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With its festivals, city beaches, a thriving small bar scene from the best South Australian vineyards, together with attractions like the Barossa and Kangaroo Island to explore, there’s plenty to love about Adelaide.
Known as the ‘20-minute city’ because of its size and the close proximity of its major attractions, Adelaide has a wealth of things to do and see. From grand 19th century squares to funky retail outlets, sporting icons to indigenous art, Adelaide has it covered.
The secret is out. Nestled between a lush coast and fertile wine country, Adelaide is not only home to diverse landscapes but also to a thriving city that has recently taken renewed pride in the beauty of being small.
Take a deep breath and… relax. Here are some of our top picks to see Adelaide city at its vibrant, arty best.
Adelaide is South Australia’s culture-rich capital, with a buzzing, boutique vibe all year-round. Quench your thirst in some of Australia’s funkiest small bars and restaurants and dig into dishes prepared by world-famous chefs. Take-in the city sights on the Adelaide Oval RoofClimb, visit beautiful galleries and museums or indulge in some quality retail therapy.
Although better known for its elegant boulevards, parklands and grand squares, Adelaide also offers a good selection of family-friendly beaches. Glenelg is the obvious choice since there’s a regular tram service from the city centre. The English-style beach suburb offers safe swimming, a funfair and plenty of pavement cafes and take-aways. From Glenelg, wend your way along the coast to Henley and Grange if you’re searching for something a little less frenetic – there’s a handy coastal cycle path linking all three.
The Adelaide Hills is just 20 minutes from Adelaide, a wine region closer to a capital city than any other in the world. It’s home to some 50-odd producers, most of them with cellar doors. Wine touring is definitely a Hills hero experience, though it arguably offers four hero experiences: fireside-cosy in winter, fresh and surprising in spring, languorous in summer, and OMG Instagram stuff when the leaves are on the turn in autumn. See more places to go in Adelaide Hills.
The Fleurieu Peninsula is a bounty of food, wine, adventure. Located 45 minutes south from Adelaide its home to over 250 kilometres of stunning coast. Explore some of the state’s best beaches at Aldinga, Second Valley and Port Elliot. The Fleurieu is home to three wine regions – the well-known McLaren Vale, the burgeoning Langhorne Creek and smaller Currency Creek.
The Barossa is known world-wide for its exceptional wineries and a vibrant gourmet food culture. Look under the surface and hop on a bicycle to explore the cycling trails and back roads connecting one cellar door to another, climb into a hot-air balloon to see the sun tint golden the patchwork of vines and farms or learn a new skill such as blending your own wine or making pasta from scratch.
In the Clare Valley there are more than 40 wineries and vineyards, plus numerous galleries and museums. You'll also find fantastic restaurants, food and produce markets as well as sports for everyone. Some of the wineries date back as far as the 1850s when Jesuit priests planted the first vines and today the region is known as "the heart of Australian Riesling" – so much so that the Riesling Trail is a cycling route through vineyards!
Kangaroo Island, Flinders Ranges and Outback, Eyre Peninsula and Limestone Coast
Hop on a quick flight and you’ll be on Kangaroo Island in no time. Be immersed by the ruggedly beautiful landscape where wildlife abounds with teetering cliffs, green planes and open sea as its backdrop. Bring your adventurer’s spirit and discover mouth-watering food and drink, breathtaking scenery and a laid-back lifestyle.
Qantas flies new year round flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island as well as direct seasonal flights from Melbourne, find flights. Or take a ferry from Cape Jervis and enjoy a world class holiday amidst untouched wilderness and pristine beaches.
North in the Flinders Ranges and Outback, you’ll find dusty red roads bordered by towering ancient cliffs and deep craters. Dawns are grey-blue, and dusks, deep red. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were navigating the unexplored face of Mars.
The Limestone Coast is home to stunning cliff faces, roaring waves and spectacular beaches. Not to mention the Coonawarra wine region, the Naracoorte Caves, four-wheel driving along pristine beaches or kayaking along the still waterways of the Coorong.
Australian Dollar (AU$)
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The weather in Adelaide is moderate year round with typically blue skies and low humidity. Summer (December to February) averages are around 28°C but it can get extremely hot, reaching 40°C and higher. Winters (June to August) can be cold but average approximately 15°C. Autumn and spring are great times to visit and enjoy mild conditions.
Just seven kilometres from the city centre, a taxi ride from Adelaide Airport takes about 10 minutes.
Adelaide Metro offers an express bus service called JetExpress between the airport and the city and also offers a convenient JetBus service direct to Glenelg, West Beach and the City, servicing all stops en route.
Adelaide has a small and picturesque city centre which is easy to walk or cycle around. The city has an integrated transport system of trains and buses with a range of ticket options. Glenelg is just a 30 minute ride away. Taxis are also an easy way to get around.
Take off on a road trip around the Clare Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula or Adelaide Hills to explore the areas in Adelaide.
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