Why Adelaide is shining brighter than ever

One Australian city has repeatedly been named as one of the best places in the world to visit. We've discovered why.

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

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World travel guides keep calling Adelaide out as one of the best cities on Earth to visit. And with the buzz in the city, it’s no wonder.

There’s an exciting energy in Adelaide right now. Over recent years the city has transformed itself into a vibrant, buzzing hub, home to a brilliant bar scene, great shopping, striking street art, and some of the best restaurants in Australia.

This change hasn’t gone unnoticed. In recent years Adelaide has repeatedly been named as one of the best cities in the world to visit by some of the world’s most prominent travel guides.

Long known as a cultural centre, the city is brimming with some of the best festivals in the world. 

From Adelaide Fringe, to WOMADelaide to Tasting Australia, whether you’re into food or world music, you can time your visit to coincide with your passion.

FANCY A DRINK?

Adelaide locals know they’re onto a winner. The city’s bar scene extends far beyond the (excellent) laneways, and onto the city’s most famous beach. Likely the most sophisticated day on the beach in Australia, Glenelg is home to Australia’s first European-style beach club, offering all day dining and drinks. The Moseley Beach Club draws in a vibrant mix of people kicking back on a day bed or sun lounger, chilling to live music and enjoying fresh local food and delicious cocktails.

If you like your cocktails in a cosy setting, you can’t beat Adelaide’s thriving small-bar scene. Centred around Leigh and Peel streets in the middle of the city, a number of brilliant bars have popped up in recent years. One of our favourites is Maybe Mae. Hidden behind a wood-panelled door in between the two lanes, the intimate cocktail bar draws in a diverse crowd, here not only to enjoy the mixology, but the insta-worthy setting.

Of course we can’t talk about the best bars in Adelaide and not mention gin. Home grown gems include the award-winning Adelaide Hills Distillery, and one of our favourite city gin bars Hains & Co. Or pop into the city cellar door of the Prohibition Liquor Company, and sample the product directly from the makers.

The Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide

LEAVE SPACE IN YOUR SUITCASE

Adelaide is full of eclectic places to shop, and one of the standouts is the Jam Factory. Not only a retail space, this West End favourite is also home to a gallery and studio space, where visitors are welcome to watch artists as they work. You could spend hours wandering through the gallery, before browsing the store to find one-off pieces you’ll treasure.

Sophie Guiney is Head of Marketing at the unique venue, and said visitors and locals alike are drawn in for the chance to purchase something hand crafted from one of the resident artists.

“We have artists working in ceramics, metal, glass and furniture, making things such as vases, wine decanters, textiles, homewares, and jewellery.”

She said everything is hand made in Australia, with many one off pieces used as a functional artwork in the home. Ms Guiney said the vibrancy and success of the Jam Factory is reflected in the wider city. “The vibe of the city has changed in recent years, there’s a lot more to do now. There’s more dining and bars. People are out on the street enjoying arts and culture, which is great.”

Fine Dining, Adelaide

FINE DINING, REIMAGINED

With its proximity to Australia’s most famous wine regions, foodies and wine enthusiasts alike have been drawn to Adelaide, and have supported the evolution of the restaurant scene in recent years. Many of the city’s best restaurants pride themselves on celebrating local produce, and pairing it with wines grown in South Australia. 

Try Press Food and Wine in the heart of the city, with a menu ever evolving to reflect the season. Shoshubo has been wowing patrons and critics with its combination of traditional Japanese techniques and fresh South Australian ingredients. 

Further afield, enjoy the beautiful beachside setting at the Star of Greece in Port Willunga, where you can savour fine dining in a relaxed and friendly setting, sampling fresh, regional ingredients.

Lush Vineyards, Adelaide

GO FOR A DRIVE

McLaren Vale combines a spectacular coast, with some of Australia’s best wineries, and is only an hour from Adelaide, making it the perfect day trip. Why not stop at Red Poles restaurant for lunch. They make a point of offering a tasting board of the region’s top wines and beers, all while kicking back in their own beautiful setting.

You can’t visit Adelaide without spending a day (or two) in Australia’s most famous wine region. The Barossa is home to  Penfolds, Yalumba, Jacob’s Creek, and Peter Lehman, plus a huge number of smaller wineries, who are equally kicking goals internationally with their world-class drops.

Even closer to the city, some of our favourite wineries are just a short drive up the Adelaide Hills. Shaw + Smith’s Savingon Blanc has been celebrated for years - and their other wines are just as good. Sample some of their latest vintages, before heading over to nearby Hahndorf, where Adelaide’s German community was established in 1839, and where to this day you can enjoy speciality foods, and experience the strong German culture in the region. 

When you’re in need of something more energetic, follow the locals and head north to Garden Island. Here you can hire a kayak, and paddle with the thriving dolphin population in the area. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Vardon Avenue, Adelaide

THE LUXE TRIP YOU NEED

It’s not only the local experiences that have elevated in recent years. Adelaide is now home to luxe accommodation, including the newly opened Eos. Jodi Brown, the hotel’s General Manager explained that the venue is much more than a place to rest your head.

“Eos by SkyCity is a new realm of 5 star luxury for Adelaide, offering opulent signature experiences such as In-Room Mixologists and Hair & Make-Up Artists, while we also showcase more than a million dollars-worth of local art. We couldn’t be prouder of opening Eos in Adelaide, where we offer spoils of high-quality food, breathtaking experiences and a dynamic multi-cultural community in a safe and clean CBD.”

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said he’s looking forward to welcoming back more visitors to Adelaide.

“There’s never been a better time to see South Australia – not only is it festival season in our state, it’s also the ‘Year of South Australian Wine’.” He encouraged Australians to book soon to enjoy the renown WOMADelade (held in early March), or Adelaide Fringe (running until March 21).

“We’ve got iconic festivals like the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide on over the next month, Grand Slam tennis champions set to return to Memorial Drive later this month for the Adelaide International, and a year-long calendar of wine events and experiences for our recently-announced 2021 Year of South Australian Wine.” He encouraged visitors to spend time exploring the cellar doors of the wine regions near Adelaide, while basing yourself in the vibrant city.

“Whether it’s heading out to one of SA’s over 350 cellar doors or soaking up the festival atmosphere in the city – there is plenty to see and do in SA and never a better time to ‘raise a glass’ to South Australian wine.”

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