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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.

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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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From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

    Michael Turtle Michael Turtle
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

    I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

    For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland, and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

    Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

    The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

    sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

    Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

    a couple on Mount Oberon
    Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit, which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

    a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

    You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk, even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

    the George Bass Coastal Walk
    George Bass Coastal Walk trails for seven kilometres along clifftops. (Image: Visit Victoria/Time Out Australia)

    Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk, usually done over seven days.

    the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland
    Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The best bush hikes in Gippsland

    the Baw Baw National Park
    The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

    Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

    Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

    Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

    The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

    the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland
    Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

    As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park, along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

    the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park
    Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail, a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

    the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park
    The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

    Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park, known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the WildernessRetreats in The Prom
    Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

    Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

    Eating there

    the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

    Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

    a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

    Video credit: Tourism Australia