Adelaide Travel Guide

If you want a cosmopolitan vacation that's close to nature, head to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.  Here, you'll find everything -- beaches, museums, churches, great shopping and dining and a host of other attractions. Thanks to its founder, Colonel William Light, whose statue now stands in Montefiore Hill, the expansive streets and squares and lush greens of Adelaide make it a memorable and distinct place to visit.

Things to Do

There are many museums in the city that feature the story of Adelaide and its people. The Migration Museum tells the memoirs of migrants who have found a home in the city while the Maritime Museum showcases vintage ships and other interesting exhibits. The South Australian Museum features the natural history of the area. To learn more about the Kaurna people, the original inhabitants of Adelaide, check out the cool and interactive displays at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. The Adelaide Botanic Garden, with its recreation of a tropical rainforest mileu, is another must-see attraction. The whole family will surely love a day trip to the Adelaide Zoo that boasts of some 1400 species and a Southeast Asian Rainforest exhibit. The young and the young-at-heart will also find playing with the toys at the Australian Museum of Childhood highly fascinating. If you fancy a day at the beach, the Glenelg area features waters fit for snorkeling, diving and sunbathing. Check out Aldinga Beach and Moana Beach. You can also arrange for a whale-watching tour that operate from the beaches of Kings Head to Goolwa if you're visiting Adelaide in June to November.

Restaurants

With close to 800 eateries, your dining choices are many and varied in Adelaide. Many of the restaurants, often with al fresco seating, are clustered along Rundle Street, O'Connell Street and King William Street. If you want upscale dining, head to the fine establishments located along Melbourne Street. Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean cuisine can be found in Adelaide's Chinatown in the Moonta area.

Shopping

The main shopping hub in Adelaide is Rundle Mall in the central business district. However, there are countless other malls around the city that make Adelaide a shopper's paradise. The Myer Shopping Center, Burnside Shopping Village and Castle Plaza Shopping Center also offer more choices. Numerous boutiques and shops that sell clothing, aboriginal art and souvenirs can also be found along Jetty Road in the Glenelg district. If you want to take home an opal, head to any of the shops at Opal Field Gems in the area around King William Street.   

Where to Go in Adelaide