Adelaide Destination Guide
Adelaide Holidays »
Gone are the days when this small city was considered a sleepy backwater. Adelaide has launched itself into the 21st century with a vibrant energy, touch of sophistication and a lot of class. Once dubbed the 'City of Churches', it is now more aptly known as the 'City of Festivals'.
The South Australian capital is great at any time of year but it is at its best during the festival season, from mid-February to mid-March. This is when the Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival and Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance) collide in a cacophony of music, arts, colour, comedy and dance.
The restaurant scene is ever-evolving, with celebrity chefs bringing their culinary magic to the city, and young entrepreneurs introducing glitzy rooftop bars and funky popup bar-bistros. This vivacious city is also a stepping stone to world-class wineries, golden beaches and delicious artisan produce.
The essentials:
- Country: Australia
- Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Offical Language: English
- Visas: International visitors need a visa to enter Australia and different types apply depending on country of origin, your travel agent can advise
- Tipping: Voluntary, tips of around 10 per cent are optional for good service
- Electricity: Australian outlets run on an average 230 volts and use Type I plugs
Temperature (max C)
J 27, F 29, M 28, A 26, M 23, J 21, J 21, A 22, S 24, O 25, N 27, D 28
Rainfall (max mm)
J 128, F 169, M 112, A 129, M 116, J 117, J 51, A 57, S 43, O 96, N 124, D 137
Top Attractions »
With warm locals and fruitful vineyards, this vibrant City of Festivals is overflowing with a sophisticated energy.
Where to Eat and Drink »
Adelaide’s food scene is enjoying an influx of celebrity-chef eateries – Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian, Sean Connolly’s Sean’s Kitchen and Jock Zonfrillo’s Orana, to name a few. Gouger Street, in the heart of the city, is a food stalwart that offers a great array of cuisines, such as Thai, Chinese, Italian, Korean, Spanish and Japanese.
Where to Stay »
If you are heading to Adelaide for a break, there is no better place to stay than in the heart of the CBD. There’s a healthy range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to apartments and backpacker lodgings.
Shopping »
Adelaide like a Local
Fancy a free ride around town? Well you can in Adelaide. The Adelaide City Council’s unique FREE bike hire scheme has been operating successfully since 2005, and aims to promote a cleaner, greener city centre. There are various bike hire locations around the CBD and once you have shown valid ID, you will be provided with your wheels, a helmet and lock so you can hop-on and –off to explore, shop or refuel at any one of the many cafes.
Insider Secrets:
1. Taste your birth year: Established in 1851, Seppeltsfield is one of Australia’s most iconic wine estates and is renowned for its unique and priceless Centennial Collection – an unbroken lineage of vintage Tawney dating from 1878 to the current year. The Seppeltsfield Taste Your Birth Year tour offers visitors the rare opportunity to try their own birth-year vintage Tawney, directly from the barrel. Join one of the wine educators in the Centennial Cellar and sip on a wine as old, or young, as you are.
2. Ebenezer Night Market: If you find yourself in Adelaide during the warmer months (November to March), make sure you put this funky Friday-night market on your list of must-dos. With a cool and eclectic vibe, these markets are filled with stalls selling everything from homemade lemonade to vintage clothing and a live DJ adds to the chilled-out market ambience.
Did you know...? The city was founded by free settlers, not convicts.