous and downright dangerous sights you’re likely to stumble across Down Under.

If general weirdness is what makes you tick then you can’t leave Oz without seeing Coober Pedy, Australia’s opal mining capital. The Outback town gets so hot that most
of it is built underground.

Indeed, there’s a whole lot of Outback in SA, and many would say the Outback is the real Australia. Perhaps the best way to see it is on a roadtrip. Luckily, for the adventurous-minded at least, South Australia is blessed with two of Australia’s most famous routes, the Birdsville Track and the Oodnadatta Track.

If animals are more your bag though, SA is also the place for you. Swim with dolphins off Adelaide’s Glenelg Beach, come face-to-face with a man-eater by going cage diving with great white sharks off Port Lincoln, or step into a world of more friendly faces on Kangaroo Island.

Easily accessible from the capital is the Barossa Valley, arguably the country’s best wine region. Take a boozy tour to make the most of it.

Also not far from the city is the spectacular Flinders Range, 540 million-year-old sweeping mountains of which the star is undoubtedly the red peaks of Wilpena Pound.

Plus, while you’re in Adelaide, try and jump on one of Australia’s two famous train journeys – either the Ghan up to Darwin, or the Indian Pacific, which links Sydney
and Perth.

Also, try and time your visit to coincide with one of the massive festivals that call Adelaide home each year.

Two of the biggest are WOMADelaide, a huge world music festival held in March, and the Adelaide Fringe, which takes place in February and claims to be the world’s biggest fringe theatre festival after Edinburgh.

Any tips on what to do in South Australia? Leave your thoughts below.

Ask Tumbrella a travel question below.