Lonely Planet names Adelaide’s West End one of top three ‘coolest neighbourhoods’

BUZZING laneways, small bars, restaurants and daring architecture — people are taking notice of this Adelaide spot. Now it’s one of Lonely Planet’s top three “coolest neighbourhoods” in Australia.

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WITH its buzzy laneways, world-class bars and restaurants and mix of heritage and cutting-edge architecture, Adelaideans know how great the city’s West End is these days.

But now, we’ll have to share our secret with the world, with the spot named in Lonely Planet’s top three “coolest neighbourhoods” in Australia to visit.

The influential publisher has named the neighbourhood as the place to go right now, along with Newstead in Brisbane and Maylands in Perth.

They say the area — which includes the revived Leigh, Peel and Bank streets, the Central Markets and arguably one of the state’s hottest buildings, SAHMRI — is a huge drawcard for both national and international tourists.

The eye-catching SAHMRI building in North Terrace. Picture: Peter Clark Photography.

The Pink Moon Saloon in Adelaide’s West End.

Lonely Planet spokesman Chris Zeiher said the West End had transformed itself from its “salacious past” and was “no longer a no-go zone”.

“We really think it (the West End) is in a massive transition phase — it’s really interesting from a travellers point of view,” he said.

“It started with the Adelaide Oval and once the Oval got established, traffic changed, particularly when it comes to events like football, the Big Bash and concerts — that changed the dynamics of how people traversed the city.

“All of a sudden the West End is getting a lot more foot traffic.”

Mr Zeiher said everything from the “friendly laneways” to “award-winning bars and restaurants such as Pink Moon Saloon” and the “new futuristic SAHMRI building” offered visitors traveller experiences “morning, noon and night”.

A dramatic sunset over a day-night Sheffield Shield match between SA and NSW last year. Picture: Sarah Reed

Friends Brooke Newton and Mikaela Anderson at Peter Rabbit cafe, on the corner of Hindley and Liverpool streets. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

“What we look at is places that are very much redeveloping or ones that have had significant investment gone into them,” he said.

“The entirety of Adelaide now stacks up as a fantastic international city to visit — this is another pocket of the city which adds to the reason to go.”

Last year, Lonely Planet named South Australia as one of the top places across the world to visit in 2017.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said it was “fantastic” to see Lonely Planet recognising South Australia again.

“We have some of the best South Australian produce showcased in the West End of Adelaide and I’m sure this will encourage more international travellers to visit, contributing to our record $6.3 billion visitor economy,” he said.