Seniors Travel | Destinations | Australia | South Australia

South Australia

Why South Australia?

Visit South Australia Home to the City of churches, some of the best red wines in Australia and idyllic and picturesque beaches, South Australia simply has it all. The long summers give ample time to experience all the state has to offer and to taste wine from all 16 regions. Adelaide has over 200 cellar doors within an hour’s drive, so you don’t have to travel far to taste the best.

The city of Adelaide offers cosmopolitan dining and entertainment, as well as walking tours of some of the most beautiful terraces and churches built in Australia. Just 10 minutes by tram and you can be on the beautiful sandy beach of Glenelg, cooling off in the sea from the soaring summer sun. Or why not enjoy a bottle of the local brew at the Largs Pier Hotel?

South Australia also offers the chance to experience a true taste of the Australian outback, the majesty of the Flinders Ranges and the tranquility of Kangeroo Island. Take your fishing rods and head for the waters of the Yorke Peninsula and for those feeling a little nostalgic, don’t forget to take a steamboat down the Murray River.

Top five must-visit attractions

Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide
A day at the Adelaide Zoo to see Wang Wang and Funi, the only Giant Panda’s in the Southern Hemisphere. Once inside the zoo choose from a variety of free tours, including audio and walkabout tours.

Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island
Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park on Kangaroo Island. Take the self-guided tour on the boardwalk along the stunning beach or the full 45 minute Seal Experience tour accompanied by a guide, where you can get up close and personal with Australian Sea Lions.

Adelaide Wineries Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges
Wilpena Pound is the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges National Park. It offers a great variety of accommodation, walking and 4WD tours which showcase the rugged, red landscape and native Australian animals.

Seppeltsfield Wines, Barossa Valley
Taste a wine from your birth year on the Centenary Tour at the beautiful Seppeltsfield Wines in the Barossa Valley.

Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide
Join Central Market stallholder Mark Gleeson on a tour of the buzzy Adelaide Central Market. Learn about the history of the stallholders including those who have had a stall in the family for close to a century.

South Australia for seniors

Seniors Card
When visiting South Australia, holders of interstate Seniors Cards can access free off-peak travel and concessional peak travel when using Adelaide Metro public transport.

Great Southern Rail
Great Southern Rail offers rates, vouchers and discounts for seniors on all their train journeys including The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin) and the Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth, stopping in Adelaide).

Getting Around

Flights
Flying to Adelaide Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly daily to South Australia from all major cities. Rex and QantasLink offer flights to all regional airports across the state.
Jetstar
Qantas
Rex
Virgin Australia

Bus & coach
Regular buses also run throughout the city including the free bee-line service which offers a hop-on, hop-off experience.
Bus timetables
Seniors free travel

Train
There are trains which take you out to the suburbs, around the state and of course, interstate. There are also trams which transport you across the city and straight to the lovely seaside town of Glenelg.
Adelaide Metro Trains & Trams

Self-drive
YOURLifeChoices website members automatically receive a 30 per cent discount off standard rates, or 2.5 per cent off promotional rates with Avis. Combine your travel with your accommodation in a campervan or recreational vehicle. You can often find one-way relocation deals for as little as $1 a day.

Great tours
For another way to travel to South Australia hop on-board the Indian Pacific and make your way across the expansive Nullarbor or hop on The Ghan in Adelaide and head through the South Australian outback to Darwin.

Board the Sealink Ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw in Kangaroo Island for an unforgettable wildlife escape.

Accommodation

Adelaide Accommodation Hotels Hop on to Southaustralia.com to check out great deals on all accommodation.

Hotels
Best Western hotel chain guarantees a discount of 10 per cent for guests aged 55 or older, worldwide.

Choice Hotels represent 35 Comfort, Quality Clarion and Econolodge hotels. Ask for a 5-10 per cent discount using your seniors card

Accor Hotels have 35 hotels offering many levels of accommodation in every Australian state. Ask for a seniors discount—some properties will offer one.

Novotel Hotels offers free beds for grandchildren travelling with their grandparents.

Bed and breakfast
Bed and Breakfast accommodation Australia

Oz Bed & Breakfast has 1800 listings nationally, with a useful hot deals function.

Camping
Camps Australia Wide, find a camp or caravan park across Australia.

Hostels
Hostelworld, listing 300+ hostels with guest ratings.

Youth Hostels Australia, become a member and use hostels across Australia and the rest of the world.

Campsites
Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris
For a truly memorable camping experience in the Flinders Rangers, try Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris, Kangaluna Camp. Spend a night in one of the safari tents or Swagons, converted wagons with a swag bed.

Foodie experiences

Gouger Street is Adelaide’s eat street, it features a mix of award-winning restaurants such as Celsius Restaurant and cheap eats near Chinatown at the affordable Ying Chow.

From Orient is a new Chinese restaurant in Adelaide gaining great reviews and becoming popular with SA locals.

Sticky Rice Cooking School offers cooking classes in the Adelaide Hills with a particular focus on Asian food. It’s set in a beautiful building with an outdoor area featuring a veggie patch and Balinese style garden

Hentley Farm Restaurant is the newest addition to the dining scene in the Barossa and offers lunch degustations daily and dinner on Saturday.

ChocoVino offers an unusual and indulgent chocolate wine matching experience. Located in the beautiful Hahndorf Hill Cellar Door with sweeping views over the Adelaide Hills.

Star of Greece is set on a cliff-top which offers spectacular views over Port Willunga and the Fleurieu Peninsula. The restaurant focuses on fresh, locally caught seafood in an intimate dining setting while the outdoor canteen is a relaxed dining experience with a bar.

Hottest deals and discounts

No matter whether you are traveling on a budget or living it up a little, getting a great deal is always a bonus. These deals and discounts will help to make any trip good value for money.

Great Southern Rail seniors' discount

Greyhound Australia bus discounts, with over 1100 destinations, a discount bus ride is a great way for senior travellers with spare time get around Australia

Entertainment Book - If you like to eat out while sticking to your budget, why not invest in an entertainment book, which offers substantial discounts on many fine restaurants?

South Australia for free

South Australia for Free Historic Urrbrae House
Situated on the Waite Campus of University of Adelaide

Naracoorte Swimming Lake
Constructed in the 1960s by people from the local town, the lake is the perfect place to cool down on one of South Australia’s hot sunny days.

Meadow Country Market
Browse the stalls and taste the local wares. Keep your hands in your pockets and you won’t spend a thing!

Mortlock Library
The Mortlock Wing of the State Library is a truly magnificent way to pass the time when in Adelaide.

Henley Beach
Kick off your shoes and stroll along the white sand of Henley beach. The gentle surf is great for kids or those not so strong at swimming.

The grand splurge

Eco Villas If you’re looking for a truly memorable experience and have some spare cash to spend, consider one of the following three ‘not to be missed’ splurges:

- Head for the Flinders Ranges and combine a stay at Rawnsley Park’s eco villas with a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Outback Ballooning.
- Stay at the recently refurbished Kingsford Homestead located just 10 mins from the heart of the Barossa.
- Take a trip down to Kangaroo Island for the beautiful coastline, food offering and an unforgettable stay at Southern Ocean Lodge.