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South Australia
AREA: 978,810 sq. km.,
POPULATION: 1,474,000 (1996)
CAPITAL: Adelaide (1,100,000)
South Australia is known as the driest state in the driest continent on earth,
but that doesn't mean it doesn't have some of the most beautiful coastline and
lakes you will see. For example, the Blue Lake at Mount Gambier is renowned
for its deep rich azure colour, while the mighty Murray River wends its serene
way for 400km. right through its southern portions. By contrast, the giant salt
lakes of Lake Eyre and Gairdner are massive, usually dry, and spectacular in
the wildflowers, bird and wildlife which abound there in all seasons and conditions.
Lake Eyre is the common venue for attempts at the world land speed record.
Across the Nullarbor Plain to the west, the stark treeless landscape contrasts
with the spectacular coastline only a few kilometres to the south where the
Southern Ocean crashes onto the coast, creating diverse patterns in the rock
face and sheltering the whales which come each season to breed in the spacious
waters.
In the mid-north the Flinders Ranges are a spectacular range of red cliffs
with numerous walking tracks, gorges and chasms to explore.
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