[Niche South Australia Travel Guide] Take you to the hidden treasures of South Australia
Preface
South Australia, also known as SA, is located centrally along the southern coastline of mainland Australia. Known as the "Festival State," it hosts numerous festivals, both large and small, each year. Adelaide, one of the world's top ten most livable cities, is South Australia's capital and where I studied and lived for six years.
Some places are not your hometown, but you have a connection with them before you have ever met them. Like South Australia, it has witnessed the growth of an ignorant boy and also satisfied all your fantasies about this lonely continent.
There's a place I want you to know about. While it lacks the rich history of European nations, South Australia, once the only British colony without a penal colony, has a brief 200-year history that has etched a tranquil life of freedom and fraternity. Day after day, the waves of the Southern Ocean gently caress its youthful face, and behind its azure coastline lie the pure hearts of its people.
Australiacheck the details
Australia, also known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area and the largest in Oceania. Australia borders New Zealand to the southeast and Indonesia to the northwest. It is a vibrant and diverse land. Its enchanting wilderness, sunny beaches, majestic mountains, vibrant coral reefs, boundless grasslands, and diverse species of rare and exotic animals attract countless visitors, making Australia a highly sought-after destination.
9948 recommendations, 7303 visits
Personal safety
Personal safety is paramount when traveling abroad. With safety at the forefront, it's natural to start with Australia's emergency number: 000 (fire, police, and ambulance). It's recommended that you memorize this number before your trip, so avoid dialing 110, 120, or 119 in the event of an emergency.
Although Adelaide and South Australia as a whole are very safe, with simple folk customs and very few thefts, please do not go to dark, remote and sparsely populated areas at night.
Equipment List
Passport & visa, copies are also acceptable
Airline ticket & hotel itinerary, car rental confirmation, activity booking confirmation. (Electronic version is also acceptable)
Original driver's license and translation
Conversion plug: Domestic two-hole plugs can be used directly, but if it is a three-hole plug, a conversion plug is required.
Towels, bath towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and hair dryers are generally provided by hotels and B&Bs, but you must bring your own toothpaste, toothbrush, and slippers.
Sunscreen, the Australian sun is quite strong.
Medicines: Choose a small amount of common medicines according to your personal situation in case of emergency. However, pay attention to customs requirements and never bring prohibited medicines.
Best travel season
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and its seasons are completely opposite to those of China. Summer is from November to March of the following year, autumn is from April to June, winter is from July to September, and spring is from October to November.
The summer in South Australia can be very hot, with temperatures in the north potentially exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, while the south will be cooler. It is important to take precautions against the sun when traveling in the summer. The recommended travel time is from September to May, avoiding winter.
Travel in Australia
Arrival in South Australia
Currently, the most convenient way to reach South Australia is to depart from Guangzhou and take a China Southern Airlines flight to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Flight number: CZ663, which takes off from Guangzhou at 22:10 every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening, and arrives at Adelaide Airport at 08:40 local time the next day.
The civil aviation industry seems to be a little turbulent recently. People may be worried about the safety of long-distance intercontinental flights, but traveling by plane is still the safest way to travel. The editor also knows that most of China Southern Airlines' pilots' practical operation training is completed at the China Southern Airlines Western Australia Flight Training Center, which was funded by China Southern Airlines itself. The pilots trained there are very familiar with Australia's weather and routes. In addition, the Airbus A330 passenger aircraft used by China Southern Airlines has always maintained a good reputation in the industry for its safe flight record.
In addition to China Southern Airlines, other international airlines that have flights to Adelaide include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Dragon.
Aside from downtown Adelaide, public transportation between cities and towns is very limited. Driving or chartering a car is recommended for travel in South Australia. While you can rent a car in Australia with a Chinese driver's license and an English translation, the regulations and procedures for notarizing driver's licenses are vague. While Chinese driver's licenses must be translated by a NAATI-approved translation before they can be used in Australia, many people have successfully rented cars using their own translations. However, if you encounter a police inspection, such a translation will not pass muster, so it's recommended to spend a little extra money just in case.
Australia drives on the left and drives on the right, the opposite of China. And because Australia has a healthy environment, wild animals often cross the road in South Australia's remote areas (kangaroos, emus, hares, hedgehogs, etc.), making driving at night particularly prone to accidents. Therefore, be sure to purchase comprehensive insurance when renting a car.
City transportation
The main means of transport in Adelaide are buses, trains and trams operated by Adelaide Metro. Visitors can buy bus cards at the Information Centre at the intersection of King William Street and Currie Street.
All modes of transportation share the same bus pass, offering unlimited free transfers within two hours. You can also purchase a day or multi-day pass to suit your schedule. Adelaide buses only accept Australian student and senior citizen IDs; international student IDs are not accepted.
Adelaide's bus tickets (Metroticket) only include ordinary tickets, 1-day tickets, 3-day tickets and 28-day tickets.
The regular ticket is valid for 2 hours (starting from the time of boarding the bus) and costs AUD 5.2
(AUD 3.3 between 9:00-15:00);
A one-day ticket is valid for 24 hours and costs AUD 9.9;
A three-day ticket is valid for 72 consecutive hours and costs AUD 25;
The 28-day ticket is valid for 28 consecutive days and costs AUD 119;
More details available: adelaidemetro.com.au
interstate transportation
Most of Australia's densely populated cities are located on the east coast, such as Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, and Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. The distances between these cities are very far, and most Australians choose to travel by plane.
The two major airlines operating domestic flights in Australia are Qantas and Virgin Australia, though their fares are relatively expensive. In contrast, it's recommended to choose Australian budget airlines such as Jetstar Australia and Tigerair Australia, which offer relatively low fares and a high frequency of flights. However, they have strict baggage allowance restrictions, so if you have large checked luggage, please purchase your baggage allowance in advance on their official website.
Inland transportation
When traveling within South Australia, such as visiting some small towns, South Australia has a well-known passenger transport company, Greyhound. Its route network covers major cities in Australia and can connect to some inland towns. However, I do not recommend traveling by bus because the inland routes between states are long, the comfort of taking the bus is relatively low, and there is often no network and communication signal.
Communications and Networks
Adelaide's city centre is covered by free city Wi-Fi, including 5G Wi-Fi. Rundle Mall in the city centre has the best signal.
There are three main telecommunications companies in Australia. Telstra is the largest, offering extensive network coverage and excellent signal quality, but it's a bit pricey. Optus is the second-largest, offering excellent value for money. Signal quality is good in cities and rural areas, but can be weak in remote areas. Finally, Vodafone. However, be aware that when traveling in South Australia, especially for tourists planning trips into the northern desert, avoid using Vodafone, as this can lead to long periods of isolation.
Currency and Exchange
The Australian dollar (AUD) is the official currency of Australia. Australian currency consists of banknotes and coins. Coins come in denominations of 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1, and $2, while banknotes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 (1 AUD = 100 cents). Australian dollar coins vary in shape. 5 cents through 50 cents are silver, increasing in size with denomination. The 5 cent, 10 cent, and 20 cent coins are round, while the 50 cent coins are polygonal. The $1 and $2 coins are brass-colored round, with the $1 being larger than the $2.
The current exchange rate of Australian dollar to RMB is very reasonable. 1 Australian dollar ≈ 4.67 RMB. Please check the official websites of major banks for details.
Money exchange offices can be found at Adelaide Airport and in the city center. Major banks in the city center also offer currency exchange services, but the exchange rates are generally not very good and there are fees. UAE Exchange, a private currency exchange service, operates two locations on King William Street in the heart of Adelaide. They offer free exchange fees.
Play in South Australia
Glenelg Beach is Adelaide's most famous beach.
Of the dozens of beaches around Adelaide, Glenelg Beach is the most famous, a symbol of South Australia's independence as an immigrant state. Tourists and locals alike flock to the beach every weekend and evening to walk their dogs, stroll, jog, or simply sit and watch the sunset. This isn't a break from the busy schedule, a public holiday, or a getaway with friends; it's simply a normal day in the lives of locals, an ordinary day out of the 365 days.
Port Wilunga Jetty Pylon
Having talked about Adelaide’s most famous beaches, I would like to strongly recommend Port Willunga Beach in southern Adelaide. The pedestrian walkway that once extended deep into the sea has been demolished, but the few wooden piles left behind make this a good camera position.
There are no noisy crowds here, only a lonely cafe on the cliff, and the long beach is perfect for jogging or strolling. Here you can face the Southern Ocean and pour out your heart to the sea, it will be a good listener, and the waves washing ashore will sweep away all your troubles.
Clenland Wildlife Park
Before arriving in Australia, seeing kangaroos and koalas was probably on your bucket list. South Australia is the perfect place for you. As a federal nation, each state has the power to make its own laws. Regarding the laws governing visitor-animal interaction, koalas are prohibited in all states except South Australia and Queensland. So, here you can enjoy both koala-holding and kangaroo-feeding activities.
Sharkcage Dive with Great White Sharks
Yes, you read that right. It is the protagonist of the famous American thriller "Jaws" that was once popular all over the country. Port Lincoln, a 6-hour drive west of Adelaide, is the only place outside Cape Town, South Africa where you can experience face-to-face contact with great white sharks.
Every year, countless international tourists flock to this remote harbor town solely to experience swimming with great white sharks, but few domestic tourists know about this experience. The entire daylong experience begins with a boat company taking visitors out to sea. Participants don wetsuits, strap on oxygen tanks, and enter a specially designed cage. A crane lowers them three or four meters below the water's surface. The boat crew then casts a baited line to attract great white sharks from the surrounding waters. Sharks have a keen sense of smell, and upon smelling blood, they'll actively approach the bait. All you need to do is observe your surroundings carefully within the cage and wait for the shark to appear.
Visit the filming location of "Triumph in the Skies" and experience flying
If you don’t know South Australia or Adelaide, you may have watched the Hong Kong TVB drama “Triumph in the Skies” about pilots. After watching it, everyone may have had the idea of learning to fly.
If you have an idea, you have to make it a reality. Parafield Airport in northeast Adelaide was the filming location for "Triumph in the Skies." During my six years studying in Australia, I was fortunate to learn to fly there in my spare time and eventually earned my Australian private pilot's license. Many flight schools now offer flight experiences. These days, you'll board a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Diamond 40, and soar into the skies of South Australia accompanied by a professional flight instructor. You'll have the opportunity to personally operate the aircraft, taxiing on the ground and performing maneuvers in the air under the instructor's guidance. It's truly a dream come true.
South Australia Pink Lake—Lake Bumbunga
When it comes to Australia's internet-famous pink lake, the first thing that comes to mind is the Hutt Salt Lake in Western Australia. However, what you don’t know is that there is a pink salt lake 100 kilometers north of Adelaide. There are not so many tourists here. Except for locals and international students, this is still a "treasure" known to a few people.
Like Hutt Salt Lake, this is a saline-alkali land. Whenever it rains, the rainwater falling on the salt lake will turn pink when it encounters sunlight, so everyone should try to go there after the rain, otherwise the dry salt lake may make you disappointed.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia. The entire island covers an area of about 4,405 square kilometers and has a population of only more than 4,000.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, Kangaroo Island feels like a paradise. Once named "Best Island in Asia-Pacific" by National Geographic, it still retains its pristine, natural beauty, offering a haven far from the city.
Kangaroo Island may sound endearing, but its name is tinged with a tumultuous past. Matthew Flinders, the first explorer to discover Kangaroo Island, first saw kangaroos strolling about the island. Soon after, they became a meal for a shipload of hungry sailors. Perhaps out of gratitude, he gave the island this name.
Shortly after Matthew Flinders landed, French explorer Nicolas Baudin also landed on Kangaroo Island. Although Britain and France were at war at the time, the two explorers enjoyed a close relationship. Later, the two explorers settled on the east and west islands, respectively, and lived in peace. As a result, place names on the eastern side of Kangaroo Island are now more English-speaking, while those on the western side are more French-speaking.
Victor Harbour
Victor Harbor is the smallest town on the Fileri Peninsula, a famous tourist destination in South Australia. It is also the first choice for citizens of the capital city Adelaide for weekend outings and vacations.
Victor Harbor is located 80 kilometers south of Adelaide, nestled on the shores of picturesque Encounter Bay. Originally a whaling wharf established in 1837, Victor Harbor now houses the South Australian Whale Centre in the town center, showcasing an extinct species of right whale, various whale specimens, and the history of whaling. June to October is the peak whale watching season, attracting large numbers of tourists from both home and abroad.
In the last century, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) enacted legislation designating whales as protected marine species, prohibiting their capture and slaughter. As a result, the whaling piers here have become a thing of the past, now open to visitors. Every winter, pods of whales migrate into Encanto Bay, allowing visitors to enjoy the whale watching from the cliffs along the shore.
Hahndorf, a German town
Located in the Adelaide Hills, about 40 kilometers from downtown Adelaide, German Village was built in 1839. Back then, a German captain named Hahn fled religious persecution and settled here with some followers. The town was named after him, and Dorf means village in German, so Hahndorf was the name for the village.
Hahndorf is a town filled with boutiques and cafes. The most famous of these is the German pork knuckle at the Hahndorf Inn. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, a single portion is enough for three or four people, costing around 240 RMB. Tuck into the German pork knuckle, sausages, and dark beer here, and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time to Bavaria, enjoying the opportunity to indulge in both alcohol and meat in a foreign country.
Conclusion
When traveling to Australia, it seems like everyone tends to focus on iconic cities like Melbourne and Sydney, often missing out on some of the more beautiful and unique sights. If this guide has inspired you to visit South Australia, please leave a comment below to let me know.
Finally, I wish everyone can see more of the world as much as possible and enjoy life in the way they like!
