Boasting award-winning wineries and restaurants, a rich cultural scene, and incredible natural sceneries, Adelaide is a treasure trove for travel.
The city is packed with exhilarating experiences for all tastes. In the mood for outdoor adventures? Head to Adelaide Hills and hike up to Mount Lofty Summit, where you’ll soak in the sights of waterfalls, ravines, and gorges along the way. Interested in local history? Visit the South Australian Museum, home of the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world. Keen for some good food and booze? Enjoy a tasting in the country’s wine capital.
Check out these important things to know before you travel to Adelaide:
What’s so special about Adelaide?
There’s never a dull moment in Adelaide. Thanks to its vibrant arts scene and busy musical festival calendar, it has solidified its status as one of the lifestyle capitals in the country. If that’s not enough for you, there’s also the incredible cellar door and restaurant experiences.
Beyond its thriving social scene, it’s also a great gateway to some of the finest tourist attractions in South Australia. In under an hour, you can reach Kangaroo Island, Adelaide Hills, or Barossa Valley from the city.
When is the best time to visit Adelaide?
When it comes to Adelaide travel, you’ll never be bored here. Thanks to its diverse attractions, it’s a fantastic destination year-round. But, if you’re looking to enjoy one of its many festivals, it’s best to plan ahead.
Mad March is one of the best times to visit the city because of the festival-filled social calendar, including the famous Adelaide Fringe Festival which takes place the entire month.
If you’re after the quintessential Aussie summer experience, January and February are great times to soak in the sun at the beach.
During winter, you can keep warm with a glass of red at the Winter Reds festival. It’s when the region’s finest have discounts on their best red wines while also offering classes and food pairing sessions.
Springtime means flowers are in full bloom and there’s no better place to be than at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. You’ll see plants of different colours in their full beauty and there’s plenty of opportunities to take photos at the Instagrammable Wisteria Walk.
How do you get around Adelaide?
There’s a reason why it’s nicknamed the “20-Minute City”— travel in Adelaide is easy, fast, and convenient. It’s said that you can reach any major point of the city within 20 minutes.
For a seamless Adelaide travel experience, it’s best to get a metroCARD that can be used for the city’s trains, trams, and buses. The Visitor metroCARD is a great option for those staying in the city for three days.
How many days should I spend in Adelaide?
Travelling to Adelaide is a great way to spend a long weekend. It’s enough time to get to know the city, discover its highlights as well as some of its hidden gems, while squeezing in a day trip to one of its neighbouring wineries or the stunning Adelaide Hills.
If you have more time, you can plan a day in Kangaroo Island to see the wildlife (thousands of roos and koalas in the island alone!), snap photos of the amazing rock formations, or just enjoy the long stretch of white sand beaches.
What are the best things to do in Adelaide?
Adelaide offers plenty of experiences and attractions unlike any other and one of them is Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia. You’ll feel like you’re walking through the streets of Bavaria as you take in the well-preserved architecture and learn about the rich history. No visit to the charming village is complete without trying Bavarian cuisine and there’s no better place than at Hahndorf Inn, where you can indulge in authentic sausages and beer.
Besides great German food and beer, Adelaide is also the place to be for fine wine. The region has made a name for itself as the wine capital of Australia and it doesn’t disappoint, raking in numerous awards from around the world. Instead of the regular old tasting experience, you can go on a wine blending class for a special concoction suited for your taste.
As the capital city, it’s no wonder that Adelaide is a great gateway for further travel in South Australia. Just 45 minutes away, Kangaroo Island boasts diverse wildlife, Instagram-worthy rock formations, and gorgeous beaches.