From kayaking with wild dolphins to drinking wine inside a Rubik’s Cube, expect the best seasonal and underrated experiences in this South Australia winter guide!
Photo credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
Like many Singaporeans, we’re always looking for epic destinations to escape the year-round heat and humidity.
And I’m a big fan of fleeing to Australia during winter — whether it’s snowboarding in the mountains near Melbourne or soaking in the cosy vibes at winter markets in Sydney.
But imagine my surprise when I discovered that there’s another underrated getaway beyond the usual places — South Australia!
From swimming with dozens of giant cuttlefish to watching the sky turn golden from a hot air balloon, this South Australia winter guide is packed with many exciting wildlife, culinary and artsy things to do!
Psst, you can enjoy 10% off selected South Australia winter experiences on KKday with the promo code <KKTTI10> (T&Cs apply)! Read on to find out more.
1) Go kayaking with wild dolphins at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
Photo credit: Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours
This might just be one of the coolest ways to get up close with wild dolphins! Most dolphin experiences in South Australia close in the winter, but the Dolphin Sanctuary Guided Eco Kayak Tour from Adelaide is one of the few tours where you can see these curious creatures swim right up beside you.
Kayak through a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest, which is home to over 40 resident bottlenose dolphins, stingrays, birds and other aquatic animals! The tidal flats, seagrass and salt marshes make it an ideal feeding ground for the dolphins — it’s estimated that an additional 300 dolphins would regularly visit the area to feed.
Another cool thing we did was kayak past an abandoned 19th-century shipwreck!
Note that sightings are not guaranteed as dolphins are wild animals and therefore unpredictable. Still, kayaking among nature and spotting other wildlife is an unforgettable experience in South Australia.
Cost: From ~S$73/adult via KKday for 3hrs
Tour slots: Varies (check online for slots)
Tour timing: Varies
Meeting point: Angas Inlet Boat Club, Lot 204 Garden Island Rd, Port Adelaide SA 5015 (Google Maps)
2) Hop on a day trip to Kangaroo Island
No trip to South Australia is complete without visiting Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third-largest island. It’s home to untouched natural landscapes, wildlife and many local businesses.
Most people spend a few days exploring the island, and this is what we recommend too. You can book a 3-Day Adventure Tour that covers all the main attractions, tasting sessions and camping.
But if you’re short on time and just want a glimpse of what Kangaroo Island has to offer, do a day trip instead — like us!
Photo credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
We did the Kangaroo Island Sip & See Day Tour from Adelaide, which included stops like the breathtaking Pennington Bay lookout, wine tasting at False Cape Wines, Birds of Prey Presentation at Raptor’s Domain and more! It’s the perfect balance of sightseeing and indulgence 🦘
For those who prefer more wildlife encounters, KKday has a Kangaroo Island Experience Day Tour from Adelaide that ticks off Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Conservation Park, and Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
Seal Bay is arguably the most iconic attraction on the island, and it’s thanks to the hundreds of adorable wild eared seals that snooze on the beach. The colony has called the bay home for over a thousand years, and visitors can view them at a safe distance from a boardwalk 🦭
Photo credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
There’s no public transport on the island, so self-driving or joining a tour are the only ways to get around. Plus, the tour also provides lunch made from local produce!
Fun fact: Winter is one of the best seasons to visit, as wild kangaroos are said to be more active and easier to spot!
Kangaroo Island Sip & See Day Tour from Adelaide
Cost: From ~S$376/adult via KKday
Tour timing: 6:30AM – 10PM (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun)
Meeting point: Adelaide Central Bus Station, 83 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000 (Google Maps)
Kangaroo Island Experience Day Tour from Adelaide
Cost: From ~S$370/adult via KKday
Tour timing: 6:30AM – 10PM
Meeting point: Adelaide Central Bus Station, 83 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000 (Google Maps)
Read also: Kangaroo Island Guide — 9 Things to Do on This Paradise Just 3 Hours from Adelaide
3) Witness the Whyalla Cuttlefish Migration
Photo credit: Diving Adelaide
South Australia is the only place in the world where you can witness cuttlefish congregate. Every winter, Australian giant cuttlefish migrate to Whyalla to mate and lay eggs! They’re super colourful and can grow up to 1m in length.
Diving Adelaide organises guided snorkel and scuba diving tours on selected dates every winter, and you can see these protected species flutter around in person. Fret not, 7mm wet suits and all the necessary gear are provided, so you won’t freeze 🥶
*Note: An open water scuba diving certification is required for the diving tour.
Cost: AU$149/pax (~S$138/pax) for a 2hr guided dive or snorkel tour
Tour dates: 4, 5, 11 and 12 July 2026
Tour timing: Varies
Meeting point: Stony Point, Giant Cuttlefish Dive Site, Port Bonython SA 5601 (Google Maps)
4) Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Barossa Valley
Photo credit: Balloon Adventures
Barossa Valley is a world-famous wine region, and watching the sunrise from high above in a hot air balloon is one of the most epic activities on this South Australia winter guide 🌅
Watch as the vineyards get bathed in a golden glow and keep an eye out for kagaroos hopping across the fields. The flight lasts an hour, so make sure to dress warmly as it can get pretty cold up in the air.
Photo credit: Balloon Adventures
Celebrate the end of an epic flight with some sparkling wine and a hearty breakfast made from the best Barossa produce, while overlooking the vineyards.
We recommend booking accommodation in Barossa Valley the night before the flight, as there’s a complimentary transfer service to the launch site within the region.
Cost: S$378/pax via KKday (incl breakfast)
Tour timing: Varies
Meeting point: Barossa Balloon Adventures, 71 Stonewell Rd, Nuriootpa SA 5355 (Google Maps)
*Pro-tip: Get 10% off your Barossa Valley Hot Air Balloon Flight and accommodation on KKday with the promo code <KKTTI10> (T&Cs apply)!
5) Stargaze at River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve
The River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve is one of 21 dark sky reserves in the world!
South Australia is home to the very first dark sky reserve in Australia. This means that it has minimal light pollution and thus one of the best places to see the Milky Way — on a clear night, of course 🌟
Winter is the best time to visit, thanks to the long crisp nights and no clouds. We booked a guided stargazing tour on our last trip and got a crash course in astronomy. The tour had a powerful telescope, which allowed us to see both the stars and planets in HD 🤓🪐
Aside from out-of-this-world stargazing, the Murray River area is popular for its nature views (in the day).
As the longest river in Australia, it’s vital to Australia’s agriculture, ecosystem and even tourism! It’s a 3-hour drive from the city, so do consider booking a day trip from Adelaide on KKday. Take a scenic river cruise or a stroll along the riverbank to take in the laid-back pace Aussie is known for.
Cost: AU$130/adult (~S$120/pax) for Astronomy Session
Tour slots: Varies (check online for slots)
Tour timing: 8PM – 9:30PM
Meeting point: Walker Flat Community Hall, SA 5238, Australia (Google Maps)
6) Check out the winter festivals
Photo credit: Illuminate Adelaide
Illuminate Adelaide, South Australia’s most notable winter festival, will be taking place from 1 – 19 July 2026! The city will light up at night with dozens of free light installations and projections. There will also be ticketed performances, events and dining experiences — very happening after dark, contrary to the stereotype that Aussie cities are boring after 6PM!
Some other festivals happening this winter 2026 are the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Viking Fest and Winter Reds ⚡️
*Pro-tip: Check the winter season festival lineup online in advance, so it can coincide with your trip.
7) Sample South Australian wines at d’Arenberg Cube
The d’Arenberg Cube in the McLaren Vale wine region is the quirkiest cellar door in South Australia.
It’s a vineyard, cellar door, art gallery, restaurant and private function packed into one Rubik’s cube building. While most cellar doors just have a straightforward wine tasting, this takes you through the wine-making journey first, with very eclectic-looking art pieces that…puzzled us to say the least.
The owner has a passion for art and designed most of the pieces inside the Alternate Realities Museum — even the toilets are not spared!
There’s also a gallery that holds the largest Salvador Dali collection in the Southern Hemisphere.
*Pro-tip: If you want to explore the rest of the Fleurieu Peninsula without having to sacrifice someone as a designated driver, KKday has a 1-day tour package from Adelaide. The tour will cover Port Willunga Beach, Victor Harbour, Granite Island and the d’Arenberg Cube. It includes round-trip transfers from your hotel in Adelaide city.
Entrance fee: AU$30/pax (~S$27/pax) — incl. entry to the d’Arenberg Cube, the Alternate Realities Museum, Salvador Dali collection and wine tasting.
Opening hours: 10:30AM – 4:30PM
Address: 58 Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
How to get there: 40min drive from Adelaide CBD (Google Maps)
Tips for visiting South Australia in the winter
South Australia is one of the most underrated states in Australia. We might be biased by the many glasses of world-class wine and the special winter festivals we don’t have at home. Or it might just be the colder weather 🤷♀️
If you’re planning a winter trip there, here are some tips to take note of:
Ensure you have all your travel essentials
Make sure to apply for the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) in advance so you can enter the country. Take note that it can only be applied via an app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store and costs AU$20 (~S$18). It’s valid for a year, so it totally means you have to come back again to experience the state in a different season.
Don’t forget to purchase your insurance and eSIM in advance too — so you’re ready to explore the best of what South Australia has to offer the moment you get off the plane 🤸♀️
Rent a car
Public transport, like trams and buses, is readily available around Adelaide’s city centre. Alternatively, you can use ride-hailing apps like Uber or DiDi to get around.
However, we recommend renting a car if you’re heading out of the city. It offers flexibility over the itinerary, and the South Australian landscape gets more epic the further you drive out. Plus, some activities like snorkelling in Whyalla or taking a hot air balloon ride in Barossa Valley do not offer transport from Adelaide.
Take note of sunset timings
Check the timings of the sunrise and sunsets in advance. Days are shorter, and the sun sets earlier in the winter, so plan your itinerary accordingly, especially if you’re doing road trips or outdoor activities.
It can go down as early as ~5PM in June, and the roads outside of the city may not be as well-lit for drivers.
Book your accommodations and activities in advance
As winter is the off-peak season, activity slots may be limited, so it’s always safer to secure them in advance. You can pre-book them on platforms like KKday and save on bookings with discounts. This includes hotel bookings as well, as they tend to become pricier the more last-minute it gets.
Ready to visit South Australia in the winter? Get 10% off activities, tours, hotels, car rentals and more sitewide on KKday with the promo code <KKTTI10> until 31 Dec 2026. Travel period until 31 Mar 2027 (T&Cs apply^).
Facebook image credit: Balloon Adventures, Illuminate Adelaide
Featured image credit: South Australia Tourism Commission
Which activity on this South Australia winter guide is on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by KKday.
^Booking period until 31 Dec 2026, 11:59PM SGT. Travel Period is until 31 Mar 2027. In the event of any suspicious activities, KKday reserves the right to issue a refund. Product-specific terms and conditions apply. KKday also reserves the right to amend or modify the terms and conditions without prior notice.
