Party hard in Glenelg : catch the tram to the buzzing beach-burb of Glenelg, find the beach (it’s a big yellow thing), play some sand-soccer, cool off in the water, eat fish and chips as the sun sets and then tackle the tough choice: out of all the pubs, clubs and hotels, where do we go for a cleansing beer?
Kayak around Port Adelaide: An awesome up-close encounter with Port Adelaide’s dolphins and ship’s graveyard. Bizarrely for such a wild-water encounter, you’re close to a large and busy harbour that’s responsible for building warships and submarines!
North Terrace: A boulevard that’s dressed to impress, lined at one end with Victorian showcase architecture (SA Museum, SA Gallery, Library, Ayer’s House, Parliament House, Adelaide University and Governor’s Residence) and, at the other, luxury hotels, pubs and the Casino. Much to see, most of it free.
Wine tasting in the Barossa: Drink in the scenery, soak up the history and (yes) uncork some of the world’s most celebrated wines. Minibus tours run regularly out of Adelaide, variously tailored for those who want to learn about wine and those who want to – er – drink it.
Adelaide Central Markets: Fresh, feisty Central Markets are the gourmet hub of Adelaide. It’s where you’ll encounter the best fare the state has to offer (plenty of free tastings) but you’ll also love it for the sheer vibe. Good coffee guaranteed.
Learn to Surf: It’s how we do our board meetings in SA… Take to the long line of (gentle) breakers on Middleton beach, an hour south of Adelaide. Friendly, fun and affordable instruction, with wetties and big boards included in the price.
Vintage shopping: Cheap and definitely cheerful, Adelaide gives good vintage clothing. Pick up a map to seven of the city’s must-visit vintage outlets. Fab and funky fashions from all sorts of weird and wonderful decades….
Mount Lofty and Cleland Wildlife Park: Go 20 minutes south-east and find yourself in a different world. After amazing views (and café) at 2300ft Mount Lofty, visit neighbouring Cleland Wildlife Park where the onus is on ‘park’ rather than enclosures. Walk among kangaroos and emus, then give in to that strange urge to cuddle a koala. Go on – you know you want to.
Free city bikes: No, really. Get a quality mountain bikes for 8hours for nothing more than photo ID (left as a deposit). Adelaide is flat, the traffic is sane, and because we like bikes, there’s plenty of two-wheel parking. What’s stopping you?
Adelaide City spreads itself out along either side of the Torrens River, a tributary of the Great Murray flowing down from the picturesque Mount Lofty Ranges. Adelaide is surrounded by beautiful parklands which span out into the ranges, the closest of these being referred to as Adelaide Hills. From these lofty vistas, you can enjoy mild ocean breezes blowing inland from the southern ocean and across the flat plains of central Adelaide.
Summer months being a drier, less forgiving climate. The Heysen Trail, closed from December to April to avoid the sometimes hazardous fire season, is very popular for hiking and when you get weary you'll be surprised to find a hostel or two, nestled comfortably in the hills.
An alternative route through the ranges is the well maintained Mawson Trail which travels through the Barossa, Mount Lofty and Flinders ranges to the South Australian outback. Cycling enthusiasts will find this to be one of the best cycling routes in Australia.
Adelaide is renowned for its restaurants and your options for a great value meal whatever the budget, are as varied as they are numerous. We recommend a visit to the central suburb of Semaphore, at the heart of the arts and craft precinct, just north of the arty Port Adelaide and it is only a short stroll to the beach too !! Don't miss the Fisherman's Wharf Markets held on the docks here, each Sunday.
Ridiculously beautiful part of the world just 20 minutes from an international city. You know you’re in for something special when you stop at view-tastic Mount Lofty, perched 2300ft over Adelaide. (And if you don’t spot koalas here, try Cleland Wildlife Park next door, where the K-meisters are content to be cuddled). Long-lunch-lovers go to the neighbouring village of Stirling, or head out for wineries serving award-winning Sauv Blanc with food and scenery to make you go ‘Ahhhhh’. Walkers and cyclists relish the winding country roads, the open spaces and friendly towns, not least the cheerful curio that is Hahndorf. Bequeathed to us by Prussian settlers, this Germanic village has wattle-and-daub houses, funky food shops and stein-waving pubs.