ADELAIDE THE CITY OF FESTIVALS GUIDE

Adelaide surely is one of the most charming cities in Australia that it occupies the country`s only region with four distinct seasons. Spreading along the banks of the picturesque River Torrens, with the blue haze of the Adelaide Hills in the background and the refreshing Southern Ocean breeze, Adelaide is a perfect combination of the traditional European way of living and the Australian beach lifestyle.  

THE MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST IN ADELAIDE

CITY CENTRE

The CBD of Adelaide is fairly compact and easy to explore on foot. All history and architecture lovers will surely appreciate the King William Street and the tree-lined North Terrace. They are beautiful examples of the Italian Renaissance style. The neo-gothic Anglican St Peter`s Cathedral and the gothic St Francis Xavier Cathedral are both gorgeous churches with stain glass and sculptures.

Parliament House and Adelaide Town Hall are landmarks of the city with gorgeous decorations and frequent events. Victoria Square provides nice sheltered green space with a fountain and pretty promenade, and it is particularly delightful by night. A good idea is also to take a stroll down the campus of the University of Adelaide and appreciate the historical value of the complex.

The famous Adelaide Oval has become one of the major attractions of the city centre, hosting tours and functions. Adelaide Gaol is a popular place where to take children so they can see how prisoners used to live back in the days.

MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES

South Australian Museum is a 5-storey building dedicated to the country`s history and Aboriginal heritage. The Migration Museum has some excellent displays of immigration and diverse culture in the region. The Art Gallery of South Australia accommodates an extensive collection of the national and indigenous artworks. Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute is another art museum of the Aboriginal culture.

Visitors can find more than 100 historical exhibits in the National Railway Museum, learn more about the nautical history in the South Australian Maritime Museum and fascinating aircraft engines in the South Australian Aviation Museum. Besides, there are modern and innovative museums open to the public, including the creative Samstag Museum or Museum of Science and Technology.

The State Library of South Australia is a great place to spend an afternoon and to learn about the migration history of South Australia; it holds a wide collection of documents from pre-European settlement to the present day, both printed and audiovisual.

ENTERTAINMENT

Adelaide Casino, the queen of Adelaide`s nightlife, should not be skipped; table-gaming, fine dining, and live entertainment are open to public 24/7.

South Australia is home to the best wines in the country, and it definitely is a perfect place for gourmets and wine lovers. National Wine Centre of Australia runs various events and functions where regional winemakers are showcased, and the visitors get to try some of the finest wines and gourmet food in Australia.

Adelaide Festival Centre is a famous multi-purpose arts centre, older than the Sydney Opera House. It consists of several theatres and playhouses, amphitheatre and a gallery. Most of the cultural, musical and performing art events and festivals are held in the centre and free concerts in summer.

Greenhills Adventure, Mega Adventure Park, the Semaphore Waterslide Complex and the Beachhouse are popular amusement domains with lots of attractions to offer for both families and young people.

SHOPPING

Those who fancy having a shopping spree there are lots of choices. The Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest fresh produce markets in Australia with fabulous food and amazing ambience. The nearby Gouger Street truly is a mecca for the gourmets with the greatest concentration of restaurants, taverns and street food that offer food from all around the world.  

Rundle Mall is not only the favourite meeting venue but also the best shopping mall in Adelaide. Having been opened since 1976, it is a historic building and a lovely pedestrian street mall with a dazzling vibe. Budget shopping and good food can be found in the Harbour Town Shopping Centre.

CULTURAL EVENTS

The ‘Festival City’ is home to countless events. Whether you visit small local fairs or large international festivals, there is always something going on. The most famous is the world`s major celebration of the arts – the Adelaide Festival of Arts.

Since 1960, this phenomenal event has been taking place each year in March, and there is opera, theatre, literature, dancing, classical and modern music performances, cabaret and also visual art and media. 

Other popular cultural events are Womadalaide Art, Adelaide Cup, Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Royal Adelaide Show, Adelaide Flower and Garden Show, Adelaide Multicultural Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Jazz Festival, Royal Adelaide Wine Festival, International Horse Trials, The Lights of Lobethal and Glenelg Pageant Street Parade.

ADELAIDE PARKLANDS

The Adelaide Parklands are spanning over 76 hectares of the banks of the Torrens River. The area comprises 27 individual parks, including playgrounds, botanic gardens, zoo, exercise, sports, relaxation and recreation grounds, but also several historic sites.

Park 11 are both wonderful picnic spots with large green areas for ball sports. Bonython Park is an interesting wetland reserve with cycling and walking tracks, playground, and kiosk. The Adelaide Zoo is popular with families, and it is a perfect place to learn about the Australian fauna while wandering through a green oasis.

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens is a large verdant domain with restaurants and cafes and abundant displays of different plants and flowers. Himeji Japanese Gardens are ideal for some unwinding time or an afternoon coffee by the lake.

COASTAL ADELAIDE

The western outskirts and residential areas of Adelaide are stretching along the more than 100 kilometres, from Port Adelaide to Cape Jervis – the getaway to the famed Kangaroo Island.

Sitting on the flat shores of the calm St Vincent Gulf, the coastline of Adelaide is defined by long sandy stretches, inlets, and rivers. Sheltered from southerly winds, the beaches are ideal for cyclists, runners and dog walkers, swimmers and people seeking for quiet time. Semaphore Beach, West Lakes Beach, Henley Beach, West Beach and Glenelg Beach are the main swimming, water sport and recreational areas with brilliant facilities.

Glenelg is the most popular beach resort in Adelaide with various attractions, and it is home to the oldest settlement in South Australia, established by the Europeans in 1836.v The major point of interest if the Bay Tram that connects the CBD with Glenelg Beach. Visitors will find many restaurants, a beach promenade with a pier and grand hotels, old beachside villas but also modern high-rise apartments at Glenelg Marina.

GREATER ADELAIDE

The eastern edges of Adelaide are fringed by the Adelaide Hills, which eventually lead to the legendary Barossa Valley. The region is known for its cool-climate wines and the great German heritage.

Particularly, Lobethal and the leafy Hahndorf are both romantic German villages with all one would imagine a small country village in Germany to be: old beer houses, cosy wine gardens, art galleries, antiques and handicraft shops, cheerful atmosphere and rustic environment. The German villages are especially picturesque in summer, during the Lobethal Christmas Lights Festival. 

South of Adelaide, just one hour drive from the city, there is a great nature-based attraction to discover – Kangaroo Island. Already the name of the island reveals the features of the place; abundant wildlife and marine life will greet the visitors. Kangaroo Island is not only a day-trip destination for tourists but also an outstanding holiday destination for the locals.

WHEN TO TRAVEL

Adelaide is an attractive city to visit all year round – it solely depends on what one enjoys most.

• Late summer (Feb-Apr) is a great time to travel for nice weather and cultural events
• Autumn (May-Jun) is a sensational season for exploring the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley as the vineyards turn into a kaleidoscope of warm colours
• Winter (July-Sep) might get a little less appealing due to frequent rainfall and chilly days
• Spring (Oct-Nov) is a beautiful time for all outdoor activities and fewer crowds

HOW TO GET THERE

For all flights go to www.scycanner.com or www.momondo.com