South Australia is home to wine country, national parks and awe-inspiring wildlife. Here’s a great itinerary to go along with your Adelaide car hire.
Adelaide to Barossa Valley – 75km
Head north out of Adelaide, stopping at the Barossa Reservoir to check out the famous Whispering Wall. This is the retaining wall of the dam, a revolutionary engineering feat for its day with some unique acoustic effects. A whisper from one side can be heard at the other end, more than 100 m away. Then continue on to the Barossa Valley via the Barossa Valley Way.
The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine regions with dozens of cellar doors. Wine aficionados could spend days here tasting their way through the region. Of course, this goes hand in hand with fresh local cuisine, whether you are buying your own produce or sitting down at cafes and restaurants.
Barossa Valley to Quorn – 340 km
From the Barossa Valley continue north towards Quorn. You will pass through the Clare Valley, another top notch food and wine region with its own Riesling Trail. At Mintaro take a step back into history and admire the village. Then you’ll pass the mountains of the southern Flinders Ranges, and have the option of detouring to Mt Remarkable National Park; the red cliffs of Alligator Gorge are a marvel.
At Quorn there’s a cluster of art galleries and heritage buildings. This former railway town is now more of a tourist centre. Lovers of steam trains can relive the glory days and take the Pichi Richi Railway, preserved by a group of volunteers who have restored the old locomotives, which run between March and November.
Quorn to Wilpena Pound – 120 km
Continuing on toward the Flinders Ranges, you may stop at the Yourambulla Caves, with its Aboriginal rockart. Then carry on to Wilpena Pound, the amphitheatre that forms the centrepiece of Flinders Ranges National Park. This natural, circular landmark is best seen from the air – you can book scenic flights through Wilpena Pound Resort. There is also a number of walks here, such as Hill’s Homestead and Mt Ohlssen Bagge. which offers the only accommodation here.
Elsewhere in the Flinders Ranges, Arkaroo Rock offers excellent rock climbing and rock art, as does Sacred Canyon. Take the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail to learn more about the history of the area. Look for parrots, wallabies, kangaroos, emus and eagles.
