Adelaide

From MaxTravelz

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia. Its population is slightly over 1 million, which makes it by far the largest city in the otherwise sparsely populated state.

Adelaide is centrally located among the wine regions of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, all of which are within day-trip distance.

Contents

Get In

By car

Adelaide is within a reasonable driving distance of the capital cities on the east coast. The shortest route from Adelaide to Melbourne takes eight to nine hours (stay safe: make sure you rest well every couple of hours).

By plane

Adelaide has a brand new airport with a couple of international connections e.g. Hongkong and Singapore.

If you prefer to fly, Adelaide is less than an hour from Melbourne and less than three hours from Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart by plane, and slightly further from the other capital cities. Direct flights to and from Auckland, NZ are now possible with the newly expanded Adelaide airport.

The airport is connected with the public transport system (Bus ticket 2.1 AUD) or taxi (ca. 18 AUD) and the city center can be reached with 15-25 minutes. Airport to the closest beach West Beach is 4kms away. West Beach is an excellent swimming beach and is well serviced with holiday apartments.

By train

Adelaide is part of the cross-country train network, and there are regular services from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The train to Alice Springs (and Darwin) departs from Adelaide.

Get Around

Train, tram and bus services are provided by different companies but they are well integrated and use a unified ticketing system. Single trip tickets can be purchased on-board any bus and allow the passenger to move freely around the transport network for two hours.

The Passenger Transport InfoCentre (corner of King William & Currie Streets, Adelaide) is the place to visit for timetable and route information. Economical "multi-trip" tickets containing 10 trips are available, and you can save even more by travelling only between 9am and 3pm on an "interpeak" multi-trip ticket. Tickets and route information can also be obtained from many newsagents, delis and post offices.

The city center is compact and can be easily covered on foot, but for the leg weary there are two free buses. The Bee Line (#99B) leaves from Victoria Square (every 5–10 min. Mon–Thurs 7:40 AM–6:00 PM, Fri 7:40 AM–9:20 PM; every 15 min. Sat 8:30 AM–5:30 PM) and heads up King William Street to North Terrace, along past the train station, down to Hindley Street and then back to Victoria Square along the same route. The City Loop Bus (every 20min) has thirty stops taking in all the major cultural and commercial centres, beginning at Adelaide Train Station. Both buses feature ground-level access ramps.

There is a tram that runs from Victoria Square to the popular seaside suburb of Glenelg. This uses the standard ticket system and the whole trip takes less than 30 minutes.

Be warned that bus and train frequency declines sharply after 6pm, with hourly intervals being typical in the suburbs. The transport network ceases operation before midnight, so expect to catch a taxi if you are out after this time. A special bus service called the Wandering Star offers a service from the city centre to your house (or as near as possible) after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. The ticket cost is AUD$6. There is eleven Wandering Stars for different sections of the metropolitan area.

Taxis are provided by a few companies and can be hailed on the street or arranged by phone. There is a common rate of flagfall (increased at night) and a per-distance charge.

The AdelaideMetro website contains comprehensive information about public transport in Adelaide.

See and Do

  • Historic beachside suburb of Glenelg offering a jetty, the 'Grand' (a quality hotel) and many restaurants and cafes.
  • West Beach is ideal for family walks and swimming - it is close to both Glenelg and Henley Beach. At Henley Beach there is Henley square which hosts some 15 restaurants - an excellent dining venue.)
  • Beacon Hill in North Adelaide (provides a spectacular view of the city, especially at night)
  • Belair National Park, via the Belair train line
  • Adelaide Hills, including the Mt Lofty Summit which provides spectacular views of the Adelaide plains, Adelaide metropolitan area, Adelaide CBD, Glenelg and surrounding areas. There is a restaurant at the Mt. Lofty summit, which is moderately priced and there is a souvenier shop which also offers tourist information.
  • Hahndorf German settlement, a short drive up the freeway, attractions include a small chocolate factory, parks with barbeque facilities and a playground plus many small stores selling all manner of products.
  • Walking North Terrace will take you past the Casino (Railway Station below), Parliament House, Government House, the State Library, Museum, Art Gallery (free entry), Adelaide University, University of South Australia, Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Botanic Gardens. A worthwhile trek!
  • The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are FREE to enter and are a worthwhile visit, the gardens are quiet and relaxing even though they're in the heart of the city. They contain many large grassed areas ideal for relaxing, just outside the gardens are the city parklands where ball games and picnics can be held. There is a cafe in the gardens and a conservatory. The bicentennial conservatory is not free, but it is worthwhile, is simulates a tropical rainforest with mist falling from the roof. Be warned, it is quite humid if you have difficulties breathing or can't tolerate warm temperatures you should not enter.
  • During mid-March, the Clipsal 500 supercar racing event is very popular, sporting massive street parties, huge concert line-ups and many fanatic Adelaidians.
  • During late Feb-March, every two years the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Festival of Arts brings the city alive with music, arts, dance and culture from all over the world. Both are large and very popular events run every few years. WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance) is another hugely popular music festival now held every year in March. People come from all over Australia and overseas to be at this very special event. Adelaide at its very best.
  • Lazy walks along white sandy beaches.
  • Picturesque Victor Harbor and Granite Island, just an hour or so drive south of Adelaide. Granite Island is one of the few places you can see Fairy Penguins in their natural habitat.
  • The stunning Flinders Ranges begin just one and a half hours north of Adelaide
  • Whispering wall at the Barossa Reservoir.
  • Conservation parks such as Cleland and Warrawong, cleveland is a good stop on the way down from Mt. Lofty the park offers gas BBQ facilities (Entry fees apply).
  • Wineries, beaches, whale watching, fairy penguins and other attractions south of the city on the Fleurieu peninsula.
  • The Skycity Adelaide Casino on North Terrace adjoining the Festival and Convention centres.

Museums and Galleries

  • Art Gallery of South Australia is located on North Terrace, Adelaide (half way between Kintore Avenue and Frome Road in between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide), 8 8207 7000, . Open everyday 10AM to 5PM, closed Dec. 25.
  • South Australian Museum is located on North Terrace, Adelaide (next to the Art Gallery of South Australia). Open 10am - 5pm (except Good Friday and Christmas Day).
  • Belair National Park is a national park of 835 ha, located 11KM south of Adelaide City. Old Government House, the colony's first official Vice-regal summer residence, is located within the park. A vehicle entry fee applies to cars entering the park. The park gates are open daily from 8am to sunset, all year, excepting Christmas Day.
  • Gawler Museum, via Gawler train line
  • Port Adelaide Maritime Museum
  • Port Adelaide Lighthouse
  • Port Adelaide SA Train Museum
  • Glenelg Museum & historic tram

Buy

Eat

  • Gouger Street, Adelaide. Boasts a variety of Asian and seafood restaurants. Most restaurants are upmarket but the Chinese restaurants offer good value. From Friday to Sunday make sure to reserve a table to avoid disappointment.
  • The Parade, Norwood. Cosmopolitian dining. Generally accessed by buses numbering 122-124.
  • Rundle Street, Adelaide. Al fresco cafes. For something special visit "Chocolate Bean" Adelaide's first 'chocolate cafe' on 18 Union St just off Rundle St - for chocolate lovers! http://www.chocolatebean.com/
  • Melbourne Street, North Adelaide. Mix of cafes and fine dining.
  • Australia's Pizza House,Cheap pizza. There are a few around the CBD - Hindley Street, Bank Street, Hutt Street, West Terrace.

Drink

Adelaide at WikiPubs.org The listing of pubs for Adelaide at the World Wide Pub Wiki, WikiPubs.org.

Try Rundle or Hindley Streets in the central business district on any night. Hindley St is the red light district of Adelaide that continues till Light Sq. Famous clubs are next door to strip joints, so make sure you join the right queue...

For younger travellers, the following are the places to be, as long as it is your scene. Full of students straight out of Adelaide's eastern suburbs private schools (in addition to many still at school), it can be a bit much for some. Nonetheless, foreigners are particularly welcome.

  • General Havelock Hotel, 162 Hutt St.
  • The Exchange (corner of Hutt St. and Grenfell St.)

For LGB travellers, there are a number of LGB bars that are easily discoverable and very well known.

Sleep

Serviced Apartments

Serviced, short-term apartments are widely available throughout Adelaide and are available for stays as short as one night. Amenities typically include kitchen, washer and dryer, and separate bedrooms. A full range a quality properties exist from budget to 5 star.

Budget

  • Adelaide Central YHA, 135 Waymouth Street, 08 8414 3010 (fax 08 8414 3015, email adlcentral@yhasa.org.au), . $23 per bed per night in a dorm room, $60 for a private double room and $75 for double en suite. Non YHA members most pay an additional fee of $3.5 per night and person.
  • My Place Adelaide, 257 Waymouth Street, 1800 221 529, very clean, good social vibe and free breakfast & free bus to Glenelg beach
  • The Austral, 205 Rundle Street, 08 8223 4660, . The Austral is a pub which provides accommodation upstairs from the bar area. Rooms are clean and fairly quiet despite the bar downstairs, although the mattresses aren't great quality. Bathrooms are shared. Close to Adelaide's centre. $35 per night single and $55 per night double.
  • Plaza Hotel, 85 Hindley Street, 08 8231 6371 (fax 08 8231 2055, email plazahotel@bigpond.com) . Single rooms $66 per night, double rooms $72 per night.
  • Cannon Street Backpackers Across the Flinders Street Bus Terminal. Starting from $18 with in house bar. Lot's of Irish and English Backpacker that like to party hard, so place tends to be on a bit noisy.
  • Shakesperes (central business district)
  • Blue Galah (Rundle St. in the central business district)

Mid-range

  • Adelaide City Park Motel, 471 Pulteney Street, 1800 231 444 (within Australia) or 08 8223 1444 (international) (fax 08 8223 1133, email citypark@chariot.net.au), . Double rooms from $88 per night.
  • Holiday Inn Adelaide, 65 Hindley Street, 08 8231 5552 (fax 08 8237 3800, email reservations@holidayinnonhindley.com.au), . Double rooms $150 per night.
  • Quest on King William, 82 King William Street, 08 8217 5000 (fax 08 8217 5050, email questkingwilliam@questapartments.com.au), . These serviced apartments are available for short-term or long term rental. One bedroom apartments from $145 a night short-term or $135 per night for long-term rentals.
  • Quest Mansions, 21 Pulteney Street, 08 8232 0033 (fax 08 8223 4559, email mansionsquestapartments@bigpond.com.au), . These serviced apartments are available for short-term or long term rental. Studio apartments $138 a night short-term and $111 a night long-term. One bedroom apartments from $196 a night short-term or $158 per night for long-term rentals.
  • Esplanade Apartments, 80 Seaview Road West Beach, 08 83530443 (within Australia) or +61883530443 (international) (fax +61 88 3564478), email splanade@senet.com.au), . Apartments one bedroom from $75 per night and two bedroom from $90 per night.
  • Frogmore Apartments, 13 Military Road West Beach, 08 83533874 (within Australia) or +61883533874 (international) (fax +61 88 3564478), email splanade@senet.com.au), . Apartments one bedroom from $75 per night and two bedroom from $90 per night, three bedrooms from$110 per night .

Splurge

  • Hyatt Regency Adelaide, North Terrace, 08 8231 1234 (fax 08 8231 1120, email adelaide@hyatt.com.au), . Double rooms from $185 per night.
  • Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square, 08 8217 2000 (fax 08 8217 2001), . Double rooms from $250 per night.

Get Out

  • Go to the wine regions of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley.
  • Explore the natural environment of Kangaroo Island.
  • Take 'The Gahn' (train) to Alice Springs (central Australia) or continue through to Darwin on the northern coast of Australia. The entire trip takes about 2 days if you do not stay in Alice Springs. It is a bit pricy, about $1800 per person if you want your own cabin with a bathroom. Much cheaper if you only want a seat with shared bathroom facilities at the end of the cabin.

External links


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