WHY IT RATES: Avanti Destinations’ recommendations for customizable South Australia experiences and packages serve as an apt illustration of the depth and breadth of the company’s curated offerings.—Claudette Covey, Executive Retail Editor.
With United Airlines flying nonstop SFO-Adelaide between December and February, advisors can now recommend their independent travel clients try a vacation in South Australia, either as part of a longer Australian stay or one dedicated solely to the attractions of South Australia: the unparalleled wildlife of Kangaroo Island, the country’s finest and most prolific wine-producing area, the “20-minute” walkable city of Adelaide with its thriving food scene, white sand beaches, turquoise Southern Ocean, and otherworldly Outback scenery.
FIT tour operator Avanti Destinations offers three customizable itineraries that include or focus solely on South Australia, as well as 18 four- and five-star hotels and resorts, and 13 sightseeing tours and experiences in and around Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and the “seafood capital” of Port Lincoln.
Avanti sells exclusively through travel advisors, not directly to consumers.
“For clients interested in both land and marine wildlife, wine, seafood, and a laid-back but sophisticated urban experience, South Australia is hard to match,” said Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations. “Other Australian states may have bucket list sights, but South Australia makes for a relaxing and rewarding one-state vacation. And the United nonstop from SFO makes South Australia an ideal winter vacation – our winter, their summer.
“Australia has several different wildlife areas, but to see a wide range of animals from kangaroos and koalas to sea lions, including endemic species, in one self-contained, unspoiled destination – secluded Kangaroo Island is considered the top destination. South Australia also has the Eyre Peninsula, where you can swim with sea lions, as well as enjoy abundant fresh seafood. We offer a small group ‘hunt and gather’ seafood experience from Port Lincoln, as well as a hands-on oyster farm visit.
“As the wine capital of Australia, South Australia produces 50% of the country’s total wine output, and 80% of its premium wines in legendary regions, such as the Barossa Valley, known for Shiraz, and the McLaren Vale for ultra-premium Grenache, and the Clare Valley for their Riesling trail. We offer seven different vineyard experiences, even one that includes cycling,” noted Barry.
On Kangaroo Island, many hotels, such as the four-plus-star Sea Dragon Lodge and the five-star luxury Southern Ocean Lodge, offer their own wildlife tours and experiences; both of these properties include all transfers, tours, meals and wine for guests. The Sea Dragon Lodge is set on 250 acres of private coastal wilderness. A new luxury property, The Cliffs on Kangaroo Island, is expected to open later this year, featuring a Darius Oliver-designed golf course.
Avanti recommends staying at least two or three nights on Kangaroo Island and can arrange additional expert-guided tours. The company can also arrange private tours in South Australia’s dramatic Outback.
South Australia’s capital, Adelaide was designed to be easy to navigate – an advantage for tourists, in particular. Residents boast that it takes just 20 minutes to get between the city center, parks, pristine beaches, or the rolling Adelaide Hills. A variety of museums, a thriving food scene, Victorian and Art Deco architecture, and an abundance of churches and green space all contribute to a vibrant yet relaxed urban experience.
· Adelaide insiders and market culture walking tour – 3-hour small group includes the city’s Central Markets, famous hidden tunnels, Chinatown, local potters, artisanal cheesemakers, and an educational wine experience.
· Private botanic gardens Aboriginal bushfood and social history tour– 1.5 hour private tour through the city’s botanic gardens, explaining the cultural significance, traditional culinary and medicinal uses of native plants, and the rich indigenous heritage of South Australia.
· Morialta wilderness hike and wildlife tour (from Adelaide with lunch) – 4.5 hour small group tour through the rugged 1,317-acre Morialta Conservation Area located 15 minutes east of Adelaide, renowned for its wildlife, gorges and seasonal waterfalls.
· Vines and Victor Harbor eco adventure tour(from Adelaide with lunch) – 8-hour small group tour includes a scenic drive through the Fleurieu Peninsula, cruise around Seal Island to spot sea lions and dolphins, a visit to the striking d’Arenberg Cube which combines contemporary art and wine-tasting in the McLaren Vale wine region, and finally a tasting at a biodynamic winery.
· Best of the Barossa tour (from Adelaide with lunch) – 8-hour small group tour that includes an orientation tour of Adelaide, drive through the Torrens Gorge to the Barossa Valley, famous for its world-class Shiraz, rich culinary scene, and German heritage. Tastings of fine wines at smaller wineries in Tanunda, Amgaston, Keyneton, Hahndorf are possibilities. Tour is modified according to participants’ interests.
South Australia is most often combined with other Australian destinations on custom F.I.T. vacations. Avanti offers three multi-region packages that include South Australia. These packages and prices can be found on the South Pacific microsite and may also be customized to add days, destinations, experiences or upgrade to five-star accommodations:
· Australia Southern Splendors – 9-day, 8-night and staying in Melbourne, Adelaide,Sydney. Includes: private tour of the boroughs of Melbourne; small group tour of the Great Ocean Road; one-way flight Melbourne-Adelaide; small group Adelaide insiders and market culture tour; small group “Fork and Grape” tour of the Fleurieu Peninsula near Adelaide, renowned for rugged beaches, diverse marine wildlife and McLaren Vale wine; one-way flight Adelaide-Sydney; shared tour of Sydney Opera House and dinner at Opera Bar; small group “secret Sydney” cruise with lunch; small group Sydney Harbor bridge summit day climb experience; private arrival/departure transfers in each city; daily breakfast; three lunches; four-star hotel accommodations.
· Aussie Expedition– 13-day/12-night package staying in Sydney, Darwin, the Ghan Expedition train from Darwin to Adelaide (three nights), Adelaide, Kangaroo Island. Includes: small group Sydney Opera House backstage tour including breakfast; small group Sydney Harbor bridge summit day climb experience; small group Blue Mountains deluxe experience visiting scenic beauty, a botanic garden, and lunch; sunset dinner cruise featuring seafood in Darwin; shared Darwin city highlights tour; ride through the Outback in a Gold Premium cabin on the Ghan train to Adelaide, passing through Alice Springs, Manguri, and Coober Pedy; small group McLaren Vale bike and wine tour with lunch (from Adelaide); shared Kangaroo Island tour; private arrival/departure transfers in each city; daily breakfast; three lunches; four-star hotel accommodations when not on the Ghan train. Note: For 2027, the Ghan will add a full day stop in the Ilkara-Flinders mountain ranges with an off-train lunch in the historic railway town before sunrise in the middle of Australia’s outback in Marla, South Australia
· Ultimate Australia – 16-day/15-night package staying in Sydney, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Uluru, Port Douglas. Includes: small group panoramic Sydney city tour; shared Sydney Opera House tour; private Blude Mountains tour; one-way flight Sydney-Adelaide; shared Kangaroo Island two-day/1-night tour with wildlife encounters; one-way flight Adelaide-Melbourne; private tour of boroughs of Melbourne; small group tour of the Great Ocean Road; one-way flight Melbourne-Ayers Rock/Uluru; shared “A Night in Field of Light” tour with bush tucker-inspired dinner and indigenous performances at Uluru; small group Kata Tjuta sunrise tour with breakfast; shared Uluru sacred sites and sunset tour; one-way flight Ayers Rock/Uluru-Port Douglas; shared Outer Barrier Reef cruise; shared Sailaway catamaran sunset cruise; private arrival/departure transfers in each city; daily breakfast; five lunches; one dinner; four-star hotel accommodations.
SOURCE: Avanti Destinations press release.
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