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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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Explore historic wine towns and sculpture trails on a 3-day self-guided Murray River cruise

    Ricky French Ricky French
    Continue
    Slow down and find your rhythm on a Murray River journey through time and place. 

    Trust is a funny thing. It seems not that long ago that my mother was insisting on pouring the milk into my cereal bowl, because she didn’t trust me not to slosh it over the table, and yet here I am on the Murray River at Mildura in far north-west Victoria, being handed the keys to a very new and very expensive luxury houseboat. 

    After a crash course in how not to crash, I’m at the wheel of the good ship Elevate – pride of the All Seasons fleet – guiding her upstream past red-ochre cliffs as pelicans glide above the rippled river and kookaburras call from reedy banks. There’s a brief moment of breath-holding while I negotiate a hairpin turn around a jagged reef of skeletal, submerged gum trees, before a cheer rings out and calm descends as the timeless river unfurls in front of us.    

    Murray River
    The Murray River winding through Yarrawonga. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

    Setting sail from Mildura 

    Murray River birds
    Home to a large number of bird species, including pelicans. (Image: The Precint Studios)

    A journey along the Murray River is never less than magical, and launching from Mildura makes perfect sense. Up here the river is wide and largely empty, giving novice skippers like myself the confidence to nudge the 60-tonne houseboat up to the riverbank where we tie up for the night, without fear of shattering the glass elevator (the boat is fully wheelchair accessible) or spilling our Champagne.  

    My friends and I spend three days on the water, swimming and fishing, sitting around campfires onshore at night, and basking in air so warm you’d swear you were in the tropics. The simplicity of river life reveals an interesting dichotomy: we feel disconnected from the world but at the same time connected to Country, privileged to be part of something so ancient and special.  

    Stop one: Echuca  

    19th-century paddlesteamers
    A historic 19th-century paddlesteamer cruises along the Murray River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    The six-hour drive from Melbourne to Mildura (or four hours and 20 minutes from Adelaide) is more than worth it, but you don’t have to travel that far to find fun on the river. Once Australia’s largest inland port, Echuca is the closest point on the Murray to Melbourne (two hours 45 minutes), and you’ll still find a plethora of paddlesteamers tethered to the historic timber wharf, a throwback to the thriving river trade days of the 19th century. The PS Adelaide, built in 1866 and the oldest wooden-hulled paddlesteamer operating in the world, departs daily for one-hour cruises, while a brand-new paddlesteamer, the PS Australian Star, is launching luxury seven-night voyages in December through APT Touring.  

    The town is also a hot food and wine destination. St Anne’s Winery at the historic Port of Echuca precinct has an incredibly photogenic cellar door, set inside an old carriage builders’ workshop on the wharf and filled with huge, 3000-litre port barrels. The Mill, meanwhile, is a cosy winter spot to sample regional produce as an open fire warms the red-brick walls of this former flour mill.  

    Stop two: Barmah National Park 

    Barmah National Park
    Camping riverside in Barmah National Park, listed as a Ramsar site for its significant wetland values. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Just half-an-hour upstream, Barmah National Park is flourishing, its river red gum landscape (the largest in the world) rebounding magnificently after the recent removal of more than 700 feral horses. The internationally significant Ramsar-listed wetland sits in the heart of Yorta Yorta Country, with Traditional Owners managing the environment in close partnership with Parks Victoria. Walkways weave through the forest, crossing creeks lined with rare or threatened plants, passing remnants of Yorta Yorta oven mounds and numerous scar trees, where the bark was removed to build canoes, containers or shields.  

    The Dharnya Centre (open weekdays until 3pm) is the cultural hub for the Yorta Yorta. Visitors can learn about the ecological significance of the Barmah Lakes on a 90-minute river cruise, led by a First Nations guide, or take a one-hour, guided cultural walking tour along the Yamyabuc Trail.  

    Stop three: Cobram 

    Yarrawonga MulwalaGolf Club Resort
    Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Continue east to Cobram to find the southern hemisphere’s largest inland beach. Swarming with sun-seekers in summer, the white sand of Thompson’s Beach is shaded by majestic river red gums and dotted with hundreds of beach umbrellas, as beachgoers launch all manner of water craft and set up stumps for beach cricket. But the beach is at its most captivating at sunset, when the crowds thin out, the glassy river mirrors the purple sky, and the canopies of the gum trees glow fiery orange. 

    The region is also home to some fine resorts and indulgent retreats. Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort has two riverside championship golf courses, luxury apartments and self-contained villas. While not strictly on the Murray, the historic wine town of Rutherglen is rife with boutique (and unique) accommodation, including an exquisitely renovated red-brick tower in a French provincial-style castle at Mount Ophir Estate. Fans of fortified wines can unravel the mystery of Rutherglen’s ‘Muscat Mile’, meeting the vignerons and master-blenders whose artistry has put the town on the global map for this rich and complex wine style.  

    Stop four: Albury-Wodonga 

    First Nations YindyamarraSculpture Walk
    First Nations Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is part of the Wagirra Trail. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Follow the river far enough upstream and you’ll arrive at the twin border cities of Albury-Wodonga. The Hume Highway thunders through, but serenity can be found along the five-kilometre Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk – part of the Wagirra Trail that meanders through river wetlands just west of Albury in Wiradjuri country. Fifteen sculptures by local First Nations artists line the trail, conveying stories of reconciliation, enduring connection to culture, local Milawa lore and traditional practices. It feels a long way from Mildura, and it is, but the pelicans and kookaburras remind us that it’s the same river, the great conduit that connects our country. 

    A traveller’s checklist  

    Staying there

    New Mildura motel Kar-rama
    New Mildura motel Kar-rama. (Image: Iain Bond Photo)

    Kar-Rama is a brand-new boutique, retro-styled motel in Mildura, with a butterfly-shaped pool and a tropical, Palm Springs vibe. Echuca Holiday Homes has a range of high-end accommodation options, both on the riverfront and in town. 

    Playing there

    BruceMunro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura
    Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura. (Image: Imogen Eveson)

    Artist Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights installation, comprising more than 12,000 illuminated ‘fireflies’, is currently lighting up Mildura’s Lock Island in the middle of the Murray. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) is a hub for contemporary art, with a rotating roster of exhibitions, and is a major outlet for young and First Nations artists. 

    Eating there

    Mildura’s diverse demographic means it’s a fantastic place to eat. Andy’s Kitchen is a local favourite, serving up delicious pan-Asian dishes and creative cocktails in a Balinese-style garden setting. Call in to Spoons Riverside in Swan Hill to enjoy locally sourced, seasonal produce in a tranquil setting overlooking the river.