South Australia has always been a pioneer of sorts in Australia.  It legalised Australia’s first nude beach, it is the most urbanized state, and it was the first Australian state to grant Aborigines title to their land.  Almost 80% of SA’s population lives in Adelaide and a few assorted towns.  The rest of the state, which has the distinction of being the driest state in Australia, is sparsely populated and has rugged semi-desert scenery that leaves the visitor spellbound.

The Murray River, the Flinders Ranges and the wine producing Barossa Valley are just some of SA’s attractions.  First colonized in 1836 by Colonel William Light, who named its first settlement and capital city after King William IV’s Queen Adelaide. The settlement was not a success initially and had to be financially bailed out by the British Government.  By 1856 it was a self-governing and a self-supporting settlement.

When the settlers first arrived, there were 12,000 aborigines who eventually met the same fate as their brethren elsewhere in Australia.  Most were killed, still others died of starvation and disease. Only in 1966 did the Aborigine tribes in SA get titles to their lands. At present, there are about 21,000 Aborigines living in South Australia.

Quarantine in SA
Certain restrictions have been imposed on the carriage of banned plants, fruits and vegetables from other Australian state into SA so as to restrict the spread of pests and diseases. Look out for signs and avoid carrying fresh fruit and veggies.

Border Alert! Carrying foodstuff and goods made from animal skins into South Australia is forbidden.