Discover the best Adelaide has to offer

SOUTH Australia's capital has plenty to offer, whether you want to nourish the stomach or the brain, writes Scott Podmore.

adelaide central market

SOUTH Australia's capital has plenty to offer, whether you want to nourish the stomach or the brain, writes Scott Podmore.

Best for markets

"This market is the only one like it in the country," says Mark Gleeson, a proud stallholder at Adelaide Central Market. You can't miss his Providore - just look for the flowing chocolate fountains and scrumptious pies, tarts, pastries and wickedly alluring Belgian Chocolate Crackles tempting the hordes of foodies.

In fact, Adelaide's famous century-old Central Market draws eight million visitors a year to peruse and purchase from the melting pot of offerings that includes Italian, Greek, Russian, Asian and Middle Eastern.

"A lot of the shops are two or three generations old, too, so there's a lot of history," Gleeson says.

The Adelaide Central Market is considered the food centre in South Australia, the very heartland of the supply chain from the farm gate to consumer. There are about 80 stores in the middle of the market and 120 around the perimeter that feed directly into the nearby restaurants, hotels and Chinatown.

Gleeson also runs Central Market Tour, the best way to discover what goes on behind the scenes.

The tour takes a couple of hours and works well because of his connection to the stall owners. The minute he fronts with a group, out come smiles all round as shopkeepers talk about their products or demonstrate how they're made.

"It's an experience you simply can't get if you're just wandering around - they love to show off their stuff," Gleeson says as a staff member of Say Cheese stretches out and rolls up a freshly made mozzarella in seconds for us to sample.

"They're very proud of what they do. There's such a general change in food and tourism, and we're just really starting to see that; it goes hand in hand," he says. "Once upon a time travel was about going on a holiday in a caravan, but now, food is big time.

"For the shopping, it's all about quality and variety and it's a little kooky here, too, which makes it even more interesting."

Best for quirky B&Bs

When there's a big red 1942 International fire truck parked prominently inside your room, chances are you'll jump right behind that steering wheel.

That is, of course, after you've donned the immaculately presented fireman's uniform and helmet hanging on a coat rack by the door. The classic engine is a feature of the Fire Station Inn's Fire Engine Suite, and part of North Adelaide Heritage Group's stable of premier boutique heritage accommodation in and around Adelaide.

The Fire Engine Suite in Tynte St is part of an 1866 Victorian two-storey bluestone building that was converted to a fire station in 1904 and faithfully served the metro fire brigade until 1996. A few years later antique dealer Rodney Twiss and his wife, Regina, transformed the station into a B&B suite, retaining both its character and historical significance.

"We get romantic couples, older couples, families, and - because we're internationally promoted - we're getting people from Switzerland, New Zealand, and pretty well anywhere in the world," Regina says.

Adding to the atmosphere is a firefighter's quick exit pole, antique fire truck models and paraphernalia.

"Nearby O'Connell St is very cosmopolitan and is a hive of activity with great pubs and restaurants, too," Regina points out.

"And we're only a 10-minute drive from the city."

Best for boutique shopping

Shopping hubs abound in Adelaide and surrounds, from Rundle Mall in the CBD to The Parade in Norwood, but the vibe 10 minutes south of the city in King William Rd in Hyde Park is drawing visiting high-end shoppers like bees to honey.

Liza Emanuele, an Australian fashion designer, studied in Milan and came back to sharpen her skills working with the likes of George Gross, Harry Who and Sportsgirl, is now established in the boutique shopping strip with her own self-titled store with studio out back.

"It's a cute little gorgeous hub of fun and independent shops," says Emanuele, renowned for her sexy dresses and bridal wear. "There are bigger, more commercial shopping areas in and around Adelaide, of course, but this is a bit more intimate."

King William Rd has a European edge to it with clean, paved roads, pretty shop fronts and great high-end shopping, Italian restaurants and cafes such as Parisi's Restaurant and The Pot Food and Wine, wellness centres and gift shops.

"Basically, there's a great range of boutique luxury products at affordable prices for women and men," Emanuele points out. "It's a really good opportunity to spend a couple of hours enjoying a great atmosphere."

Best for culture and history

Take one step on Adelaide's North Terrace and you're immediately transported into a cultural boulevard of history and grand architecture.

"This is where South Australia's history lives," says A Taste of South Australia walking tours director Mary Anne Kennedy on our wander past Parliament House, the State Library, South Australia Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

"In Adelaide you have to delve a little bit deeper to discover the stories and history behind all these places," Kennedy says.

"The North Terrace is a wonderful place to explore and get a sense of the state and city's history."

North Terrace is one of the four terraces that bound the CBD and residential districts of Adelaide. It runs 1.6km east to west along the northern fringe of the central business area.

See southaustralia.com/about/art-culture-lifestyle.aspx and tastesa.com.au

Best for festivals

South Australia's Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell takes pride in the fact his home state's capital sits high in the country's pecking order when it comes to delivering on outstanding annual festivals for arts, music, sport and culture.

"South Australia thrives on events," he says.

"There are none bigger or better than Adelaide Fringe Festival It's internationally renowned."

As well as The Fringe there is the international cycling race and festival, Santos Tour Down Under, which attracts 40,000 visitors; the Wooden Boat Festival; the Adelaide Festival; the Adelaide Fringe, the Cabaret Festival and WOMAdelaide

See festivalsadelaide.com.au

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Getting there: Virgin Australia operates more than 320 flights a week to and from Adelaide to seven domestic destinations and one international destination.

3 WAYS TO SEE ADELAIDE

1. Budget

See: Adelaide Botanic Garden offers worlds of discovery - for free - as you stroll through the International Rose Garden, Palm House, Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, Diggers Garden Shop and Bicentennial Conservatory.

Sleep: BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park has grassy powered sites from $40 and budget cottages from $116.

Eat: Gouger St overflows with quality Asian cheap eats including Chinese, Indian, Thai and Korean, as well as Spanish, Italian and seafood.

Do: Take a tram in the city for a 20-minute ride before enjoying the beautiful white sandy beach in Glenelg, only 10km away.

2. Mid-range

See: Discover one of Australia's great nautical collections at the South Australia Maritime Museum in Lipson St, Port Adelaide. Open 10-5 every day (except Christmas Day).

Sleep: The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel in Frome St, appears up-market but comes with a mid-range price tag. Rates vary depending on the time of year, but at the moment they are $155 a night for a deluxe room through to a spa suite for $255.

Eat: Andre's Cucina and Polenta Bar in Frome St is an outstanding culinary adventure. Try a six-course Menu Fisso for $59.

Do: Visit Wang Wang and Funi, the only Giant Pandas in the southern hemisphere, and other wild creatures, at Adelaide Zoo. Open every day ($31.50 adults, $18 children).

3. Luxury

See: The Art Gallery of South Australia until May 19 for Turner From The Tate: The Making of a Master exhibition.

Sleep: InterContinental Adelaide offers luxury accommodation along the banks of the Torrens and adjacent to the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and casino.

Do: A Taste of South Australia tours are tops for food and wine experiences in Adelaide, with some great walking tour options.

The writer was a guest of South Australian Tourism Commission.

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