8 reasons to visit SA's fire-affected regions

By Lauren Ferrone
Published: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Flames may have ravaged parts of our beautiful state, but there’s one thing they haven’t damaged – our South Australian fighting spirit. We’re rising above the ashes to heal, rebuild and showcase the very best of our fire-affected regions.

Kangaroo Island

The old saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder has never been truer, especially when it comes to Kangaroo Island. This island paradise is still a gem in our eyes, and with these amazing experiences on offer, it’s easy to see why.

Clifford’s Honey Farm

Kangaroo Island hasn’t lost its sweet side. Explore Clifford’s Honey Farm – which remains open for business – to get a taste of Ligurian honey. It’s the only place in the world where a pure strain of Ligurian bees still exists. Check out the honey room and see the busy bees working away in their glass hives.

Clifford's Honey Farm. Image: Meaghan Coles, SATC

Emu Bay Lavender Farm

There’s never been a better time to visit Emu Bay Lavender Farm.

The pretty, purple flower is known to instil peace and serenity, making a visit to the farm a calming experience and a good time for reflection.

Stroll through the garden, then stop at the charming gift shop where you can buy a range of Kangaroo Island lavender products, from essential oils to scented candles.

Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Image: SATC

Seal Bay

Located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay remains a natural treasure and is one of the few places in the world where you can walk among sea lions. Witness these gorgeous creatures up close as they bask on the sand.

Seal Bay. Image: SATC

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park

It’s been estimated that half of KI’s 60,000 koalas tragically perished in the fires. Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park came to the rescue, caring for koalas and other animals still clinging to life. You can help too.

Next time you visit the island, head to the wildlife park which has set up a fundraiser to help buy medication and build homes for animals in need. Just to pull at your heartstrings a little more – there’s an opportunity to walk among some of the wildlife and hand-feed them.

An echidna on Kangaroo Island. Image: SATC

Dudley Wines

‘We need you more than ever before’ is the heartfelt message that appears on Dudley Wines’ website – we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Located in Penneshaw, Dudley Wines was spared from the fire, but needs your help. Pop a visit on your itinerary, then sip handcrafted wines on the deck, perched on Kangaroo Island’s stunning north coast.

Dudley Wines. Image: SATC

The Adelaide Hills

From cheese to cherry farms, the Adelaide Hills – like Kangaroo Island – have experienced immeasurable loss over the past few months.

Once-green vineyards have turned charcoal black, and homes have been destroyed. But you can do your bit to keep the leafy region alive.

Woodside Cheese Wrights and Udder Delights

Woodside Cheese Wrights has been busy making lots of cheese to restock their shelves after a massive amount of dairy goodness was destroyed due to power outages. Don’t forget to stop by the Udder Delights cheese cellar door in Hahndorf, which also lost stock.

You probably don’t need another reason to head to the hills, other than the thought of their handcrafted cheeses paired with local vino.

Hahndorf main street, home to Udder Delights. Image: SATC.

Gorge Wildlife Park

Despite fire devastating Cudlee Creek, Gorge Wildlife Park, nearby, was thankfully spared.

The park has been hard at work raising funds to help affected animals. You can help too, just by buying an entry pass. Spend the day getting up close to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, dingoes and even Tasmanian devils.

Koalas in the Adelaide Hills. Image: SATC

Hills Luxury Day Tours

There’s so much to see and do in the hills, you’ll need a whole day. Hop aboard a Hills Luxury Day Tour bus for one of the hills’ best chauffeured winery experiences. Though some wineries were affected by the fires, most are still open for business. Those forced to close their doors have promised to re-open soon. Now that’s the South Aussie spirit we know and love.

The Lane Vineyard, Hahndorf. Image: SATC

Remembering what was

We remember those who lost their lives, homes, livestock and land, and say thank you to our heroic firefighters who risked their lives fighting the flames.

While there’s still a lot of devastation on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills, we’re looking forward to seeing both regions return to their former glory.

Whether that takes weeks, months or years, we’ll be here offering support.

See SA shine

Explore our beautiful Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island and let’s #BookThemOut.

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8 exceptional experiences in SA’s fire-affected regions