Only 30km from Adelaide, the leafy Hills town of Balhannah is home to vineyards, bakeries and stylish shops. It’s perfect for a day trip.

Established in 1839 by publican James Turnbull Thomson, Balhannah served as a junction station for the Mount Pleasant railway line between 1918 and 1964. The town is still on the main line for The Overland train, which travels between Adelaide and Melbourne.

See

With world-class wineries on Balhannah’s doorstep, why not take advantage? Book a guided tasting at Nepenthe and sip some finely crafted red or white wines while learning about the winery’s sustainability practices.

At Shaw + Smith, indulge in a glass of its famous sauvignon blanc – bottled on site and perfectly suited to the cooler Adelaide Hills climate.

If art’s your thing, look for Silvio Apponyi’s black granite Le Peloton sculpture – part of the Adelaide Hills Sculpture Trail – and the Balhannah Overpass Kaurna mural.

Shop

For a unique gift, visit Field Trip Balhannah and browse its ethically made products, including jewellery, clothing, handmade ceramics and toasty Japanese knitwear.

At Living by Design, you’ll find furniture, kitchenware, comfy cushions, scented candles, art and much more, all guaranteed to turn your head.

Visit the Kidman Flower Co farm gate to buy a fresh bunch of flowers, with more than 60 seasonal Australian and South African varieties to choose from. It’s open from April to November.

Eat and drink

Love bakeries? You’re near one of SA’s best, so pop into the Balhannah Bakery and treat yourself to a chunky steak pie or vegetarian pasty. Don’t forget to get yourself something sweet for dessert.

With its renovated outdoor space, the Balhannah Hotel is ideal for a pub lunch or dinner. If it’s chilly, sit by one of three fires and warm up with a spicy pepperoni pizza or a pulled brisket burger.

At the Olive Branch Café, enjoy a caffeine pick-me-up and a tasty snack while you view some original artworks. Two Sundays a month, tap your feet to local musicians belting out a few tunes at one of the café’s ‘club acoustica’ sessions.

Stay

Modern luxury meets old-world charm at The Old Schoolhouse. This fully restored 1858 schoolhouse features church-like architecture, Gothic windows and a statement staircase.

The Winemaker’s Hut offers an idyllic break from city life, with mod cons and continental breakfast included. You may even share it with some friendly neighbourhood kangaroos.

At the aptly named Farm Stay Picturesque views accommodation, enjoy hills scenery, free Wi-Fi and pure relaxation. Pull up a seat, watch the sunset and enjoy life’s pleasures.

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Autumn is the perfect time for a getaway in South Australia. The sun’s still providing warming rays and biting southerlies are yet to chill our bones.

Spend a long weekend in one of these top-notch regions and get your fill of memories and interesting yarns for your next gathering.

Barossa Valley

Whether or not you indulge in a drop of the region’s famous wine, the Barossa has plenty of ways to keep you entertained, rested and well fed.

Do

You know Maggie Beer from MasterChef. Now, cook up a storm in her studio kitchen, with Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop interactive cooking demonstration. Prepare your creations with fresh local produce and then taste them with fellow guests.

Head skyward for a bird’s-eye view in a hot-air balloon with Barossa Balloon Adventures. Watch the Barossa sunrise as you drift gently above the mist-covered vineyards and then tuck into a scrumptious breakfast, including locally smoked bacon, free-range eggs and sourdough bread.

If you love arts and culture, the Barossa has you covered. Angaston’s North Street Studios showcases a selection of contemporary art, leather artisanship and fashion. At Corroboree Dream Art in Tanunda, you’ll find stunning Aboriginal artworks from recognised and emerging artists. And at Seppeltsfield’s Wonderground, wander the modern art gallery as you sip a glass of local wine.

Eat and drink

The Barossa is full of places to wine and dine. Visit Fino Seppeltsfield for a ‘choose your journey’ sample menu, including chorizo scotch eggs and yellowfin tuna with avocado and togarashi – a Japanese spice mix. After your meal, pop into JamFactory at Seppeltsfield and browse the selection of handcrafted ceramics, furniture, glassware and jewellery from prominent Australian artists and designers.

At family-owned Pindarie Wines, you can taste prize-winning drops, including a sparkling rosé or a blood-red tempranillo. Stay for a grazing plate or devour a crispy, homemade lamb, quince, rosemary and potato pie or a vegetable and lentil hotpot.

Still thirsty? First Drop Wines is sure to tickle your fancy. Known for its award-winning ‘Mother’s Milk’ shiraz and its Home of the Brave cellar door, this quirky winery offers a tapas menu that includes patatas bravas, Parmigiano Reggiano with honey and walnuts, and limoncello-flavoured tiramisu.

Stay

Get back to nature at CABN’s off-grid accommodation. With a range of luxury levels, CABN offers king beds, private saunas, and outdoor baths, all in quiet, secluded locations across the Barossa.

For more gorgeous landscapes, the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort in Rowland Flat features views of the Jacob’s Creek grape vines. Melt away with a remedial massage at the on-site Endota Spa.

Located in central Tanunda, The Wine Vine is a good base for exploring the town. With comfy beds and extra fluffy pillows, it’s your Barossa home away from home.

Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Recently included in Lonely Planet’s prestigious 2026 Best in Travel list, the Ikara-Flinders Ranges is blessed with natural beauty and ripe for exploration.

Do

If it’s thrills you’re after, it’s hard to go past a Rawnsley Park four-wheel-drive tour. Climb aboard an expertly guided modern vehicle and enjoy spectacular red-rock gorges, native fauna and flora, and learn about the geological history of this ancient region.

There’s no better spot than SA’s Far North to try opal mining, so book yourself an Andamooka Observatory tour. Learn the basics of fossicking for these precious mineraloids, the best spots
to find them and how to stake your claim.

If all this ground-based excitement isn’t enough, take to the skies with a Wrightsair scenic flight. Marvel at the spectacular Anna Creek Painted Hills, the stone amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, the bird-filled spectacle of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, and many more natural wonders.

Eat and drink

Reopening in March, Parachilna’s Prairie Hotel is famous for its Feral Mixed Grill, with chargrilled kangaroo fillet, camel sausage and emu rissole on the menu. Topped with mashed spuds, roasted mushrooms, and crispy saltbush and red wine jus, the Parachilna’s Prairie Hotel combines bistro dining with bush tucker. Go on – when in Rome, as they say.

Flinders Food Co. in Hawker is just what you need before or after a day of red-dirt adventure. Rehydrate with a refreshing, native-inspired quandong or golden wattle soda, or for breakfast order the popular combo of bacon and egg roll and frothy coffee.

For more bush tucker, visit the Woolshed Restaurant at Rawnsley Park. Originally known for ‘spotted dog’ (damper with sultanas), the Woolshed Restaurant is now famous for modern Australian cuisine. Try the Rawnsley Station lamb shank, with a vanilla custard trifle or blueberry cheesecake for dessert.

Stay

Stay at Wilpena Pound and choose between hotel rooms, safari tents and a campground for your caravan or tent. With modern facilities and a blanket of stars overhead, you’re sure to find an unforgettable spot.

Further south, Quorn’s self-contained Quandong Apartments have all the mod cons and outback charm. Don’t ignore the heavenly aromas wafting in from the Quandong Café next door. Treat yourself to a steaming coffee and a piece of homemade quandong pie.

North-east of the Gammon Ranges lies Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, offering a range of accommodation styles. Arkaroola is also an international dark sky sanctuary, so bring your telescope or binoculars and become lost in the billions of twinkling stars above.

Riverland

Life in the Riverland revolves around the mighty Murray River, and there are plenty of reasons to visit one of the region’s many towns or natural reserves.

Do

Where there’s water, there are boats, so hire a canoe or kayak at Canoe Adventures in Berri. Take a guided tour or choose your own adventure and glide along as you spot graceful pelicans and maybe a curious turtle or two.

At nearly 15,000 hectares, there’s no shortage of activities in Murray River National Park. Take the one-hour Cragg’s Hut Walking Trail or the 20km Katarapko Trail for a challenge. With fishing, mountain biking, bird watching and more, this is a nature-lover’s paradise.

For your final water adventure, jump aboard the restored PS Industry for a one-hour cruise. Leave the Renmark riverfront and head upstream, while admiring the plentiful wildlife and majestic gum trees. It’s an ideal way to step back in time and learn more about the Murray River paddle steamer heritage.

Eat and drink

The laid-back bistro vibe of Nanya at the Hotel Renmark is sure to please when you’re riverside. Sip a cleansing cocktail and enjoy tasty classics like schnitzel, battered flathead and pavlova.

South-west of Renmark in Berri, visit Earth Restaurant and sample some of the Riverland’s finest produce. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink before indulging in some Murray Cod or chocolate hotcakes if you’re there for breakfast.

And with so many outstanding SA-produced spirits, why not try one more? At Renmark’s Twenty Third Street Distillery, sip on an award-winning Australian single-malt whisky or an ever-popular espresso martini.

Stay

Choose from a variety of comfortable rooms or a three-bedroom apartment at Big River Golf and Country Club in Berri. Improve your swing and short game on the 18-hole golf course or avoid the frustration by relaxing with a cool drink and watching those who are trying to.

For a non-golfing stay, camp within a stone’s throw of the water at Barmera’s Lake Bonney Caravan and Holiday Park. Book a cabin, unit or powered site and strap yourself in for hours of swimming, sailing, biking, windsurfing and more.

For more water-side accommodation, get yourself a luxury eco-suite at Byrne Vineyards in Morgan. Here, you’re surrounded by wetlands, burnt-orange cliffs, vineyards and more starry skies. With a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind.

The post Autumn escapes appeared first on samove.com.au.

Australia’s seafood capital, Port Lincoln, on the Eyre Peninsula, is teeming with natural beauty and things to taste, see and explore.

After mapping the location in 1802, English explorer Matthew Flinders named the city after his home county of Lincolnshire.

Port Lincoln’s beautiful natural harbour meant it was once considered for South Australia’s capital city. However, Colonel William Light eventually overlooked the town, partly due to a lack of fresh water supply and difficult access for ships.

Modern Port Lincoln is jam packed with things to see and do so you’ll be spoilt for choice, but we’ve picked five ways to have a trip you’ll never forget.

1. See food… and eat it

If you’re partial to a prawn or two, welcome to paradise. With locally caught tuna, oysters, prawns, mussels, abalone and more, you’d have to be the world’s pickiest eater not to find a seafood dish to tempt you.

Make your first stop The Fresh Fish Place – a buzzing seafood factory outlet and eatery that should win an ‘accuracy in business name’ prize.  Grab some pan-grilled, battered or crumbed flathead, whiting, or garfish, with chips. Feast on salt and pepper squid, marinated octopus, tempura prawns, steamed mussels and panko crumbed scallops. You can also take home a selection of fresh and frozen fish fillets, smoked and pickled seafood, and much more.  

2. Make a splash

Port Lincoln is the place to be if you fancy going nose to nose with a legendary great white shark. Home to two charter companies, a shark cage diving expedition will have your adrenaline surging as you dip under the water and from the safety of a metal cage stare into the black eyes of a fearsome shark.

For something less deadly than a fish with razor-sharp teeth, why not swim and snorkel with some friendly sealions? These puppies of the sea love showing off and interacting with the humans who enter their watery backyard. Swim with them, sit back and watch, or take the perfect photo.

3. Wild memories

In Port Lincoln, you’re only ever a short drive away from a stunning beach. Put the four-wheel-drive accessible surf beach of Fishery Bay on your must-visit list or prepare to spy a few dolphins from atop a lumpy sand dune at Sleaford Beach. Cool off at Eyre Peninsula’s most famous swimming spot, Greenly Rockpool, where you might even spot a shy starfish.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the incredible Golden Island beach at the tip of Coffin Bay National Park. Admire the view from the lookout or wander down to enjoy the rocky reefs, white sand and breaking waves up close.

4. Bon appétit

The award-winning L’Anse Café – a delightful piece of France in the heart of Port Lincoln – is known for its buttery, flaky croissants, fruit tarts, exceptional coffee and other delicious French fare. Book a table and try the croissant madame, with bechamel sauce, mustard, ham and a fried egg or the Asian-style chilli scrambled eggs.

You can even watch the skilled French chefs making their mouth-watering pastries at the on-site kitchen. If you’re keen to explore Port Lincoln and its surrounds, grab a takeaway flat white and an almond croissant or something else from its daily selection of sweet treats. Vive la France!

5. A farm with a difference

You won’t find any tractors or working dogs at this farm. Instead, you’ll find rows and rows of underwater baskets full of plump Coffin Bay oysters. Choose from a range of tour operators, including Untamed Escapes and Experience Coffin Bay, and enjoy a cruise out to the pristine, clear waters where these world-famous oysters grow. Don a pair of waders for a closer look and learn why these waters and growing conditions make Coffin Bay oysters sought after worldwide. Best of all, you can enjoy a dozen freshly shucked, salty oysters onboard before you head back to shore.

The post 5 things to do in Port Lincoln appeared first on samove.com.au.

We love a good celebration in South Australia, the Festival State, and we set the bar high for a good time.

We have festivals for cheese and motorsport, history and art, guitar and football. There’s a festival for everyone, but how does the rest of the world compare?

Let’s go on a journey around the world and discover 11 festivals to add to your travelling itinerary.

1. Sundance Film Festival | Utah, USA

Film aficionados should add attending the Sundance Film Festival to their bucket list. Held annually in the United States at the end of January, 2026 will be the final year the festival takes place in Utah before it moves to Colorado from 2027 onward.

See brand-new films on the big screen long before they reach mainstream audiences. You may even find yourself walking the red carpet and rubbing shoulders with your favourite independent filmmakers and celebrities.

2. Carnival | Venice, Italy and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Carnival celebrations take place worldwide in February to mark the beginning of Lent, but Venice, Italy, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (pictured at top), are the undisputed standouts – so they both deserve a spot on this list. Both festivals feature vibrant costumes and electrifying parades, yet each offers a unique flavour.

In Venice, elaborate masks are essential, echoing the tradition of nobility disguising themselves to mingle freely with the public. At Rio Carnival, energetic samba dancing, massive floats, colourful block parties and infectious music bring locals and visitors together in celebration.

Though worlds apart, both festivals share one outcome: joyful, exuberant gatherings where people from all walks of life come together.

3. Cherry blossom (Sakura) season | Japan

Beginning in Japan’s southern regions and slowly moving north, the blooming of the sakura is a spectacle that must be seen to be believed. The exact timing shifts each year, but visiting between late March and early April gives you an excellent chance of experiencing the blossoms at their peak.

Simply strolling the streets immerses you in their beauty, but many regional celebrations coincide with the bloom. Hanami (flower-viewing) festivals take place across the country, including at Kitakami Tenshochi, Osaka Castle Park, Mount Yoshino and Tsuruoka.

4. Vivid Sydney | Sydney, Australia

Closer to home, Vivid Sydney illuminates the city during May and June. Wrap up against the winter chill and explore immersive outdoor light installations and 3D projections that transform landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Experience the most relaxed – and most efficient – way to see the sights by sailing past on a Vivid Lights Cruise. Don’t forget to use your RAA membership for an exclusive discount.

Alongside the visual spectacle, enjoy performances by local and international musicians, creative workshops, talks and remarkable culinary events.

5. Matariki | New Zealand

Matariki is a relatively new addition to the festival calendar, with the occasion first celebrated across New Zealand in June 2022. The date changes each year, usually falling in late June or early July. Marking the Māori New Year, this is the first national holiday based on a First Nations celebration.

Matariki invites all New Zealanders and visitors to learn about Māori culture and traditions. It’s a time for reflection and renewal, with celebrations including art exhibitions, concerts, food festivals and cultural workshops. As it’s tied to the appearance of the Matariki star cluster, make sure to head outside and look to the skies.

6. Goodwood Festival of Speed | West Sussex, England

Imagine South Australia’s Bay to Birdwood meeting the Monaco Grand Prix, with a dash of British aristocracy, and you have the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Despite its name, it’s not held in Adelaide but at Goodwood House in West Sussex, England each July.

The festival is a mash-up of summer garden party and motorsport prestige. Expect everything from historic racing machines to the latest supercars and motorcycles making their global debut. Motorsport legends, rising stars and engineering marvels take to the iconic hill climb – the centrepiece of the event. You can even camp on-site with your travel buddies so you don’t miss any of the action.

7. Edinburgh Fringe Festival | Edinburgh, Scotland

Exactly six months after Adelaide’s Mad March, the Edinburgh Fringe takes over the historic city of Edinburgh every August. It’s the largest Fringe Festival in the world with Adelaide proudly in second place.

The event began when performers staged shows on the “fringe” of the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival after World War II, and the two festivals still run side by side today.

For three manic, sleepless weeks, Edinburgh becomes a playground of performance, featuring theatre, comedy, circus, magic, music, visual art, street shows – anything you can imagine. With more than 3000 different shows, there’s something for everyone.

8. Oktoberfest | Munich, Germany

Despite its name, Oktoberfest takes place mostly in September in Munich, Germany. Originally held in October to celebrate a royal wedding more than 200 years ago, the festival shifted forward to September as there’s better weather for the party.

Today it attracts more than six million visitors each year, making it the largest festival in the world. Locals and travellers don traditional dirndls and lederhosen to drink fine Bavarian beer, enjoy lively oompah bands, and feast on dishes like pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe) and sauerkraut.

9. Abu Simbel Sun Festival | Abu Simbel, Egypt

Held twice a year (February and October), the Abu Simbel Sun Festival in Egypt has taken place for more than 3200 years. Although the temple of Ramses II is spectacular year-round, on these two days the sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the inner sanctum and bathe the statues of Ra (the sun god) and Amun (king of the gods) in brilliant light.

Visitors and locals gather before dawn to witness this ancient spectacle, followed by Nubian dance, live music and plates of warm, comforting koshari – Egypt’s national dish.

10. Diwali | India

Diwali is one of the most exciting times to visit India, with the festival featuring a riot of colour, feasts, fireworks and thousands of glowing oil lamps. Celebrated over five days in October or November, festivities take place across the country.

The Hindu celebration marks many occasions, including the beginning of the harvest season, the triumph of light over darkness, and the welcoming of Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth. Top destinations for experiencing Diwali include Jaipur (the Pink City), bustling Mumbai and the holy city of Varanasi.

11. Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival | Harbin, China

A tribute to the magic of winter, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is the largest event of its kind in the world. Expect towering ice palaces, intricate sculptures, global competitions, skiing, winter swimming and glowing ice-lantern exhibitions.

Held in Harbin, China from December through February, it’s dazzling and extremely cold. Temperatures range from -16C to a frosty -35C, making it a perfect festival for cold-weather lovers.

For must-see Christmas festivals and markets, have a look at our list of the seven best for 2025.

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Located at the southern end of the Coorong, Kingston SE (South East) is renowned for its safe swimming beaches, good fishing and laid-back country vibe.

Kingston SE is 294km south-east of Adelaide, on the shores of Lacepede Bay. Home to about 1640 people, the town’s population swells with holidaymakers heading for the seaside during the warmer months.

See

Welcoming visitors approaching Kingston SE from the north, Larry the Lobster is a 17m-tall, strikingly accurate likeness of its smaller, sea-dwelling cousins.

Also at Kingston’s northern entrance, you’ll find the Analemmatic Sundial, also known as the Sundial of Human Involvement.

Here, the visitor becomes the gnomon (the part of the sundial that casts the shadow) and the hour-points are chunks of rock embedded in the ground.

Once perched on Margaret Brock Reef, 7km off the south-east coastline, Cape Jaffa Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974 and relocated to Kingston SE.

The lighthouse is now a museum housing a treasure-trove of maritime history and artefacts, with tours available.

Shop

For homemade baked goods, crafts, candles and local honey, visit The Little Shop on Agnes Street. Down the road is Dewberry Home, stocking homewares, books, toys and babywear, and if you need clothing, swimwear or a gift, pop into Style Co Agency. You’ll find colourful clothing, jewellery, homewares and gifts galore at Asian Inspiration in Charles Street.

Eat and drink

For quality pub fare, head to the Royal Mail Hotel, which has been serving locals and visitors for nearly 160 years. The pub takes pride in offering locally and South Australian-sourced produce and wine. Coffee connoisseurs can get their fix at Bliss by the Sea, while the kids slurp on a fruit smoothie or milkshake.

For the freshest lobsters, fish, oysters, prawns and other delights from the deep, head to Lacepede Seafood on the beachfront. Dine in, take away, or buy in bulk for a banquet at home.

Stay

Set up your tent, caravan or camper at the aptly named Foreshore Caravan Park. It offers powered and unpowered sites, comfortable cabins and villas, as well as a camp kitchen and barbecues.

Enjoy roomy digs at Agnes Cottage Bed and Breakfast – a three-bedroom house and garden near the town centre. Built in 1940, the cottage has all the mod-cons for a relaxing stay.

Just south of Larry the Lobster, the Kingston Lobster Motel offers 24-hour check-in, a barbecue and pool.

The post A day in Kingston SE appeared first on samove.com.au.

There’s something special about an island holiday. Crossing the sea to another land creates both a physical and mental separation from work, school, traffic snarls and mowing the lawn.

If you’re seeking a summer getaway with stunning beaches, wonderful coastal scenery and top-notch food and drink, look no further than Kangaroo Island.

If you’re seeking a summer getaway with stunning beaches, wonderful coastal scenery and top-notch food and drink, look no further than Kangaroo Island.

Sun and surf

Not just one, but two Kangaroo Island beaches have featured on Australia’s best beaches lists.

Access to Stokes Bay is like something from a Narnia-esque fairytale. After skirting a patch of seaside rubble, visitors must pass through a narrow, rocky passageway before a glorious stretch of sparkling sand and turquoise water is revealed.

A backdrop of low cliffs and dunes adds an extra layer of seclusion, and near the entrance to the bay, a shallow reef protects a picture-perfect swimming lagoon.

On KI’s south coast, clear seas wash the sands of the island’s other award-winner, Vivonne Bay.

When swells roll in like corduroy from the Southern Ocean, expect to find surfers carving the face of crisp, clean waves.

By city standards, this is a remote area with few beachside facilities – just sun, surf and views, without the crowds.

Beyond these two coastal gems, there are plenty of other picturesque seaside spots. Near the eastern end of the island, Lashmar Conservation Park offers a variety of water activities in one location.

Kayak among the paperbarks along Chapman River, before hitting Antechamber Bay’s broad sandy beach. Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide for a day of swimming, fishing or staring smugly at the mainland where you’re not at work.

Get ready for Instagram-worthy shots at Pennington Bay Beach, where sweeping views extend along imposing cliffs in both directions.

If you’re only on the island for a day, turn left at the ferry terminal and you’ll find Penneshaw Beach directly in front of you.

Island flavours

While many visitors are drawn to KI for its natural beauty, the island is also a great destination for food and wine buffs.

Perched on the edge of the island’s north-east coast, with magnificent views across Backstairs Passage, Dudley Wines is considered KI’s pioneer winery.

Head onto the deck with your favourite drop, together with a lunchtime gourmet pizza or tasting platter and soak in the scenery.

Set among vineyards and eucalypts, False Cape Wine’s rustic cellar door has been crafted from local limestone, jetty timbers and other recycled wood, providing a unique space to sample a diverse range of reds and whites.

Kids will enjoy the playground and lawned area, and quite likely the homemade pies as well.

Just outside Kingscote, Bay of Shoals is another KI winery with superb views. The cellar door overlooks the vineyard and the serene waters of the winery’s namesake bay. Drop in for the signature Shoals Platter and guided wine tasting experience, which includes a seafood spread of prawns, pickled calamari, hot-smoked salmon and, of course, wine.

For an authentic taste of Italy, head to Amadio’s Vino e Cucina in Kingscote. The kitchen sources local and South Australian ingredients and complements its tasty dishes with wines from Amadio’s Adelaide Hills winery.

True to its name, Sunset Food and Wine bistro is renowned for its remarkable evening views. Owner, Jack Ingram, was trained in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK and enjoyed a stint as Executive Chef at KI’s luxurious Southern Ocean Lodge.

Settle in for delicious food, with a focus on local produce, paired with an impressive wine list.

The evocative aroma of lavender features in a range of products, but what’s it like in a scone? Find out at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, north-west of Kingscote.

As well as eggs Benedict, smashed avo and chicken ciabatta, the café’s menu includes whopping lavender scones topped with lavender jelly, jam and cream.

The farm also stocks an extensive range of personal care products, as well as lavender-infused gin and honey.

Sea life

The seas off KI are teeming with marine life of all shapes and sizes. Seals play in the shallows and flop about on wave-worn rocks, while dolphins torpedo through the water, occasionally popping up for a breath and a stickybeak.

In the winter, southern right whales leave chilly Antarctica and migrate to the South Australian coast to breed and calve.

A boat trip with Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari gets you among the action, and while there’s no guarantee the animals will come out to play, passengers will enjoy a delightful scenic cruise. For an immersive experience, join an Island Explorer Tour and Dolphin Swim for an underwater encounter with these curious characters.

A good night’s rest

From bush camps and caravan parks to hotel rooms and a five-star lodge, there are plenty of accommodation options on KI.

In the heart of Kingscote, the Ozone Hotel sits on the foreshore, offering a selection of sea view rooms, studios and poolside family rooms.

The Seafront Kangaroo Island Hotel is only a short stroll from SeaLink’s Penneshaw ferry terminal.

Facilities include a pool, an electric vehicle charging station, E-bike hire, and if you hook a few fish during your travels, you can grill them on the hotel’s barbecue.

For pampered luxury and incredible ocean views, book a suite at the clifftop Southern Ocean Lodge, on the remote south-west coast.

The room rate includes fine dining and beverages, complimentary in-suite bar, a selection of island tours and, of course, panoramic vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows. Or you can lean into relaxation with a soothing treatment at the spa.

All aboard

Getting to Kangaroo Island is about to become even more comfortable, with SeaLink’s two brand-new ferries on the horizon.

These state-of-the-art vessels will bring greater vehicle capacity, a spacious café, and even a dedicated pet lounge. Boarding will also be quicker and easier, with a drive-through design that allows vehicles to drive on and off in the same direction.

There’s nothing like an island holiday, particularly when the island is conveniently located just a stone’s throw from the SA mainland. So rather than flying interstate or overseas, head across Backstairs Passage for a blast of nature, indulgence and seaside fun.

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In the Ikara-Flinders Ranges – about 500km from Adelaide – you’ll find the restive, charming and, frankly, wonderful town of Blinman.

Blinman was named after local shepherd Robert Blinman, who discovered copper ore in the area in 1859. The resultant mine saw Blinman’s population swell to 1500 in its heyday, but the town now has 30 permanent residents.

Blinman is SA’s highest town, at 615m above sea level. Despite its desert location, it’s been known to snow, with the area last receiving a flurry in August 2020.

Here are five activities to enrich your stay in this outback tourist hotspot.

1. Go underground

The copper mine is located on a geological monument, called a diapir, known as the Blinman Dome. The mine operated over four main periods between 1862 and 1907, producing 10,000 tonnes of copper from 200,000 tonnes of earth extracted.

A one-hour guided tour of the Blinman Heritage Mine is the town’s most popular attraction. Don a hard hat, grab a torch, and head into the tunnels for a taste of 19^th century mining life. Thanks to the mine’s contemporary sound and light system, you’ll see how highly skilled Cornish miners strategically blasted and dug through the earth to access ore up to 150m deep.

Learn how the miners used steam engines to extract water and crush ore, and relied on bullock drays, donkeys, mules and camels to cart essential materials. Preserved equipment, secure lookouts and your guide’s expert commentary give you a sense of daily life for up to 400 miners.

You’ll discover the hazards they faced but also appreciate the beginnings of many of today’s mining work safety standards. For example, every Cornish miner used coordinated working tunnels to enter and exit and mines around the world now use ‘tag in/tag out’ systems to keep track of workers. After the tour, take the walking trail and see the original brick kiln, crusher house site, boilers and more.

2. See a gorgeous gorge

The Flinders Ranges has gorges galore, and Bunyeroo Gorge, Parachilna Gorge and Brachina Gorge are three of the best near Blinman.

You’ll need a capable off-roader to access some of the routes, and it’s essential to check local road conditions after heavy rain, but the rewards are spectacular. Don’t forget to arrange a park permit before you head out. Rangers patrol the gorge drives and issue on-the-spot fines, so don’t skip this requirement.

See stunning red and ochre cliffs and rock formations as you wind your way across dirt roads and usually dry creek beds.

Find rugged campsites along the way and breathtaking lookouts. If you’re lucky, you might spot a camouflaged yellow-footed wallaby hiding among the rocks or a wedge-tailed eagle gliding on the thermal currents. This is a must-see part of our state.

3. Pound the trails

The naturally formed amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound is well worth the 60km drive from Blinman. This 800-million-year-old elliptical stone landscape features various accommodation options, including glamping tents, resort-style rooms and powered sites.

There are four-wheel-drive tours and scenic flights, but bushwalking is an ideal way to soak in Wilpena Pound’s semi-arid and diverse vegetation, which includes native pines, river red gums, mallee and acacia trees.

Put on some sturdy shoes and stroll the gentle, creek-lined paths as you make your way to Wangara Lookout for panoramic views. You may even see a spiny echidna shuffling through the scrub, in a never-ending search for ants and termites. For avid hikers, there’s the one-day return trek to St Mary’s Peak, which juts nearly 1200m into the sky.

4. Eat like a copper miner

You’ve heard of (and hopefully tasted) a Cornish pasty, but have you heard of the famous miner’s pasty? If not, you can taste one for yourself at the Miners Crib Café Bakery in Blinman’s main street. The miner’s pasty was a common food item for hardworking miners back in the day.

With meat and vegetables at one end and a bite-sized section of sweet apple at the other, it was made as a complete meal. And while for some, the crimped strip of pastry on top is the best part, it originally served as a handle. With arsenic and other nasties on the miners’ hands, they could safely hold and then discard the pastry handle before tucking into the rest of their delicious lunch.

5. Drink a toast to Blinman

There’s nothing like a country pub full of friendly folk, gathering for a drink and a yarn after a day of hard yakka. And whether it’s by providing a warming fire in the freezing desert air or a cold drink on a sweltering day, North Blinman Hotel has been a sanctuary for locals and tourists since 1869.

With motel and hotel rooms, plus powered sites, the pub can cater to your accommodation needs. And if you’re a fan of pub classics like schnitzels and pizza or you’re partial to something fancier, the menu has you covered. You can even toast Robert Blinman with the locally brewed Peg N Leg lager. It’s a place where you can relax and soak up Blinman’s special charm and feel a million miles from your daily stresses.

The post 5 things to do in Blinman appeared first on samove.com.au.

Travel writer Paul Theroux once wrote about train journeys, “Anything is possible on a train: a great meal, a binge, a visit from card players, an intrigue, a good night’s sleep and strangers’ monologues framed like Russian short stories.”

Sounds like train journeys offer an intriguing, exciting travel experience. So, we’ve picked five of our favourites that offer exciting on-board experiences and plenty to see on the way.

1. The Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver–Banff

Clatter your way through the Rocky Mountains to Banff aboard the Rocky Mountaineer.

This pioneering 19^th century railroad traverses picturesque alpine terrain, combining stunning snow-capped mountain peaks with deep valleys and raging rivers.

Passengers can enjoy the postcard-worthy views from comfortable a glass-domed carriage while enjoying exquisite food.

Off the train, visit Lake Louise, take in the spectacular Columbia Icefields or spend some time exploring Banff National park.

2. The Ghan
Adelaide–Darwin

Cut straight up the middle of Australia through the Red Centre to tropical Darwin on The Ghan. This is one of the world’s greatest rail journeys.

The Ghan travels almost 3000km in just three days, with stops in Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine.

In Marla, about 1000km from Adelaide, the train makes a 45-minute stop so passengers can watch as the sun rises over the horizon, bathing the deep red outback landscape.

3. The Lake Titicaca train
Puno–Cusco

Most avid travellers have heard of the train that takes tourists from Cusco to Agua Calientes near the ancient city of Machu Picchu. But, this 10-hour train journey will give you a very different view of the South American country.

From the shores of Lake Titicaca, passengers are provided with spectacular views of the Andes’ snow-capped mountain peaks and the many valleys. Then the railway crosses the Peruvian plains, stopping at small villages and passing the many llama farmers who call the region home.

4. The Hokkaidō Shinkansen
Tokyo–Hakodate

Travellers must experience the Japanese shinkansen (bullet train) at least once in their lifetime. What better way to enjoy the occasion than travelling between the bustling metropolis of Tokyo to Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido.

Whizz by the Japanese countryside on this four-hour train ride that covers 824km. Near Honshu, the train will enter the Seikan Tunnel world’s longest underwater tunnel. At 54km, the tunnel took 17 years to complete.

5. Glacier Express
St Moritz–Zermatt

The Glacier Express is an eight-hour train journey through the Swiss Alps between St Moritz and Zermatt. Out the window, passengers can take in panoramic views of the Oberalp Pass which sits at 2033m above sea level.

As the train passes through the Rhine Gorge, visitors will see incredible rock formations dotted across the landscape.

Feeling peckish? The train has an on-board kitchen offering passengers tasty dishes along with regional specialties.

The post 5 train journeys for your bucket list appeared first on samove.com.au.