Adelaide’s changing face: The next chapter in our inspiring story

A DECADE ago, Adelaide was dull, writes Kara Jung. But then some South Aussies found the faith and the fire in their belly to transform our city — and how we feel about it. But do you agree?

NOT that long ago, Adelaide looked a little dull. People had a “not in my backyard” attitude and any kind of change was met with stern objections in a bid to protect what we had. Despite most of that being tiresome and a little dreary.

But look at her now. The 2017 Ashes Second Test came to town recently. And in spite of the not-so-sunny weather, the city was full of a new energy. And soon the Big Bash will have us once again streaming over the beautiful Torrens River footbridge and back into that world-class stadium.

I didn’t get to go to the cricket (my dad, mum, husband and son who all spent some time in the stands during the five days said the atmosphere was fantastic) but I did get to walk around the Riverbank.

I spent the Friday night before the big event in Peel St and then at the Festival Centre, and then in Leigh St.

It was pumping. The food was world-class, the wine local and fabulous. The crowds, like the skyline, were big and buzzing.

Pink Moon Saloon. Image: supplied.

Aerial view of Adelaide Oval at Sunset. Picture: Matt Turner

There’s the cutting-edge architecture of the SAHMRI alongside the historic beauty of North Terrace’s cultural precinct.; the fabulous Central Market, choc full of local produce that rivals the best in the world.

Gorica Kristin and Hannah Pendleburyparty in Peel St. Picture: AAP/Roy Vandervegt

But it’s not just during the footy or cricket and it’s not just in our CBD that this change is happening. It’s happening every day from the suburbs to the sea.

At Morialta there’s the new world-class nature playground — so popular there’s now extra parking and shuttle buses.

The new Palace Nova Prospect cinema has opened with an impressive art deco interpretation, making the new building a striking new feature of up-and-coming Prospect Rd.

This week the new $160 million O-Bahn tunnel also opened. And while there’s lots of roadwork frustration right now (there’s about 100 projects going on around Adelaide as we speak), the results will (hopefully) be safer, faster routes to work and home for all of us.

Once tired front bars in the ’burbs, such as The Feathers, Mile End and Paradise hotels (to name just a few), are now stylish drinking holes with fabulous food offerings.

We have the world’s most beautiful beaches — and they are more accessible that ever thanks to projects like the $8.4 million Henley Square revamp.

And wineries that not only offer unrivalled reds, whites and bubbles but are premier destinations — from the audacious d’Arenberg Cube (which opens Thursday) to the rolling green hills at Bird in Hand.

Many credit the creative thinkers, bold State Government and council strategies and some big investment projects such as the stunning Adelaide Oval revamp for this bold evolution; as well as the laws that enabled the small-bar boom and laneway activation.

But it’s not just the guys with lots of money and clout making this transformation such a success.

It’s the South Aussies who courageously found the faith and the fire in their belly to open that food truck, start a hole in the wall bar, renovate and innovate their local pub, distil some gin or brew some beer.

These trailblazers breathed fresh life into vacant shabby malls and buildings. Markets started popping up full of locally made wares. Finding great coffee is no longer a challenge.

And there’s been a shift in the way we see ourselves. We still get excited when Lonely Planet puts us on one of their lists spouting our many attractions (as we should). But we seem to now know it within ourselves too.

Rather than staring wide-eyed at the telly when a cricket commentator raves about how great our city is, many of us now nod knowingly.

Yes, we are starting to confidently love where we live; to let go of our identity crisis and embrace this new city.

The international recognition will hopefully translate to more travellers from afar contributing to our record $6.3 billion visitor economy.

And for us locals, well it feels great to call Adelaide home.

As we head into 2018, I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for our Adelaide, one of the great international cities of the world.