15 MAY 2025
Coffin Bay National Park
There’s a clarity to winter in South Australia. Mist softly unfurls from the vines at first light and frost clings to paddock fences throughout the day. The air feels crisper, the colours sharper. It’s why winter activities in South Australia make you feel more alive.
In the Flinders Ranges, the sky stretches wider — but the stars feel closer. In the towering, shadowy forests of the Limestone Coast, small wonders catch your eye — glowing fungi, delicate and bright, emerge from the dark. Nature walks feel well-earned, and the warmth of a fire becomes sweeter. Winter getaways in South Australia offer a fresh perspective. Here are the activities waiting for you.
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Trekking through the Flinders Ranges in winter leaves a lasting impression. It’s one of the best places to visit in South Australia in winter, when the temperatures are cool and dry and the colours more vivid — ochre-red cliffs, silver gums and endless blue skies. On the Arkaba Walk, you’ll traverse 45 kilometres of protected outback over three days, set against the backdrop of Elder Range and Wilpena Pound. Nights unfold in swag beds beneath a canopy of stars, and days are filled with stories that bring the landscape to life. This isn’t just a walk — it’s a deep immersion into the ancient geology and living culture of Adnyamathanha Country. Winter is also the perfect time to explore further. Cooler days make the climb into Alligator Gorge easier. As you walk through gorges and along ridgelines, the crisp morning light reveals the landscape — clear, quiet and utterly rewarding.
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As the temperatures drop, Southern Right Whales return, tracing ancient paths along South Australia’s coast. From May to October, these 90-tonne giants migrate close to shore, calving and nursing in protected bays. You’ll spot them on boat tours in Encounter Bay, or from beaches and clifftops along Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula. But one of the most unforgettable view awaits at the Head of Bight on the Eyre Peninsula. A cliff-top boardwalk leads to a sweeping platform where the ocean opens wide and whales drift just below. Bring your binoculars. Take your time. All you need to do is stand still and watch the wild come to you. Find the best vantage points and tours with our guide to whale watching in South Australia.
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Stargazing in South Australia offers a quiet revelation. The cold air tingles your skin, but the warmth of the moment stays with you. Above, the stars shine with a clarity, and the longer you look, the more you discover — constellations, distant galaxies, all sharpening into focus through a telescope. It’s here, under one of Australia’s darkest skies, that you can fully appreciate the simple pleasure of a starry night. The River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve, Australia’s first and one of only 21 worldwide, boasts low light pollution and crystal-clear skies. Just 90 minutes from Adelaide, you can choose from a guided or self-guided stargazing experience. Head north to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, where some of the Southern Hemisphere’s clearest skies await. On a guided tour, step into the observatory, where the telescope brings distant galaxies into sharp focus, and the sky feels close enough to touch.
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As you sink into the warm, steamy waters of Dalhousie Springs everything else drifts away. Watch as the steam curls off the glassy surface, the soothing heat melting into your muscles and grounding you in the present moment. The crisp desert air offers a cool contrast, but the springs remain a perfect 37 degrees year-round. It’s the kind of simple pleasure that invites you to pause and breathe in the timeless serenity of this ancient place. Found within Witjira National Park, 900 kilometres northwest of Port Augusta, Dalhousie Springs has offered this comforting warmth for thousands of years, a place of sustenance and healing for its traditional custodians. Today, it remains as peaceful and inviting as ever — a true outback oasis.
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There’s something satisfying about seeking out hidden wonders. When you head down a damp forest trail in the middle of winter, eyes low to the ground, you start to see it differently. At Ghost Mushroom Lane on the Limestone Coast (16km outside of Mount Gambier) pine needles glisten and the air fills with the rich scent of rain-soaked earth. After dark, a local expert leads you into the forest — torch in hand, stories at the ready. They know exactly where to look, and what to listen for. In the right conditions, you see them: glowing faintly green against the forest floor — a light show born from the natural chemical reaction between fungal enzymes and oxygen. It’s a fleeting experience, appearing for just a few weeks each year, usually in May and June. You’ll also uncover another kind of winter treasure in the Adelaide Hills, where truffle dogs lead you through crisp paddocks in search of black gold — best enjoyed shaved over warm pasta during a long, lazy lunch.
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Winter in South Australia invites you to bundle up. It’s a season where moments are meant to be shared — with friends, family or strangers. At Illuminate Adelaide, the city hums with life as light spills across the streets. You might find yourself standing beneath a glowing archway or looking up to see a flock of drones tracing stories in the sky. There’s something deeply connective about those shared experiences — the way a tale told in light pulls you closer to the person beside you. Then comes Winter Reds Festival in the Adelaide Hills, another event made for connection. Imagine yourself wrapped in warmth from the roaring fire, a rich, cool-climate shiraz in hand. There’s a certain magic in sharing stories with the locals and winemakers — people whose passion for the land and its produce is as rich as the wine itself.
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Winter at Kilsby Sinkhole offers a different kind of magic — clearer, quieter and somehow more alive. Located beneath a rural farming property just 15 minutes outside Mount Gambier on the Limestone Coast, it’s a place where every sense awakens. Once you enter one of the world’s best sinkhole dive sites, the clarity takes over. As you descend into its depths, the world above softens and fades, and the quiet of the water hugs you. The water is so clear, you can trace every detail — the light rippling across the limestone that stretches deep and the fine air bubbles rising from your gear. Whether you’re diving, snorkelling or exploring on a site tour with a qualified guide, it’s a rare chance to truly connect with this serene underwater wonder.
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The Clare Valley Riesling Trail slows you down in the best way. In winter, it’s all cool air and open country — a 35 kilometre path winding through rolling vineyards, country pubs and cellar doors. There’s a rhythm to it: riding by bike through the late-morning light as the last of the mist lifts, pausing for a tasting by the fire, then rolling on again. If the weather shifts, you can easily drive between stops — most are just minutes apart. Pop into Skillogalee for a flight of crisp rieslings or indulge in a bold, winter-ready shiraz. The head to Mintaro, a village frozen in time — home to the grand Martindale Hall and slate cottages that have stood through generations. Local winemakers here don’t just pour a glass — they pour their stories. They’ll tell you how the season shaped the vintage, and why riesling sings here like nowhere else. Each stop along the trail offers something distinct, but together they form a kind of tasting tapestry unique to Clare Valley.
Find your perfect winter base — from fireside cabins to steamy outdoor tubs — in our guide to South Australia’s cosiest hideaways.
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