Top 10 places to visit in Adelaide
The international gateway city of Adelaide is not only South Australia’s capital, it is also renowned for its relaxed alfresco Mediterranean lifestyle boasting year round events and performances of international renown, not to mention access to over 200 cellar doors within an hour’s drive.
Here are a few reasons visitors should spend time in the city:
ADELAIDE BOTANIC GARDENS
The 16-hectare garden, which opened its gates in 1857, is home to special collections, rare plants, lakes and heritage buildings, including two great conservatories heralded for their remarkable design. Tour options include the native bush foods walking tour with award winning Aboriginal operator Bookabee Tours.
THE ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Established in 1881 the gallery is home to one of the country’s oldest art collections. The collections are divided broadly into art from Australia, Europe and Asia and the museum lays claim, among other things, to the largest collection of Rodin sculptures in the southern hemisphere, as well as the most significant collection of South East Asian ceramics in the world.
THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
Packed with thousands of fascinating artefacts reflecting the lifestyles of Aboriginal, early Pacific and ancient Egyptian peoples, the museum boasts the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery as its highlight. Other attractions include the Fossil Gallery home to the opalised Addyman plesiosaur, a 120-million-year-old marine reptile.
GLENELG
Part of Adelaide’s 30 kms of metropolitan coastline with its pristine white sandy beaches, Glenelg is located only 20 minutes by tram from the city centre. Glenelg is popular for its cafes and restaurants, whilst the three and a half hour Temptation Sailing cruise to swim with, or simply observe, common and bottlenose dolphins, is a must.
PENFOLDS MAGILL ESTATE
One of Australia’s most famous historic working wineries located on the city outskirts, operates a selection of guided, behind the scenes tours which include the daily one-hour “Heritage Tour”, tutored tasting sessions featuring six Penfolds wines and the “Great Grange Tour” which takes an exclusive look around the original Penfold family home built in 1845, have the opportunity to taste six Penfolds Super Premium wines and Penfolds’ 20-year-old Bluestone Tawny from the barrel.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL CENTRE
The centre has been hosting cultural extravaganzas for over thirty years. Attracting millions of visitors from all over the world to its internationally renowned performances, this groundbreaking arts centre offers backstage tours that reveal some of the secrets behind the great productions that have been staged here.
THE ADELAIDE OVAL
Described as one of the world’s most picturesque Test cricket grounds, the Oval hosted its first Test match in 1884 and has been attracting international cricketing fans ever since. A tour of the ground and a visit to the museum is a must for sport and cricket lovers. The Bradman Collection, a tribute to cricketing hero Sir Donald Bradman, features over a hundred items of personal and professional cricket memorabilia.
ADELAIDE CENTRAL MARKET
Home to the largest selection of international foods in the city and some of the best-value meals. The market, which opened in 1869, attracts the city’s top chefs who shop for fresh produce from 60 different cultures. Join one of the guided walks that bring out the flavour of the market.
WARRAWONG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY and CLELAND CONSERVATION PARK
Award winning environmental, education facilities. Here visitors can get close to most of Australia’s native animals including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and koalas and can hold a koala or hand feed a kangaroo. There is also the opportunity to learn about Australia’s rare and endangered species like bettongs, potoroos and platypus.
TANDANYA
A national Aboriginal arts and culture gallery where visitors can walk through diverse and exciting exhibitions, watch cultural presentations, didgeridoo or dance performance and browse through the award winning shop.
For more information on these and other attractions, visit: southaustralia.com