City guides
Australia
South Australia
Things to do in Adelaide
Adelaide tends to be underrated as a tourist destination but in truth there is a lot for holiday makers to see and do here. Visitors can enjoy anything from appreciating the architecture, and boutique shopping in the suburbs to soaking up the sun on the beautiful sandy beaches and enjoying Adelaide's nightlife, dining and art scene.
Many start off in the historic beachside suburb of Glenelg for a stroll along the pier with an ice-cream in hand, before heading up into the Adelaide Hills to Mt Lofty Summit, where breath-taking views over the city can be enjoyed. Sports fans should head to the Oval for a local or international cricket match; culture vultures will love the Art Gallery of South Australia on North Terrace, where more than 35,000 pieces can be viewed; and history buffs will be captivated by the Migration Museum's insight into the migration of British prisoners to Australia in the 1700s.
Adventurers should visit Belair National Park for some fantastic bushwalking trails; animal lovers can get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and wallabies at the Cleland Conservation Park. The Adelaide Botanical Gardens are a great place to relax and unwind under the shade of a tree, while West Beach is perfect for family walks and swimming. And what could round off a day of sightseeing better than a tour of the Coopers Brewery for an ice cold, family-brewed beer?
Hahndorf
Just an easy 20-minute drive along the South Eastern Freeway from the city centre of Adelaide is the scenic Adelaide Hills region. The most popular tourist destination in the area
Hahndorf
Just an easy 20-minute drive along the South Eastern Freeway from the city centre of Adelaide is the scenic Adelaide Hills region. The most popular tourist destination in the area is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf.
The town was settled in 1839 by Prussian and East German immigrants, and today is a flourishing community that attracts visitors from all over the world. They come to admire the many historic buildings and the 100-year-old elm and plane trees that line the main street, to shop for crafts, and to enjoy legendary hospitality in the many restaurants and accommodation establishments.
Hahndorf is surrounded by many wineries and there are two cellars on the main street offering tastings and meals. The three local hotels have traditional German beers on tap. Just outside the town is the famous Beerenberg Strawberry Farm where visitors can pick their own in season. Hahndorf makes a perfect base for exploring the other delights of the Adelaide Hills, which include the Mt Lofty area, Norton Summit, the Torrens Valley and Onkaparinga Valley.
Kangaroo Island
Australia's third largest island is home to colonies of sea lions, fairy penguins, pelicans, marine life and, of course, kangaroos, and provides so much to do and discover that vis…
Kangaroo Island
Australia's third largest island is home to colonies of sea lions, fairy penguins, pelicans, marine life and, of course, kangaroos, and provides so much to do and discover that visitors are advised to stay for at least two days. Kangaroo Island is situated eight miles (13km) from the mainland of South Australia.
It is inhabited by a small farming community that produces speciality foods. This, combined with the fact that the fishing is excellent, means it is worth visiting for the food alone. The island separated from the mainland during the last Ice Age, and has many plants and animals no longer found elsewhere. A third of the island is protected to preserve the natural heritage.
Organised tours visit the parks and protected waterways, or visitors can self-guide with the aid of a walking trails brochure available at the tourist office and many of the hotels. Walking close to the wildlife is a unique experience; visitors can glance around at kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, echidnas, possums and platypus, and watch dolphins, penguins and seals frolic along the coast.
Website www.tourkangarooisland.com.au
Adelaide Botanic Garden
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the top free attractions in the city and a lovely place to unwind and enjoy some of the region's natural beauty. The gardens are easily access…
Adelaide Botanic Garden
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the top free attractions in the city and a lovely place to unwind and enjoy some of the region's natural beauty. The gardens are easily accessible in the centre of the city and are immaculately maintained. The garden's old trees are one of the highlights, including the Wollemi Pine, which dates back to the time of the dinosaurs, and Australia's oldest avenue of Morton Bay Fig trees. Other favourites include the rose garden and the covered rainforest area. The garden is also home to some historic and interesting buildings including three glasshouses: the Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory and Amazon Waterlily Pavillion. The Santos Museum of Economic Botany teaches visitors about the importance of plants and hosts some fascinating temporary exhibitions.
Those looking for refreshments will find a selection of kiosks and a good restaurant clustered near the lake. The restaurant is a good option for a romantic lunch, with some beautiful views of the garden. The gardens generally receive rave reviews from visitors and provide space for exercise, relaxation and learning.
Website www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/home
Flinders Ranges
The Flinders Ranges, one of the few elevated landmasses in South Australia, is the gateway to the state's Outback, offering rugged and spectacular scenery best seen at daybreak or …
Flinders Ranges
The Flinders Ranges, one of the few elevated landmasses in South Australia, is the gateway to the state's Outback, offering rugged and spectacular scenery best seen at daybreak or sunset when the colours come alive. At the southern end of the ranges, about 25 miles (40km) from Port Agusta, is the town of Quorn, which is the jumping off point for four-wheel-drive and adventure tours of the region.
A vintage train runs through the nearby Pichi Richi Pass, and visitors can try rock-climbing at Warren Gorge. Further north is the small township of Hawker, which is the popular access point to the main attraction of the Flinders, Wilpena Pound. Wilpena is one of Australia's most significant Aboriginal heritage areas, and is enclosed in the Flinders Ranges National Park. Rock engravings can be viewed at Sacred Canyon and there are many bushwalks to be enjoyed.
Website www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy, the opal mining town located in the harsh Outback of South Australia, about 540 miles (850km) north of Adelaide, operates largely underground. Homes, a church, a potte…
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy, the opal mining town located in the harsh Outback of South Australia, about 540 miles (850km) north of Adelaide, operates largely underground. Homes, a church, a pottery studio and various businesses consist of 'dugouts', which have been built by the locals to escape the intense heat of this harsh region. Coober Pedy is recognised as the largest producer of opals in the world, and more than 100,000 tourists from around the world make the long pilgrimage to this unique town every year. The town features a working mine with a museum and shop for visitors, who can opt to stay in the Desert Cave Hotel underground. The town is located beside the Stuart Highway, Highway 87, which provides plenty of refuelling spots on the route from Adelaide in the south or Alice Springs in the north. It is also possible to reach the town by air or by bus.
Website www.cooberpedy.com
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is an hour's ride from Adelaide and is South Australia's premier winemaking region. About 50 wineries operate in the valley, which is blessed with hot dry summer…
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is an hour's ride from Adelaide and is South Australia's premier winemaking region. About 50 wineries operate in the valley, which is blessed with hot dry summers, loamy soil and good winter rainfall. The heart of the valley is the town of Tanunda, which features relics of the valley's German heritage in its museum. A lookout at Mengler's Hill, near the town, provides spectacular views of the valley, or visitors can opt for a balloon flight when weather permits.
The Barossa Wine Centre serves 70,000 visitors a year and is the perfect place to find out the story of the valley, its people and culture. A bi-annual festival, the Barossa Vintage Festival, offers visitors the opportunity for some off-beat entertainment such as treading grapes, waving at scarecrows, mushroom-hunting and watching floats travel down Tanunda's main street. Other events and festivals are held throughout the year.
South Australia's other major wine-growing areas are Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, and each of them produces a very distinct and unique type of wine. Barossa and Eden Valley are famous for their extraordinary Shiraz wines, while the Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills produce rich Chardonnays and dry Rieslings. The wines found in the McLaren Vale area are more medium-bodied with a spicier, more savory taste; Cabernet Sauvignon is the shining star of the Coonawarra region.
Website www.barossa.com