Adelaide
The Voya guide to Adelaide, the secret highlight of any Australian adventure.
They call Adelaide the ‘vineyard city’. The capital of South Australia isn’t just set on the coast and backed by lush Mount Lofty Ranges, it is also surrounded by vineyards liberally sprinkled with famous wineries.
In fact within an hour of the city there are more than 200 cellar doors to visit for a tasting. A quick hop and you could be relaxing in the iconic Barossa, sipping on a bold glass of Shiraz.
Of course, where there is great wine, you’ll also find fantastic food, with world-class chefs opening innovative restaurants across the city to feed the 1.3 million locals and expats that call Adelaide home.
No foodie stay in the city is complete without a visit to the Adelaide Central Market to find the fantastic local produce that grows in this Mediterranean climate, or down the city’s atmospheric laneways where you’ll find cosy little bars and pubs. Make a beeline for riverside ‘BBQ Buoys’, where you can float on the River Torrens while you enjoy some tasty barbequed meat.
The food scene is matched only by the city’s arts and culture, head to the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Samstag Museum, where you can explore a world of art, taking you from classic pieces to cutting-edge modern work. The South Australian Museum showcases the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage as well as exploring natural history.
The city itself is a great base from which to explore the coast. The white-sand beaches and dramatic scenery of the Fleurieu Peninsula are dazzling and in the winter months you can head out on the water and spot migrating whales.
Kangaroo Island is also just off the coast. Hop on the ferry and enjoy a long weekend of natural beauty and incredible landscapes, with plenty of kangaroos, as well as wallabies, possums and seals to spot.
Back in the city, the free buses and trams in the centre make it easy to get around and explore. Discover the Victorian architecture and genteel feel of the North Terrace, head to the Adelaide Oval to worship at this beautiful cathedral to cricket, then venture to Tandanya, where you can visit the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, managed and controlled by local Aborigines looking to give you an authentic experience of their culture and long history.
With its unique blend of art and food, wine and culture, all surrounded by breath taking scenery, sunny Adelaide is the secret highlight of any Australia trip.
CLIMATE
Dry summers and mild winters characterise Adelaide’s southern hemisphere climate. Winter lows are rarely lower than 8C in June, and summer highs hover around 35C. The best time to visit Adelaide is in the spring/summer between September to February.
LANGUAGE
English is the unofficial first language all over Australia, although the highly attractive lifestyle enjoyed by Adelaide’s residents means you’ll also hear many other languages spoken. There are also over 20 different indigenous languages still existing in common use in Australia today.
VOYA FAVOURITE PLACES TO VISIT INCLUDE
Inspired by Kew Gardens in the UK and Versailles Palace in Paris, the Adelaide Botanical Gardenis an oasis of green and calm in the city.
If you’re searching for things to do in Adelaide, the enchanting garden is right next to the Adelaide Zoo and sits within the figure-of-eight Adelaide Park Lands (designed by the city’s creator Colonel William Light).
VOYA FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY INCLUDE
If you’re looking for fun architecture, bright colours and unique design by individual artists, the Majestic Minima Hotel is the one for you.
The Seawall Glenelg apartments are ideal for those seeking something just outside the city centre, and their apartments range from vintage charm to glass and steel modern luxury.
VOYA FAVOURITE DISHES TO TRY
If you want to savour some authentic Australian cuisine from the best restaurants in Adelaide, head over to Orana. Considered by many to be the tastiest food in Australia, don’t miss the crocodile consommé or crisped kangaroo tendon.
VOYA FAVOURITE LOOKS TO PACK
