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11 best towns in SA to visit now

Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone

Editor Editor
From oyster hotspots to mars-like desert dwellings, these are the top towns to tick off down south.

South Australia may be one of the most underrated states in Australia. From world-class wineries in the Clare Valley to remarkable sinkholes in Mount Gambier, the southerly region is brimming with unique reasons to visit. Its towns are surrounded by incredible landscapes spanning coast to outback, and filled with produce-led restaurants, boutique shops and local creativity. We’ve drawn from Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit list, judged by a panel of industry experts and well-travelled Aussie legends, to bring you the best towns in South Australia.

1. Willunga

Overall rank: 7/100 

Kaurna Country 

Chapel Hill Wines
Enjoy a slow afternoon pouring top-notch drops at the stunning Chapel Hill Winery. (Credit: Chapel Hill Wines)

This historic village in McLaren Vale draws oenophiles for its proximity to wineries that press up against its edges. Start your weekend with a beach swim, then drift inland for a mooch around the farmers’ market in town before a slow circuit of the region’s cellar doors, such as Chapel Hill Winery. “McLaren Vale is the perfect wine region, blending coast, countryside and character," says panellist Imogen Eveson. “Willunga is the cute town that captures it all." 

Don’t miss: A tipple at Hither & Yon cellar door, located in the town’s original 1860s butcher shop on its historic High Street. 

2. Hahndorf

Overall rank: 32/100 

Kaurna Country 

Hanhdorf
A little slice of Germany in the Adelaide Hills. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone)

Whoever said you can’t find a true taste of Germany in Australia has clearly never set foot in Hahndorf, a welcoming, Lutheran-settled artisan village perched in the Adelaide Hills. The township is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and is dotted with homey bakeries, pubs and craft stores along High Street, as well as a collection of excellent wineries. “Sure it’s the ‘bum-burner’ salamis that may lure us here, but it’s the living history that is the glue to keep us there," adds panellist Catriona Rowntree. 

Don’t miss: Picking your own strawberries at Beerenberg Farm from November through April.   

3. Robe

Overall rank: 40/100 

Boandik Country  

The Obelisk robe sa
The Obelisk is a symbol of Robe. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

“Robe has a lot to offer: coastal living, fabulous food and history," says panellist Paul Hamra. It’s a sentiment that quickly proves itself. Once one of South Australia’s busiest international ports and top towns to visit, Robe wears its storied past gracefully, with well-preserved historic buildings meeting the rugged beauty of the Limestone Coast. In the summertime, sun-seeking holidaymakers gravitate here to enjoy sprawling beaches, sand dunes and cutesy cafes. And, of course, Robe’s crayfish – which have earnt a reputation in their own right. 

Don’t miss: The Obelisk at Cape Dombey, a 12-metre, red-and-white sentinel that once guided ships into Guichen Bay. Looming over the point and visible from 16 kilometres out at sea, it’s an unmistakable town icon. 

4. McLaren Vale

Overall rank: 49/100

Kaurna Country

an outdoor gourmet lunch at Vale Restaurant and Bar
A gourmet two-course lunch at Vale Restaurant and Bar.

It’s an easy 40-minute car zip from festival capital Adelaide to McLaren Vale, which hosts its own happenings. The calendar of events centred in and around this hub includes the Grenache & Gourmet Festival and Fleurieu Film Festival, where wine, food and storytelling intersect. As panellist Paul Hamra puts it, McLaren Vale is a “magnificent backdrop for a wine region", pairing innovative dining with a coastline that ranks among Australia’s best.

Don’t miss: The events woven into the Tasting Australia program when chefs, winemakers and producers converge on McLaren Vale as part of its regional line-up.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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5. Clare

Overall rank: 51/100 

Ngadjuri Country 

Clare
Clare is made for food and wine touring. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

South Australia’s Riesling Trail links a string of boutique cellar doors (including Shut the Gate) along 35 kilometres of disused railway line, making it one of Australia’s best wine regions to explore on two wheels. Clare is at the centre of the valley that is defined by the varietal – off-dry rieslings with a mineral edge that are perfect for food pairing. “Clare has an incredible wine region. It’s great for food and wine touring," says panellist Paul Hamra. 

Don’t miss: Clare Valley Gourmet Week from 15-18 May; it’s Australia’s longest-running wine and food festival. 

6. Mount Gambier

Overall rank: 61/100 

Boandik Country  

Umpherston Sinkhole
Famous for its underground surprises like the stunning Umpherston Sinkhole. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commision/Adam Bruzzone)

This Limestone Coast hub is famous for its sinkholes and volcanic craters. “Blue lakes and underground surprises," rhapsodises panellist Irene Jones. But Mount Gambier’s arts scene is a worthy understudy. The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre is South Australia’s largest regional gallery, with an ever-evolving roster of national, regional and local exhibitions that’s earnt it a spot among the best towns in South Australia. Its permanent collection celebrates the culture of the region that is lived every day: stretching out beyond town to vineyards planted in rich terra rossa soil and rolling beaches. 

Don’t miss: Swimming in the remarkable Little Blue Lake and visiting the verdant Umpherston Sinkhole. 

7. Coffin Bay

Overall rank: 66/100 

Nauo Country 

oyster farm at Coffin Bay
Experience the Oyster Farm at Coffin Bay. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

This beautiful beach town opens onto stunning views of the glittering SA bay the town is named after. “Taste amazing oysters at a local oyster farm," suggests panellist Ben Hall. “Enjoy them freshly shucked and relax while soaking up the views from a deck overlooking beautiful Coffin Bay." As well as being justifiably famous for its world-class oysters and natural environment, Coffin Bay has its fair share of sea life with southern right whale sightings common from May to October. 

Don’t miss: Cutty’s Tours’ 45-minute guided glass-bottom boat tour that showcases the work being done as part of the Oyster Reef Regeneration Project. 

8. Penneshaw

Overall rank: 67/100

Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna & Narungga Country 

an aerial view of the marina at Penneshaw, SA
Penneshaw is the main gateway to Kangaroo Island. (Credit: Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance)

Perhaps best known as the landing spot for the Kangaroo Island ferry, Penneshaw deserves to be acknowledged as a destination in its own right. Here, at the arrival point, travellers get their first inkling of the full-blown beauty of the island. Shoulders drop, tensions dissolve and relaxation overrides your nervous system. Lean into it and book into an Island Alive experience. This wellness retreat offers massage, breathwork and contrast therapy under the guidance of a Wim Hof instructor.

Don’t miss: Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail, which winds through dunes, boardwalks and swing bridges for 1.5 scenic kilometres.

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9. Tanunda

Overall rank: 72/100 

Ngadjuri Country (Barossa sits across the lands of Ngadjuri, Peramangk & Kaurna peoples) 

Tanunda
Refined regional flavours and a polished wine list come together in Tanunda. (Credit: Beckons)

“You’re going to shop your little heart out here," says Catriona Rowntree. She’s not wrong. A clever strategy for a wine aficionado is to take an empty suitcase: the history-rich town is in the heart of the Barossa Valley and on the doorstep of the region’s best wineries. Between tastings, there are restaurants such as Appellation at The Louise that make it a breeze to eat and drink well. 

Don’t miss: The iconic Barossa winery, Château Tanunda, where winemaker Jeremy Ottawa is known for nurturing some of the oldest vines in the world. 

10. Coober Pedy

Overall rank: 87/100  

Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Country  

Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy’s opal-mining history feels almost otherworldly. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

This tiny outpost between Adelaide and Alice Springs/Mpartnwe was thrown into the spotlight when opal was discovered here a century ago and has since become one of our quirkiest outback towns. The name Coober Pedy comes from an Aboriginal term for ‘white man in a hole’. The moniker was for the miners who built the town into and under the lunar-like landscape, to escape the scorching sun and cold desert nights. “There’s nothing like it in the world. It drips of authenticity," says panellist Adrian Williams. That authenticity is the very reason why it’s one of the most unique towns to visit in South Australia.

Don’t miss: Aboriginal-owned Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, a striking desert reserve that looks like it has been painted on the horizon, around 25 kilometres north of town. It’s home to 60 native flora species and fauna such as the red kangaroo and echidna. 

11. Quorn

Overall rank: 94/100 

Nukunu Country 

Quorn
Quorn’s old railway charm still runs deep. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

In the heart of the Flinders Ranges, Quorn oozes “old railway charm," says panellist Irene Jones. It was once a crossroads on the Central Australian Railway to Oodnadatta and the Trans-Australian Railway between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie. Today, the heritage Pichi Pichi Railway continues to operate scenic journeys through outback vistas of gum-lined creeks and ancient rocky outcrops. And in news, legendary train The Ghan will stop here on its journeys to Darwin in 2027. 

Don’t miss: Flinders Gin, a family-owned distillery crafting native botanical-flavoured gin within restored stables in Quorn. 

This article is part of Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, well-known Aussies and travel insiders. See our full list of 100 best Aussie towns here and visit the special 100 best Aussie towns hub here.

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Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.