South Australia People & Culture

One of the stops on the train journey across Australia. Only a shop and a toilet there, apart from abandoned school, hospital and jail buildings. In 2003 the population was 2 and the day I was there those 2 people were gone on holidays and another 2 people were standing in for them!

Only 148 kilometres from Adelaide, Kadina is the largest town on the Yorke Peninsula, with a population of around 4,000. It's a great base for seeing the peninsula which includes great spots like Moonta Bay, Wallaroo, Edithburgh and the historical Moonta Mines.

Kadina houses The Farm Shed Museum Tourism Centre, and a Banking and Currency Museum. It is also one of the homes of the 'Kernewek Lowender' festival, the world's largest Cornish Festival held every two years on the uneven years since 1973. If you get to the fesival, make sure you try a Cornish pastie with sauce - YUM!

The name Kadina is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word Kadiyinya meaning 'lizard plain'. Today Kadina is the main commercial centre for a very prosperous agricultural region. However, copper mining was once the main industry for this town; hence Kadina is part of the Copper Coast, which includes Wallaroo and Moonta (also known as 'Little Cornwall').

Copper was first found in 1859 at Wallaroo Mines near Kadina. The population in this area quickly grew and the town of Kadina was surveyed in 1861. The main ethnic group to arrive in this area was the Cornish, bringing with them their mining techniques, labour practices, architecture and the Methodist religion. In 1862 the Wombat Hotel (named after the animals that had discovered the copper) was open for business and a horse-drawn railway was operating at the Wallaroo Mine. By 1891 there were 12,000 people living in the Copper Triangle. The mines closed in 1923, however in this time they removed 170,000 tons of copper.

A popular holiday town with good beaches, jetty and fishing, Moonta Bay is located on the shores of Spencer Gulf 168 kilometres from Adelaide. Its sandy beaches and jetty make this township a real draw card for fishermen, families and holidaymakers alike. While here, take the opportunity to go on a fishing charter, and use local knowledge to find the secret fishing spots for a great catch.

Moonta Bay and Port Hughes are close neighbours of the small business centre of Moonta. The towns are very popular with people in retirement and holidaymakers, especially families. The Port Hughes jetty offers excellent fishing opportunities, and the area is also very popular with boat fishers and charter boats. The beaches are stunning to look at with wide sandy shores, flat clear blue green water and are excellent for families; and the jetty provides beautiful views of the coast and beaches when looking back to the mainland.

Copper was discovered in the area in 1861 and led to the establishment of the Moonta Mining Company. An interesting way to take in the history of this mining region is on the tiny tourist train that runs on weekends. The train station is opposite the Moonta Mines National Trust Museum, in the former Moonta Mines School.

There is a range of accommodation available, some of which is within walking distance of sandy beaches, jetties and cafes.

Peterborough is a small, tranquil, low-key fishing and holiday resort of about 200 people situated on the western side of the Curdies River estuary which forms a broad inlet behind the town. Peterborough is located on the Great Ocean Road. On the eastern side of the river mouth is Port Campbell National Park and on the western side of Peterborough is the Bay of Islands Coastal Park. Both are characterised by sheer limestone cliffs, offshore islands, towering rock stacks, gorges, arches, blowholes and other striking rock formations. Thus Peterborough, with its small beaches and sandhills, presents an atypical, family-friendly, if less spectacular, aspect of the south-west coast. The beach at Peterborough is hemmed between cliffs and has a feeling of some solitude. It is readily accessible and ideal for swimming, fishing and surfing.

There is no other town in Australia quite like Port Augusta for contrasts. Arrive in spring and the journey over the mountains from Wilminton is a magical experience. The car cuts through Horrocks Pass down onto the seaside plains near Port Augusta. To the west lie the beautifully contoured, undulating slopes of the Flinders Ranges. They are magical in their beauty and, in spring, they are impossibly green and fertile. At sunset they are gently coloured with a purplish hue. Yet this is only one angle on Port Augusta. The town is literally on the edge of the desert. Drive north along the Stuart Highway and only a few kilometres to the north, the edge of town gives way to flat scrubby land which stretches to the horizon. To the west lie five huge plateaux and their are dry salt lakes beside the road. Port Augusta is located 322 km north of Adelaide and is a genuine crossroads with roads heading north to Alice Springs and Darwin, west to the Nullarbor and the Eyre Peninsula and east to Adelaide. The area was probably inhabited by either the Banggarla or Nuguna Aborigines prior to European settlement. Located in Flinders Terrace (turn off Highway One) this is one of the finest and most comprehensive tourist information centres in Australia. Not only does Wadlata allow the traveller to plan for for their trip into the Outback it also offers a wonderful opportunity to experience what lies ahead. It provides information about the animals which roamed the area thousands of years ago, about the Aborigines who moved through the area, about the early European explorers and of the stockmen, pastoralists, miners who opened up the Outback. It looks at the great challenge of transport and communication in the desert and alerts the traveller to the unique set of forces which created modern day Central Australia. For details (08) 8642 4511. One of the fascinating aspects of Outback Australia is the way education and health are provided to people in isolated communities. Port Augusta, being located on the edge of the Outback, is one of the many bases for both the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air. It is possible to visit the School of the Air (located in Power Crescent contact (08) 8642 2077 for details) to see teachers interacting with their outback students via the new high quality broadcasting equipment. Take Howard Street north off Victoria Parade and you will reach the large Homestead Park Pioneer Museum, an excellent railway and farming museum in an attractive park. The centrepiece, and a symbol of the hardships of the early settlers, is the 130-year-old Yudnapinna Homestead which was moved to the site from over 100 km away. It is the only genuine log cabin in South Australia and has been furnished to reflect the kind of lifestyle which was common 130 years ago.

Blessed with a sunny climate, Berri is located in the Riverland, South Australia, two and a half hours drive from Adelaide and is an ideal location to spend time with family and loved ones, whether it be a short break or extended vacation.

Berri has floating wharf platforms for boat and houseboat mooring. A public marina (not suitable for houseboats) is also located on the Riverfront in Berri. Small boats can access Lake Bonney and Barmera.

You'll never be short of things to do… Find your own secluded place to admire the views and indulge in a gourmet picnic, complete with local wine and produce purchased earlier in the day at the cellar door and roadside stalls.

Take a leisurely walk through a national park, paddle a canoe in the backwaters or steer your houseboat into a bay. All of these places are alive with native wildlife for you to see.

Step back in time to follow in the steps of explorers, overlanders, pioneers and bushrangers at the many historical attractions, and appreciate the indigenous cultural heritage of the region.

If a more action packed itinerary appeals, a choice of water-skiing, swimming, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and fishing beckon. If land action is more your style, the district has a recreation centre, extensive playing fields, courts, bowling greens and golf courses.

Festivals and food. Arts and culture. Shopping and sports. This is Adelaide - the city where there's always something on. Whether you want to party or relax, South Australia's capital has it all. With spacious boulevards and vibrant inner-city districts, sophisticated architecture and lush gardens, it's the perfect venue for all sorts of activities - big or small. You might want to immerse yourself in the culture of the city's North Terrace, with its museums and libraries. You might want to indulge in retail therapy at Rundle Mall, or sample the variety of tastes on offer at the famed Adelaide Central Market. Make sure you try a pie-floater while you're there. You might prefer to follow in the footsteps of sporting champions at the world-famous Adelaide Oval. Or enjoy a retreat to the cosmopolitan seaside suburbs of Glenelg and Brighton. In Adelaide, there is a brilliant blend of things to see and do. All you have to do is choose.

Ceduna has a reputation as being Australias gateway to seee the whales of the great Australian Bight. good accomodation of all sorts.good food and some cheap eats too . Try Bills ( 2 cafes).good place to see Aboriginal cultural art and unfortunatley , too much Aboriginal poverty .VERY RACIST city council .

Considering that Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, I had expected a bustling metropolis packed with businessmen in suits rushing back and forth between meetings, and I was almost planning on moving on as soon as I got here. It just goes to prove that you should never jump to conclusions. I like Adelaide. I like it a lot. If it can be possible for a big city to retain the charm of small town Australia, Adelaide seems to be having a pretty good try - the day to day business seems to be hidden away behind the scenes where it's out of sight and mind, while the streets remain relaxed and, well, Australian. Everywhere I went as I wandered, I saw fountains with people sitting around on deckchairs listening to music playing in nearby bandstands, colourful markets full of equally colourful traders, or street entertainers striding about on stilts. It is also incredibly easy to find your way around as the city is built on the grid system familiar in Australia and North America, making it very hard to get lost. Trams trundle up and down taking people from place to place, the pedestrian malls are cobbled and full of atmosphere, and the Torrens River runs right through the city with both banks covered in parkland and wide grassy verges where people sit eating picnics and soaking up the sun. In fact, one of the things which sets Adelaide apart from other cities is the sheer amount of green space. And of course, Adelaide is home to the Australian Oval where they routinely practice thrashing us at Cricket. In other cities around the world, it almost seems as though there's a competition going on to see who can build the biggest skyscraper or the largest office block - and if anything inconvenient such as a tree should get in the way, then they just pull it up and pretend it never existed. In Adelaide, it's obvious from the moment you arrive that the buildings are secondary features and are built around a beautiful city of parks, gardens and rivers - how rare it is to see the environment being considered as part of the future. My guide book describes Adelaide as a city of wonders and possibilities, a city of art and festivals, and it's now obvious to me why people have been heading here from all over the country in the last few days for the national cycling event - the city is criss-crossed with cycling and walking trails running through the parklands and along the river, and it's a pleasure to get around by leg power rather than petrol. The reason for Adelaide's apparent wish to stick two fingers up at the accepted way of designing a city harks back to it's inception and design by William Light in 1836 as a River Town of public spaces, wide boulevards and surrounded by parkland - a place inspired by the then unusual concept of civil liberties, where people could relax and worship freely within the "City of Churches". Unbelievably, this wasn't initially a very popular idea - but thankfully Light went ahead anyway, people came around and not much has changed in Adelaide over the years. Neither is there any sign that anybody feels a need to start expanding all over the surrounding green belt as many cities have done in recent years.

You can read my full travel journals at http://www.offexploring.com/globalwanderer and http://www.offexploring.com/globalwanderer2

I've been in Adelaide for 5 moths and it became my second home! The first 3 weeks I stayed in Sunny's backpackers, which was a really nice small hostel very close to the city center. If you want a cheap but goor meal I would recommend the Edinburgh Castle, you can have a very big schintzel or nice salt and pepper squid for 10 dollars. It's also nice to sit in the beer garden and listen to some live music in there.

Moonta is a pretty coastal town that is steeped in history.

Just 165 kilometres from Adelaide, it's popular with holidaymakers, especially families. Nearby, you'll find Moonta Bay - a delightful holiday spot with excellent accommodation and facilities. Its sandy beaches and jetty make it a drawcard for fishermen, families and holidaymakers alike. While here, take the opportunity to go on a fishing charter, and use local knowledge to find secret fishing spots for a great catch.

Take to the Moonta Mines Walking Trails, or ride the 50-minute round trip on the Moonta Mines Tourist Railway. You can also discover more about the town at the Moonta Mines Museum.

Port Hughes is a close neighbour. The Port Hughes jetty offers excellent fishing opportunities, and the area is also popular with boat fishers and charter boats.

South Australia's second largest town in its hey day, Moonta was predominately settled by Cornish miner's and their families. Moonta owes most of its prosperity to the Moonta Mining Co.

Wallaroo is one of the South Australia's favourite holiday spots, being very popular with families as it is great for swimming, and an excellent place for fishing, relaxing and sightseeing the Copper Coast region. Wallaroo is growing very quickly especially with the construction of the new multimillion-dollar marina. Wallaroo is only 160km north of Adelaide and has a great deal to offer, it is a deep sea port, with a jetty which is one of the most popular in the state for fishing. The town is home to the Spencer Gulf Prawn fleet, and is the perfect spot to experience the Peninsula's excellent produce.

Wallaroo offers the traveller many facilities and a variety of accommodation, as well as the many different experiences to enjoy in the area. The town today is a mix of a seaside resort and a working industrial town, surrounded by some of the best grain growing and grazing land in Australia, and the sea. The main industries today include grain and fertilizer. Wallaroo fast became one of the busiest ports in the state and remains so to this day.

The name Wallaroo comes the Aboriginal word 'Wadlu Waru' meaning wallabies urine. The early settler's tried to copy the aboriginals by calling it Walla Waroo, however they found this too big to stamp on the wool bales, so they shortened it to Wallaroo.

The township of Burra is small, yet by far one of the most fascinating and impressive holiday destinations. With its relaxed atmosphere and friendly community spirit, a stay in Burra is a head-start along the road to total ambience. There is so much to see and experience, including: Burra’s History Heritage Group Tours Great Food Antiques and Collectables Nature Spots Horse Riding Scenic Drives Bicycle Hire Walking Trails Burra Markets Sport Art Gallery Festivals and Events Burra’s History Heritage The Burra Heritage Passport is the perfect way to experience the towns heritage. Visit 49 historical sites throughout the town, with keyed access to 8 locked sites including the Burra Mine area, Redruth Gaol and the Unicorn Brewery Cellars. Access to four fascinating Museums, each with their own individual theme, can also be incorporated into your passport trail or purchased as a Museum Pass. They focus on the life and times of the mining era and each do their part in contributing towards making your stay memorable.

Blessed with a sunny climate, Berri is located in the Riverland, South Australia, two and a half hours drive from Adelaide and is an ideal location to spend time with family and loved ones, whether it be a short break or extended vacation.

Berri has floating wharf platforms for boat and houseboat mooring. A public marina (not suitable for houseboats) is also located on the Riverfront in Berri. Small boats can access Lake Bonney and Barmera.

You'll never be short of things to do… Find your own secluded place to admire the views and indulge in a gourmet picnic, complete with local wine and produce purchased earlier in the day at the cellar door and roadside stalls.

Take a leisurely walk through a national park, paddle a canoe in the backwaters or steer your houseboat into a bay. All of these places are alive with native wildlife for you to see.

Step back in time to follow in the steps of explorers, overlanders, pioneers and bushrangers at the many historical attractions, and appreciate the indigenous cultural heritage of the region.

If a more action packed itinerary appeals, a choice of water-skiing, swimming, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and fishing beckon. If land action is more your style, the district has a recreation centre, extensive playing fields, courts, bowling greens and golf courses.

Festivals and food. Arts and culture. Shopping and sports. This is Adelaide - the city where there's always something on. Whether you want to party or relax, South Australia's capital has it all. With spacious boulevards and vibrant inner-city districts, sophisticated architecture and lush gardens, it's the perfect venue for all sorts of activities - big or small. You might want to immerse yourself in the culture of the city's North Terrace, with its museums and libraries. You might want to indulge in retail therapy at Rundle Mall, or sample the variety of tastes on offer at the famed Adelaide Central Market. Make sure you try a pie-floater while you're there. You might prefer to follow in the footsteps of sporting champions at the world-famous Adelaide Oval. Or enjoy a retreat to the cosmopolitan seaside suburbs of Glenelg and Brighton. In Adelaide, there is a brilliant blend of things to see and do. All you have to do is choose.

Nice area, has a fantastic display of Christmas lights around the town during December, although it is probably best not to drive unless absolutely necessary (tour buses are available)

Hire a car and drive on the Great Ocean Road to Melbourne, or use the Grampian Mountains as a base to explore a new section of the Road each day.

Be sure to go to the butchers on the main street and buy some pepperoni, also enjoy a beer at the local pub, so nice

One of the stops on the train journey across Australia. Only a shop and a toilet there, apart from abandoned school, hospital and jail buildings. In 2003 the population was 2 and the day I was there those 2 people were gone on holidays and another 2 people were standing in for them!

Awesome suburb of Adelaide by the sea, perfect for sipping a coffee during the day watching the waves then head down to Henley for a few drinks in the evening

The only downside to my time in Adelaide was that I arrived on a Sunday and it was virtually impossible to get anything to drink. It seems to be very difficult to find a bar in Australia which opens on Sundays - As of a few years ago the shops all get to open for business from twelve until six, but they still insist on some very old fashioned drinking laws. It seems that the government have come up with a rule that actually makes it so much more expensive to sell alcohol on a Sunday that most places simply couldn't be bothered. It wasn't even supposed to be possible to use the hotel bar on Sunday - it cost me twice as much because of the Sunday Tax and they really didn't want to serve me, but I managed to persuade them by lying on the ground with my legs in the air and pointing at my mouth in an attempt to convince them that I'd had a long journey and was likely to die of dehydration at any moment. All the same, it was very obvious that they just wanted to clean up and go home - the waitress was bustling about with cleaning implements all the time I was there, stripping down the tables and stacking the chairs - so I only stayed for as long as I thought I could get away with and spent the rest of the evening at the cinema watching some more films I'd not known were coming. The woman at the box office didn't bother to issue me with a ticket of any kind, just waving me through after I'd paid - I could, in fact, have just walked straight through the doors as many other people were doing in order to buy popcorn inside, and nobody would've ever known that I hadn't paid to be there. The only person who questioned me in any way was the janitor who came in to clean the cinema while I was waiting for the film to start. He asked me if I'd paid, I said that I had, he gave me the thumbs-up sign and went about his business. Everybody must be honest in Australia.

You can read my full travel journals at http://www.offexploring.com/globalwanderer and http://www.offexploring.com/globalwanderer2