Adelaide, the laid-back capital of South Australia, is a world away from the urban powerhouses of Melbourne and Sydney. The only one of Australia’s state capitals to be founded by free settlers, Adelaide retains its independent spirit to this day, and it feels more like an oversized village than the country’s fifth most populated city. With its Victorian architecture, picturesque waterfront, burgeoning art scene, and myriad other things to do, Adelaide is a city-break destination in its own right—but for many travelers it's also home base for day trips to the vineyards of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, Murray River, Kangaroo Island, and Fleurieu Peninsula.
Adelaide’s flagship event is The Adelaide Fringe, which helps summer wind down with four weeks of festivities from mid-February through March. The fun continues through fall, with the Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide in March and Tasting Australia in early May all pulling in big crowds. March, April and May are also the ideal time for wine tasting amid the vineyards as the grape harvest gives way to colorful fall foliage and sunshine through the Adelaide Hills.
Downtown Adelaide is easily explored on foot, but you can also hop on the free CityConnector buses (99A and 99C), which loop around the central attractions. Taxis can be pricey, so opt for public transport if you need to head further afield—a metroCARD Visitor Pass offers unlimited travel on the city’s trains, trams, and buses. Renting a car or joining a tour is the most convenient option for visiting the vineyards of Barossa and McLaren Vale.
By Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the National Wine Centre is where you can sip and savor more than 120 Australian wines—it’s the next best thing for wine lovers who can’t make it out to the vineyards. Foodies looking to escape the crowds of the Central Market will find an eclectic range of world cuisines on offer along Gouger and Rundle streets.
The South Australian capital is known for its diverse foodie scene, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and its annual international arts festival—the Adelaide Festival. The city is also surrounded by renowned wine regions, including the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, and McLaren Vale, and wine tasting tours are hugely popular.
...MoreEnjoy a walking tour of the atmospheric laneways, browse the shops at Rundle Mall, and dive into Adelaide’s foodie scene at the Central Market. After lunch, visit the Art Gallery of South Australia, enjoy wine tasting at a local winery, then soak up the nightlife in the West End.
...MoreAdelaide’s Central Business District is the most popular place to stay for visitors, with a range of budget to luxury accommodation within walking distance of all the sights. Alternatively, stay by the beach in Glenelg, West Beach, or Semaphore, or near the wineries of the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, or McLaren Vale.
...MoreAdelaide’s most popular event is the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe Festival, which draws huge crowds to the city each March. Other popular attractions include Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide Botanic Garden, and the Art Gallery of South Australia, as well as the nearby wine regions of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
...MoreMany of Adelaide’s museums offer free admission, including the South Australian Museum, Migration Museum, and Art Gallery of South Australia. You can also admire the city’s street art, stroll around Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the Central Market, hit the beach, or enjoy a walk in the Adelaide Hills.
...MoreAdelaide lies between the countryside and the coast, so it’s easy to spend a day at the beach, enjoy a coastal walk or bike ride, or join a wine tasting tour in the Barossa Valley or Adelaide Hills. There are also sightseeing cruises on the Torrens River and dolphin-watching cruises from Glenelg.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 40 |
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Number of Tours | 268 |
Number of Reviews | 7,909 |
Currency | AUD |
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