Adelaide really is the cultural heart of Australia.
Located between the Gulf of St. Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges, it is a cosmopolitan and vibrant melting pot of art, literature, business and retail. There is so much to do in Adelaide.
The city was planned in the best possible way and shows it. It’s really easy to go wrong – just look at Lelystadt in the Netherlands or Eisenhüttenstadt in Germany.
Adelaide did everything right!
Originally designed and planned by Colonel William Light, a British Army land surveyor. The city is unique in Australia. The streets are wide and multi-lane, which significantly supports the flow of traffic. The city’s layout is also easy to navigate to ensure tourists are not lost. If so, the local Adelaids are very down to earth, friendly and very approachable. The city center is a spectacular planning achievement – several road rings are surrounded by a strip of beautiful parkland.
The great thing about Adelaide is its diverse personality.
It is up to the visitor to falsify their own point of view. In some ways the city seems shy and conservative, in other ways it feels like a paradise for provocative artists. Another wonderful trait is Adelaide’s relentless positivity. For most of the year the sky stays a breathtaking blue creating a bright, hpy atmosphere. At Christmas there is nothing Adelaideans would rather do than throw a few steaks at the Barbie at 28 ° C.
Activities in Adelaide
Adelaide’s vibrant personality means that something is on the way too. We’ve narrowed down some of the best things to do in Adelaide to make sure you get the most out of the city.
When the sun gets too much, head to Adelaide’s vibrant Central Market.
The stalls are located between Gouger and Grote streets in a beautiful old red brick building. You can find everything from kangaroo steak to fresh fruit and vegetables. You can also buy organic coffee there which is delicious. No wonder that the market has been in continuous operation for 120 years.
Take a nice walk Rundle Street after that. It’s narrower than most streets in Adelaide but full of pubs, cafes, shops and atmosphere. There is nothing more satisfying than a place where you people watch while you sip a cold beer in the warm sunshine. You can eat here too. Piattos is an excellent Italian restaurant that serves delicious food at moderate prices, around $ 10-15 per meal.
Adelaide is full of impressive older buildings. If you want to experience the best of historic Adelaide, take a walking tour. You will find right on Rundle Street Beehive corner, an impressive Gothic building from 1895. The State Library of South Australia is also an impressive building that is widely admired in Australia and houses the most important historical documents of Adelaide.
Also nearby is the oldest public building in South Australia – the Adelaide Gaol Historic Site and Museum worth a visit. It was a labor prison and the scene of corporal punishment, hard labor and execution for 147 years. Today it has become a fascinating and successful institution. It is very important to mention that Adelaide is nicknamed „The city of churches. They come in all sizes and sizes, from the spectacular St. Peter Cathedral to the majestic St. Francis Xavier Church.
Things to Eat in Adelaide
If after a day of sightseeing you’re hungry and want to try something other than Rundle Street, be sure to pay an internationally renowned visit Gouger Street for a bite to eat. Here you will find an enormous selection of restaurants: Thai, French, Italian, Argentinian, Malaysian and many more. Once again, the street is very easy to find – it can be found by walking through the south entrance of the Central Market.
If you feel like it Chinese Kitchen and for an even livelier atmosphere, drive through the Paifang which is the entrance to the Moonta Street Chinatown. The entire district is busy and there are many interesting Chinese markets. If you want to eat here give it a try Ding Hao. This restaurant stays open late and serves large portions of exquisite food, from whipped tofu to spicy green stir-fries.
Parents, Adelaide is now home to the tastiest cakes in all of Australia – Just make sure you stop by Red door bakeries pick up a dessert. Read all about cake in Australia.
There is a lot to discover outside the charming and elegant city center!
Adelaide’s beaches are spectacular and easy to get to. You can even take the subway to the tourist beach and town Glenelg, just 12 kilometers from Adelaide. This small settlement is interesting in itself – the colony of South Australia was first established here and it’s even possible to visit a replica of HMS Buffalo, the ship that brought the first governor of the colony to Glenelg.
When it gets too crowded, beaches are easy to find elsewhere – they stretch to the end North Haven to Sellicks Beach. The latter is the Mount Lofty Ranges Hit the ocean, and the rock walls are absolutely breathtaking. Sellicks Beach is a surfer’s paradise – brown hills and cliffs meet golden sand before giving way to crystal clear water.
You have to visit the wonderful wine region of McLaren Vale, about 35 km south of Adelaide. According to statistics on the US wine marketAustralian wine exports are booming, and the vineyards around Adelaide produce some delicious variations.
The settlers first planted Gres here in 1838 and the number of wineries has steadily increased since 1850. Today you can find it here more than 85 wineries! That’s a great choice if you’re looking to visit the McLaren Vale for a wine tasting weekend. The Mediterranean climate that gives Adelaide this tremendous positivity has resulted in a thriving wine culture.
South Australians take their wine very seriously and Shiraz is by far the most popular gre. Treat yourself to a full day wine tasting. With a price of around 270 US dollars, you will be personally chauffeured at the McLaren Vale and visit various wineries to sample their incredible variety. Tours can last several hours and lead to a severe headache the next day, but it’s worth it.
How do you sum up Adelaide?
It’s a great Australian city, very different from Sydney, Perth or Melbourne. It’s a little more withdrawn than other places and it feels a lot quieter. Relaxed Adelaide does not impose itself on travelers. Quite the opposite.
Dive deep under the calm facade and discover a wealth of history, culture and friendliness. You can eat wonderful Chinese food in bustling Chinatown, enjoy the pubs on Rundle Street and work on your tan on Glenelg Beach before heading to McLaren Vale for a delicious shiraz.
You won’t find this diversity in too many other cities around the world. When most people are planning a trip to Australia, they make a note of the party hotspots. If you really want to relax and experience the true spirit of Australia, head to Adelaide instead.
Maybe you just want to stay there forever.
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