7 must-do experiences in South Australia this Autumn

Ready to step away from the desk for a while? Dust off the suitcases and pack your bags for a short break in South Australia this Autumn. Filled with gorgeous coastal landscapes, wildlife encounters and the world’s best wine regions - there is so much to explore. If you’re planning on visiting South Australia soon, here are eight experiences you cannot miss this Autumn.

Adelaide is in full bloom in Autumn. See the foliage burst into a kaleidoscope of bright colours at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens. Set upon 97 hectares, the picturesque garden overlooks Piccadilly Valley and is a great location for a relaxing walk or picnic lunch. Autumn can be one of the busiest times of the year to visit though so it is recommended to stop by on a weekday if you want to avoid the crowds.

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens are open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 4pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends and are free to enter. Limited parking is available for $1 per hour or $4 flat fee for the day.

Whether it’s your first time visiting the Barossa or you're a regular, there is no better way to start the day than on a peaceful hot air balloon ride across the countryside. Wake up to a magical sunrise and soar high above the lush vineyards and farmlands of the Barossa. The scenic hot air balloon flight treats passengers to panoramic views of one of the world’s best wine regions. Toast to a fabulous morning of exploration with a gourmet breakfast and sparkling wines when you return back to base. Wrapping up around 10.30am, there is plenty of time to start exploring the award-winning cellar doors in the area.

No passport is required for this European getaway in the Adelaide Hills. Hahndorfis one of Australia’s largest German settlements and you’ll have a blast embracing the food and crisp brews at one of the traditional German Beerhouses on Main Street. Hahndorf is steeped in history and culture. Take your time here enjoying the fresh air, country scenery and stroll the tree-lined streets marked with artisan bakeries, galleries, German cuckoo clocks and boutique shops. If you’re ready for some wine tasting, stop by the Hahndorf Hill Winery and The Lane Vineyard to sample the delicious wine varieties with a magnificent view of the vineyard and Adelaide Hills.

There’s nothing like gourmet food and wine to warm the heart and soul on a cool Autumn day. Step inside the working wineries of McLaren Vale for a hosted wine tastings and get cosy by the fire as you enjoy the delicious treats or lunch on offer. A visit to McLaren Vale is a must-do culinary experience for the food and wine lover and with over 50 cellar doors to choose from, you simply cannot go wrong.

Let your tastebuds lead you on a gourmet adventure at Maxwell Wines (pictured above), Gemtree Wines or Wirra Wirrato name a few. The best way to make the most of the day is to join a hop on hop off tour with city transfers from Adelaide. That way, you can leave the keys behind and devour as many wines as you like without having to worry about driving or someone needing to be your designated driver and missing out on all the fun.

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island and with over 30 protected conservation parks, the eco-destination is a haven for wildlife. Hop on over to Kangaroo Island for a day or two to experience an unforgettable encounter with Australia and New Zealand seals, kangaroos, koalas, sea birds and many more species.

Guided day tours include a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park where you will follow a boardwalk into the heart of the colony to learn and observe the Fur Seals and Sea Lions. This is a once in a lifetime wildlife experience that you do not want to miss. When you have finished saying hello to the seals, the Kangaroo Island Day Tour will visit the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park and stop for a 2-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro.

Continuing on the animal theme here in South Australia, Monarto Safari Park is the place to get up close to a range of exotic wildlife in the world’s largest open-range zoo. Not your traditional zoo, this wildlife park spans more than 1,500 hectares and is home to over 500 native Australian and exotic animals with plenty of space to run wild.

Walking across the savannah plains you can see Giraffes and Zebras, Southern White Rhinos, energetic Meerkats, Hyaena, Cheetah and Lions, Chimpanzees and a selection of Tasmanian Devils and Rock Wallabies all in the one place.

What makes Monarto Safari Park a unique attraction are their unforgettable animal experiences that will get you closer than ever to a number of wildlife. The Lions 360 experience gives visitors a prey’s eye view of the lions that circle the enclosure in anticipation of their daily feed. You can also hand-feed a Giraffe, meet a Rhino or mingle with a Meerkat. A visit to Monarto Safari Park is an affordable day out that everyone will love this Autumn.

Do you know what goes well with award-winning wine? Art. You’re in for a real treat at d’Arenberg Cellar Door in McLaren Vale. Guests will first notice the striking cube building amongst the lush vineyards, a perfect place to take in a hosted wine tasting, nibble on some small dishes and admire art over five floors.

The d’Arenberg Cube features a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360-degree video room, an Alternate Realities Museum and a visiting exhibition of Salvador Dali artworks.

Salvador Dali is regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th Century and a selection of bronze sculptures, imagery and artworks are currently on display here at d’Arenberg. The exhibition is open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm and general admission tickets are $25 per person.

South Australia rewards wonder. Dust off those suitcases and get excited to explore new places once again with a visit to South Australia this Autumn. Kickstart your journey with experiences to fill up your itinerary. Find and book your ideal South Australia experiences right here with Experience Oz.