The 8 Can't-Miss Towns In South Australia
South Australia sits right in the middle of the action, bordering all five of the other mainland states of the continent. Its beaches, deep underground tunnels, and wine valleys offer stunning views and topnotch getaways within small tight-knit communities. Beachport has an astonishingly beautiful coastline, a seaside isthmus along which one can spend days if not weeks exploring. Coober Pedy's opal mining tunnels and serene underground churches provide a touch of the surreal. And for cultural experiences, Hahndorf showcases its well-preserved German heritage, while Tanunda is home to Château Tanunda, one of the Barossa Valley’s most historic wineries.
Marion Bay
Located on the Yorke Peninsula, Marion Bay is a beach paradise and gateway to one of South Australia's best national parks. It's a laidback town with multiple entry points to the waves, such as Willyama Beach or the Marion Bay Jetty. Travelers note this town for being clean and uncrowded. Surfers gather here to try out the waves. That surfing spirit inspires the art scene of Marion Bay at the Studio Surf art gallery, which also sells coffee and cakes while you browse. You can also explore Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, a coastal park with campgrounds, walking trails, and the historic 1876 wreck of the sailing ship Ethel at Ethel Beach.
Coober Pedy
This town is a treasure trove for those willing to look under the surface. Coober Pedy sits in the outback, 526 miles to the north of Adelaide, and regularly endures hot temperatures, which is why much of its buildings are just below the surface in dugouts. Beneath the town lie rich deposits of opal, which has earned it the reputation of opal capital of the world.
You can discover much of this beauty underground for yourself by taking a tour of the Old Timers Mine, dug in 1916, or by checking out the Umoona Mine & Museum, containing Aboriginal artifacts, underground homes, a theater, and more. Many of the town's churches are also underground and open for visitors, from the Serbian Orthodox Church to the Catacomb Church, which is run by the Anglican Church.
Tanunda
Tanunda means watering hole in the Aboriginal language, which suits it well due to the many wineries within its borders. Tanunda is one of Australia’s historic wine-producing towns and is home to Château Tanunda, established in 1890 as the Barossa Valley’s first château-style winery. You can stroll through its gardens or tour its historic grounds.
For wine tasting, you have a wide variety of options in Tanunda, from Rockford Wines to the Turkey Flat Vineyards. If you prefer beer, the Rehn Bier Brewery has a rotating list of pilsners and other beer styles. One charming spot to visit is the Barossa Museum; it highlights the lifestyles of the Prussian colonists who set down roots in Tanunda.
Hahndorf
Much like Tanunda, Hahndorf was also settled by Germans — German Lutherans, to be exact, who established communities in the Adelaide Hills. Today, it is the oldest living German settlement in the country and a popular day trip for residents of Adelaide who enjoy its German-style restaurants and art. One must-visit spot in Hahndorf is the large art museum, the Hahndorf Academy. This 19th-century building not only contains art but also a museum explaining how the Germans immigrated to this South Australian region.
For a magical experience, go to the gardens and home of Heysen-The Cedars, which was the property of Australian artists Sir Hans Heysen and his daughter, Nora. The bushland around the property provided many scenic vistas for him to paint. Lastly, pick up a German souvenir from the German Village Shop Hahndorf, which sells nutcrackers, clocks, bells, and other German items.
Port Elliot
Port Elliot is located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, overlooking Horseshoe Bay. It's a hidden Australian gem with turquoise waters amid picturesque beaches that prides itself on its locally owned businesses. Port Elliot features popular beaches, including the bustling Port Elliot Beach and the quieter Ladies Beach, both ideal for relaxing or reading by the shore. This beach town thrives on relaxation, as many like to gather around the Port Elliot Obelisk to watch the waves. This limestone structure was built in 1852 as a landmark for seafaring vessels. The town prides itself on its quality food at local cafes, such as the Flying Fish or the Cockles Cafe.
Victor Harbor
Australia is famous for its wildlife, including penguins. While some beaches offer viewing platforms to watch them come ashore, Victor Harbor takes it further with Granite Island, just off the coast. Visitors can reach the island via a walking causeway or a horse-drawn carriage, and its boulders are tinged a warm orange from the surrounding lichen, making it as scenic as it is unique.
Granite Island isn’t the only viewpoint in Victor Harbor; the Bluff Lookout offers scenic views of the coast and sunsets, while the Cockle Train takes visitors on a historic ride through the countryside on a heritage railway. Victor Harbor connects to the Heysen Trail, which runs along the coast of South Australia for more than 745 miles, making it a perfect place for backpackers.
Burra
Burra, located north of Adelaide, was founded as a copper mining town and today is a quiet community with well-preserved remains of historic mining facilities and cottages. When visiting Burra, you can pick up a Burra Heritage Passport to get stamped at historic sites around town, including the Burra Mine Site and the Miners Dugouts, where workers once lived in underground dwellings.
Just north of Burra is the iconic “Midnight Oil House,” an abandoned farmhouse made famous by Australian photographer Ken Duncan for the cover of the album "Diesel and Dust" by Aussie rock band Midnight Oil. Situated in the historic Mid North region near the Clare Valley, this striking ruin and its surrounding fields have even served as a backdrop for wedding ceremonies. Keep in mind that the farmhouse sits on private property and can't be directly accessed, although it can be seen from the highway, according to Atlas Obscura.
Finally, Red Banks Conservation Park is one of the best places to view the stars. The park is also home to many varieties of endangered fauna, such as scented mat and rush tussock grasslands and Rohrlach's bluebush, a flowering shrub.
Beachport
Beachport is a town on a narrow isthmus in South Australia, with the Southern Ocean to the south and Lake George to the north. In order to get a sense of the beautiful landscape, you have to take the Bowman Scenic Drive, which runs parallel with the sandy shores of the isthmus. If you get out of your car, you'll discover one of the longest jetties in Australia at the Beachport Jetty.
There are several other spots to enjoy the water, including Salmon Hole beach on the ocean and the hyper-saline Pool of Siloam, a lake much saltier than the sea. Lastly, at Lake George, you can enjoy walking its trails and observing the local native wildlife. The lake serves as a habitat for various species, including the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot.
The Best Treasures of South Australia
These South Australian towns offer treasures in every form. Coober Pedy hides literal gems beneath the ground alongside a network of underground churches and homes, while Burra features striking, abandoned sites set among the outback’s unique flora and grasslands. Beachside escapes are equally memorable, from the intensely salty Pool of Siloam in Beachport to the penguin colonies on Granite Island near Victor Harbor. For anyone planning a road trip, these can't miss South Australian towns are waiting to be explored.
