Lonely Planet ranks South Australia amongst world’s top five must-see regions
Wine, beaches, festivals and food - all unmissable.
What does South Australia have in common with North Wales in the United Kingdom, Taranaki in New Zealand, Choquequirao in Peru and The Azores in Portugal?
They make up Lonely Planet's top five must-see regions for 2017.
Lonely Planet ranked Australia's driest and hottest state, South Australia, as the fifth-best region, anywhere on Earth, to visit in 2017.
Lonely Planet describes South Australia as having "the coolest mix of brilliant wine country, abundant produce festivals, stark and stunning tracts of picturesque Aussie outback and crowd-free beaches that could make even the Bahamas jealous... South Australia is a delicious feast suitable to anyone’s taste."
The Best of Travel guide reminds visitors that the Queen Mary 2 has put South Australia on her travel list in 2017, docking in the artistic capital, Adelaide, and taking in the "rustic charms" of Kangaroo Island.
This isn't the first time South Australia has received praise from Lonely Planet. The "city of churches", Adelaide, was named as one of the world's top 10 cities to visit in 2014 by the guidebook publisher.
The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail was also listed in the guide as one of the best new openings.
However, the popular travel publication's views haven't always been favourable. It once described the state's capital as "bogged down in old-school doldrums and painfully short on charisma".
For 2017, Lonely Planet lists Adelaide's central market, the McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills wine regions, Kangaroo Island and Flinders Ranges National Park as top experiences.
To celebrate, South Australia's state government is hosting a free Block Party in Adelaide on Friday.
Planning a trip to South Australia? Book the cheapest flights, find the best value car hire, score unbeatable accommodation deals, compare a range domestic travel insurance options, take the best tours and try 16 of the best things families can do in Adelaide.
Latest travel insurance headlines
Picture: Shutterstock
