South AustraliaPic: Flinders ranges by peripitusSouth Australia is Australia's driest state (with huge Outback areas of semi desert) and ironically also the most urbanized. Capital city Adelaide is known as the 'city of churches'and home to 80% of the states total population of 1.54 million. South Australia covers an area of 985 335 sq km and is famous for its wineries found in the Barossa, Clare, Coonawarra and McLaren valleys. The region was claimed as a British colony in 1836 by Col William Light who surveyed and named Adelaide after King Williams wife with self government following in 1856. Rich agricultural areas are found on the Fleurieu, Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas and spectacular scenery in the Flinders Ranges and Adelaide Hills. Kangaroo Island is a major tourist destination and the extremely important Murray River supplies 90% of the state with its water needs. Coober Pedy in the heart of the states Outback is located 846 km south of Adelaide and is considered the 'opal capital of the world' SAs main industries include tourism, agriculture, mining, manufacture and fishing. The states floral emblem is the Sturts Desert Pea.
Visitor Information Centre: 18 King William St, Adelaide. Tel (08) 8303 2220 or 1300 655 276.