South Australia (SA) is a state of Australia in the central South, with its capital Adelaide. Considered to be the “driest state in the driest continent” SA has some of the most arid regions in Australia and is the fourth largest of Australia's eight states and territories. It is bordered by 5 other states and territories and to the South by the Southern Ocean. It is a great place to go caravanning or camping, in a Caravan, Campervan, Motorhome or Winnebago.
 
 
 

IMAGE: King William St, Adelaide, South Australia
Photo: Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of Tourism South Australia
 
South Australia has less than 10 per cent of the Australian population, with 1.5 million people. Due to the large arid areas most people live in the South and South East or along the River Murray. Adelaide has around 1.2 million inhabitants. The northern “Outback” has 80% of the state’s area and less than 1% of its people.
 
IMAGE: Yakka Plant at Point Bonney, Flinders Rangers, South Australia
Photo:  Neale Winter, Courtesy of Tourism South Australia
 
The state's economy centres on the agricultural, manufacturing and mining industries. The finance sector is growing and defence Industries are a big growth area recently. While being well-known for its festivals, fine wine, the main industries and exports of South Australia are wheat, wine and wool, with more than half of Australia's wines produced in SA.
 

 
Manufacturing industries include automotive and associated component manufacturing, defence technology, pharmaceuticals. Food and drink production (agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, horticulture and manufacturing) is a major industry. 
 
 
IMAGE: Grape Vines, Barrossa Valley, South Australia
Photo:  Neale Winter, Courtesy of Tourism South Australia
 
South Australia consists mostly of arid and semi-arid regions, with some low ancient mountain ranges. The Mt Lofty Ranges and Flinders Ranges form one system extending from Cape Jervis in the South to 800km to the northern end of Lake Torrens and other salt lakes found in the dry inland. Mount Woodroffe, 1,435 metres is the highest point, located in the Musgrave Ranges in the far northwest. Much of the western area of SA is sparsely inhabited – from Nullarbor Plain near the Great Australian Bight where the Nullarbor Recreation National Park and Nullarbor Recreation reserve are found, to the North Western corner where the Anangu Pitjantjatjara lands Aboriginal Reserve can be found. 
 

IMAGE: Lake Eyre National Park, Outback Region, South Australia
PHOTO: Neale Winter, Courtesy of Tourism South Australia
 
South Australia has a Mediterranean climate in the South, and grading to hot, dry inland conditions.
The average temperature is 29°C in January and 15°C in July, but temperatures in hotter areas can reach 48°C. Temperatures have varied from -8.2°C to 50.7°C  (the highest official temperature recorded in the whole of Australia).
 
 

IMAGE: Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Photo: Milton Wordley, Courtesy of Tourism South Australia

Activities for Visitors to South Australia

• Discover the many attractions of the Murray River, from water sports to wildlife, plus delicious fruits and wine.
• Enjoy conservation parks, wineries, food and produce of all kinds on the Fleurieu Peninsula
• Enjoy festivals, entertainment, fine restaurants and easy living in Adelaide
• Explore caves, sinkholes and extinct volcanoes in the South East
• Explore National Parks and Conservation Parks  Kangaroo Island.
• Explore maritime and mining history, sample local wines and hike in natural bushland in the Mid North
• Explore the rugged landscapes and desert features of the Outback
• Explore reserves, parks and native bushland of the Eyre Peninsula
• Fish and surf Eyre Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula
• Fossick for precious opals in the rugged desert region
• Hike or drive the Flinders Ranges,
• Sample the Fine wines of the Barossa region
• Visit underground opal mining town of Coober Pedy
  

South Australia really is a great place to go caravanning or camping, in a Caravan, Campervan, Motorhome or Winnebago.