Kara Jung: An open letter to new Port WAG Chelsea Becirevic about why you’re going to love SA

WAG Chelsea Becirevic and partner Ivan Soldo are about to farewell cold, drab Melbourne for the sunshine and fun of SA. Here’s what she can look forward to.

Dear Chelsea, if you were to have read the Herald Sun you may be wondering if your move to Adelaide is a winner. Haven’t read it yet as you’re too busy dreaming of hitting the best beaches in the world here in SA? We totally understand.

To catch you up, they had a petty little quip that you are about to “settle for the low-energy lifestyle of the City of Churches”.

And hey, we all just rolled our eyes and smiled at the poor misconception and were about to move on with our fast-paced, happy lives but then we thought, perhaps this is a great opportunity to get your must-do list started for the fabulous chapter you’re about to begin in our great state.

New Port Adelaide player Ivan Soldo's partner Chelsea Becirevic is moving to Adelaide.

Ivan Soldo and Chelsea Becirevic. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Chels, we hear you herald from the Gold Coast so sun, surf and sand are likely a priority for a happy lifestyle – and with two huge gulfs and thousands of kilometres of open-ocean, Adelaide is home to the best beaches in the world.

Whether it’s surfing at South Port Beach at the southern end of Port Noarlunga, swimming at Seacliff, enjoying some of the world’s finest restaurants at Henley Square, driving on and pulling the car right up on the sand at Moana or enjoying the cafe culture at Brighton Beach, we have your summer paradise covered. And this city is known for it’s bloody amazing sunsets over the ocean, so you are in for a treat.

Crystal clear water, white sandy beaches and cafes, restaurants and bars just a stroll away.

Oh and it won’t be raining or yucky when you want to hit the beach either.

That’s right – you are leaving the dreary Melbourne climate and the bay they like to think is a city beach for sunshine and laughter.

You can wave goodbye to the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) we hear is a common affliction of our friends in the cold and grey over the border.

I can’t imagine Melbourne’s much-lauded laneway cafe culture is, in reality, much fun if in the rain and wind so there’s more great news – Adelaide’s laneway culture is an electric mix of world-class bars, balmy nights and sunshiny days where strappy dresses and strappy heels are not only the fashion but weather appropriate.

Port Noarlunga beach surfing spot.

Brighton Jetty at sunset – note the lack of gloom.

Or if rooftop drinks with views of the stunning Adelaide Oval or far off rolling hills are more your vibe, we’ve got that covered too.

And by far off we don’t actually mean hours stuck in traffic jams after forking out half your paycheck on a toll, but 25 minutes to some of the most gorgeous wineries, sensational views, award-winning wine and some very instagrammable snap spots – think the d’Arenberg Cube, the Down the Rabbit Hole wildflowers, the Bird in Hand Winery door … ahh there’s actually too many to list here.

Me in a field of wildflowers just a short drive from the CBD, having just devoured a three-course feed-me menu of amazing local produce while sipping sparkling from local vineyards.

Nature’s infinity pool – photo by @SaltyTravellers at Carrickalinga

Further afield in SA there’s the Woolshed Cave on the Eyre Peninsula, Arkaroo Rock in the stunning Flinders Ranges, Kayaking around the ships graveyard at Garden Island with the dolphins or strolling through the pink Lake Bumbunga.

There’s the palm-studded highway that leads you to the Barossa Valley, swimming with sea lions at Port Lincoln and the magical Kangaroo Island.

Visitor expenditure in South Australia hit a record-high $9.9bn in the 12 months to June 2023 and it won’t be hard to see why when you get here.

You’ll love a warm and bustling laneways.

Some delicious Peel St Restaurant dishes.

Then there’s our dominance as a cultural Mecca, with events such as the Fringe, WOMADelaide (I’ve already bought my multi-day pass) and the Tour Down Under.

Fun, vibrant and effortlessly chic? Yep. Relaxed, friendly and unpretentious? Absolutely.

But never low energy.

Indeed, it frequently ranks in the top 10 of the world’s most liveable cities. Our West End has made it to a few of Lonely Planet’s “coolest neighbourhoods” lists.

It’s not just a great place to visit, it stacks up as an stellar place to live.

But maybe keep that on the low down – we do enjoy a little giggle every time they feel the need to put us down in a backward attempt to boost themselves up.

You’re moving to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

See you soon in the sunshine.

Kara Jung is Deputy Digital Editor for The Advertiser, lover of sunshine and good food, wine and travel.