South Australia (Australia)

Most of South Australia’s life radiates gently from arty capital city Adelaide, dwindling as it hits the bone dry land beyond.  This orange desert is stony and with regular temperatures sitting around 48 degrees, unforgiving, but underneath lie mineral veins on which tiny townships suckle, air conditioners blaring.  If you make it beyond the desert you’re rewarded with the many hazy colours of the Flinders Rangers.  But all this dust and empty horizon is made up for by the bounty around Adelaide.  The Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s most rewarding wine growing regions and the sea, full of tuna and lobsters makes for hearty lifestyles and the Adelaide Festival draws a culture crowd that stops the city from relaxing totally into guesthouse comfort.