More than just the coastal capital of South Australia, Adelaide boasts a rich and varied festival calendar, an eclectic live music scene and first-class wining and dining. The perfect blend of elegance, culture and history, this “City of Churches” offers its visitors palm-tree-lined boulevards, multi-cultural markets and spacious city parks.
Things to do in Adelaide
Meander down the city’s laneways and side streets to find an array of drinking and dining options. If it’s fresh produce you’re after, head to the historic Adelaide Central Market, an uncovered market of 80 unique stalls considered the epicentre of the city’s food scene.
Adelaide’s tree-lined North Terrace is home to cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum. A 20-minute walk away, at Adelaide Botanic Garden, you can see thousands of rose displays and the beautiful Palm House, opened in 1877.
Visiting Adelaide with the kids in tow? Take them to the Adelaide Zoo, where you can meet 2,500 animals including two giant pandas, Sumatran tigers and orangutans. Less than a 20-minute walk away, satisfy their sweet cravings at the city’s iconic chocolate store, Haigh’s Chocolates.
Are you craving some sun and sand? Relax on the idyllic shoreline of Glenelg, before walking along the retro esplanade at Semaphore or trying your hand at surfing on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Wine lovers can sample award-winning wine in the Adelaide Hills, one of Australia’s top cool-climate wine regions, or visit one of the other 200 wineries in the area.
Getting Around
Well-serviced by trains, trams and buses, exploring Adelaide is a stress-free experience. The city’s famous trams run from Glenelg to Victoria Square and out to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. For free transport, hop on Adelaide Metro’s Free City Loop buses, which cruise around the CBD stopping off at popular attractions. You can also hire a bike for the day or ride an eco-friendly pedicab around the city, while taxis offer a safe and reliable means of transport especially after a night out.