South Australia's south east corner has volcanic origins which form many of the area natural attractions. Once craters, and now a series of lakes, Mt Gambier is a major centre of this region. The city sprawls on the slope of the extinct volcano, set in a large pine plantation area. In the crater of Mt Gambier, the 70ha Blue Lake changes from grey to sparkling blue overnight every November and changes back to grey each autumn. There is no scientific explanation for this event which gives the lake its name.

Nearby Naracoorte Caves were the site of a world-important finding of ancient animal bones - up to 170,000 years old. Park of a conservation park, the caves have a variety of stalactites, stalagmites and other curious rock formations.

The Coorong is a unique area curving along the south coast of South Australia, extending from Lake Alexandrina in the north to the small town of Kingston in the south. A national park, the Coorong is made up of a shallow lagoon and a complex of low lying salt and clay pans. This is one of the last natural bird sanctuaries in Australia. The coastal scenery is magnificent with unspoilt stretches of beach with rolling surf.

South Australia enjoys hot dry summers with relatively mild nights and cool winters, with most rainfall occurring during May to August. Adelaide's average daily maximum temperature in January is 29ºC, and in July 15ºC. South Australia is the driest of the Australian States and Territories. Its average annual rainfall is 528 mm, but just over 80 per cent of the State receives an average of less than 250 mm of rain a year.

Adelaide boasts a Mediterranean climate, perfect for enjoying the great Australian outdoors. Warm and temperate with long hot summers and short mild winters, with low rainfall. The average temperature ranges from 15°C (58°F) in July, to 29°C (84°F) in January. One of the hottest places in the area in summer is Coober Pedy, 863km (536 miles) northwest of Adelaide, reaching temperatures of up to 45°C (113°F).