Sights in South Australia
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Central Market
Satisfy both obvious and obscure culinary cravings at the 250-odd stalls in Adelaide’s superb Central Market. A gluten-free snag from the Gourmet Sausage Shop, a sliver of English stilton from the Smelly Cheese Shop, a tub of blueberry yoghurt from the Yoghurt Shop – you name it, it’s all here. Good luck making it out without eating anything.
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Adelaide Botanic Garden
Meander, jog or chew through your trashy airport novel in these lush city-fringe gardens. Highlights include a restored 1877 palm house, the waterlily pavilion (housing the gigantic Victoria amazonica) and the fabulous steel-and-glass arc of the Bicentennial Conservatory, which recreates a tropical rainforest. Free 1½-hour guided walks depart the Schomburgk Pavilion at 10.30am daily.
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Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park
The 390-hectare Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park has some excellent walks. Fantastic views exist from the top of the Barossa Ranges. Abundant native flora, such as banksias, acacias and grevilleas, and birdlife can also be enjoyed. In particular, look out for Nankeen kestrels and brown hawks. Western grey 'roos also bound through this park.
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Migration Museum
This engaging social-history museum tells the story of the many migrants who have made SA their home. The museum has info on 100-plus nationalities (as opposed to individuals) in its database, along with some poignant personal stories.
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Encounter Coast Discovery Centre
The Encounter Coast Discovery Centre has interesting displays exploring local history from pre-European times to around 1900.
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Bradman Collection
Cricket fans can pour over the personal items of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman at the Bradman Collection. Simple timelines set out the story of the genius cricketer clearly and succinctly, and fans will fairly wet themselves over this collection of memorabilia donated by 'the Don' himself before he died. The exhibition is housed in the magnificent, historic 1861 South Australian Institute building, part of the State Library of SA precinct.
Continue the theme north of the Torrens River at the Adelaide Oval (King William Rd, North Adelaide), where a statue of the Don graces this most picturesque of Test cricket grounds.
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Holy Trinity Church
Adelaidians love to put the rather patronising moniker of 'the city of churches' into perspective by pointing out that pubs and clubs far outnumber churches. However, among the most impressive churches are the 1838 Holy Trinity Church, the first Anglican church in the state and the oldest surviving church in Adelaide; the 1869-76 St Peter's Cathedral; and the 1856 St Francis Xavier Cathedral.
Nearby on Victoria Sq, other important early buildings include the 1847-50 Magistrate's Court; the 1869 Supreme Court; and the 1839 Old Treasury Building.
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Flinders Chase National Park
Occupying the western end of Kangaroo Island, Flinders Chase National Park is one of SA’s top national parks. Much of the park is mallee scrub, but there are some beautiful, tall sugar-gum forests, particularly around Rocky River and the Ravine des Casoars, 5km south of Cape Borda. Sadly, around 100,000 acres of bush were burned out by bushfires in 2007. Many walking tracks and campsites are closed for rehabilitation, but there’s still plenty to see and do. Contact the park visitors centre or DEH in Kingscote for updates on closures.
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Fountain Gallery
The acclaimed Wadlata Outback Centre has many excellent exhibits, particularly the Flinders Range and Outback Tunnel of Time, tracing the Aboriginal and European past using audio-visual displays, interactive exhibits and a spooky giant snake. If you're overwhelmed on your first visit, there's a pass-out valid for 12 months. Right next door is the Fountain Gallery , an intimate space with works by local and indigenous artists.
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Art Gallery of South Australia
Spend a few hushed hours in the vaulted, parquetry-floored gallery that represents the big names in Australian art. Permanent exhibitions include Australian, modern Australian, contemporary Aboriginal, Asian, Islamic and European art (with 20 bronze Rodins!). Temporary exhibitions occupy the basement. Free audio tours of the Australian collection are insightful, as are the free guided tours (11am and 2pm daily).
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Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
Tandanya offers an insight into the culture of the local Kaurna people, whose territory extends south to Cape Jervis and north to Port Wakefield. Inside the cultural institute there are interactive displays on living with the land, as well as galleries, gifts and a cafe. There are didgeridoo or Torres Strait Islander cultural performances, free tours, plus Indigenous short-film and documentary screenings in the theatre.
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South Australian Museum
Digs into Australia's natural history with special exhibits on whales and Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, and an Aboriginal Cultures Gallery displaying artefacts of the Ngarrindjeri people of the Coorong and lower Murray. The giant squid is the undisputed highlight of the free tours. There's a cool cafe here too.
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Faye's Underground Display Home
Many of the early dugout homes were simply worked-out mines, but these days they’re usually specifically excavated residences. If you want to see one, Faye’s Underground Display Home was hand dug by three women in the 1960s. It’s a little chintzy, but the living-room swimming pool is a winner! Even when it’s a stinker outside, subterranean temperatures never rise above 23°C, and air-conditioning isn’t necessary.
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Wonambi Fossil Centre
The Naracoorte Caves National Park visitors centre, doubles as the impressive Wonambi Fossil Centre – a re-creation of the rainforest that covered this area 200,000 years ago. Follow a ramp down past grunting, life-sized reconstructions of extinct animals, including a marsupial lion, a giant echidna, Diprotodon australis (koala meets grizzly bear), and Megalania prisca – 500kg of bad-ass goanna.
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National Wine Centre of Australia
Check out the free self-guided, interactive Wine Discovery Journey exhibition, paired with tastings of Australian wines (extra charge), at this very sexy wine centre. You'll get an insight into the issues winemakers contend with, and even have your own virtual vintage rated. Free 30-minute tours run at 11.30am daily. A heady range of wine-appreciation courses (from $55) is also available, and there's a cool cafe here too.
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Rodney Fox Shark Experience
Shark victim turned shark advocate Rodney Fox promotes understanding of the much-maligned creature and its position in the delicate ocean ecosystem at Rodney Fox Shark Experience. It offers a fascinating insight into the 'smoke and mirrors' of the filming of Jaws. Please note: this exhibition is currently housed at the S.A. Whale Centre, after its Glenelg Museum closed.
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St Francis Xavier Cathedral
St Francis Xavier Cathedral (1856) is counted as one of the most impressive churches in Adelaide, along with the Holy Trinity Church (1838), the first Anglican church in the state; and St Peter's Cathedral (1869-76).
Nearby on Victoria Sq, other important early buildings include the 1847-50 Magistrate's Court; the 1869 Supreme Court; and the 1839 Old Treasury Building.
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Mt Lofty Botanic Garden
From Mt Lofty, truck south 1.5km to the cool-climate slopes of the botanic garden. Nature trails wind past a lake, exotic temperate plants, native stringybark forest and bodacious rhododendron blooms. Free guided walks depart the Lampert Rd car park at 10.30am on Thursdays from September to October and March to May.
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Barossa Valley Historical Museum
Access to the Barossa Valley Historical Museum is via a secondhand bookshop out the front. Inside are displays of bone-handled cutlery, butter-making gear, photos of top-hatted locals, a recreated colonial bedroom and an amazing map of Germany pinpointing the homelands of Barossa settlers. The Indigenous coverage could use a little help.
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Old Timers Mine
The brilliant Old Timers Mine was mined in 1916 but was then hidden by the miners. The mine was rediscovered when a dugout home punched through into the labyrinth of tunnels, which now make a great tour. There’s also a museum, a re-created 1920s underground home and free mining equipment demos daily (9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm).
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HM Adelaide Gaol Historic Site
Only decommissioned as a jail in 1988, the HM Adelaide Gaol Historic Site has a grim vibe, but its displays of homemade bongs, weapons and escape devices are amazing. Commentary tapes are available for self-guided tours; guided tours are offered on Sundays, at 11am, noon and 1pm. Ghost tours by appointment.
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Granite Island Nature Park
Just offshore the Victor Harbor is the boulder-strewn Granite Island, connected to the mainland by an 1875 causeway. Granite Island Nature Park here, runs sunset penguin tours to watch the island’s little penguins haul themselves out of the water. Bookings essential.
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Adelaide Zoo
Around 1800 exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles roar, growl and screech at Adelaide's wonderful zoo, which opened in 1883. There are free walking tours half-hourly (plus a slew of longer and overnight tours focussing on specific environments and species), feeding sessions and a children's zoo. Until Wang Wang and Funi – Australia's only Giant Pandas – arrived in 2009 (pandemonium!), the major drawcard was the Southeast Asian rainforest exhibit.
You can take a river cruise to the zoo from the Festival Centre on Pop-eye. Weekends only in winter.
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Bay Discovery Centre
This low-key museum depicts the social history of Glenelg from colonisation to today, and addresses the plight of the local Kaurna people, who lost both their land and voice. Don't miss the relics dredged up from the original pier, and the spooky old sideshow machines.
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Penfolds Magill Estate Winery
This 100-year-old winery is home to Australia's best-known wine − the legendary Grange. Taste the product at the cellar door; dine at the restaurant; take the Heritage Tour, or steal your wallet for the Great Grange Tour. Tour bookings advised.
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