Discovering South Australia by night

ONE feather was all the evidence needed to send bird watching enthusiasts scrambling for night vision binoculars – from a bird that hadn’t been spotted for 170 years.

SATC

The Eyre Peninsula’s elusive Night Parrot is a shining example of how there’s more than niche bars and hangouts to peruse once the South Australian sun goes down.

From coastlines to peninsulas, bushlands to ranges, these strictly nocturnal wildlife experiences will keep you entertained all night long.

Shhhhhh… Look up! 

In the outback…  

Right up in the state’s north, eight hours from Port Augusta, you’ll discover the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Nestled between rugged mountains, commanding granite peaks, beautiful gorges and mystifying waterholes, Arkaroola is home to more than 160 bird species, where you’ll also spot the endangered rock wallaby, with its iconic yellow feet. With undeniably some the best viewing conditions in Australia, sign up for an astronomy tour and a once in a lifetime experience. The crystal-clear skies will have you spotting stars like you were a kid again. Sleep in, then spend your days bird watching, bush walking and mountain bike riding.

Pack your warmest jumpers for a night under the stars. But don’t worry, Wild Bush’s Luxury Arkaba Station will keep you comfortable. If you’re imagining having to rough it in a sleeping bag, think again. This experience calls for a luxury camp, complete with timber swag decks and detailed campsites. Tie up your shoelaces after a rested snooze under the starry sky, and continue on this four-day private hike – learning about the 600-million-year history of the ranges with every step.

Take snaps of red and western grey kangaroos, wallaroos, emus, wedge-tailed eagles, Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoo and much more wildlife unique to the outback. If you’re not into hiking, but like the sound of “remote living”, there are also mindfulness retreats and guided safaris tailored around your specific interests.

At the beach…

Over on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Backyard Universe offers all-inclusive stargazing, nature loving and wine tasting experiences. Explore the beautiful region through your palette at top local wineries, then watch the sun go down over the coast - but don’t let all that wine get you sleepy just yet. Pick up your portable telescope and get ready for a night of stargazing in McLaren Vale, Wirrina Cove, Port Elliot, Rawnsley Park, Wilpena and many other locations. You’ll marvel at stars, clusters, planets, nebulae and galaxies, with one of Australia’s most experienced astronomical guides. It’s your personal tour of the cosmos.

The Eyre Peninsula is home to some of the state’s most unique birds, with more than 270 species living in mallee bushland and on the coast. Pair up with Goin’ Off Safaris to see little pied and black cormorants, grey teal and chestnut teal ducks, ospreys, white-bellied sea-eagles, sooty oystercatchers, striated pardalotes, western yellow robins, blue wrens and New Holland honeyeaters. You never know what will fly into your vision.

On the river…

Head up to Swan Reach on the Murray River to check out Big Bend by Night, at the old Sunndale Station. It has abundant Australian native animals; you can spot kangaroos, wombats, bats and owls from the back of a purpose-built, covered wagon and watch them in their natural habitat as they feed at night. The wagons can go anywhere, so you can get right up close and personal. It doesn’t get more Aussie than this.

Depending on whether you’re a morning or night person, there’s plenty of complementary wildlife experiences to add to your itinerary, like the three-course sunset dinner tour with views of the Big Bend Cliffs. For you early risers, fill your bellies at the rustic bush kitchen on the banks of the Sunnydale Swamp. Organisers will dish up a hearty serving of kangaroo sausages with native spices and condiments.

In the parks… 

Prefer your adventures a little more on the safe side? South Australia’s parks and zoos offer spectacular experiences, too.

You’ll never have wilder dreams than after spending a night at the Adelaide Zoo. Whether you have kids or you’re just a kid at heart, you can explore the zoo on a night safari, which includes getting up close on an animal encounter and meeting a zookeeper. You can also rub shoulders with a panda through the “Panda and Friends” behind-the-scenes experience.

Less than half an hour up into the Hills, you’ll reach Cleland Wildlife Park. Choose from a group, private or extra-special night walk. If you choose the Indulgence Night Walk, the sightings will be based on what you want to see, not a pre-determined path. Hang onto your torch and lantern tightly as you get up close to potoroos, bettongs, bandicoots, owls, kangaroos, wallabies and even Tasmanian devils. Spend the night exploring the world of Australia’s nocturnal furry friends.

Whether you’re fascinated by birds, mammals, stars or unique landscapes, there’s a “wild” experience for you in South Australia. Go with a group, book your own private tour, just out of the city or up into the outback and find out who wakes up when the sun sets.