South Australian Wine Country: Cities and Regions

Adelaide A jumping-off point for major attractions, Adelaide’s sights are concentrated within a relatively compact downtown area surrounded by a ring of parks and gardens. There are more than two-dozen wineries here in the Adelaide Hills region.

Glenelg A popular beach resort six miles south of Adelaide, Glenelg’s foreshore buzzes during summer with day-trippers from the city. You can browse through the shops, dine at one of the many the outdoor cafes, stroll along the jetty, or simply enjoy the sand and the sea.

Barossa Just as Napa Valley is located near San Francisco, Barossa Valley is a short drive from Adelaide. But put aside notions of Northern California’s traffic congestion and snobbery—Australian wine touring is stress-free.

Lyndoch The first European settlement in Barossa, Germans arrived here in the 1840s, and along with imposing architecture, they brought smoked meats, preserved fruit, and a passion for cheese making. The food traditions continue just as enthusiastically today.

Clare Valley Despite its gorgeous countryside and sophisticated winemaking, Clare Valley is gentle and unpretentious. It’s located 50 miles north of Barossa, where eucalyptus trees and rural landscapes are buttressed by vineyards and bed-and-breakfasts. Beyond Clare Valley lies the Outback.

McLaren Vale Only half an hour’s drive south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is where the vines meet the sea. With more than 76 wine cellars, it consistently produces fine wines from a number of varietals, though it’s most known for its shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

Kangaroo Island Sometimes called Australia’s Galapagos, Kangaroo Island (K.I. to the locals) is populated with its namesake marsupial and home to some of the country’s most unusual wildlife: platypuses, heath goannas, short-beaked echidnas—at least 45 endemic species. The spectacle extends offshore too, with sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, and for divers, leafy sea dragons (an idiosyncratic member of the sea horse family).