Adelaide, with a population of around 1.07 million, has been given the different soubriquets of “Australia’s festival city”, a “city in a park “and a “City of Churches”, none of which fully do justice to this cultured and cosmopolitan city. Although home to over a million people, Adelaide retains the charm and laid-back nature of a much smaller place, whilst at the same time boasting a host of attractions and events to tempt the visitor. Almost half of Adelaide’s area is taken up with parks, plus there is a 20 mile unbroken coastline. It is easy to find your way around Adelaide as the city is laid out on a grid system, divided by a number of main squares. Adelaide’s compact nature and its ease of navigation make it the ideal city to explore on foot, and there are several walking tours which will enable the visitor to Adelaide to see most of the city’s attractions. The main attractions are listed below.

What to do in Adelaide

Adelaide Botanic Gardens: One of South Australia’s most popular tourist attractions, Adelaide’s 16 hectare Botanic Gardens are home to special collections, rare plants and heritage buildings. Located just a short walk from Adelaide city centre, the gardens are open daily until sunset and free guided tours are available on selected days. There is a world-famous conservatory which recreates a tropical rainforest environment.

National Wine Centre of Australia: Located within Adelaide’s Botanic Garden, this must-see for any wine lover is one of only three wine centres in the world and represents Australia’s 62 wine regions. Opened in 2001, it aims to provide a complete wine experience for visitors to Adelaide keen to learn more about Australia’s booming wine industry. Adelaide was an obvious choice of venue for the national centre as around half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia. A range of courses and wine tasting sessions are available for visitors.

Adelaide Festival Centre: Opened in 1973 this groundbreaking arts centre has hosted no end of cultural events over the years and attracts millions of visitors to its performances. Backstage tours are available. It also boasts a fantastic riverside setting on the Torrens River, where free concerts are often performed.

Adelaide Central Market: established around 140 years ago, has the largest selection of international cuisine in Adelaide, and is the largest undercover market in Australia. It also offers some of the best value for money as well as the best Coffee in Adelaide! This is a great place to visit if you are self-catering in Adelaide. Central Market is open on Tuesdays and from Thursday to Saturday. Guided walks are available.


Adelaide Oval and the Bradman Collection: Cricket lovers will be spoilt for choice in Adelaide! The Adelaide Oval has been described as the world’s most picturesque cricket ground, and has a history going back over 100 years. Visitors to Adelaide can both tour the ground and visit the museum. The Bradman Collection is located within the State Library of South Australia and features over 100 personal and professional items of cricketing memorabilia and is a tribute to Sir Donald Bradman, Australia’s great cricketing hero.

Art Gallery of South Australia: This is one of Australia’s oldest art collections and as well as housing many Australian pieces it also has the largest collection of Rodin sculptures in the Southern Hemisphere.

Rundle Mall: This is Adelaide’s main shopping area and Australia’s first pedestrian mall. More than just a shopping centre (though of course it does have department stores, speciality shops and exclusive boutiques), Rundle Mall features sculptures, artwork and street performances.

South Australian Museum: this Adelaide landmark is primarily a natural history museum, but also features fascinating artefacts reflecting the lifestyles of the Aborginal people, including a display of the Ngarrindjeri people of the lower Murray and Coorong.

Glenelg: Adelaide’s most popular seaside resort, and South Australia’s favourite holiday destination, Glenelg is just a 20 minute tram ride from Adelaide city centre. It is home to some great cafes and restaurants, as well as pristine white sandy beaches. From Glenelg it is possible to take a cruise out to view, or even swim with the common and bottlenose dolphins – an experience not to be missed.

Winery Tours: You don’t need to travel far out of Adelaide to visit one of Australia’s most famous historic wineries. Penfolds Magill Estate is just 15 minutes from central Adelaide and here you can take a tour of the winery and taste the renowned Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz.

Accommodation in Adelaide

There is plenty of variety when it comes to hotels in Adelaide. The city boasts its share of high class five star hotels such as the Hilton, the Hyatt and others. What also makes Adelaide unique is the opportunity to sample 4 and 5 star Bed and Breakfast Style accom in several heritage listed properties in North Adelaide. There is also plenty of self catering accommodation in Adelaide, as well as hostels, motels and campsites. Contact your travel agent for the best deals on hotel and apartment accommodation in Adelaide.

Eating Out in Adelaide

Dining Out in Adelaide is an attraction in its own right and the city boasts in excess of 700 restaurants, catering for every taste and budget. Given than around one quarter of Adelaide’s population were born overseas (2001 Census), with the largest groups coming from the UK, Greece, Italy and Vietnam, international cuisine is high on the menu! Thanks to the Greek and Italian population, Adelaide does have a Mediterranean feel to it, and pavement alfresco café culture is vibrant and popular, amongst the locals and visitors alike.

Some of Adelaide’s top restaurants are to be found within the five star hotels, such as The Grange at the Adelaide Hilton, and The Treasury at the Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury Hotel. Top ranking restaurants are also located within some of the wineries – the Magill Estate, part of Penfolds, is one of South Australia’s top three iconic restaurants and overlooks the Grange Vineyard. Notable amongst Adelaide’s other top restaurants is Red Ochre, well known for its innovative “bushtucker” menu.

Some of Adelaide’s better known restaurants are to be found on Rundle, Hindley and Gouger Streets: The Eat Streets of Adelaide. On Rundle Street, choose from Italian, Thai. Egyptian, Greek, Indian or vegetarian or visit two of Adelaide’s most popular pubs, The Austral and The Exeter; Hindley Street is Adelaide’s late night party strip, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from; Gouger Street is home to a number of Asian, South American and seafood restaurants.


For late night eats the Balfours’ and Cowleys’ Pie Carts are an Adelaide tradition, operating in the city since 1915, providing late night party-goers with the legendary Adelaide “pie floaters” – hot meat pies with tomato sauce in a bowl of hot green pea soup!

Getting around in Adelaide

Public transport in Adelaide is both reasonably priced and efficient, and includes buses, trains and the Glenelg tram. Visitors to Adelaide are probably best off getting a Daytrip ticket which offers unlimited travel for a whole day. An alternative method is the cycle around Adelaide, and the City Bike scheme offers two hours’ free bike hire within Adelaide’s city limits. Adelaide is a bike-friendly city with cycle tracks on many of the main routes through the city.

You should also look out for the Adelaide Free Buses – the 99B and 99C. These bright yellow buses travel the main streets and go to the main attractions in the city. Or the Adelaide City Council also provide a free bus service, the Adelaide Connector, this loop service operates 7 days, except public holidays, and will take you to around Adelaide and North Adelaide