If you’ve dreamed of sipping world-famous wines, spotting kangaroos and koalas in the wild, and exploring stunning beaches, United’s newest Australia flight route is ready to take you down under. This December, I was on the inaugural United flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Adelaide Airport (ADL), the first-ever direct flight connecting the U.S. and South Australia. The nearly 16-hour flight will be happening three days a week with United Economy, Premium Plus, and Polaris business-class seats available, making it easier than ever to reach this part of Australia.
United’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Adelaide after the inaugural direct U.S.-Adelaide flight.
United Airlines
Inaugural flights are a big deal to in-the-know aviation fans. Before departing SFO, there was a celebration at the gate with Aussie treats, themed decorations, and short speeches from tourism officials—and the party continued on board. In Polaris, our seats had keepsakes created for the inaugural waiting for us, a South Australia-inspired menu was served, and flight-specific pajamas were even available, making the almost 16 hours to Adelaide all the more comfortable.
Polaris seats on a United inaugural flight to Adelaide, Australia.
Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
ADL is just a 20-minute drive from the center of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and the first stop for many visitors taking this new route. The city of just under 1.5 million residents has a walkable center ringed with parkland and filled with unique things to do for a first taste of this Australian state. The Adelaide Central Market is a food market with a mix of produce, meat, cheese, and other grocery items, plus several stalls where you can get meals to go. The Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Oval (where you can catch a game or climb on the stadium’s roof), and a number of museums, including the Art Gallery of South Australia and South Australian Museum, are among the top places to visit near the center, but some of the area’s must-see spots are located just outside the city.
The region is a must-visit for wine lovers. The Adelaide Hills wine region is just 30 minutes east of Adelaide and is home to 50 cellar doors, while the Barossa Valley is about an hour northeast with 90 cellar doors. Also up in the Adelaide Hills, Cleland Wildlife Park gives visitors the chance to interact with some of Australia’s most iconic animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas.
Cleland Wildlife Park in Adelaide.
Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
Of course, if you want a chance to see endemic Australian animals in the wild, Kangaroo Island is a short flight from Adelaide or a ferry ride from Cape Jervis, about two and a half hours from Adelaide. Located just off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is the country’s third-largest island, with diverse, wide-open landscapes and incredible wildlife spotting opportunities.
Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island.
Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
I’d always wanted to visit Australia to see those animals for myself, and waking up to the sight of kangaroos hopping past my room at Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island and going on the resort’s nature tour to see koalas climbing in eucalyptus trees and baby seals lying on beaches next to their mothers was nothing short of magical. Flinders Chase National Park, which covers almost a third of Kangaroos Island, protects those animals and stunning geological formations, including the famous Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.
Kangaroo Island is not just a beautiful place; it’s also a lesson in the resilience of nature. A devastating bushfire decimated nearly half the island six years ago, and although you can still see the effects in some places where vegetation is growing back, the regenerated landscape is blossoming and animals are repopulating the area, offering an inspiring reminder of the power of nature to reclaim and rebuild even from utter desolation.
Dining and Cooking