Adelaide

Adelaide


This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.

Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:

1. Hit the eat streets


Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.

2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks


Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.

3. Head for the coast


Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.

4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage


Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.

5. Escape to the hills


Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.

Kangaroo Island

Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,

sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.

Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one

of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value

of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development

and conservation.

Warrnambool

In the words of one tourist operator "If Warrnambool was 5 degrees warmer there would be a million people living here!" The cities natural attractions of wide sandy beaches two major rivers and surrounded by some of Australia's most fertile country have helped create a bustling coastal city with a strong economy and vibrant social structure. Despite its size in comparison with surrounding towns, Warrnambool has managed to retain its country friendliness.

Naracoorte

Naracoorte, located on the Limestone Coast, was first discovered by Scottish explorers in 1845. Years later, a government settlement was established. For decades, agriculture has become its economic industry with tourism on its tail. Today, South Australia’s only World Heritage Site, the Naracoorte Cave National Park is attracting numerous tourists seasonally. This 800,000 year old site contains 28 caves and is a death trap for many important fossils found there today.