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Adelaide

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Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia.

Understand[edit]

The River Torrens passing near the University of Adelaide

In Adelaide, you can enjoy stylish architecture, boutique shopping, sandy swimming beaches, fabulous arts events, nightlife, fine dining, and some of Australia's best café strips. Population is about 1.3 million, which makes it Australia's fifth largest city and by far the largest city in the otherwise sparsely populated state.

Adelaide is centrally located among the wine regions of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, all of which are within day-trip distance.

Unlike the other state capitals of Australia, Adelaide has never been a convict settlement, and was settled entirely by free settlers since its founding.

Get in[edit]

By car[edit]

Adelaide is at least a 1 day drive away from any capital cities on the Australian east coast. The shortest route from Adelaide to Melbourne takes 8-9h. Roads are all paved, and there are some freeway sections, but it is mostly 2 lane roads of reasonable quality.

  • Sydney to Adelaide is 1,422km (884mi) via Wagga Wagga and Mildura (National Highway 20). The road through Wagga will save you some hours due to freeway conditions for most of the way from Sydney to Wagga. Via Broken Hill (National Highway 32), Sydney to Adelaide is 1,659km (1,031mi) .
  • Brisbane to Adelaide is 2,031km (1,262mi) via Broken Hill

By plane[edit]

Adelaide International Airport (IATA: ADL) is around 7km (4mi) to the west of the city centre. West Beach, an excellent swimming beach with plenty of accommodation is located only 4km (2.5mi) away.

Adelaide's airport has scheduled international services. Air New Zealand via Auckland is particularly useful for flights to and from the Americas and the Pacific Islands. Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is generally useful for flights to and from both East Asia and Europe -although this service also ceased during the pandemic. Malaysia Airlines and Singapore airlines via Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are useful for flights to and from South East Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe - and continued, at reduced frequencies, throughout the pandemic. Qatar also offer flights direct to Doha on the new A350 XWB aircraft, and from there connecting to much of Europe and the Middle East. In addition, domestic flights to Sydney and Melbourne are useful for connections to the Americas, while domestic flights to Perth are useful for connections to Africa.

Adelaide had long been the only state capital without international flights provided by Qantas, following the cessation of a previous route to Singapore (continued by Singapore Air), Melbourne - Adelaide - Delhi flights by Qantas begin in December 2021.

Domestic services and connections are available to many major Australian cities and regional centres. Budget airlines Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tigerair offer the cheapest domestic airfares. Adelaide is also provided with scheduled services by Qantas and REX - regional airlines. Regional services and operations are provided by Regional Express Airlines (Rex), Alliance Airlines, and Qantaslink flights.

There is only a single terminal for international and domestic departures so transfers are relatively seamless.

The airport has ATMs, currency change, food, shopping and lockers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.

Between the airport and the city[edit]

JetBuses J1, J1A, J1X and J3 link the airport with the city, operating every 15 minutes throughout the day. A ticket costs $5.10 during peak, $3.30 off-peak and includes unlimited transfers within a 2h period. Alternatively you can buy a 3 day Visitor Pass with unlimited travel for $26.60. The city centre can be reached from the airport in 15-25min.

Taxis are available outside the terminal, at around $16-20 to the city centre. An extra $3 is added to fares starting at the airport.

Rental cars are available. Major national renters are represented in kiosks at the terminal.

By train[edit]

Great Southern Rail runs long distance tourist train services, The Ghan runs to Alice Springs and Darwin, The Overland, runs to Melbourne, and the Indian Pacific runs to Perth, Broken Hill and Sydney. The The Ghan and Indian Pacific services are train experiences, more like a cruise on rails than a plain transport service, offering sleeper cabins, dining, off-train excursions and the opportunity to take your car with you on the train. However, they take considerably longer and invariably cost more than the journey by bus or plane - a minimum of $800 up to $2500 depending on class of service.

The Overland service to Melbourne is a regular seated day train and while it still takes over 10 hours, the fares can be cheaper than or of comparable price with air fares - starting at $99 each way (red standard class advance purchase). The trains stop at intermediate stops which may not be serviced by air connections. Note that the rest of the train services are very infrequent - running only once or twice per week so you should plan well in advance!

V/Line runs a daily combined bus/train journey to Adelaide from Melbourne. You can connect from NSW TrainLink trains to V/Line buses at Albury or Benalla.

By bus[edit]

Greyhound Australia run services to Adelaide from Sydney, Melbourne and Alice Springs.

Firefly runs two services per day to Melbourne with WiFi and USB charging

Get around[edit]

Adelaide as seen from Green Hill

Public transport[edit]

Accurate transit directions can be obtained through Google Maps. To navigate around, just enter your "to" address and "from" address (or use current location) on your device (including iPhone, Android), then select the public transport icon.

Ticketing[edit]

Metropolitan train, tram and bus services are contracted out by the State Government under the unified brand name Adelaide Metro and use a unified ticketing system, "Metroticket". The Adelaide Metro website or the Passenger Transport InfoCentre (Adelaide Railway Station, 125 North Terrace, Adelaide CBD) is the place to visit for timetable and route information.

A key point for ticketing in Adelaide is that the vast majority of tickets and fares allow the passenger to move freely around the transport network for at least 2 hours. No validations are permitted after 2 hours but the passenger is allowed to remain on the current vehicle if their ticket has already been validated before the 2 hour limit.

The off-peak period in Adelaide is between 9:01am and 3:00pm on weekdays, Sundays and all public holidays. Tickets are approximately 30% cheaper during this time.

There are several options for purchasing tickets:

  • Single trip tickets ($5.40 for adults ($3.50 in off-peak)) allow the passenger to move freely around the transport network for 2 hrs. If traveling often, it is cheaper to use a stored value Metrocard (below).
  • A $10.20 daytrip ticket is available, allowing unlimited travel within the Adelaide Metro area for an entire day. If travelling for 3 days, it may be more economical to purchase a 3 day visitors pass (below).
  • There is a 3 day visitors pass available for $26.60, allowing unlimited travel on the Adelaide Metro network for 3 days. A map and a travel guide is included. If you wish to continue using the ticket beyond the 3 days, more Metrocard credit can be purchased.

Single Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines on board trains (coins or card) and trams (coins or card), and from some bus interchanges (Tea Tree Plaza, Klemzig, Paradise). A small number of stations (Adelaide, Gawler, Noarlunga Centre, Oaklands and Mawson Lakes), and a number of newsagents, corner stores and post offices sell & recharge the contactless, stored value Metrocard.

If using a Metrocard or visitors pass, you validate by touching against the reader when entering a bus, train or tram - just do what the locals do. Ensure that the light on the machine is green before proceeding. There is no need to touch off. Additionally, you need to validate to pass through the platform gates at Adelaide Railway Station (you still have to validate on the train after going through the barriers).

Buses[edit]

The Adelaide Metro bus system is quite comprehensive, and extends out to the Adelaide Hills in the east, down to Maclaren Vale in the south (although buses there are infrequent) and as far as Gawler in the north. It does not cover the Barossa Valley. Routes that may be useful for tourists include:

  • 864F to Crafers Park & Ride, then 823 to Cleland Wildlife Park and Mount Lofty Summit (from Currie Street in Adelaide CBD, limited services per day)
  • 751W or 753 (from Noarlunga Centre station) - to Maclaren Vale (limited services per day)
  • 117, 118, 150, 156, 232 - to Port Adelaide (different routes)

The free City Loop (#99C) bus runs M-F 07:40-18:00 every 15min, F 18:00-21:20 every 30min, Sa 08:00-17:00 every 30min and Su (and public holidays) 10:00-17:00 every 30min. It has clockwise and anticlockwise routes each with about 30 stops taking in all the major cultural and commercial centres, beginning at Victoria Square and including Adelaide Railway Station. The buses have ground-level access ramps.

Be warned that bus frequency declines sharply after 18:00, with hourly intervals being typical in the suburbs. All services cease operation around midnight, so check your timetables and expect to catch a taxi if required if you are out after this time. Very basic After Midnight bus services along limited routes operate hourly after midnight on Saturday nights.

Tram[edit]

A tram service runs from the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Hindmarsh, an inner north-western suburb, to the Adelaide CBD, travelling along North Terrace and King William Street, through the city and then onward to the south west terminating at the popular seaside suburb of Glenelg. You can park in the Entertainment Centre carpark and take the tram into the city, which is more convenient than finding parking within the city itself. Stops within the city centre include Adelaide Railway Station, Rundle Mall and Victoria Square. Tram travel from South Terrace, through the CBD to the Northern Terminus of the line is free., as is travel confined to Jetty Road in Glenelg. Otherwise the standard ticket system applies and the whole trip takes about 30 min. Tickets may be bought in advance or purchased from a ticket machine on the tram (card or coins).

Train[edit]

The Adelaide Metro train system has four main lines, with two additional branch lines:

  • The Gawler Line, to Gawler Central, about an hour north of the city.
  • The Outer Harbor Line, which goes up the Le Fevre Peninsula in the north-west of the city via Port Adelaide. A branch extends off this line to the beachside suburb of Grange.
  • The Seaford Line, formerly the Noarlunga Line, which now extends through Noarlunga Centre to Seaford, in the far south of the city, via the beachside suburb of Brighton. A short branch extends off this line to the suburb of Tonsley (which only operates Mon-Fri during business hours and peak hours, except during the AFL season when additional dedicated Footy Express trains run on game day, on all lines).
  • The Belair Line which extends to Belair in the foothills of the Adelaide Hills to the south-east of the city.

Visitors may find the Outer Harbor line useful to get to Port Adelaide. Although the station is about 0.5 km (0.3 mi) south of the port area, but is an easy walk up Commercial Road. The Belair Line is useful to access Belair National Park, and the Seaford Line provides access the seaside suburbs of Brighton and Hallett Cove. Some of the larger shopping centres are close to stations. Westfield Marion shopping centre is very close to Oaklands Railway Station, while Noarlunga Centre is next to Colonnades.

By foot[edit]

The city centre is compact and can be easily covered on foot. Most attractions are centered around the blocks between North Terrace and Victoria Square on either side of King William Street.

By taxi[edit]

Taxis are provided by several companies and can be hailed on the street or arranged by phone. There is a common rate of flagfall and a per-distance/time charge, both of which are increased at night and on weekends. Uber also operates its service in Adelaide, which was legalised in mid-2017.

A taxi fare from the airport to the city will cost between $22 and $28 on weekends and peak periods and between $20 and $25 on weekdays. There is an extra $1 levy on all fares and $3 if the fare starts at the airport.

By bicycle[edit]

NGO "Bicycle SA" provides a range of bicycle services, including free-to-use tourist bikes, from its offices in Currie Street, next to the Adelaide Central Bus Station. ☎ +61 8 8168-9999. Bicycles can be hired, with the deposit of a driving licence or other ID, for the entire day for free, but must be returned before 16:30 or a $25 fee is payable. Arrangements can be made for bicycles to be hired overnight. This service closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with no date set for its return.

A popular ride is to ride from the city centre along the Torrens out to West Beach, then down to Glenelg and back. You cannot take your bike on the Glenelg Tram or any bus, even outside peak hour, however you can take them on trains. An alternative to taking the tram back from Glenelg is to ride a further 20min south along the coast to Brighton Station on the Noarlunga Centre Line where there are reasonably frequent trains back to Adelaide.

By car[edit]

Although the city centre is easily walked or travelled by public transport, as Adelaide's public transportation network is limited and infrequent outside the city centre and the major transport hubs (like Glenelg), renting a car is the most practical way of getting around Adelaide, particularly if you want to head into the suburbs. All the big international companies such as Redspot, Avis, Hertz have an office at Adelaide airport and there are also depots in the central city area.

Pay attention to speed limits. The default metropolitan speed limit, which applies in the absence of any signs in built-up areas, is 50km/hr. The default rural speed limit, which applies in the absence of any signs, is 80km/hr. Although rare, some suburban streets are 40km/hr. Main roads in the inner-city are usually sign posted to 50 or 60km/hr. A few road corridors are 80 to 90km/hr, and most freeways are 110km/hr, including most outback roads outside the city. On multi-lane roads above 80km/h, keep on the left unless overtaking. Vehicles on multi-lane highways will often drive above the speed limit in the rightmost lane, up to around 130km/h, especially on the Northern Expressway.

By e-scooter[edit]

There are two e-scooter rental companies operating in the main Adelaide area, Neuron (orange scooters) and Beam (purple scooters). They are activated by scanning with an app, prices vary and some have promotions for cheaper or free rides, so it's worth searching for any active deals while you're there. You legally must wear the provided helmets while riding, and cannot ride scooters into restricted areas (such as Rundle Mall) or outside of the Adelaide area. Personally owned e-scooters are not legal to ride and police may fine you for using them. A map of the operating area of these scooters can be found on the City of Adelaide website.

See[edit]

Glenelg Town Hall
The pier at Glenelg Beach
  • Glenelg, the historic beachside suburb of Glenelg has a jetty, the Grand hotel and many restaurants and cafes, both down the highsstreet as well as inthe upmarket marina complex. Visit the historic tram carriage maintained near Wrigley reserve for a taste of Glenelg's transport history.
  • Adelaide Oval, War Memorial Drive, +61 8 8211 1100, [x]. The rebirth of the state-of-the-art Adelaide Oval has been a major success story for a footy mad city which has seen a multi-million dollar makeover in recent years, the oval is a famous historic ground usually hosting cricket matches throughout the Australian summer. When the games are not been played visitors can visit the venue's museum or take tours, dine at the "Hill of Grace" restaurant, the only restaurant within a stadium complex in Australia with view of the oval and surrounding grounds. Adelaide Oval also play hosts to a number of other major functions/events/concerts with big name acts like "The Rolling Stones" and "AD/DC" in late 2015*. The iconic oval can be reach via a short walking distance from Adelaide's CBD on a new foot bridge which links from the Festival Centre crossing the River Torrens to the oval, public transport and a large number of taxi services operate regularly throughout the year to the oval.
  • Montefiore Hill, in North Adelaide provides a spectacular view of the city, especially at night. Views have been obstructed somewhat by the 2012-2013 redevelopment of Adelaide Oval.
  • Adelaide Hills, including the Mt Lofty Summit provides spectacular views of the Adelaide plains, Adelaide metropolitan area, Adelaide CBD, Glenelg and surrounding areas. There is a moderately priced restaurant at the Mt. Lofty summit and a souvenir shop which offers tourist information. The summit cannot be accessed by vehicle between late evening and early morning hours, however the lookout is still accessible by foot.
  • Other lookouts include Windy Point along Belair Road, and Skye at the end of Kensington Rd.
  • Hahndorf, originally a German settlement, this a small town that plays on their German heritage. It is a short drive up the freeway, attractions include a small chocolate factory, the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm (where you can pick your own strawberries for very reasonable prices), the home of noted Australian landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen, parks with barbeque facilities and a playground plus many small stores selling all manner of tourist-centric products. Can be very busy on weekends. Regular public bus services take 45 minutes to get there from Adelaide.
  • North Terrace, will take you past the Casino (Railway Station below), Parliament House, Government House, the State Library, Museum and Migration Museum (both free entry), Art Gallery (free entry), Adelaide University, University of South Australia, Ayers House (former home of Henry Ayers), Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Botanic Gardens. It is an attractive tree lined boulevard in a South Australian colonial tradition.
  • Catch an O-Bahn bus out to the North East suburban shopping centre of Tea Tree Plaza. The O-Bahn is a 12 km (7.5 mi) long guided bus way, where special street buses run on guided tracks at up to 100 km/h. It uses the unified metroticket system mentioned above.
  • Rundle Lantern light display, Cnr Rundle St and Pultney St. See the Rundle Lantern light display. From dusk to midnight every night with 750 light panels.
  • Port Adelaide, Adelaide's historic harbour town with many historical buildings, pubs, boat cruises and dolphin watching.
  • Southern Beaches, Picturesque Beaches between Christies Beach to Sellicks Beach. Some patrolled and safe for swimming. Many coastal walking trails. Beach Road at Christies Beach has Cafes. Restaurants and Jetty at Port Noarlunga, with snorkelling of the rocky reef wall possible. Onkaparinga River mouth at Port Noarlunga South. Cliff top walks and lookouts. Able to be seen in the same day as visiting McLaren Vale Wine region, by car.
  • Adelaide Himeji Garden, Corner South Terrace and Glen Osmond Road Adelaide 5000, 8203 7483, [x]. 8am-530pm Dailay. Adelaide Himeji Gardens is a traditionally-styled Japanese garden, a gift from Adelaide's sister city, Himeji in 1982, the work of Japanese landscape designer Yoshitaka Kumada and many talented volunteers. Free.

Events[edit]

One of the best times of the year to visit is during "Mad March", when a multitude of festivals and events are held. These include (see details below) the Adelaide Fringe, the Clipsal 500 Car race, the Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide, The Adelaide Cup horse racing carnival and the touring Soundwave Future Music Festivals Groovin the Moo and Stereosonic Usually attended by the youth and young adults.

  • Tour Down Under, starts on the 3rd Tuesday of January. It is the inaugural event of the UCI World Ranking calendar, attracting many big name professional teams and is accompanied by community rides.
  • Clipsal 500, During mid-March, the Clipsal 500 supercar racing event is very popular, sporting massive street parties, huge concert line-ups and many fanatic Adelaidians.
  • Adelaide Fringe Festival. During late Feb-Mar, the Fringe Festival (second largest of its type in the world) and Festival of Arts bring the city alive with music, art, circus, comedy, theatre, dance and culture from throughout the globe. Both are large and very popular events visited by people from all over the world.
  • WOMAD, (World of Music Arts and Dance) is another hugely popular music festival now held every year in March. People come from all over Australia and overseas to be at this very special event. Adelaide at its very best. If you are planning on visiting Adelaide make sure to come at this time of the year for an unforgettable time when Adelaide is at its brightest.
  • Royal Adelaide Show. The state agricultural show, where country meets city, good for the cowboys, side-show alley as well as the show bags!

Museums and galleries[edit]

Adelaide from the Torrens
  • Adelaide Zoo (Adelaide and Monarto Zoo), Frome Rd. Daily 09:30-17:00 (including Christmas). The only place in Australia and one of only a few in the world to see giant pandas.
  • Migration Museum, Kintore Ave (Behind the State Library). Daily 10:00-17:00 but closed Good Friday and 25 Dec. Learn about the history of different migrants across the centuries and South Australia's heritage and present as a state of migrants.
  • Art Gallery of South Australia, North Terrace (Half way between Kintore Ave and Frome Rd, between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide), ☎ +61 8 8207 7000. Daily 10:00-17:00 but closed 25 Dec.
  • South Australian Museum, North Terrace (Next to the Art Gallery of South Australia). Daily 10:00-17:00 but closed Good Friday and 25 Dec. Many different exhibitions, for example South Australian biodiversity, animals, Antarctic explorers, ancient Egypt, Pacific cultures.
  • Port Adelaide Lighthouse, End of Commercial Road (Close to the harbour), +61 8 8270 6255. M-F 10:00-14:00, Su 10:00-17:00. Constructed in 1869 and originally located at the mouth of Port River, then on South Neptune Island. Part of the Maritime Museum since 1985. Free if you visit the Maritime Museum as well, otherwise $1.
  • Port Adelaide Train Museum (The National Railway Museum), 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide., +61 8 83411690 (). * <see name="Glenelg Museum & Bay Discovery Centre" alt="" address="Moseley Square" directions="" lat="" long="" phone="+61 8 8179 9508" tollfree="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="10:00-17:00" price="Free">Located in Gleneg's former town hall, a building from 1875. Exhibitions about Glenelg's history and the ecosystems of the region.
  • Gawler Museum, via Gawler train line.
  • South Australian Maritime Museum, 126 Lipson St, Port Adelaide. ☎+61 8 8207-6255. $8.50, concession $6.50, child $3.50, family $22 (2 adults & up to 5 children). Daily 10:00-17:00. Australia's oldest maritime museum. Learn all about ships and wrecks and Port Adelaide's dolphins in an atmospheric historical building.
  • National Motor Museum, Birdwood. Large automotive museum collection less than 1 hr drive from the city centre.
  • National Wine Centre, Cnr of Botanic and Hackney Rd, Hackney, +61 8 8303-3355 (, fax: +61 8 8303 7444), [x]. M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa-Su & public holidays 11:00-17:00. Tours & tastings 10:00-17:00.

National parks[edit]

A Koala at Cleland Conservation Park
  • Belair National Park is a national park of 835 ha, 11 km (7 mi) south of Adelaide City. Due to its history as a "Recreation Park" it has many good trails for bushwalking, as well as tennis courts and grassy areas available for hire, and a good adventure playground for children. Old Government House, the colony's first official Vice-regal summer residence, is located within the park. A vehicle entry fee applies to cars entering the park, or else its western parts can be accessed from the Belair line train, a 35 min journey from Adelaide city. Gates open 08:00-sunset, except 25 Dec.
  • Cleland Conservation Park [1] is a large National Park of 992 ha (2,450 a), located 20 min from Adelaide City. Although it lacks the picnic and sports facilities of Belair, Cleland offers greater opportunities for tourists to get up close and personal with Australian native fauna. Visitors can feed and wander at their leisure among kangaroos, wallabies, Emus and waterfowl. Displays of Dingoes, reptiles, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Echidnas and Koalas allow easy viewing access, or stroll through the aviaries. Visitors also have the rare opportunity to be photographed holding a Koala, under supervision from Parks and Wildlife Officers. There is also an Aboriginal cultural tour.
  • Morialta Conservation Park [2]is located 10 km (6 mi) north-east of the CBD, where the suburbs meet the Adelaide hills. It covers 533 ha (1,317 a), and contains numerous walking trails of various levels of difficulty, including trails that pass by three major waterfalls, and provide panoramic views over Adelaide itself. There is also a popular rock climbing area within the park. Note that the waterfalls only flow in the winter months, and are usually completely dry by Christmas.

Churches[edit]

Adelaide is called the City of Churches, although the locals say that there are definitely more pubs than churches!

Some of the interesting churches are:

  • Holy Trinity Church, 87 North Terrace (city centre), +61 8 8213 7300. South Australia's first Anglican church, the foundation stone was laid by the state's first governor, John Hindmarsh. Inaugurated in 1848.
  • St Francis Xavier Cathedral, 17 Wakefield St (Close to Victoria Sq), + 61 8 8232 8688, [x]. Built in the 1850s.
  • St Patrick's Church, 260 Grote St (West of city centre), [x]. Small white church from 1912, belongs to a Catholic college.
  • St Peter's Cathedral, 27 King William Rd (Close to North Parklands), +61 8 8267 4551, [x]. Constructed from 1869 to 1878. Cathedral shop.

Do[edit]

  • Haigh's Chocolate, Greenhill Rd, Unley Park. A factory tour. Haigh's was established in 1915 and is one of the best chocolate makers in Australia. 5 min from the CBD, the tour will give you a glimpse on how this fine chocolate is made and they give free samples. M-Sa at 11AM, 1PM and 2PM, free but bookings essential.
  • The Adelaide Casino, on North Terrace, adjoining the Festival and Convention Centres. Adelaide Casino is South Australia's only licensed Casino operated by Skycity, and offers not just great gaming and betting facilities but also offers two outstanding restaurants, cafes and bars, including the popular Sean's Kitchen, Madame Hanoi and Grandstand sports bar. Valet parking and cloak services are also available.
  • The Adelaide Botanic Gardens, are free to enter and are a worthwhile visit; the gardens are quiet and relaxing even though they're in the heart of the city. They contain many large grassed areas ideal for relaxing, and just outside the gardens are the city parklands where ball games and picnics can be held. There is a cafe in the gardens and a conservatory.
  • Elder Park & Torrens River, (North of the city centre). Tranquil and clean park, walk along the Torrens River and see its pretty bridges and black swans.
  • The Bicentennial Conservatory is free, and it is a worthwhile visit, simulating a tropical rainforest with mist falling from the roof. Be warned, it is warm and humid inside.
  • West Beach is ideal for family walks and swimming - it is close to both Glenelg and Henley Beach. At Henley Beach there is Henley square which hosts some 15 restaurants - an excellent dining venue. Beaches south of and including Semaphore are all excellent white sand beaches, some with public toilets and cold water showers/taps. If you want to 'wet a line' there are jetties at (suburban beaches, from north to south) Grange, Semaphore, Henley Beach, Glenelg, Brighton, Port Noarlunga, Moana Normanville and Second Valley.
  • Adelaide Oval, During the summer months get down to the Adelaide Oval for a cricket match. Australia plays host to a couple of touring nations each summer and they will play a few matches at this beautiful ground which is just minutes from the city centre. Tickets for internationals tend to be snapped up quickly, but domestic matches are frequent and equally exciting.
  • AFL, The local sport is Australian Rules Football. Home games for the local teams the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power are played at the newly refurbished Adelaide Oval on the outskirts of the city. Getting tickets shouldn't be a problem - check out the AFL website [3] for more details.
  • SANFL, Alternatively, the local footy league, the SANFL [4], has 5 games per weekend. Norwood Oval, home of the Redlegs [5], is situated on the Parade in Norwood which is home to a variety of restaurant, café and pub options for after the game. Other popular local football clubs include Port Adelaide Magpies at Alberton Oval (Port Adelaide), Sturt (Unley Oval), Woodville-West Torrens (Woodville Oval) and Central District in the northern parts of Adelaide.
  • Soccer/Association Football, increasingly popular in Australia, although certainly not yet at the level of Aussie Rules Football or (in other states) Rugby League. The local team in the national A-League is Adelaide United, who play home games at Cooper's Stadium also locally known as Hindmarsh Stadium with a capacity crowd of 16,500. Hindmarsh Stadium is a 200m walk along Crawford Lane from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Tram Terminus.
  • Coopers Brewery [6], the only remaining large family owned brewery in Australia, well known around the world for their bottle conditioned ales. Founded by Thomas Cooper in 1862, the Brewery is currently run fifth generation Tim and Glenn Cooper. Take a tour, all proceeds from the tours go to charity.
  • Format Collective, 15 Peel Street, Adelaide (Just off Hindley Street), [x]. A two story performance space with a permanent zine store. Hosts small art shows, some of the more experimental gigs, discussion panels and performance art. Much of this is concentrated in the yearly Format Festival which is on at the same time as the Fringe Festival and is considered a more experimental alternative, although there are things on all year round. Known for its hipsters, Japanese beer, and nostalgic games of four-square.
  • Marksman Indoor Firing Range, 163 Franklin Street ADELAIDE SA 5000, 8231 4888, [x]. Marksman's is a state of the art security training & indoor handgun range. It offers courses in security etc. But the main attraction for most people is the indoor firing range, available to the public. It offers many different shooting packages, as well as being very good value. The staff are friendly and it's good fun. Bookings are best made a few weeks prior.
  • Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, +61 8 8267 3255, [x]. 9:30 am- 5:00 pm. Is a wonderful Zoo in South Australia with many animals including Kangaroos, Koalas and Wallabies. There is the outside zoo, the bird aviary, the reptile house and the nocturnal house which includes even more native Australian animals such as Bilbies and many more. Child- $18.00, Adult- $31.50.
  • The Beachhouse, 4 Colley Terrace, Glenelg SA 5045, +61 82951511, [x]. See website - hours change - waterslides open only on weekends. A family amusement center, contains waterslides, arcade games (free to play with a timed pass), bumper boats, dodgems, mini-golf, a carousel, and an indoor playground. Aimed at kids and young teens, you can book sessions which give unlimited access to all attractions, including arcade games. Best for ages 7-15.
  • St Kilda Adventure Playground, 470 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda SA 5110 (Take the M2 or A1 North from Adelaide, follow signs to St Kilda. Google maps is advised as St Kilda is a very small town with it's main attraction being the playground.), +61 8406 8222, [x]. Open 24/7. Half an hour north of the city, the playground offers many attractions including a huge castle with slides and a draw bridge, a bouncy boomerang, flying fox, pirate ship, a large Volcano with multiple slides, a basketball court, swings and more. The playground also has toilets, barbecues, a drinking fountain and picnic facilities in addition to ample parking. Free.

Buy[edit]

Malls and shopping precincts[edit]

  • Rundle Mall, [7]. A pedestrian-only shopping strip, with many arcades and side streets coming off it. Runs parallel to North Terrace. Over 800 shops. Rundle Mall is a very popular meeting place for locals to catch up and shopping, other shopping districts within the CBD include Rundle Street (for boutique designer labels), Hindley Street (west end), O'Connell and Melbourne street (North Adelaide) and Adelaide Central Markets (off Victoria Square).
  • Tea Tree Plaza, [8] (TTP for short) is a medium-sized shopping centre with over 250 shops. Tea Tree Plaza is the terminus of the Adelaide O'Bahn dedicated busway which begins in the city centre at Hackney Rd. It is easy to get there from the city centre; most of the buses that stop on the Grenfell St stops travel to the TTP interchange [9] via the O'Bahn busway. It is easy to see from a distance as it has the large antenna and supporting pyramid type structure, well-known to the locals, on the roof of the Myer department store. Ample parking is available around, on top of, and underneath the complex. The much smaller Tea Tree Plus shopping centre is right next to Tea Tree Plaza.
  • Westfield Marion Shopping Centre, [10]. Adelaide's largest shopping centre with over 400 shops which major government, medical, community and leisures services. Marion is one of one Australia's largest shopping centres. There are buses [11] direct from the city centre.
  • Westfield West Lakes Shopping Centre, [12]. Located in the heart of western suburbs of Adelaide is another large popular shopping and leisure precinct along side the old Football Park, buses with regular services connect visitors to West Lakes and it's nearby area contact Adelaide Metro for further information.
  • Harbour Town, [13]. Mid sized mall currently undergoing an expansion, featuring outlet shopping, situated up against the western edge of the Adelaide Airport. Only a short bus ride from the Airport, and 30 min from the city centre.
  • Colonnades, [14]. Major Shopping Mall in the southern suburb, Noarlunga. Easy train ride straight to Noarlunga Centre Interchange (train station), right next door. Free Wifi. Close to Library, Movie Cinema, Bowling Alley, Public Pool, Hospital and Doctor Clinics, and many many shops. Short walk down Beach Road via Cafes to Christies Beach.

Other major shopping and leisure precincts include ""Burnside Village"" on the affluent side of Adelaide's eastern suburbs, ""The Parade at Norwood"" five minutes east from CBD, ""Arndale Shopping Centre"" situated in the western surburb towards Port Adelaide. ""Elizabeth Shopping Centre/Munno Para"" in far northern area of Adelaide, ""Unley Road"" just of the city, its the other boutique shopping area of Adelaide and ""Mile End"" mainly selling homewares and industrial products just off the city towards Henley Beach and Adelaide Airport.

Buy food[edit]

  • The Central Market [15] offers fresh produce and a range of goods, with cheap multi-storey parking. Closed M Su. Btwn Grote and Gouger Sts, west of Victoria Sq.
  • Chinatown, a pedestrian-only area (Moonta St) adjacent to Central Market.
  • City East IGA the fine food store 116 Hutt St, ☎+61 8 8223 1112. Won best IGA Supermarket in SA for its amazing food range, including: Greek, Italian, Chinese and Indian.

Eat[edit]

Many restaurants in Adelaide allow "BYO". You can bring one or more bottles of wine to the restaurant and the staff will pour it for you and add a service charge to the bill, typically between about $8-20. Often this will work out cheaper than buying wine at the restaurant. Check beforehand with the restaurant. Making a reservation or group booking is considered polite and essential within Adelaide's pub and restaurant scene.

Adelaide[edit]

  • Gouger Street offers a wide range of tastes to suit many budgets in a variety of Asian, Italian and seafood restaurants as well as upmarket French, Argentinian and many other choices. From Friday to Sunday make sure to reserve a table to avoid disappointment. Gouger Street also incorporates Adelaide's "Chinatown Arch" which fronts a large number of budget eating options. As well as The Central Market, which on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings are buzzing with produce traders, sights and smells.
  • Hutt Street Offers a small variety of upmarket restaurants that please most tastes, and also has a wide variety of gourmet shops and supermarkets.
  • Rundle Street a large number of al fresco cafes and restaurants of varying budget and taste. It is the cultural hub of Adelaide and the equivalent of Melbourne's Chapel Street.

North Adelaide[edit]

  • An eclectic mix of small restaurants and cafes make Melbourne Street an interesting place to eat.
  • The variety of take-aways, pubs, cafes, bakeries and restaurants that line most of O'Connell Street means you won't be wanting.

Suburbs[edit]

  • The Parade, Norwood has a long stretch of shopping and cosmopolitian dining. Buses from the CBD numbering 122-124 or a very short taxi ride.
  • Jetty Road / Mosley Square, Glenelg has a variety of restaurants and pubs at the end of a 30 minute tram journey.
  • Stuart Road, Dulwich features two cafes, a licensed restaurant and a very good bakery. Catch the 145 or 146 from North Ter which heads along Fullarton Rd and up Dulwich Ave.
  • King William Road, Hyde Park is an upmarket strip of fashionable cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.
  • Port Noarlunga, 35 minute drive South of Adelaide. A few nice eating options, including a popular Mexican Restaurant 'Tequila N Tacos'. Nice to walk to the Beach and Jetty before or after.

Budget[edit]

  • Alfonzo 202 Hutt St. An Italian eatery and shop; a great place to enjoy breakfast and lunch any time of the day.
  • Elephant walk 76 Melbourne St, +61 8 8267-2006– particularly interesting because it is a small, cosy cafe which is very dimly lit. Each booth is separated by straw screens so you can't really see the other patrons. It opens at 8PM and if they're full, you'll have to wait outside for a table.
  • Jerusalem Sheshkebab House, 131B Hindley St, +61 8 8212 6185 ‎. An Adelaide institution with decorations which probably haven't been changed in 30 years. Arguably Adelaide's best falafel and be sure to try the cauliflower dishes. Vegetarian/vegan friendly and BYO.
  • Nano, 23 Ebenezer Pl (in East End), +61 88227 0468. Daily. Italian home-style food, great breakfast, good coffee, value for money, Breakfast & lunch only, fresh daily. $5.80-15.
  • Dumpling King & Charlie's Shack, Corner of Grote and Moonta Sts. Plates of 10-15 dumplings, steamed/friend, pork/chicken and prawn, for $6.80-7.80. Charlie's Shack has pho, laksa and other soup noodles at reasonable prices.
  • Food courts off of Moonta St, Many different Asian cuisines at cheap prices. All you can fit on your plate for varying prices plus made to order food.
  • Hawker's Corner, 141 West Terrace, cnr Wright St. Much the same as the food courts but open at night. Cheap but tasty with a wide range of food.
  • Indiana Takeaway, Budget Indian food, located on the intersection of Marion Rd and Richmond Rd. From under $10.
  • Cafe de Vili, '2-14 Manchester St. (Off South Rd, after Richmond Rd). Vili is an Adelaide producer of pastries, especially pies and pasties. This unpretentious eatery at their factory serves full meals in addition to pastries. Shift workers and night owls regularly eat there because it is open 24 hr, 7 days. It is a minor Adelaide icon.
  • Fasta Pasta, is the McDonalds of pasta; although found in other states its popularity in South Australia is due to the chain having started in Adelaide. Expect to pay from $10 for a plate of pasta.
  • There are actually a lot of budget eateries in Adelaide. They don't usually look like much from the outside but most have something going for them - the reason that they are still in business. It pays to look through menus plastered onto doors. Cheap eats should be anywhere from $8-14 for a main, and no more.

Mid-range[edit]

  • Amalfi, 29 Frome St, ☎ +61 8 8223 1948. This little Italian place located just off Rundle St has a loyal following and is usually jam packed. It has an inventive range of pizzas and pastas, with quality a cut above the other Italian cafes filling Rundle St.
  • Chefs Of Tandoori 292 Unley Rd, ☎ +61 8 8373 5055. As the name suggest, founded by Indian chefs who deserted the Tandoori Oven across the road. Good Indian food at a very reasonable price.
  • Concubine 132 Gouger St, ☎ +61 8 8212 8288. Amazing modern contemporary Chinese/Thai but very affordable.
  • Fellini, 102 O'Connell St, ☎ +61 8 8239 2235. Large North Adelaide cafe is packed to the rafters every weekend. The menu is Italian-based pasta, pizza and so on, but what keeps the punters coming back is the large size of the menu and inventiveness of the dishes.
  • Jasmin, 31 Hindmarsh Sq, ☎ +61 8 8223 7837. Arguably Adelaide's best Indian restaurant. Beautifully decorated, with classical music playing and impeccable service. The very hot curries (vindaloo and tindaloo) are especially good. You might also consider trying the mixed entree or orange sponge cake.
  • Kenji Modern Restaurant, 242 Hutt St,☎ +61 8 8232 0944. Nominated as the best Japanese restaurant in Adelaide.
  • La Trattoria, 346 King William St,☎ +61 8 8212 3327. Italian restaurant and pizzeria since 1975. Traditional food served by a larger than life Italian family. Open til late.
  • Nu Thai, 228 Morphett St, ☎ +61 8 8410 2288. Slightly more expensive than Regent, with a more adventurous menu. They have a huge blackboard inside with a long list of specials which change regularly.
  • The Queen's Head Hotel, 117 Kermode St, ☎ +61 8 8267 1139. This little trendy pub place located just off King William St and Adelaide Oval (Cathedral End) has a quality award-winning range of pizzas and wine selection, popular drinking and eating hole before and after an AFL game during winter months.
  • Raj on Taj, King William Rd, ☎ +61 8 8271 7755. Good, reasonably priced Indian food. There are two Raj on Taj restaurants, one in Hyde Park and one nearby in Unley. The Hyde Park one is the better of the two.
  • Regent Thai, 165 O'Connell St, ☎ +61 8 8239 0927. Excellent and consistent standard Thai menu. The friendly proprietor Chang was a refugee from the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Try the oysters in coriander sauce, the red curry chicken, or ask for a whole fish steamed with ginger and shallots. Its sister restaurant at Glenelg, Phuket, is worth checking out as well. Mains $13-18.

Splurge[edit]

  • Enoteca 262 Carrington St, [16] ☎ +61 8 8227 0766. This restaurant is attached to Adelaide's Italian Club, so you would expect top quality Italian food along with an extensive selection of local and Italian wines.
  • Magill Estate Restaurant, 78 Penfold Rd, Magill, [17] ☎ +61 8 8301 5551. While the food here is good, the real stars are the view and the wine list. This restaurant is owned by Penfolds, probably Australia's best-known premium red wine maker, and overlooks the vineyards on their Magill property, not far from the city centre. The grapes grown on this estate are used to make the Magill Estate label single vineyard Shiraz. The wine list allows you to order back vintages of the Penfolds and other wines going back 20 or more years.
  • Gaucho's, 91 Gouger St ☎ +61 8 8231 2299. Award winning Argentinian steakhouse
  • Windy Point Restaurant, Windy Point Lookout, Belair Rd. [18] ☎ +61 8 8278 8255. Nice ambiance, excellent service and good food prepared in a unique way with a nice view of the city skyline. For those who wish to have a less formal setting, the adjacent cafe also offers a good selection. Usually only open for dinner from 6PM onwards, though lunches are possible with prior arrangements.
  • Red Ochre,War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide. [19] ☎ +61 8 8211 8555. Modern Australian restaurant with a nice ambience situated on the River Torrens and with a good view of the city skyline.
  • Shiki Restaurant, (Intercontinental Hotel Adelaide), North Ter. ☎ +61 8 8231-2382. Japanese restaurant with a nice atmosphere in one of Adelaide's premier hotels. Mainly known for it's teppanyaki but also serves other Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi and tempura.
  • Press* Food and Wine, 40 Waymouth St, [20], ☎ +61 8 8211 8048. Trendy modern Australian restaurant with a regularly changing locally-sourced menu and extensive wine list. Long benches downstairs for casual dining (no reservations), upstairs for formal seating (reservations taken). Expect a wait on a Fri/Sat night if you're looking to sit downstairs.

Drink[edit]

There are pubs and bars dotted all around the CBD, but a few districts are worth singling out. Rundle Street and its neighbouring area known simply as "The East End" have a number of popular pubs. Hindley St used to be notorious as the seedy home of Adelaide's strip clubs and bikie bars, but it, and "The West End" have undergone a renaissance. The eastern end of Hindley Street is more mainstream, whereas the western end, west of Morphett Street has a few trendier and more alternative venues. The seedy places are still there, but so too is a university campus and a number of trendy bars and clubs. Also important are Gouger Street and its many restaurants but with an increasing number of bars and pubs. O'Connell Street is home to a few of North Adelaide's popular pubs.

There are also many bars in the suburbs of Adelaide which usually are busier on Thursday and Friday evenings. Quite a lot of the locals will go to the hotels in the suburbs on Thursday and Friday evenings, and go into the Adelaide CBD on Saturday evenings.

Smoking in pubs and clubs is banned under South Australian law. Many drinking establishments have outdoor areas where smoking is permitted.

Cafes[edit]

  • Viscous, 27a Beach Road, Christies Beach. Amazing Coffee. Cold Drip specialist. Well known and a favourite of Adelaide locals. Worth the drive. Close to a very nice beach. “".

Pubs[edit]

  • Grandstand, Adelaide Casino, North Ter, ☎ +61 8 8212 2811. Su-Th 10AM-late, F Sa 11AM-5:30AM. Situated on the 1st floor of Adelaide Casino, Grandstand is Adelaide's premier venue for watching all live sporting events. Featuring several TV screens showing all the action from Fox Sports, Setanta and Main Event, Grandstand also has full Keno and TAB facilities. A bar menu is also available, as are regular great drink promotions.
  • Crown & Anchor, 196 Grenfell St, ☎ +61 8 8223 3212. M-W 11AM-3AM, Th-Sa 11AM-4AM. Situated just off Rundle St, this Adelaide institution is often referred to as "The Cranker", or less kindly, the "Crowd of Wankers" attracts those of an alternative bent. Goths, metalheads, punks and hippies all mingle in this multi-roomed venue, sipping beer. But don't worry, piercings and tattoos aren't essential to have a good time. Music playing could be just about anything.
  • Worldsend, 208 Hindley St, ☎ +61 8 8231 9137. M-F 11AM-late, Sa 4PM-late, Su closed. Serves food all day. This lively pub features a beer garden and a solid restaurant. The crowd is generally early to mid 20s, many from the nearby Hindley Street campus of the University of South Australia. While it definitely has a strong pub feel, the music is more like a bar, with live jazz and funk, house and drum'n'bass (rather than rock) the order of the day.
  • The Exeter, 246 Rundle St, ☎ +61 8 8223 2623. This friendly old-school pub is much frequented by students from nearby Adelaide University and TAFE. At night, it has an alternative feel drawing crowds from all areas. Two back rooms contain a great little restaurant. The curry nights on Wednesday and Thursday are popular. Small music venue, mostly showcasing live alternative bands. M-Su 11AM-late.
  • The Archer, 60 O'Connell St, ☎ +61 8 8361 9300. Modern, hip feel and a large range of beers on tap. Be aware that it has to close earlier than most places (usually midnight) due to residential noise restrictions.
  • The Cumberland Arms, 205 Waymouth St, ☎ +61 8 8231 3577. M 9AM-midnight, Tu 9AM-1AM, W-Th 9AM-3AM, F Sa 6PM-4AM, Su 6PM-2AM. Located in a strip of bars and clubs along the southern end of Light Square adjacent to Hindley St. The Cumberland was bought out and refurbished some years ago. Nowadays it's a cozy spot which does a good job of being all things to all people. The front bar areas conceal a dance floor within, where a DJ is invariably playing house, and an outdoor area around the side. The popularity of "The Cumby" is cyclic, but if it's not happening, one of the adjacent places will be.
  • The Grace Emily, 232 Waymouth St, [21] ☎ +61 8 8231 5500. (Opposite "The Cumberland). The Grace has plenty of trinkets behind and around the bar to keep one's eyeballs busy whilst nursing a Coopers or bloody mary. Local, interstate and overseas bands play most nights. Every Monday night Billy Bob's BBQ Jam sees a variety of local bands strut their stuff to impress the crowd with 3 or 4 songs (though perhaps more by popular demand) whilst a sausage sizzle out the beer garden feeds the hordes - a highlight of an otherwise quiet evening in Adelaide.
  • The Austral, Rundle St. [22]. On the main street for shopping and nightlife in Adelaide, which is really the same long street as Hindley St but with a different name either side of King William Road, and the pedestrian only Rundle Mall in the middle. The Austral is the unofficial backpackers pub of choice, but still very popular with the locals.
  • Coopers Alehouse, 316 Pulteney St, [23] (Also known by the original name still on the front facade The Earl of Aberdeen). The only pub to hold the complete range of Coopers Beers on tap, including the Vintage Ale. Also serves good food, including pizzas, in the attached Arnou Woodfired at the Earl restaurant. 10 min walk from the Rundle St-Pulteney St intersection.
  • The Stag, 299 Rundle St. (cnr of Rundle and East Tce), [24]. More up market establishment, with good views of the parklands from the al fresco seating, good range of drinks and weekly live music. The second floor balcony literally overlooked the old Formula 1 street circuit and was always crammed with race fans. With the shortened Clipsal 500 course this is no longer possible, but still a good place to go after the days races. (Pub recently closed and liquidated)*

Bars[edit]

  • Clever Little Tailor, 19 Peel St, [25], Cosy little bar on the quiet Peel St, just off of Hindley St, with a great selection of wine, beer and liquor and bartenders who know their stuff. Great interior with casual bar seating and a few tables on the upper level.
  • Udaberri, 11 Leigh St, [26], Small double-level bar on Leigh St, packed on weekends with a fashionable crowd. Great for beer, wine, well-made cocktails and a bite to eat.
  • First,' 128 Rundle Mall, ☎ +61 8 8223 4044. (In the Richmond Hotel), The only nightspot on Rundle Mall. First started life as a chilled out cocktail bar, but rapidly became popular as an after-work spot on Fridays, and could now also be filed under "clubs". On weekends they are packed out and play commercial house, but on weeknights it reverts to the original cocktail bar atmosphere.
  • Fumo Blu, 270 Rundle St, ☎ +61 8 8232 2533. Below ground cocktail lounge in the heart of Rundle St.
  • Supermild, 182 Hindley St, ☎ +61 8 8212 9699. Situated underground (Look for steps leading down off Hindley Street West). A dimly-lit, chilled out cocktail bar with a popular beer garden out the back. DJs have eclectic electronica tendencies.
  • Rocket Bar, 142 Hindley St, [27]. Inconspicuously located on Hindley St (it's a door with a sign above it). Live venue hosting international/interstate and local alternative indie acts. Also home to indie/alternative Modular nights and CATS on Fridays. Boasts an open-air rooftop space with a complete bar and tropical atmosphere. Open every weekend until late.

Nightclubs[edit]

  • Jive, 181 Hindley St, [x]. 300 capacity mainly live venue that hosts local and interstate rock/alternative/indie acts. Also home to indie/alternative dance club Gosh! on Saturdays after the bands. Open every weekend and sometimes during the week.
  • Sugar, 274 Rundle Street, Adelaide, ☎ (08) 8223 6160. An above-ground nightclub most popular for its hip-hop/RnB nights every Wednesday. Sugar plays an eclectic variety of music depending on which night of the week you attend, and tends to be open most nights of the week. There are several pool tables away from the bar and dance floor in the case that you feel like a quick game.
  • The Dog and Duck, 125 Hindley Street, Adelaide. A large, modern venue consisting of three indoor areas and a rooftop bar, each area specialising in a particular genre, forming a diverse selection of music including pop, EDM and RnB. Free entry is generally available before 9pm and the most popular nights are usually Fridays and Saturdays.

Sleep[edit]

Budget[edit]

There is a choice of backpacker accommodation around the central bus station.

  • Adelaide Central YHA, 135 Waymouth St, ☎ +61 8 8414 3010 (fax +61 8 8414 3015, ([email protected]), [29]. $25.50 per bed per night in a dorm room, $75 for a private double room and $90 for double en suite. YHA/Hostelling International members receive a 10% discount.
  • My Place Adelaide, 257 Waymouth St, [30] ☎ 1 800 221 529. Very clean, good social vibe, free breakfast & free bus to Glenelg beach.
  • The Austral, 205 Rundle St, [31] ☎ +61 8 8223 4660. The Austral is a pub which provides accommodation upstairs from the bar area. Rooms are clean and fairly quiet despite the bar downstairs, although the mattresses aren't great quality. Bathrooms are shared. Close to Adelaide's centre. $40 single and $55 double.
  • Plaza Hotel, 85 Hindley St, ☎ +61 8 82316371 (fax +61 8 8231 2055, [email protected]) [32]. Single rooms $66/night, double rooms $72/night.
  • Cannon Street Backpackers, (Across the Flinders Street Bus Terminal). From $21 with in house bar. Lots of Irish and English backpackers that like to party hard, so place tends to be on a bit noisy.
  • Blue Galah, Rundle St, CBD, ☎ +61 8 8231 9295 (fax +61 8 8231 9598, [email protected]) [33]. $24/night in a dorm room, $70/night for a private single/twin/double room, weekly dorm rates are also available.
  • Hostel 109, 109 Carrington St, [34] ☎ +61 8 8223 1771. Small, quiet, modern, secure & centrally located. Very clean. Free internet.
  • Port Adelaide Backpackers (Hostel in Adelaide), 24 Nile Street Port Adelaide, +61474300120 / +6184476267 (), [x]. Port Adelaide Backpackers is the first and only backpacker hostel in the heart of Historic Port Adelaide. It is surrounded with all the shops, supermarkets, banks, pubs, restaurants you will need. $24 - $100. (34.8445272,138.5027461)

Mid-range[edit]

  • Mantra on Frome, 88 Frome St, 1300 987 604, +61 8 8223 9000 (, fax: +61 8 8223 9014), [x]. 4 star apartment hotel. 72 studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, most with private balconies, fully-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities. All have living and dining areas with cable television and in-house movies.
  • Mantra Hindmarsh Square, 55-67 Hindmarsh Sq, 1300 987 604, +61 8 8412 3333 (, fax: +61 8 8412 3344), [x]. Short stroll from the Rundle Mall and Rundle Street dining precinct. 179 studios, 1 & 2 bedroom A/C suites with kitchenette, bathroom and laundry facilities. Some suites also offer a private balcony with views across the city.
  • BreakFree on Hindley, 255 Hindley St, 1300 987 604 (+61 8 8217 2500, , fax: +61 8 8217 2519), [x]. 142 self-contained studio and 2 bedroom apartments in West End. Well-appointed spacious apartments with modern amenities.
  • BreakFree Directors Studios, 259 Gouger St, 1300 987 604 (+61 8 8213 2500, , fax: +61 8 8213 2519), [x]. Boutique hotel within proximity to the CBD, Central Market and restaurants.
  • Golden Chain Motels, [x]. Many locations throughout Adelaide
  • Adelaide City Park Motel, 471 Pulteney St, (toll free: 1 800 231 444+phone=, , fax: +61 8 8223-1133), [x]. Double rooms from $88 per night.
  • Quest on King William, 82 King William St, +61 8 8217 5000 (, fax: +61 8 8217 5050), [x]. Serviced apartments available for short-term or long term rental. 1 bedroom apartments from $145 short-term or $135 for long-term rentals.
  • Quest Mansions, 21 Pulteney St, +61 8 8232 0033 (, fax: +61 8 8223-4559), [x]. Serviced apartments available for short-term or long term rental. Studio apartments $138 short-term, $111 long-term. 1 bedroom apartments from $196 short-term, $158 for long-term rentals.
  • Esplanade Apartments, 80 Seaview Rd West Beach, +61 8 8353 0443 (, fax: +61 88 356 4478), [x]. 1 bedroom from $75, 2 bedroom from $90.
  • Frogmore Apartments 13 Military Rd West Beach. ☎ +61 8 8353 3874. Close to beach with excellent Mt Lofty Range views). Apartments one bedroom from $75 per night and two bedroom from $90 per night, three bedrooms from $110 per night.
  • Rydges South Park Adelaide, 1 South Ter ☎ 1300 857 922. Next to the Southern parklands with views of the Adelaide Hills and features 97 rooms with 9 spa suites.
  • Comfort Inn Regal Park, 44 Barton Terrace East, North Adelaide, +61(08) 82673222 (, fax: 61(08) 82672223), [x]. A variety of options including rooms with views over the swimming pool and spa. All rooms have modern décor. Room types include family rooms for up to five people and executive rooms with desks or tables.
  • Oaks Embassy, 96 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia, +61 8 8124 9900 (), [x]. Located in Adelaide CBD, Oaks Embassy offers contemporary accommodation with 1, 2 and 3 bedroom serviced apartments. The location of the hotel provides access to a number of local attractions and hot spots. Other facilities of the hotel include conference venues, gym and pool.
  • iStay Precinct, 185 Morphett Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia, +61 7 3246 1732 (), [x]. Located in Adelaide CBD providing affordable accommodation with a range of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. The apartments consist of kitchen, laundry and open balconies with city views. The hotel also offers an indoor heated pool, spa and steam room facilities.
  • Oaks Horizons, 104 , North Terrace, +61 7 3246 1744 (), [x]. This Hotel offer 1 and 2 bedroom apartment accommodation with facilities such as kitchen, laundry and private balcony. Other facilities include such as Wi-Fi, swimming pool, gym and tour desk for its guests.
  • Oaks Liberty Towers, 25 Colley Terrace, Glenelg, +61 8 8350 2800 (), [x]. This hotel provides 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartment accommodation in Glenelg Beach. These self contained apartments offer facilities such as kitchen, laundry, private balcony and Jacuzzi. Other facilities include swimming pool, gym and Wi-Fi.
  • Oaks Plaza Pier, 16 Holdfast Promenade, Glenelg, +61 7 3246 1742 (), [x]. Located in Glenelg Beach , Oaks Plaza Pier provides apartment accommodation with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms with added facilities such as kitchen, laundry and internet facilities. The hotel also offers other facilities such as swimming pool and gym to its guests.

Splurge[edit]

  • Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Sq, +61 8 8217 2000 (, fax: +61 8 8217 2001), [x]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM. Deluxe king sized rooms from $250/night.
  • Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury, 2 Flinders St, +61 8 8112 0000 (, fax: +61 8 8112 0199), [x]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 10AM. 80 studio rooms and 1-2 bedroom apartments in the former State Treasury building. The hotel overlooks Victoria Square and is only minutes to Rundle Mall and Adelaide Central Market. Studio rooms from $210.
  • Rendezvous Allegra, 55 Waymouth St, +61 8 8115 8888 (, fax: +61 8 8115 8800), [x]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM.
  • Stamford Plaza Adelaide, 150 North Ter, +61 8 8461 1111 (, fax: +61 8 8231 7572), [x]. Queen sized rooms from $225.

Stay safe[edit]

The Australia-wide emergency number is 000. The ambulance service, fire service and police are available through this number.

As with any city, people should exercise personal safety, particularly at night.

Your biggest risk in the inner-city and night is drunk people. If you want to avoid drunk people, avoid Hindley Street between 10pm-4am, as this is where you are most likely to encounter them, as this is where most of Adelaide's nightclubs are located. You are not at a high risk in other parts of the city in the evening. It is safe to go out to eat, or to a bar, as late as 11pm. You are still unlikely to be a victim of a crime after 11pm, but there will be drunk people around the city.

The city park lands are poorly lit and are best avoided after dark due to the presence of intoxicated people. Robberies have known to occur in these areas. If you need to cross the park lands to reach the suburbs, stay near the road. Catching a taxi or public transport is recommended at night.

When catching a train at a suburban station, it is best to arrive at the station within 1-2 min of the scheduled arrival time. Trains in Adelaide are generally reliable and arrive and depart on schedule. There are security guards on all trains after 7PM and many rail services have bus connections available. Exercise personal safety in and around train stations.

At night police actively patrol the city centre, especially Hindley Street where most of the city's nightclubs and bars are located. Taxi ranks are located near the Adelaide Casino on North Terrace, the Hilton Adelaide Hotel on Victoria Square, and the junction of Rundle Street and Pulteney Street outside the Hungry Jacks fast food outlet.

Remember to lock your car and avoid leaving valuables in view in unattended vehicles.

Pickpockets are very rare and there are no "hotspots", but opportunistic theft does happen. Do not leave valuables unattended. When swimming at the beach in busy areas near the city, leave one person on shore to look after your things.

Avoid walking at night in outer suburbs known for having higher crime rates, most notably areas like Elizabeth and Salisbury (20km north of the CBD), and Hackham and Noarlunga (25km south of the CBD). The most publicised criminal element are youth gangs that commit robbery and vehicle theft. They tend to be more opportunistic and target people in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's advised you don't walk alone at night in these areas, This heightens your chance of being a victim. There are motorcycle gangs, but they rarely interact with the public and are kept in check through dedicated police operations. You are highly unlikely to encounter any gangs.

If common sense is used, Adelaide is a very safe city overall.

Contact[edit]

There is extensive free Wi-Fi access (port 80 only) in the CBD and the airport provided by Internode [35]. View coverage here: [36]

Get out[edit]

  • Flinders Ranges, Head north to explore the natural beauty and frontier history of the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound
  • Victor Harbor, just an hour or so drive south of Adelaide. Granite Island is one of the few places you can see Fairy Penguins in their natural habitat. Visit the nearby surf beaches in Pt Elliot, Middletown and Goolwa.
  • Whispering wall, at the Barossa Reservoir.
  • Yorke Peninsula is a popular holiday destination for Adelaidians, and less touristy than Victor Harbour, with towns dotted along the coast and the rugged Innes National Park at the foot of the peninsula.
  • Eyre Peninsula, Visit the historic town of Port Lincoln where you can see the massive tuna farms as well as going diving with Great White Sharks (in a cage) or swim with the dolphins and the seals.

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