This week we go to our friends at Virtuoso luxury travel agency SmartFlyer where Michael Holtz takes us on a VIP trip through South Australia.
By Michael Holtz
1. Overview
South Australia is the kind of place that reveals itself slowly, rewarding curious travelers with landscapes and flavors you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
This is a destination defined by its contrasts: sleek city life in Adelaide, the raw power of Kangaroo Island’s coastline, the endless red-dirt horizons of the Flinders Ranges, and the rolling vineyards that have put Barossa and McLaren Vale on the global wine map.
Over the course of eight days, you’ll uncover a rhythm of life that feels both grounded in nature and elevated by some of the most refined hospitality experiences in Australia.
This itinerary isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about immersion. From behind-the-scenes access to Aboriginal artifacts and private tastings at legendary wineries, to spotting kangaroos at dawn and sipping wine beneath a canopy of stars, the journey is curated for travelers who want to go deeper. The result is a trip that feels unscripted, personal, and unforgettable, leaving you with the sense that you’ve truly lived in South Australia, not just.
Who’s it for?
Travelers who want to go beyond the usual Australian sights, food & drink lovers, adventurers, cultural mavens, nature enthusiasts, couples, families, and small groups of friends.
2. The Itinerary
The itinerary is for eight days and seven nights.
Day 1 – Arrival
Take advantage of the direct flight from San Francisco on United Airlines to touch down in Adelaide in the morning and let the easy-going vibe of the city set the tone for your eight days in South Australia. A private driver will whisk you into the city center for a twenty-minute drive to EOS By Sky City Hotel, a sleek urban retreat where floor-to-ceiling windows frame skyline views.
Once you’ve refreshed, step out for a private guided walking tour of the bustling Adelaide Central Market, a sensory playground brimming with fresh produce, artisanal goods, and local delicacies. From there, dive into the city’s vibrant laneways where colorful street art collides with boutique shopping and charming cafés.
Culture takes center stage in the late afternoon as a private curator leads you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s most extensive collection of Aboriginal Artifacts at The South Australian Museum. Afterward, orient yourself to Australia’s multifaceted wine heritage at the National Wine Centre, where the country’s sixty-five wine regions—eighteen of which belong to South Australia—are brought to life through immersive tastings and exhibits. As the sun sets, stroll to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens for a one-of-a-kind dining experience at Restaurant Botanic, where native ingredients and boundary-pushing techniques earn their place among the country’s most celebrated tables.
Day 2 – Kangaroo Island
Rise early for your quick twenty-minute flight to Kangaroo Island, where the wild heart of South Australia reveals itself. Upon arrival, your private driver will whisk you to Southern Ocean Lodge, the crown jewel of the island, with an inspiring story to tell. Perched high above Hanson Bay, this celebrated retreat was completely rebuilt in 2020 following a bushfire that leveled the lodge, only to reemerge years later as a symbol of resilience. Glass-fronted suites invite the horizon in, while interiors nod to the island’s natural palette and eco-conscious ethos. After check-in, take a moment to soak in the sweeping views of Southern Ocean—a dramatic welcome to Australia’s wild edge—before setting out with your guide.
From this unique vantage point, Kangaroo Island comes to life. Venture into the bushland to spot koalas nestled into eucalyptus trees, wallabies and kangaroos bounding across open fields, and a dazzling variety of birdlife. Pause mid-day for a private bush camp BBQ paired with South Australian wines, then continue to Seal Bay Conservation Park for an escorted walk among endangered Australian sea lions lounging along a secluded stretch of sand. Back at the lodge, a gourmet dinner showcasing native flavors awaits, followed by restorative sleep to the lulling sound of waves crashing below.
Day 3 – Kangaroo Island
The salty wind from the Southern Ocean will whip through your hair as you descend to Admirals Arch, where sea lions laze on the rocks and waves crash endlessly against the cliffs. Begin your morning with a leisurely breakfast overlooking Hanson Bay before setting out with your guide to Flinders Chase National Park, one of Kangaroo Island’s most dramatic landscapes. The salty wind from the Southern Ocean will whip through your hair as you descend to Admirals Arch, where sea lions laze on the rocks and waves crash endlessly against the cliffs. From there, wander among the sculptural Remarkable Rocks; these ancient granite formations are perched high above the shoreline and nothing short of striking. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the island’s geology and rich marine ecosystem, bringing the wild character of this remote destination to a new dimension.
After your successful morning of exploration, retreat to the serene cocoon of Southern Ocean Lodge. Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment inspired by native botanicals before enjoying the spa. If you’re craving a bit more activity before bed, partake in a guided clifftop walk that traces the rugged coastline just beyond the comfort of your suite. As the afternoon light softens across Hanson Bay, take time to savor the rhythm of island life—a seamless blend of raw natural beauty and world-class hospitality.
Day 4 – Kangaroo Island
Today, lie low at Southern Ocean Lodge. After a couple of days of adventure, today is yours to fully sink into the beauty of Kangaroo Island at your own pace. Wake up slowly to panoramic views of the Southern Ocean, best enjoyed from your private suite’s deck with a coffee in hand. Spend the morning exploring the lodge itself—whether that’s indulging in a spa treatment using Australian botanicals, unwinding in the Great Room with a glass of local wine, or taking a gentle coastal walk right from the property.
The kitchen team will prepare a long, lazy lunch showcasing the island’s seasonal produce, perfect to savor with a good book or simply the sound of the waves. In the afternoon, consider a shorter guided outing—perhaps a visit to a nearby beach to spot sea lions—or opt to do nothing at all. As evening falls, gather by the fire for sundowners before sitting down to another chef’s tasting menu paired with South Australian wines.
Day 5 – Flinders Range
This morning, board your private flight bound for Flinders Ranges, where South Australia’s iconic red-dirt landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. Your destination is Arkaba Homestead, an intimate five-room lodge set on a 60,000-acre former sheep station that has been transformed into a thriving wildlife conservancy. Upon arrival, settle into the homestead’s blend of rustic charm and understated luxury, then head out to explore the rugged beauty of the outback.
A guided safari-style drive takes you through dramatic gorges and ancient landscapes, with chances to spot emus, kangaroos, and the region’s rich birdlife. Along the way, learn about Arkaba’s pioneering conservation initiatives, which have rewilded this vast terrain into a sanctuary for native species. As the sun dips below the Elder Range, pause for sundowners in the glow of a fiery outback sunset, followed by a chef-prepared dinner under an endless canopy of stars. In this quintessential Australian evening, wilderness and refinement converge.
Day 6 – Flinders Range
Wake to a glowing sunrise and the chorus of native birdsong before lifting off on a scenic helicopter ride over Wilpena Pound, a vast natural amphitheatre carved into the ancient Flinders Ranges. From above, the scale of this rocky basin is staggering, its rugged cliffs and folded ridges telling a story more than 500 million years in the making. Back on the ground, spend the day hiking with a naturalist guide who reveals the secrets of the outback, from resilient flora to the chance encounters with emus, kangaroos, and rare bird species that thrive in this remote wilderness.
Midday brings a long-table bush lunch where local ingredients and regional wines are served against a backdrop of sweeping outback views. As evening falls, gather around the campfire for storytelling under a star-filled sky, glass of South Australian wine in hand. With the Milky Way stretched endlessly overhead, it’s the perfect finale to a day where raw nature, adventure, and groundness converge.
Day 7 – Adelaide Hills
Australia’s finest wine cellar experiences…rolling vineyards and historic estates set the stage for a day of unparalleled wine discoveries.
This morning, return to Adelaide by private plane, where your guide awaits to lead you into one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions, the Barossa Valley.
Here, rolling vineyards and historic estates set the stage for a day of unparalleled wine discoveries. Enjoy exclusive, behind-the-scenes access at prestigious wineries such as Penfolds Magil Estate and Henschke, where stories of heritage and innovation elevate tastings passed down through generations. Between cellar doors, pause to savor the craft of smaller boutique producers who pour their passion into every glass.
As the sun dips over the hills, retreat to the tranquil luxury of Sequoia Lodge, a collection of fourteen exclusive suites tucked into the Adelaide Hills. Each accommodation, framed by sweeping valley views and cemented by fireplaces, boasts a spa-like bathroom and a terrace designed for stargazing with a glass of Barossa’s best in hand. After a day steeped in Australia’s vinicultural excellence, Sequoia offers the perfect sanctuary—serene, intimate, and rooted in a deep sense of place.
Day 8 – Adelaide
Farewell to Adelaide (until the next time). After breakfast, enjoy a final morning at leisure, taking in the serene views from Sequoia Lodge. A private driver will then transfer you on a short twenty-minute drive back to Adelaide Airport.
3. Hotels
SmartFlyer will work with you to find the perfect accommodations as they put together your custom itinerary.
EOS by SkyCity
The Sydney Morning Herald reports, “Part of the $330 million upgrade of Adelaide’s original casino precinct, Skycity is a glittering beacon of gold marking a huge change to Adelaide’s hotel scene. Entering the hotel for the first time, I wondered if I’d stepped through a portal and into the lobby of a flashy Las Vegas or LA hotel, as white-uniformed staff smiled at me behind a gleaming marble counter. There’s also a hot new rooftop bar, a pool deck and spa, and the hotel’s classy but casual restaurant, Sol. Eos is a glittering beacon in the Adelaide skyline. In prime territory next to the Festival Centre and near North Terrace, with the railway station underneath, rooms offer views over the River Torrens and surrounding parklands to one side and on the other, Adelaide’s stroll-friendly city, which is within easy reach.
Southern Ocean Lodge
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “Extending from the main building like a grey-slate train chugging down the eastern edge of the bluff, each of the glass-fronted suites—all named after shipwrecks on the island—has mid-century modern curves, a sunken living room and fireplace. Like the rest of the lodge, muted clotted-cream limestone tiles and Tasmanian timber keep things fresh and simple, with the focus on the wraparound glass walls that open to private decks and fresh Antarctic wind, and in the bigger suites, heated plunge pools. On the western edge of the lodge, the super-sized, four-bedroom Baillie Pavilion suite is a new addition, and sits like an amphitheater with two infinity pools, outdoor fireplaces, and views across the coastal cliffs and sea-front wilderness.”
Arkaba Lodge
Gourment Traveller says, “A member of Luxury Lodges Australia, Arkaba Homestead sits at the edge of an ancient wilderness, offering a rare blend of luxury and rugged outback charm. The property, once a sheep station, has been gently restored to reflect the property’s pioneering history to create a retreat that feels both remote and welcoming. High ceilings, airy rooms, and polished wood floors give the property a timeless charm, while subtle touches of Indigenous art and locally sourced textiles keep the connection to place alive. Arkaba is somewhere the outback isn’t simply observed, it’s experienced. Each of the five luxurious guest suites is designed to offer the ultimate comfort while reflecting the stunning surrounds of this luxury retreat.”
Sequoia Lodge
Out There Australia writes, “Built for a cool $18 million and open since August 2021, the adults-only Sequoia Lodge sits high on the side of Mount Lofty – barely believably, given the pristine rural landscapes cradling the winding roads up here, just 20 minutes from the state capital’s city centre. Beyond the suites, its compact grounds encompass an intimate, relaxed lounge/bar/restaurant space, a day spa, and a landscaped garden with two hot spring-fed soaking pools and a small infinity pool. Its every detail springs from the richly simple concept of offering its guests unparalleled access to the area’s unique treasures, within four themes – discovering exceptional local produce and producers, encountering the abundant indigenous wildlife, absorbing the natural environment and its cultural power, and simply surrendering to the deep relaxation such a place offers.”
4. VIP Contact
For more information, contact SmartFlyer at leisure@smartflyer.com.