Why South Australia has the best experience gifts

AUSTRALIA’S greatest tourist destinations are hiding in plain sight. Ditch that trip to Sydney or Melbourne and go to these places instead.

SA Tourism

South Australia — from the unreal turquoise of the coast to the rich ochre of the outback, the southern state’s one-of-a-kind experiences and diverse natural landscapes are ripe for exploration — and gifting.

With a selection featuring spectacular sights, sensory delights, heart-racing adventure, and natural wonders — here are seven ideas that show that the best presents can’t be gift-wrapped.

Lions 360: Monarto Zoo

The winding highway from Adelaide to the historic town of Monarto only takes an hour — but transports you from city centre to savannah safari, where more than 500 animals roam vistas as far as the eye can see.

One of the largest open-range zoos in the world, Monarto Zoo’s 1,500 hectares are home to more than 50 exotic and native animals. But it’s the latest addition that is creating uproar — of the best kind.

‘Lions 360’ is an adrenalin-pumping first: Australia’s only 360 degree lion encounter.

Leaving the comforts of an air-conditioned bus, you follow a dim tunnel to one of the most hair-raising experiences of your life, finding yourself in a cage-like structure where lions are able to wander all around you.

Few people have been this close to the powerful predators — so close you can see their giant paws, hear their thundery growls, feel their drool.   

Monarto offers one of the most Instagrammable experiences in the country — if you can remember to get your phone out once you’re in “clawing range” of the kings and queens of the jungle.

Best for: adventurous animal lovers

No minimum age for standard Lions 360

10+ to feed the lions, children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

https://www.monartozoo.com.au/lions360/

Swim with tuna: Oceanic Victor

You’re under the waves, floating in the pristine waters of Victor Harbor, holding a tiny pilchard. Suddenly, a southern bluefin tuna whips up from the depths, slicing through the water at up to 76km per hour to gently pluck the bait from your hands.

Oceanic Victor offers a chance to swim with some of the fastest fish in the sea — known as the “Ferraris of the water” — in a unique in-sea aquarium.

Fitted out in a wetsuit and gear, visitors plunge into water shimmying with tuna — while those who prefer to stay dry can feed the fish above ground, or check out the glass-enclosed underwater viewing area.

Nestled on the stretch of the Great Australian Bight, Victor Harbor has long been a draw-card for its combination of sand and surf, and its rare colony of wild Little Penguins, but swimming with tuna is the town’s quirkiest attraction — and a one-of-a-kind gift.

Best for: Ocean lovers of all ages

https://www.oceanicvictor.com.au

Pedal powered tours: EcoCaddy

The smell of the city’s falling jacaranda, the aromas of street food vendors, the feel of the breeze rising off the River Torrens, the riotous colour of art-covered laneways…  Adelaide’s urban centre and leafy surrounds are arguably best enjoyed on three wheels.

EcoCaddy provides tours of the city of Adelaide on bamboo-bodied pedicabs, powered by in-the-know locals. The knowledgeable guides whisk guests effortlessly across the (thankfully flat) city and bike trails, offering tours skewed towards everything from art, to green scenery, to kid-friendly tours.

At pedal pace and eye-level, they’re a comfortable, stylish, and sustainable way to see the sights, explore local history or get to know the city as you’ve never seen it before.

Best for: all ages

https://www.ecocaddy.com.au/experiences/

Roof Climb: Adelaide Oval

How are you with heights? Harness up and get ready to experience sunset over the city in a memorable way …

The curved roofline of Adelaide Oval may be best known as the city’s iconic sporting arena and second home for AFL fans, but it also offers up action-packed way to take in the views from rolling hills to sparkling coastline.

Climbs are available from day to twilight, with an experienced guide taking groups of up to 14 people on a two-hour climb from the Adelaide Oval’s western stand, crossing a narrow bridge, to the south riverbank.

From there climbers can watch in wonder, bask in their own adventurousness, or get snapped as evidence they made it (no one needs to know about the trembling knees).

Best for:  Kids 8+, adrenalin junkies

https://roofclimb.com.au/the-adventure/

Floating Barbie: BBQ Buoys

Flowing through the heart of the southern capital, the tranquil River Torrens is home to water birds, native fish, tortoises, paddleboats… and a fleet of floating barbeques.

It doesn’t get much more Aussie than a summer barbecue, and BBQ Buoys offer doughnut-shaped boats fully equipped with everything guests need for a unforgettable fry-up in the heart of the city.

With vessels ranging from intimate (1-2 people) to groups (up to 10), fully catered options and drinks packages, as well as options to BYO food and snacks, all you need to bring are the mates. The result? An barbie on one of the most scenic city rivers in the country.

Best for: hungry people of all ages

https://bbqbuoys.com.au

Aerial family fun: Mega Adventure Park

Ask any local and they’ll tell you that Adelaide’s western beaches are a firm family favourite in the warmer months — now there’s a new lure in addition to the fine white sands and serene waters of the metropolitan coastline.

Mega Adventure Park lives up its name with a choose-your-own-adventure aerial obstacle park, stretching 26 metres into the sky.

With over 70 different crossings and a range of obstacles, gung-ho visitors can play tennis in mid-air, row a boat through the sky, or ride a BMX high above the crowds… the more adventurous can take a leap from the MegaJump in fully harnessed safety, while the smaller humans can trampoline on the aptly-named ‘MegaBounce’.

Best for: parents, kids, big kids

https://megaadventure.com.au/activities/#skychallenge

Off-grid in the outback: Wright’s Air Flights

Restore your sense of earthly wonder in the outback heart of South Australia. The 540 million year old landscape is home to some of the most distinctive and breathtaking scenery in the country — if not the world — and it’s hard to go past the visual drama of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre National Park.

Set in a landscape of red sand dunes and mesas, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is SA’s desert oasis, a 10,000 square km saltpan with white crystals reflecting the sunlight.

A place of extremities, after rains in the north the saltpan is transformed into the country’s largest inland lake, bursting with greenery and birdlife. When the water evaporates, it changes back to a brilliant pinkish red thanks to the millions of brine shrimp living on the lake all year-round.

Wet or dry, the scene by air is matchless — giving a bird’s eye sense of the remoteness and natural magic of the location.  

Best for: the intrepid

https://www.wrightsair.com.au/our-flights/lake-eyre-flights/

Originally published as Why South Australia has the best experience gifts