Magical Creatures Here
Although I knew Australia was famous for its rich wildlife, I didn’t expect to encounter wild koalas on our first day at Eyre Peninsula, just less than 100 meters from where we got off the car.
This is Mitchie’s Wild Koala Park, and the surprises started as soon as our guide drove us in. First, there were groups of emus, a bird species mainly found in southern Australia and one of the symbols on the Australian coat of arms. The other iconic animal on the coat of arms, the kangaroo, also appeared, curiously watching our car before hopping away. 
Mitchie’s Wildlife Park is located south of Lincoln National Park, where over 200 wild koalas live in the eucalyptus forests. They prefer to dwell in eucalyptus groves, spending most of their lives in the trees. They spend much of their daytime sleeping, with less than 10% of their time foraging, and the rest mostly sitting still. Since they are solitary creatures with relatively fixed nests, finding them isn’t too difficult.
This serene and peaceful wildlife sanctuary was established over 100 years ago, where adorable animals live carefree lives like their ancestors, only now visitors come from all over the world. Wildlife enthusiasts, especially children, should not miss it. Places where you can hold koalas in Australia are rare, and South Australia is one of them.
Besides Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island, there are many places in and around Adelaide to see animals, like the Adelaide Zoo, Cleland Wildlife Park, and Monarto Safari Park.
Some zoos, in addition to providing viewing opportunities for visitors, also serve functions of conservation and rehabilitation. One such private park is the Gorge Wildlife Park, which houses many rescued wildlife. Apart from cuddling koalas, visitors can observe a variety of Australian wildlife including parrots, kangaroos, and wombats.
Nature’s Gift of Fine Wine
Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, and Coonawarra, all internationally renowned wine regions, are located in South Australia. The unique climate and geographical conditions here have created exceptional wineries and wine brands.
Take the famous Barossa for example, about an hour’s drive from Adelaide. Within this small area, there are over 80 cellars, and the region accounts for about 65% of Australia’s total wine export production.
The Penfolds Magill Estate is nestled in the foothills of Adelaide, just a 15-minute drive away. Here, you can step into the cellar where iconic wines like Penfolds Grange 707 are stored, even descending 14 meters underground to witness the historical records of the Grange series.
Each winery in Barossa has its unique character and experience, so visiting them consecutively never feels repetitive. Seppeltsfield, established in 1851, is renowned for its Centennial Collection, preserving a port wine from every year since 1878 without interruption.
Walking through the cellars with barrels of century-old vintages is like walking through a time tunnel. Here, one can find a wine corresponding to every major historical year, and for visitors, the highlight is finding the port from their birth year among the neatly arranged, history-laden barrels.
To this day, Seppeltsfield releases a bottle of their centennial vintage every year. Despite its rich history and culture, Seppeltsfield feels vibrant. In 2009, it underwent a renovation and expansion, introducing the Jam Factory art and design studio and a chic restaurant, FINO.
The winery boasts over 2,700 acres of vineyards, several gardens, and historic buildings, with 12 listed on the historical preservation registry. The vast estate provides Segways for visitors to explore the vineyards and the somewhat mysterious winemaking facilities under the guidance of staff.
Saint Hugo, a premium winery under Jacob’s Creek, is just a 2-minute drive from the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre. At Saint Hugo, a wine master will guide visitors through historical sites, then move to a private tasting room to sample award-winning wines while learning about the winery’s 100-year history and its illustrious development.
Yalumba, dating back to 1849, displays a collection of artisanal and artistic pieces in its cellar, complementing the vintage wines. Visitors can delve into the growing environments of various grape varieties. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Viognier, and others, under the skilled hands of the winemakers, produce full-bodied, flavorful wines.
One pleasant surprise when visiting Barossa wineries is often encountering staff who speak Chinese, sharing their interesting life and work experiences, which often resonates with Chinese visitors.
Sea and Desert
Eyre Peninsula is known for its winding coastline and pleasant beaches. Its rich marine resources and diverse visitor experiences make it a rapidly rising tourist destination in South Australia.
Coffin Bay Oyster Farm, located on the southwest coast of Eyre Peninsula, is famous for its oysters and offers various oyster tours. Visitors can don waterproof boots and experience the joy of harvesting Coffin Bay oysters firsthand. The guide will catch the oysters, shuck them immediately, and invite visitors to taste the fresh, natural flavor at a floating bar in the sea.
During the 1-hour tour, while tasting oysters, visitors learn about the history of Coffin Bay oysters and interesting oyster facts. They can also take a boat trip to the oyster farm in the middle of the sea, enjoying freshly harvested oysters or other seafood on board. Winter is the best season for oysters, and in the Southern Hemisphere’s Eyre Peninsula, visitors are recommended to come between July and September.
Coffin Bay National Park is ideal for self-driving, offering unique coastal landscapes of South Australia, with turquoise waters, milky-white beaches, and towering cliffs.
Baird Bay on Eyre Peninsula is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with dolphins and Australian sea lions. Visitors, equipped with snorkels, masks, and wetsuits, enjoy the thrill of interacting with marine life. Apart from sea lions, South Australia is also a prime spot for whale and dolphin watching.
For a more thrilling experience, visitors can join a shark diving adventure. To protect the environment, staff use sonar to “summon” the sharks. After donning professional diving gear, visitors enter a secure shark cage and descend to a certain depth with a guide, witnessing great white sharks swim by closely, even attempting to approach with open jaws for a heart-pounding encounter.
