Red Banks Conservation Park, about 170km north of Adelaide, was a delightful spontaneous stop on my travels and gave me just the nature fix I needed. The terrain is as dry and desert-like as you’d imagine, with orange dirt and scrubs that look like they've been painted by a sun-scorched artist. It’s like stepping into a time machine, where you can walk amidst the fossils of giant wombats and marsupial lions, feeling like an explorer from the age of megafauna. The park’s ecosystems are a quirky mix, from the fragrant mat-rush tussock grasslands to the rugged mallee box woodlands, home to echidnas, kangaroos, and a variety of birds. 

For an adventurous trek, hit up the 5.6km trail, but be warned: the trail markers are a bit shy, so download a map beforehand because there’s no reception out here. You can also enjoy the Landscapes of Change Walk, a 4.8km loop that offers a fresh perspective on this wild land. It’s all free to explore, and the remoteness gives you a chance to feel wonderfully insignificant in the grand scheme of nature.