South Australia named as one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 regions for 2017

South Australia has been named as one of the world’s top regional offbeat destinations for tourists planning to travel next year.

South Australia ranked fifth on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 Top Regions despite being named as the driest state on the world’s driest continent. According to the travel website, South Australia delivers the “best” Australia experience.

“Its climate may be hot, but South Australia offers 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.

“The Queen Mary 2 is putting South Australia on her travel list in 2017, choosing to dock not only in its artistic capital, Adelaide, but also taking in the rustic charms of Kangaroo Island. South Australia is a delicious feast suitable to anyone’s taste.”

The Lonely Planet encouraged tourists to “roam from beach to bush” in South Australia. The website named the beaches of Henley and beachside town Glenelg as some of the best unspoiled beaches in the region. It recommended a visit to the Coffin Bay National Park in the Eyre Peninsula for the Almonta beach for dolphin watching and sunbathing on milky-white sands.

Tourists are also encouraged to visit Australia’s world-famous vineyards located in Adelaide and to try out the newly launched Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail on Australia’s third largest isle.

A party celebrating South Australia’s ascent to the Lonely Planet 2017 list will be held Friday, Oct. 28, on Peel Street, Gilbert Place and Leigh Street in Adelaide.

Apart from South Australia, the following underrated regions across the world are being promoted to become top destinations for 2017:

1. Choquequirao, Peru
2. Taranaki, New Zealand
3. The Azores, Portugal
4. North Wales, UK
5. South Australia
6. Aysen, Chile
7. The Tuamotus, French Polynesia
8. Coastal Georgia, USA
9. Perak, Malaysia
10. The Skellig Ring, Ireland