| When you visit the
lush green Barossa Valley or explore the unique beauty and grandeur of
the Flinders Ranges, it is easy to forget that South Australia is the
driest State: two-thirds is near-desert. The gulf lands of the State enjoy
a Mediterranean climate, while the further north you go, the hotter and
more inhospitable the temperatures become. The Barossa Valley near Adelaide
is scenically charming, as are many other localities in the Mount Lofty
Ranges, and the extreme south-west contains some magnificently beautiful
country. The outback of the State, where conditions are harsh, the climate
extreme and the distances daunting, has a unique fascination for the more
intrepid. |
Adelaide is a city
perched on the edge of great tracts of farmland and desert, in the driest
State in the driest continent in the world; a city that has blossomed
because of its geography rather than despite it. Historically it has never
felt the need to turn to the larger capitals to lead the way. Over the
last century and a half it has carved out its own distinctive path and
has in fact led the way in many areas such as planning, social reform
and the arts.
Adelaide is a gracious, well-planned city surrounded by parkland. It is
set 10 kilometres inland from the coast of Gulf St Vincent, on the banks
of the River Torrens. The city straddles a narrow coastal plain that gives
way in the east to the rolling hills of the Mount Lofty Ranges. The suburbs,
in the Australian tradition, sprawl far and wide, out along the coast,
up into the ranges and north towards the famous wine-growing region, the
Barossa. Adelaide, with its population of just over a million, is Australia's
fifth largest city. The climate is generally warm and dry for the best
part of the year, however, winters can be surprisingly chilly.
Interesting Places
Adelaide Festival Centre - one of the best performance venues in
the world and home to Australia's premier arts festival
Art Gallery of South Australia - the collection offers a superb
overview of Australian art
Botanic Gardens - join a free tour of these beautiful formal gardens
with their exotic and native species
Central Market - shop for local produce in a bustling, environment
with a European flavour
East End - enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Adelaide's cosmopolitan
cafe strip
Explorer Tram - a fast, fun way to see the city's top attractions
Glenelg - board a tram to this seaside resort with its old world
feel
Light's Vision lookout - view the splendour of the city from the
founding father's favourite spot\
St Peter's Cathedral - visit one of Australia's finest cathedrals
Getting Around
Adelaide's public transport system is operated by TransAdelaide and covers
buses and trams. A $2 transport map can be picked up at the TransAdelaide
information centre on the corner of King William and Currie streets in
the city. Popular tourist trips include the TransAdelaide O-Bahn, running
north-east from the city along the River Torrens and through landscaped
parkland; the Explorer Tram, a road-registered tram replica that takes
visitors to popular tourist sites; and the Glenelg tram, a 1929 restored
tram that runs from Victoria Square in the city to Glenelg Beach.
The airport is only seven kilometres west of the city and a cab will cost
you about $15. Alternatively, take the airport bus at a cost of $3 for
the public service and $6 for the private bus that stops off at major
hotels in the city. All the major car hire companies are represented as
well as low budget companies.
Bicycling is a terrific way of negotiating this city with its generally
flat landscape and good network of cycle tracks. Contact the State's bicycling
organisation for information on bike hire and tracks. Similarly, walking
is a very pleasant means of getting around the central streets and surrounding
parklands of Adelaide. Pamphlets are available for self-guide walks at
the South Australian Travel Centre.
Shopping
The first thing that the intrepid shopper will notice about Adelaide
is the prices: they range consistently between low and very reasonable.
All manner of goods including food, antiques, collectibles, designer clothes
and second-hand items of all descriptions are cheaper here than in the
larger capital cities. Quirky and unusual items are an Adelaide speciality,
lying hidden beneath the dust, just waiting to be discovered in the city's
marketplaces and second-hand goods' stores. The less adventurous shopper
will find enough square metres of chain and department stores to satisfy
every conceivable need.
Rundle Mall has over 800 shops and is the longest shopping mall in the
southern hemisphere. Major department stores, chain stores and tiny boutique
arcades provide a comprehensive consumer experience. The mall itself,
with its buskers, cafes, trees and fountains, is a delightful place to
sit and recover from an arduous bout of shopping.
Central Market on Grote Street in the city is the place to buy fresh produce,
while the East End markets off Rundle Street are a giant bazaar, with
hundreds of small shopfronts and stalls selling everything from designer
jewellery to old books. Melbourne Street in North Adelaide is Adelaide's
most exclusive shopping precinct. Go to Unley Road in Unley to find designer
boutiques, Magill Road to search for antiques and second-hand treasures,
and The Parade in Norwood for all of the above plus great delis, cafes,
homewares and bookshops.
Restaurants & Nightlife
The adage that wine and food are inextricably linked is proved true
in Adelaide. The growth of the wine industry has led to a corresponding
expansion of the city's gourmet consciousness. This is evidenced by the
number of cafes and restaurants that have sprung up in the last decade;
by the Epicurean festivals that take place in the wine districts; and
by the growing and marketing of products such as olive oil, and the rediscovery
of existing produce such as South Australia's superb seafood.
The East End precinct is located at the eastern end of Rundle Street.
Here you will find Adelaide's most exciting dining precinct with wall-to-wall
restaurants and cafes, offering meals to suit all tastes and budgets.
The Universal Wine Bar is a cafe/restaurant serving modern Australian
food, complemented by an extensive, carefully chosen wine cellar. Eros
is an innovative establishment offering small serves of a vast range of
Greek specialities.
Around the corner on North Terrace you will find the Botanic Hotel, an
elegantly restored 19th-century building housing the elegant Botanic Restaurant,
a caf?, and a wine bar. Gouger Street down near the Central Market has
a reputation for excellent seafood restaurants, while at the western end
of the street, Chinatown is the place to go for Asian food. North Adelaide
is known for its upmarket establishments, while Hindley Street is the
place to go for its range of cheap ethnic eateries.
Adelaide is a terrific place for a night out. The Festival Centre is the
venue for much of Adelaide's live performances, and with its lovely riverside
location and restaurants and bars, is always a lively spot at night. The
Adelaide Casino is housed in the grand old railway station on North Terrace
and has the full range of gaming facilities, as well as a wide selection
of bars and eateries.
There are a number of large commercial cinemas around town, and a range
of small arthouse places including the Nova in Rundle Street and the Capri
Theatre in Goodwood. Adelaide has a fantastic range of traditional old
pubs, many of which double as venues for live music. Hindley Street in
the city is the place to go for a bit of razzle-dazzle in the form of
cocktail bars, nightclubs and discos. East End, on and around Rundle Street
is the spot for a late night coffee or drink, particularly when the weather
is warm and you take advantage of the outdoor tables and chairs.
Airport Transfers
The airport is only seven kilometres west of the city and a cab will
cost you about $15. Alternatively, take the airport bus at a cost of $3
for the public service and $6 for the private bus that stops off at major
hotels in the city. |