As the title suggests, Adelaide is truly beautiful with the River Torrens running through the city. The city has an easy to navigate grid pattern, with colonial stone architecture and wide spaces. The city is generally flat and is a short drive from the amazing beaches and hills. Adelaide is also known as the ‘Festival City’, since it hosts many cultural, food and wine and sporting events throughout the year.
By starting at the North Terrace, a tree-lined boulevard, you will see most of the city’s cultural institutions. The River Torrens is the supreme attraction, where you can take a cruise, paddle boat or even a gondola to explore Adelaide. Interestingly, 45% of the city is dedicated to parklands, for solitude and relaxing escape. At the eastern end of the North Terrace, visit the Botanic Gardens with a tropical rainforest display, heritage buildings, flora from the Asia-Pacific region and spectacular 150-year-old Moreton Bay fig trees. You will also find the National Wine Centre where you can sample wine from 50 different regions, explore the vineyard and enjoy quality cuisines at the restaurant. The South Australian wines are a must-try for wine lovers.
Nearby you will find the Adelaide Festival Centre, which is the heart of the famous Adelaide Arts festival and the premier artistic venue. For more artistic adventures, visit the South Australian Museum which has interesting exhibits on natural history, anthropology and geology as well as the largest Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery in the world. You can also see a fine collection of Art from Australia, Europe and Asia with temporary exiting exhibitions.
Get in touch with nature at the Adelaide Zoo which holds more than 1400 exotic and native birds, mammals, fish and reptiles. There is even a ‘free flight’ macaw show as well as penguin, sea lion and pelican feeding tours. For those who want to explore sport, visit the Adelaide Oval for tours, a museum and of course the finest in Australian cricket. There is a shoppers retreat at Central Market with a great range of fresh produce, lively stalls and a vivid atmosphere. Rundle Mall is the place to find good shopping also.
Other star attractions include the Adelaide Casino, the beautifully restored and once main railway station for free live entertainment and a variety of bars and restaurants. Visit Glenleg on a scenic tram ride as well as the beautiful beaches. Lastly Gouger Street and Hindley Street offer fine dining and lavish restaurants. Overall Adelaide is a beautiful city, filled with peaceful parklands and an array of entertainment and sightseeing adventures.