Five things you must do while in Adelaide
It may not be one of Australia’s big capital cities but Adelaide packs a mighty punch — and there are experiences here you can’t find anywhere else.
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For one of Australia’s smallest state capitals, Adelaide packs a mighty punch.
It’s long outgrown its City of Churches moniker with a thriving arts and cultural scene, exciting restaurants and trendy bars, and a non-stop calendar of festivals and events that have put the South Australian capital on the world stage.
The other special thing about Adelaide is it’s the perfect base to explore some of the world’s best wine regions, which are just a stone’s throw away.
Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley — they’re all within an hour or two’s drive of the city, with plenty of others also close by, making Adelaide’s star shine even brighter.
DISCOVER THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN ADELAIDE
Here are some of the best ways to discover South Australia’s charming capital city.
BEST KANGAROO ISLAND DAY TRIP
One Day Kangaroo Island Experience from Adelaide
Once you’ve checked out Adelaide’s arts scene, trendy eateries and striking architecture, spend a day getting closer to nature — and there’s no better place to do that than Kangaroo Island, a patch of rugged beauty off the South Australian coast.
This one-day trip from Adelaide is the ultimate nothing-to-worry-about experience, with transport, lunch and the entire itinerary taken care of, so you won’t miss any must-sees at this spectacular destination.
The tour includes Kangaroo Island’s stunning beaches and bushland, as well as plenty of its famous native animal residents, all with expert commentary by a guide.
Highlights include a guided beach walk at Seal Bay Conservation Park, a visit to the regenerating Flinders Chase National Park — including Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch — and kangaroo and koala viewing at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, with admission fees included.
There is also a two-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, overlooking the specularly scenery.
BEST BAROSSA WINE TOUR
Barossa Valley Wine Tasting Tour
A wine tour is practically a mandatory part of visiting Adelaide. And right on the doorstep of the city is one of the world’s greatest wine regions: the Barossa Valley.
Not only is this relatively small region a wine-producing powerhouse — it is also one of the oldest wine regions in Australia — the surrounds are drop-dead gorgeous.
After picking you up from your accommodation, this tour will take you through this scenic region so you can discover the local wines that make the Barossa Valley so globally famous.
Stops include wine and cheese tasting at wineries such as Thorn-Clarke Wines and Rosenvale Vineyards.
There will be a gourmet platter lunch and visits to the iconic Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and
Seppeltsfield Winery, and learn more about the history of the region while taking in the spectacular views from Menglers Hill.
And after all that wine and cheese, all you need to do is sit back and be escorted safely back to wherever you’re staying in Adelaide.
BEST VIEWS OF ADELAIDE CITY
Adelaide is a city of stylish architecture and there’s no better to take in its many wonders than this.
This exciting roof climb of Adelaide Oval gives visitors unparalleled, 360-degree views of the whole city, from the coast to the Adelaide foothills.
You don’t need to be a diehard sports fan to appreciate this — while the tour offers access to the stadium few sports fans get to see, the experience is really all about those breathtaking views, and the fascinating stories about Adelaide’s colourful history.
RoofClimb Leaders will guide you along a path on the rooftop and, if you dare, you can lean out over the turf from the roof for a once-in-lifetime thrill. Don’t worry — all tourists will be safely harnessed in their RoofClimb suits the whole time, and as part of this deal, you’ll be able to take home a RoofClimb cap, achievement certificate, and printed group photo.
BEST MCLAREN VALE WINE TOUR
McLaren Vale Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour from Adelaide
We told you no visit to Adelaide was complete without a wine tour. And this one takes you to the beautiful McLaren Vale.
This hop-on, hop-off bus tour is an ideal format for a wine-fuelled visit. After being picked up from the Adelaide CBD, you’ll be taken to all the top wineries in the region.
What’s special about this tour is you get to pick which one you want to stop and spend some quality time in, before you hop on the next bus to continue the journey. You might want to hop off at every stop along the way, or pick a few highlights from the itinerary, and enjoy things at your own pace.
All the while, you’ll be able to take in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale and that gorgeous view of the Fleurieu coastline, before heading back to the Adelaide CBD.
BEST KAYAKING EXPERIENCE
The unforgettable experience allows you to kayak around Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary near Garden Island, which is home to resident and transient dolphins who call in at various times throughout the year.
With a kayak instructor as your guide, you’ll paddle past shipwrecks and into the mangroves that are brimming with native wildlife.
Keep your eyes peels for a variety of dolphin species, including Port River dolphins who play in the area — seeing them during a calming kayak ride is an incredible experience you can only have in this wonderful city.
What’s the best time to visit Adelaide?
Any time is a good time to visit Adelaide, with each of the seasons offering something special. Summer can get quite hot in the city, as in Australia’s other major cities, and winter is typically the wettest month, with temperatures particularly low in the Adelaide Hills.
Autumn, between March and May, is an attractive time to visit, with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures in the low to mid 20s — and well as lots of gorgeous autumnal colours, especially in the Adelaide Hills. Spring, between September and November, is also a colourful time, with city gardens in bloom and temperatures reaching a daily average of about 21.7C.
How far is Adelaide from the airport?
Adelaide Airport is very close to the city CBD — just seven kilometres, in fact, so it’s not a very expensive taxi or ride sharing fare — even with the $3 airport levy. Adelaide Metro offers a JetBus service from the airport to Glenelg, West Beach and the City, servicing all stops en route. You’ll need a Metro card, which can be bought from the airport ticket vending machine at the bus stop.
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