Adelaide, capital of South Australia, is gracious, spacious and green and its central square mile ringed by protective parklands.
Stroll along North Terrace, an elegant boulevard, where you'll find a number of grand old buildings such as Parliament House, Government House and Old Parliament House. Visit the Bradman Collection in The Institute Building for the story behind one of Australia's most famous sporting heroes. Further along is the Art Gallery of South Australia which houses the state's collection of Australian, European and Asian art. Next stop, the South Australian Museum for an insight into the state's natural, geological and anthropological history. Of particular importance are its ethnographic collections of Australian Aboriginal and early Pacific cultures. The Botanic Gardens are home to subtropical and Mediterranean plant species as well as a collection of fine heritage buildings. Here too is one of the largest conservatories in the southern hemisphere with a spectacular display of tropical rainforest plants including orchids, palms and ferns. Nearby is The National Aboriginal Cultural Institute - Tandanya. It is a museum and venue for fostering and developing Aboriginal art, culture, visual and performing arts. Authentic arts and crafts are on sale. Exhibitions are changed regularly with special programs designed and developed for school holidays.
A short ride on the free City Loop bus service will bring you to Adelaide's Central Markets. Here you may indulge your senses with a stunning range of fresh produce from South Australia and beyond. Neighbouring Gouger Street offers cuisine from around the world. Chinatown is located in the heart of this precinct with an eye-catching gateway and lanterns beckoning shoppers and diners alike. Further afield is The JamFactory Craft and Design Centre. In addition to its two galleries and two superb retail shops, the JamFactory has four training workshops involving glass, ceramic, metal and furniture design. Guided tours are available on request.
In the way of wildlife, there is Adelaide Zoo, which has more than 1,500 native and exotic mammals, birds and reptiles.
Ride the famous Glenelg Tram from the centre of Adelaide to the seaside suburb of Glenelg. Wide, white beaches, stately homes and a vibrant shopping and eating district will greet you on arrival. Light's Vision on Montefiore Hill, so named after the city's founding planner, offers splendid views across the parklands, over the River Torrens and the city centre. Spend some time in North Adelaide, an attractive area of beautifully restored bluestone cottages, grand homes, old hotels, lacework balconies and verandahs, antique shops and art galleries.
After dark activities largely involve Adelaide's heralded pubs. Many have been restored to their past glory and now offer a diverse selection of food, wine and ales - in particular the famous, family-owned Coopers. The Casino, housed in a classic 1929 sandstone building, offers full gaming facilities, nightly entertainment and an excellent restaurant.
The nearby Adelaide Festival Centre is a contemporary performing arts complex with five theatres used for dance, music, drama, opera, mime and film as well as conventions and trade shows. It is venue for the biennial Adelaide Festival, the largest festival of its kind in Australia.
No visit to Adelaide is complete without a trip to the Adelaide Hills. Tumbling green countryside, great forests and reservoirs, orchards and market gardens, walking and riding trails, historic townships and a warm welcome greet your arrival. Festival, country shows and special events add colour and atmosphere to this stunning and hospitable region. Only 25 minutes drive from Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills offer something for everyone all year round. Mount Lofty, Marble Hill, the Torrens Gorge, Onkaparinga Valley, Hahndorf, Mount Barker, Clarendon and the Kuitpo Forest, just to name a few, are all within easy reach of your Adelaide hotel.
Adelaide prides itself on providing the finer things in life - from fabulous restaurants to world class wines. Home of over a million people, cafe society, designer shopping and a vibrant nightlife, Adelaide is what a city is meant to be. Framed by parklands, hills and sea, its green, wide and welcoming. |
