Among many other places to visit in Australia, one of them is the capital city of Adelaide in the South. This city is famous for its lively environment, festivals, premium wine regions, and lots of incredible food types. With a fully packed events calendar and the best small bars, there is always something exciting going on in Adelaide. If you’re living in Australia or visiting this Southern land, Adelaide is a must-visit place, equipped with a great number of outback’s and calming beaches. Here are some of the best places to visit in Adelaide.
1. North Terrace
North Terrace is a fine tree-lined boulevard, dignified by cultural and historic treasures. The place can count as a nice spot to kick off a city tour. You can also visit the most imposing building in Adelaide, i.e. Parliament House, at the intersection of North Terrace and King William Street. Additionally, down the street, North Terrace also offers a triple dose of art and culture; in the form of the South Australian Museum, State Library of South Australia, and the Art Gallery of South Australia. The city’s other treasures include Adelaide Botanic Garden, Ayer’s Historic House, and the Migration Museum.
2. Adelaide Central Market
On the south side of Grote Street and a few paces west of Victoria Square, Adelaide Central Market is one of the oldest and finest indoor markets in the world. It also acts as a favorite shopping spot for most Australians. The colorful market is filled with fresh vegetables and fruits, baked goods, flowers, cheeses, and a wide variety of multicultural culinary treats. After browsing through the food stalls, you can enjoy a nice meal in one of the surrounding cafes. Saturday afternoons are the prime time to bargain for your favorite eatables. Moreover, do not forget to bring your baskets or shopping bags.
3. Glenelg
In the surf-free and calm Gulf St. Vincent, there is a seaside village, away from all the hustle of the city, called Gelenelg. Alongside its beach appeal and tourist attractions, Glenelg is backed up with a fascinating history. On mainland South Australia, this village is the oldest European settlement. Additionally, boutique hotels, sidewalk cafes, and lively summer entertainment creates a nice outdoor and holiday feel. There are also tons of family-friendly attractions for the tourists. There is also an amusement park in the village, packed with bumper boats, a giant water slide, and a thrilling Ferris wheel.
4. Cleland Wildlife Park
Take a less than a 20-minute drive from the city Centre, onto the northwestern slopes of Mounty Loft, and you’ll find the Cleland Wildlife Park; filled with a minute and cuddly bunch of animals in a natural environment. Wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, emus, and potoroos roam freely in gigantic wide-open places. You can also wander among the beautiful creatures, feed them, play with them and witness the close-up encounters. Providing a wide variety of capture-worthy natural spots and diverse animals, this place is a perfect spot for photographers. For an extra fee, you can also take a souvenir photo and keep it with you, as a nice memory.
5. South Australian Museum
Adjacent to the State Library, South Australian Museum is one of the top research facilities in the city, known for its unique Aboriginal heritage collections. In the Pacific Cultures Gallery, you can also gaze upon artifacts from the South Pacific Islands and a lot of Egyptian antiquities. The South Biodiversity Gallery is equipped with local flora and fauna, where you can have a look at those beauties and also learn a little about the plant world. More importantly, children adore the natural history exhibits with fossils, stuffed specimens, and skeletal figures.
6. Adelaide Festival Centre
On a five-minute walk from the Rundle Mall and North Terrace, lies Australia’s first multifunctional arts locale, called the Adelaide Festival Centre. With its fully packed and lively calendar, this place attracts both the tourists and locals, magnificently showcasing Australian art. In addition to that, this venue is also home to a banquet room, small theaters, a light-filled gallery, and an arena theatre for recitals and concerts. The Centre hosts the highly esteemed Adelaide Arts Festival with opera, theatre, exhibitions, ballet, lectures, and various readings by writers. Easy accessibility and ample parking enhance the overall appeal of this art venue.
7. Barossa Valley & Clare Valley
An hour’s drive from Adelaide airport, Barossa Valley is one of the oldest grape-growing regions and is settled by English and Prussian immigrants. With the plethora of amazing restaurants and fresh produce, foodies will be having the time of their lives. Additionally, the valley is also equipped with a lot of cultural treasures, including cookery schools, heritage trails, galleries, craft stores, and museums. Move a little farther from the Barossa Valley, and you’ll find another natural green place, known as the Clare Valley. This place, backed up with rich grape-growing history, also promotes gourmet food culture.
8. Fleurieu Peninsula
On the south of Adelaide, lies Australia’s one of the best coastal day trip destinations; Fleurieu Peninsula. The place is filled with city slickers, looking for a calm environment and slower pace. You can witness the beauty of fresh farms, rolling hills, surf beaches and have a fulfilling meal at top-notch dining spots. The Coast to Vines Rail Trail is also a go-to spot for beginner cyclists. Victor Harbour is one of the most popular towns on this stony peninsula. From here, you can also hop on to a fishing charter, a seasonal whale-watching cruise, or take a tram to Granite Island.
9. Adelaide Gaol
Adelaide Gaol is one of the coolest souvenirs of the history of Australia. It is one of the oldest buildings in South Australia and was open between the 1840s, until 1988. Many of the colonial prisoners were transferred through the boats and then stayed in a military camp. To fill the needs of ever-increasing population, a temporary prison was built. It was later replaced by a larger and modified prison. On Christmas Eve in 1840, prisoners were moved to the new Goal. Over the course of time, the prison turned into a tourist attraction and a museum.
10. Adelaide Oval
The most famous cathedral in Adelaide, known as Adelaide Oval, is a venue for Australia’s most famous sports, cricket, and football. This place attracts almost 50,000 or more sports enthusiasts on daily basis. You can visit the Oval in the summers, to witness a thrilling and nerve-wracking game of cricket. Most of the time, the teams playing are either the Adelaide Strikers Big Bash franchise or the Australian National Team. You can also check-in during the winter season, to witness the city’s precious AFL clubs, Port Adelaide Power, and the Adelaide Crows. Adelaide Oval counts as one of the best places to visit in Adelaide, especially for sports enthusiasts.
Visiting Adelaide – A Traveler’s Dream
Sydney and Perth have always been the number one priority of those visiting Australia, but the tables have turned now. Adelaide is the new Sydney and without any doubt, the food capital of Australia. It’s a breathable and beautiful city. Every time you visit Adelaide, there are a number of events and festivals going on in different regions. One of the most fascinating facts about Adelaide is that you can explore and wander through the city on a bike. Adelaide’s beauty lies in its eclectic lifestyle, over brimming with multicultural suburbs, foods, and festivals. If you want to experience the calmness and beauty of one of the finest wine regions in Australia, plan your trip to Adelaide now and have the time of your life!