City and scenery
Adelaide’s stately stone buildings grace the gridiron street plan with Victorian elegance, while the Parkland surrounding the River Torrens offers a green oasis of calm.
Adelaide Hills
The Mount Lofty ranges behind Adelaide not only give the city its picturesque backdrop – they’re home to quaint villages, native wildlife and miles of hiking trails.
Beach suburbs
Adelaide has some superb beaches, ideal for swimming and windsurfing. The sweep of fine white sand at Glenelg is the most popular, and easily reached by tram.
Festivals
As capital of the ‘festival state’, Adelaide plays host to shindigs of international recognition. The Festival of Arts, held in March of even-numbered years, includes opera, dance, cabaret and classical music performances. The annual Fringe Festival, second only to Edinburgh’s in size, is also popular, and world music showcase Womadelaide is huge.
Bowled over
The Adelaide Oval is Australia’s most gracious cricket ground. It oozes atmosphere, from its tree-lined surrounds to the magnificent scoreboard. See a match if you can, or take a tour.
Wine time
There are loads of wine regions within an easy drive of Adelaide. The scenic Barossa Valley is the most famous, though McClaren Vale and Clare Valley are also worth a look. Do a cellar door tour for a chance to sample a top drop from world famous wineries.
Get out of town
South Australia is home to many varied natural landscapes. Check out the rugged ridges of Wilpena Pound in the mighty Flinders Ranges to the north, the fertile plains of the the Murray River to the east, the stark coastal lagoons of the Coorong to the south east and the wildlife haven of Kangaroo Island in the south.
Further afield
Adelaide is the first and last port of call for many great Australian journeys. Ride the Ghan railway north to Darwin, or the Indian Pacific west across the Nullarbor to Perth. Take the Great Ocean Road to Melbourne, or follow the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight to the west. Or head north on the Oodnadatta Track to the other-worldly Outback town of Coober Pedy.
