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Here are 10 reasons to see SA in 2017.

REDISCOVER RADELAIDE

If you haven’t been for a while Adelaide has had a vibrancy overhaul. The new Riverbank precinct complete with upgraded Adelaide Oval is buzzing, and has a massive foot traffic presence from sports fans within a stroll of the city over the cool new foot bridge. New laws have seen dozens of funky city lane way bars pop up in places like Peel and Leigh Sts, the foodie culture is energetic — SA wine is not half bad either. New rooftop bars like KW2, new eateries like Sean’s Kitchen and new hotels like the Mayfair are part of the new city culture while just a little up the road beachside Henley Square has just had a major makeover — enjoy a meal with a view at places like the Thai Orchid.

SUPER BOWL

Widespread rains have turned the Outback green. Australia’s largest ephemeral lake, the normally dry Lake Eyre, is filling attracting birds and sculpting extraordinary coastlines and Islands. Our own “super bowl”, the vast enclosed amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges has lush growth on its ancient ochre ramparts. Wilpena Pound sits like a massive meteor crater and while the bush walking is great, it is best seen from a scenic flight to take in its full grandeur.

Lake Eyre at its magical best

SHARKS AND PUPS

Head to seafood mecca Port Lincoln to eyeball huge great white sharks from the safety of an underwater cage. The size and power of these top predators is extraordinary. It’s a submerged adrenaline buzz. The trip out to the Neptune Islands gives great views of a coastline little changed since Matthew Flinders chartered it — seals and sea lions on the islands make it a favoured takeaway stop for sharks. Further along Eyre Peninsula take part in the best eco-experience I have done, swimming with sea lions at Baird Bay. It’s all on their terms — you can’t go onto their island (it’s their bedroom) or even wear sunscreen in their water — but these playful creatures, especially the pups, will swim over and love a game while you snorkel. In shallow water protected from sharks by reefs they will swim up literally nose to nose, tickle your feet, even swim down to find a shell to play “catch”. Soooo cool.

GIANTS

When the weather turns cold, giants appear. The world’s largest congregation of giant cuttlefish mysteriously appear in the shallow rocky ledges near Whyalla when the water temperature drops. You can scuba dive or just snorkel to witness the weird mating rituals of these dog-sized creatures whose bodies like up with hundreds of light sources like disco kings and queens. Passing dolphins enjoy snacking on them.

ROLLIN’

Go Rollin’ on a river on a self drive luxury houseboat to explore the mighty Murray. Abundant bird life, spectacular cliffs, friendly towns, good bush walks, and you can fish or swim off the back of boats which offers indulgent touches such as spas. With plenty of water now in the Murray it is a great way to connect with this important waterway.

TOAST

Here’s cheers to SA’s listing on Lonely Planet’s must see regions for 2017, and its superb wine regions. Many are within an easy drive of Adelaide and include plenty of family run businesses where the owners are happy to chat. McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Langhorne Creek, the Barossa and the Clare Valley are all easily done in a day — but why not stay overnight in the ubiquitous B & Bs? Further afield the terra rossa soils of the Coonawarra produce magnificent big reds. Fly there from Adelaide with Rossair for an indulgent day trip of wine tastings and lunch. Penfold’s Magill Estate, home of Grange, is just 15 minutes from the city in the suburban foothills.

VOLCANO ALLEY

You don’t think Australia has volcanoes? The Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex state heritage area recognises it as Australia’s most recent site of volcanic activity. It consists of craters and other volcanic features on the southern edge of Mount Gambier, including the sides and rim of the craters that form the Blue Lake, Leg of Mutton Lake, Valley Lake and Browne Lake. The volcanic feature known as the Devil’s Punchbowl is also included in the area. This volcanic complex was created around 4000 years ago. The largest crater is the Blue Lake, named for the cobalt-blue colour the water mysteriously turns between November and March. The area has caves to explore and the magnificent gardens of the Umpherston Sinkhole — a cave whose roof collapsed. Other caves include the Tantanoola Caves and Engelbrecht Cave. Naracoorte Caves are not too far off and are a World Heritage listed for their remarkable record of fossils from unfortunate animals which fell through rooftop holes. Penola is between the two towns, famous links to Australia’s only saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

BEACHES

Sure, all of Australia has beaches. SA’s are as good as any, without the crowds. One on Kangaroo Island, Vivonne Bay, was named the best in the nation by a University of Sydney study of more than 10,000 beaches. There are safe bay beaches for children, and great surf and fishing beaches for those who like more action. Right across the Eyre Peninsula, the Yorke Peninsula, the Fleurieu Peninsula and on to the Limestone Coast, largely deserted beaches offer great swimming, surfing and fishing. A favourite of mine is Berry Bay at the bottom of Yorke Peninsula, on a dirt road just past the lighthouse where the quiet gulf beaches become surf beaches. Turquoise waters, golden sands, few other people, some nice waves, and every time I have stayed there I’ve been lucky enough to be closely investigated by the resident pod of dolphins including times where we have shared waves. Bondi it ain’t.

KANGAROO ISLAND

See why thousands of overseas visitors head to Kangaroo Island. Landscapes from Remarkable Rocks to Admiral’s Arch, surf beaches, caves, a sheep dairy, the purest strain of Ligurian bees in the world, a busy arts as well as food scene and wildlife galore such as at Seal Bay where rangers will talk you on walks among the resident sea lions.

MAD MARCH

Any time is a good time to visit arguably the best boutique city in the world — big enough for city fun, small enough to be able to enjoy that fun. But March is when the festival city really “goes off”. There’s the mainstream Festival, the now-huge weird and wonderful Fringe Festival, the Clipsal 500 car race, Writers Week, the world music of WOMADelaide, The days are long and the nights balmy, it’s safe, there is great food and drinks to be had at affordable prices. As a general rule everyone is friendly and in holiday/party mood, even those working. And these events are largely within walking distance of city hotels, or a free tram ride. Too easy.