What to Do in South Australia – According to Qantas Frequent Flyers

Planning a trip to South Australia? We asked Qantas Frequent Flyers to share their highlights from a wild family adventure on Kangaroo Island, a cruise through secret islands off the coast of Port Lincoln and a return to Adelaide that revealed a whole new side to the city.

“We had pristine beaches all to ourselves; we couldn’t believe how blue and clear the ocean was.” – Ben Maddern, Silver Frequent Flyer

“Kangaroo Island was so much bigger – and wilder – than I expected. My partner and I took our two young kids, aged two and five, and even though they’re seasoned little travellers, the destination managed to surprise and delight us all. There’s something for everyone: wildlife, expansive beaches and excellent local food. We stayed in a self-contained apartment at Aurora Ozone Hotel across from the beach in Kingscote, which really suited our family. Each morning we wandered down to Cactus Café on the corner for breakfast. The menu featured so many South Australian ingredients – Fleurieu Milk Company milk and yoghurt, Kangaroo Island Olives extra virgin olive oil and fresh, locally caught seafood. 

“We explored Flinders Chase National Park and climbed its massive granite boulders at Remarkable Rocks and dropped into Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. in Kingscote – it’s a sanctuary that’s home to the world’s purest strain of Ligurian bees, introduced from Italy in 1884. At Emu Bay Lavender Farm in Wisanger, the kids ran through a sea of pink-purple lavender plants and the scent was incredible. Some of the best days were totally unplanned – just piling into the hire car and heading off to explore. We had pristine beaches all to ourselves and we couldn’t believe how blue and clear the ocean was.

“When we’re at home in Sydney, we visit the zoo frequently, but spotting wild koalas along the remote eastern side of Kangaroo Island and watching Australian fur seals loll about at Seal Bay felt very new and exciting for the kids.”

Ben flew Sydney to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide.

“I gazed into the dark puppy-dog eyes of a gorgeous female for what felt like five minutes – it was like she was looking into my soul.” – Carolyne Jasinski, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“I first swam with the sea lions at Baird Bay 20 years ago, back when a local couple, Alan and Trish Payne, ran a low-key eco-experience on the remote Eyre Peninsula on the west coast of South Australia. Every morning, Alan would head out in his dinghy to check on the resident sea lion colony. Over time, they grew curious about him; he never fed them but eventually he got into the water with them. It was magical then – just me, the ocean, and these wild, playful creatures.

I flew into Port Lincoln, known as the Seafood Capital of Australia, to see if two decades had dimmed the magic – but I couldn’t leave without visiting some of the city’s restaurants first. Line and Label at Teakle Wines has fabulous views. If the fish cheeks dish is on the menu, order it! And Del Giorno's Café Restaurant is a local institution, famous for its amazing Kinkawooka Mussel hotpot. After spotting wild koalas at Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary in Sleaford, I headed towards Baird Bay, a three-hour drive. 

While Baird Bay Experience is more polished now, the wonder of swimming with wild sea lions hasn’t changed. The Tailor, a bespoke travel group, has created an eco-retreat with two gorgeous villas and curated adventures like e-biking and sea kayaking. The live-in chef Calvin Von Niebel, who once worked for Ottolenghi across its seven London restaurants, creates incredible dishes with local produce and seafood.

You can do a daytrip, which includes a wild sea lion and dolphin swim, followed by lunch; I was lucky enough to spend a couple of nights in one of the villas – they are ultra-luxurious. Either way, the highlight remains the swim. Slipping into the water, I found myself once again surrounded by sea lions. We were swimming around and doing little dances in the water and the sea lions can’t resist – the more fun you’re having, the more curious they get. I gazed into the dark puppy-dog eyes of a gorgeous female for what felt like five minutes – it was like she was looking into my soul. It was quite an emotional experience – I actually started to cry.”

Carolyne flew Adelaide to Port Lincoln.

“It had been decades since I'd visited Adelaide and I was struck by how different the city felt.” – Bruce Ritchie, Silver Frequent Flyer

“Our family travelled to Adelaide for a wedding in the Adelaide Hills and took the opportunity to explore the city, the McLaren Vale wine region and nearby Kangaroo Island. It had been decades since I'd visited the South Australian capital and I was struck by how different the city felt. There are so many cool restaurants, buzzy bars and great cafés, such as UR Caffé in North Adelaide, where we stopped for an all-day brekkie of smoked salmon benedict and a killer pork katsu sando with kimchi slaw.

“Visiting McLaren Vale was like being in food and wine heaven. We rode bikes along the famed eight-kilometre Shiraz Trail, which runs parallel to a disused railway line stretching from McLaren Vale to Willunga. We visited several wineries, including Hugh Hamilton with its lovely cellar door and a “Dark Arts” range of unusual blends; the family-owned Scarpantoni, known for its Italian red varietals and a delicious liqueur shiraz; and the art-filled d’Arenberg Cube, which hosts tastings with a view on its panoramic upper level. On our first night, we booked a table at Pearl on beautiful Aldinga Beach. The chef’s selection menu was loaded with local seafood including barbecued Bass Strait scallop with lobster oil and Cape Jervis calamari. 

The next night we stayed closer to town and enjoyed an amazing dinner at Salopian Inn – a restored old homestead with cozy fireplaces and a choose-your-own-adventure wine cellar. Most of the produce the chefs use comes from the kitchen garden and all the meat is free-range and locally sourced. From the tasting menu we chose dishes such as wild-caught Cape Jarvis kingfish sashimi drizzled in ginger oil, roasted and confit chicken and the ice-cream sandwich with almond and chocolate meringue. It was to die for.”

Bruce flew Sydney to Adelaide.

“We’d wake to the sight of kangaroos silhouetted against the sunrise.” – Alex Shaw, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“My wife and I honeymooned on Kangaroo Island to take a deep breath after the buzz of our wedding. We stayed at Wander, a collection of four luxury off-grid cabins [WanderPods] dotted along a rugged 150-metre-high bluff on the north-west coast overlooking Snelling Beach. 

We’d wake to the sight of kangaroos silhouetted against the sunrise. I was partial to The Islander Estate Wally White semillon, which we drank with fresh seafood from The Oyster Farm Shop on our deck. 

Dinner at The Fig Tree KI restaurant was a novel experience that began with drinks and hors d’oeuvres in old shearers’ quarters. At dusk, diners wander over to tables set under a massive fig tree canopy. 

We had Qantas Lounge passes at Adelaide Airport and relaxed there ahead of our flight, so we were totally refreshed when we touched down.”

Alex flew Qantas from Sydney to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide

“A standout was 21 dishes with matching wines.” – Michael Cecilio, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“My partner Stephen and I celebrated his birthday with a city break in Adelaide. The main event was lunch at Restaurant Botanic in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. It’s an incredible space nestled among the trees. 

Before lunch, the chef led us – Champagne in hand – around the Garden pointing out edible plants to smell and taste. Botanic’s new tasting menu features 21 dishes with matched wines and the entire experience takes about four hours. A standout for me? Sea urchin and green ant with an iceplant salsa and wattle seed butter brioche that made it so rich and flavoursome. 

We booked the beautiful Sofitel Adelaide, rode Beam e-scooters around town and took long walks along the riverbank. Perfection.”

Michael flew Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide

“A highlight was arkhé, a restaurant focused on South Australian ingredients.” – Dan Harrison, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“I took a long weekend to stay with friends in Adelaide who relocated to inner-city Norwood. We crammed an awful lot of eating, drinking and fun into four days. 

My friends introduced me to their favourite local spots – highlights were arkhé, a restaurant focused on South Australian ingredients, and East End Cellars Norwood for steak frites and great wine. 

I used Qantas Points to book the RoofClimb experience at Adelaide Oval and got to explore the rooftop of the cricket, football and rugby stadium. I’m a massive cricket nerd so it felt extra special – the vantage point delivers 360-degree views out towards the Adelaide Hills, over to the coastline then back towards the city. 

Wearing a harness, you walk around the roofline to the world’s first rooftop stadium seats, 50 metres up. You can even lean out over the edge – not for those with a fear of heights!”

Dan flew Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide

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