What to Do in South Australia – According to Qantas Frequent Flyers

A restaurant in the Botanic Garden, kangaroo spotting on a rugged island, and local wines to boot. It’s easy to see why Qantas travellers are drawn to South Australia.

“We’d wake to the sight of kangaroos silhouetted against the sunrise.” –  Alex Shaw, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“My wife and I honeymooned on Kangaroo Island to take a deep breath after the buzz of our wedding. We stayed at Wander, a collection of four luxury off-grid cabins [WanderPods] dotted along a rugged 150-metre-high bluff on the north-west coast overlooking Snelling Beach. 

We’d wake to the sight of kangaroos silhouetted against the sunrise. I was partial to The Islander Estate Wally White semillon, which we drank with fresh seafood from The Oyster Farm Shop on our deck. 

Dinner at The Fig Tree KI restaurant was a novel experience that began with drinks and hors d’oeuvres in old shearers’ quarters. At dusk, diners wander over to tables set under a massive fig tree canopy. 

We had Qantas Lounge passes at Adelaide Airport and relaxed there ahead of our flight, so we were totally refreshed when we touched down.”

Alex flew Qantas from Sydney to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide

“A standout was 21 dishes with matching wines.” – Michael Cecilio, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“My partner Stephen and I celebrated his birthday with a city break in Adelaide. The main event was lunch at Restaurant Botanic in the Adelaide Botanic Garden. It’s an incredible space nestled among the trees. 

Before lunch, the chef led us – Champagne in hand – around the Garden pointing out edible plants to smell and taste. Botanic’s new tasting menu features 21 dishes with matched wines and the entire experience takes about four hours. A standout for me? Sea urchin and green ant with an iceplant salsa and wattle seed butter brioche that made it so rich and flavoursome. 

We booked the beautiful Sofitel Adelaide, rode Beam e-scooters around town and took long walks along the riverbank. Perfection.”

Michael flew Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide

“A highlight was arkhé, a restaurant focused on South Australian ingredients.” –  Dan Harrison, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“I took a long weekend to stay with friends in Adelaide who relocated to inner-city Norwood. We crammed an awful lot of eating, drinking and fun into four days. 

My friends introduced me to their favourite local spots – highlights were arkhé, a restaurant focused on South Australian ingredients, and East End Cellars Norwood for steak frites and great wine. 

I used Qantas Points to book the RoofClimb experience at Adelaide Oval and got to explore the rooftop of the cricket, football and rugby stadium. I’m a massive cricket nerd so it felt extra special – the vantage point delivers 360-degree views out towards the Adelaide Hills, over to the coastline then back towards the city. 

Wearing a harness, you walk around the roofline to the world’s first rooftop stadium seats, 50 metres up. You can even lean out over the edge – not for those with a fear of heights!”

Dan flew Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide

“The fresh produce in Adelaide is incredible” – Kat Ratnasari, Silver Frequent Flyer

“My husband and I flew to Adelaide for a weekend – our first-ever visit. We both enjoy good food and wine and we adored Adelaide Central Market. The cafés, the seafood and the fresh produce were wonderful. Pop into SiSea for a glass of local Piccadilly Valley bubbly and oysters. 

“Producers we spoke to at the market recommended some wineries in the nearby Adelaide Hills, so we hired a car and went out to Lobethal Road for lunch and a wine-tasting. The asparagus tart and fresh cheese were very moreish. In terms of the wine, the 2016 Roussanne was a highlight and we purchased a few bottles to be delivered back to Sydney.” 

“Our favourite restaurant in Adelaide was Africola; we sat at the bar and watched the chefs work as they plated up amazing African-inspired food – order the crispy chicken tea sandwich with peri peri drippings. We also went to Poh Ling Yeow’s Jamface at Adelaide Showground and had perfect meat pies and, of course, cakes. A must-visit before heading to the airport.” 

Kat flew Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide. 

“There were koalas in the trees in our backyard” – Martine Prunty, Silver Frequent Flyer

“My husband and I, our three boys and my brother flew to Kangaroo Island with my mother to celebrate her 70th birthday over four days. We stayed in a stunning Airbnb in Emu Bay – it was on a hill and there were animals everywhere, which my mother loved as she’s an avid wildlife artist. There were even koalas clinging to the trees in our backyard. 

“Down south in Seal Bay, there’s a sea lion colony and you can walk along a boardwalk with different viewing platforms. And we encountered incredible birdlife at Raptor Domain, from wedge-tailed eagles to black kites, cockatoos, kookaburras and barn owls. 

“Flinders Chase National Park was wonderful. A magnificent storm rolled over Remarkable Rocks – sculptural boulders perched on a clifftop above the sea – which was incredible to witness. If you look over the cliff, you can see seals swimming below. It was one of our favourite places to visit, as was Emu Bay Lavender Farm where they serve enormous scones with lavender jam. 

“We also loved Amadio’s Vino e Cucina – this traditional Italian Trattoria and cellar door is on the main street of Kingscote. The gnocchi pepe e cacio with truffle is memorable – it’s served in a wheel of pecorino.” 

Martine flew Qantas from Sydney to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide. 

"Nothing says relaxation like waterfalls and spring-fed hot pools” – Rebecca Foreman, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“I have family in Adelaide so I go there every few months and love the mix of nature, food and wine the city has to offer. ​​Waterfall Gully in the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges is beautiful to visit and always incredibly cool – a welcome relief on Adelaide’s scorching days. The walk to the waterfall only takes about 15 minutes, snaking through a wide bush track and ending at a viewing platform where you can usually feel the spray from the tumbling water. Because there are a lot of eucalyptus trees in the area, you’ll often spot koalas.

“Further up into the Adelaide Hills, Sequoia Lodge is an incredibly luxurious and secluded adults-only lodge. My mum and I stayed the night and the food and wine was exquisite. We felt so relaxed after a massage at the on-site Gatekeeper Day Spa and a dip in the spring-fed hot pools with the most stunning views across the valley.

“We always go for breakfast at Topiary restaurant in Tea Tree Gully. It’s located in the grounds of Newman’s Nursery and the chef Kane Pollard is passionate about sustainability. He forages edible leaves and flowers and uses local produce, like the Port Lincoln sardines that he serves with herbed hash browns.  

“Mum and I love using Jurlique skincare products so it was a treat to visit the Jurlique farm, a 45-minute drive from Adelaide CBD. We learned all about the biodynamic farming methods they’ve used since the company began and had a tour through the lavender plantation. We left with some lovely souvenirs – a lavender oil for me and a hand cream for Mum.”

Rebecca flew Qantas from Sydney to Adelaide.

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