The best things to do in charming Adelaide

Overview

John Farnham said it best in his famous song, ‘Turn the Pressure Down’! Attempting to throw together a ‘best of’ travel itinerary in your home town is like trying to cut down a high school Biology essay from 2500 to 200 words: impossible to include everything that you desperately need to within such limits! Yet recently I found myself living this out in real time when showing Adelaide to a loved one for the first time. Australians the country over will joke about why one should visit South Australia’s capital city, which is smaller than the more well known Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Yet more and more of my Instagram stories are being flooded with interstaters heading to Adelaide to experience its famed white sand beaches, small bars and bountiful wineries!

In fact I can count 8 wine regions in South Australia off the top of my head, many of the wines from which have been served to me the world over as internationally renowned regions. Not too many people haven’t heard of Jacob’s Creek or Penfolds in the iconic Barossa Valley!

Festivals, museums and stately buildings

South Australia is known as ‘The Festival State’ (just check out the car number plates) and the city of Adelaide lights up in February and March whilst hosting well-renowned festivals such as The Fringe, WOMADelaide, Writer’s Week and the Adelaide Festival. Visitors will also be privy to iconic museums in beautiful sandstone buildings along the lush green North Terrace. Here you’ll find the Art Gallery of South Australia, displaying expansive collections including notable Indigenous art, and the South Australian Museum, devoted to natural history. (The latter also has a T-Rex skeleton in its front window which intruged me no end as a child). The State Library, Governor General’s home, National War Memorial, Parliament buildings and Adelaide Festival and Convention Centres also lie along this road.

What to expect from this post!

In addition to the joy of seeing my family after much time apart (thanks Covid lockdowns!), the carefree and relaxed spirit of the city permeated throughout me and I had the time of my life visiting all of my favourite places. I’ve packed them into a one week itinerary to invoke some inspiration for a trip to one of my favourite Australian cities. Woven throughout the 7 days are many of my favourite restaurants, cafes and wineries, so you can be guaranteed to savour some of South Australia’s finest produce, in this ‘Best of Adelaide’ travel itinerary. Alternatively, why not select your favourite days from this itinerary and spend your next long weekend in Adelaide!

Accommodation

You’ll also find accommodation recommendations and a slideshow of photographs corresponding to the events of each day. Be sure to click here to find the best deals on Booking.com! I have used this platform for about 15 years and it’s a great way to find comparison prices in the city you are visiting. Over time you will also build your ‘genius level’ which gives you perks such as discounted rates and free breakfast!

South Australia is renowned internationally for its wines; here, at Alpha Box & Dice, McLaren Vale

Fun Facts!

1. The traditional owners of Adelaide are the Kaurna people
2. The population of Adelaide is approximately 1.4 million
3. Adelaide was voted the 3rd most liveable city by the Economist Intelligence Unit, 2021
4. Your Aussie dollar will go further in Adelaide than Sydney or Melbourne!
5. South Australia is the only state in Australia whose first European inhabitants were free settlers, not convicts
6. Some believe this is why Adelaideans sound a little more British than the rest of the country!
7. The city was founded in 1836 and named in honour of Queen Adelaide
8. The city was planned by Colonel William Light and its grid pattern of streets (“Light’s Vision”) is one of the easiest to navigate in Australia
9. Adelaide city is surrounded by beautiful parklands and interspaced by wide boulevards and large public squares and fountains
10. The Royal Adelaide Hospital is the 3rd most expensive building in the world, costing a whopping 2.7 billion dollars
11. It is the opal capital of Australia
12. Adelaide is nicknamed ‘The City of Churches’ – just take a look around!
13. It’s also called ‘the 20 minute city’, the length of time it takes to get most places!
14. Throughout history, Adelaide has been at the centre of forward thinking. It was the first city to give women access to vote, recognise Indigenous land rights, as well as criminalise sexual and racial discrimination

One of the many sunsets you can expect to see along the Adelaide coastline

Where is Adelaide?

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and is located on the Adelaide Plains north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, between the Gulf St Vincent in the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges in the east.

Google Image of Adelaide’s location within Australia

Transport Recommendation

I’d highly recommend hiring a car in Adelaide if you intend to pursue this 7 day itinerary. Whilst there is a reasonable public transport system of buses, trains and trams, they will significantly increase your travel time and restrict the number of itinerary items each day.

I always go to Rentalcars.com for quick, speedy bookings of a wide range of well-renowned car booking companies, with excellent rates and comparisons. Click here to see their great range of cars for hire! Note that I’ve already pre-selected Adelaide Airport as your car collection site for your convenience!

Top: Brilliant Adelaide coastal skies
Below: Kids enjoying some jetty jumping at Glenelg Beach, Adelaide

Other Great Ideas!

For more customisable options in Adelaide, such as great city and out-of-city tours, winery tours with transport provided, dolphin cruises, kayaking around shipwrecks and wonderful activities such as hot air ballooning, be sure to click here and check out GetYourGuide! This is undoubtedly one of the best booking platforms for incredible travel experiences!

Itinerary

Day 1

Breakfast in the city
Walk along Rundle Mall and take a photo with the Malls Balls & Mall Pigs
Walk along North Terrace and River Torrens
Explore the North Terrace Museums, Art Gallery & State Library
Coffee at Grange Beach Cafe
Walk between Henley and Grange jetties
Lunch at Henley Beach
Time at the beach
Climb the Adelaide Oval Stadium
Dinner at 2KW
Adelaide boutique bars

Description

Today is an epic day of sightseeing and activities so a hearty breakfast is imperative! My favourite city-centric breakfast options include Crack Kitchen, Whistle & Flute, Cafe Troppo, The Flinders Street Project and Peter Rabbit. However, you’ll find many more just lurking around the corner and sometimes self-discovery is the best part of visiting a new city!

Adelaide City & The River Torrens

After filling up on local gourmet produce, it’s time to explore the green city of Adelaide! First take a walk along Rundle Mall (and the extension of Rundle Street if you are an avid shopper) and explore some of the old-school arcades as well as the iconic art pieces positioned along the mall. The most famous are surely the Malls Balls (a common meeting point for locals) and the Mall Pigs. Next, stroll along the stunning North Terrace: Adelaide’s premier cultural boulevard, lined with grand sandstone buildings which are lit up at night during festival season.

The River Torrens is the famous backdrop to the city and there’s nothing more local than taking a ride on the ‘Popeye’ river boat! For those after a tranquil walk, you can’t beat a stroll along the River Torrens.

Grange & Henley Beaches

It’s time to leave the city and drive to Grange Beach, a divine sanctuary of white sand and low undulating dunes set back from the water-break. Have a quick coffee (and cake!) before walking the 2km between Grange and Henley Beach jetties. Henley is the more lively of the two, with a plaza lined with restaurants and cafes. Take a moment to soak in the sea, sun and sand and walk to the end of the jetty. Enjoy lunch at the uber chic rooftop venue Seamore’s Restaurant & Bar or the ground-level popular Stella’s or Malobo Restaurant. Melt Henley is also famous for its tapas and pizzas.

Adelaide Oval

Next get prepared to climb to the top of Adelaide Oval, home of international cricket and football! The incredible twilight session usually begins around 4.30pm and takes 2 hours to complete.

City rooftop and small bars

Dinner is on the rooftop of one of Adelaide’s most historically significant buildings and boasts postcard views of the terrace and city. Dine on a chef’s menu of modern Australian cuisine at 2KW while savouring local wines and beers before moving on to some of the coolest small bars in Adelaide. Stay tuned for my upcoming ‘small bar tour of Adelaide’ but don’t miss Hennessy Rooftop Bar, Clever Little Tailor, the underground Maybe Mae, matchbox-size Swiss-chalet-style Pink Moon Saloon and the grungy Bank Street Social.

Recommended Accommodation:

After an evening out in Adelaide City, I’d highly recommend a city based hotel tonight. High end options include The Mayfair, Eos by SkyCity & the recently opened Sofitel Adelaide. However, there are many mid-range options including Hotel Richmond, InterContinental and Stamford Plaza.

Day 2

Drive to the Barossa Valley
Check in accommodation & collect electric bikes
Barossa Valley winery tour
Dinner in the Barossa Valley

Description

Rise and shine! Perhaps one of my favourite days on this itinerary starts now! The famous Barossa Wine Valley is home of the big bold red and today will see you whittling away the day on an electric bike, while cycling below the gum trees between some of the world’s best wineries and craft breweries. The Barossa is largely thought of a triangle made up of 3 towns: Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston (although there are other towns in the region). The link below will share two one-day itineraries complete with easy-to-follow maps, designed for a weekend trip. Choose your favourite itinerary from these as you set to explore the Barossa by electric bike!

Click here for my Complete Guide to the Barossa Valley – through all the Very Best Wineries and Restaurants!

Hot Tip on length of stay!
With its endlessly rolling hills, vineyards and striking skies, the Barossa Valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia. I’d highly recommend taking 2-3 full days to absorb all there is to offer. In my upcoming post on the Barossa Valley, I’ll be showing you all of the iconic sites and just how to plan your visit there. Stay tuned for some of the best Adelaide wineries!

Recommended Accommodation:

There are many boutique accommodation options in the Barossa Valley. Aim to find somewhere close to the start or finish of your intended winery tour route. We stayed at Blickinstal Barossa Valley Retreat in Bethany, on the outskirts of Tanunda, which was perfect for the conclusion of our tour. However, check out booking.com or AirBnB for more options.

Day 3

Breakfast in the Barossa Valley
Shopping on Main Street
The Whispering Wall
Stop for lunch in North Adelaide (try O’Connell or Melbourne Streets)
Take a walk through the leafy streets of North Adelaide
Check in Glenelg Hotel
Drinks at Moseley Beach Club
Dinner at Glenelg Marina

Description

Whispering Wall & North Adelaide

Waking up amongst the rolling fields and native gum trees is an experience like no other and many of the small German-heritage Barossa bed and breakfast and AirBnB options will afford you this. Head to the Main Street for breakfast at one of the cafes or prepare your own and simply relax outdoors with a hot brekky. Today you’ll leisurely make your way back to your final accommodation in the touristic beach side town of Glenelg, via the Whispering Wall and the well-to-do suburb of North Adelaide. The Whispering Wall is a curved retaining wall of the Barossa Dam which offers unique acoustic effects: words whispered at one side can be clearly heard at the other, more than 100 metres away. North Adelaide is home to heritage-listed pubs and a few streets of trendy cafes and burger bars. Some of the wealthiest residents in Adelaide live here so be sure to take a quick stroll around some of the magnificent homes. Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants on Melbourne or O’Connell Streets.

Glenelg Beach & Marina

Next, on to Glenelg! Affectionately known as “The Bay”, you’ll find all the shops, pubs, restaurants and salons you’ll need on its Jetty Road. In summer, the popular Moseley Beach Club is situated on the sand by the jetty and is a prime location to view the stunning Adelaide sunsets whilst sipping a cocktail. Dinner options include restaurants such as Sammy’s seafood restaurant or Ellenika Greek restaurant on the upmarket Glenelg Marina, or simply grab some fish and chips and sit on the shore for a relaxed evening. There’s even a ‘Blow Bar‘ which I recently utilised for a snappy fresh hair wash and blow dry!

Recommended Accommodation:

Check in to a hotel or AirBnB in Glenelg. I’d highly recommend the Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites. We paid a fraction more for the Premier One-Bedroom Apartment with Ocean View, which was amazing dollar value and gave us great views of the ocean just beneath our balcony. You don’t want to miss a Glenelg sunset!

Day 4

Breakfast at Broadway Kiosk
Mount Lofty Summit
Summit Cafe for lunch
Cleland Wildlife Park and hold a koala
Hahndorf Hill Winery
Hahndorf German Village
Ambleside Distillery
Hahndorf Inn for dinner
Uraidla Hotel

Description

Mount Lofty Summit

Today we explore the stunning Adelaide Hills region! Think rolling green hills amongst rolling green hills flanked by gum trees and covered in vineyards! First however, it’s time for a brief stroll along the Glenelg Esplanade to appreciate the rolling waves and salty air. The walk concludes at Broadway Kiosk, a relaxed cafe which serves up Adelaide’s best sweetcorn cakes. Next, we ascend Mount Lofty Summit (either by legs in lycra or by car!) for some of the best views across Adelaide and followed by a smallgoods platter at The Summit Cafe. On weekends, the summit is abounding with instagrammers showcasing their hiking feat so beware of the additional traffic!

Cleland Wildlife Park

Nearby is the intimate and immersive Cleland Wildlife Park, where visitors will find a plethora of native Australian animals scuttling about their feet, including wallabies and potoroos! Guests can also pre-book for various animal experiences, as well as coming face to face with the likes of kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, native birds, snakes, reptiles and echidnas.

Pro Tip!
Make sure to prebook a koala holding experience at Cleland National Park! These native Australian animals weigh about 8-9kg and have the softest fur!

Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf German Village

The Adelaide Hills is also a premier winery producing region and whilst it would take days to explore all of them, this afternoon is dedicated to a small teaser. Head along to the picturesque Hahndorf Hill Winery for a wine tasting whilst overlooking their colourful vineyard and cattle paddock. The autumnal colours are indescribable. Hahndorf German Village is a somewhat touristic yet relaxed hub and you’ll find old-style cafes, pubs, clothing stores and sweet stores. At the beginning of the town is Ambleside Distillers which offer an incredible 3-tier paired gin flight with local botanical garnishes. Follow this with dinner at Handorf Inn. Hungry stomachs will be well-rewarded with their ‘Original Taste of Germany Platter’, comprising a selection of 4 award winning German Butchery wursts, a large soft skin pork hock, kassler, mashed potato, sauerkraut, 2 gigantic pretzels, mustards and jus. In fact you may well need to help yourself to their take-home containers by the exit. On the way home, stop in to Uraidla’s ‘worst and best’ pub for a pint of fresh local beer.

Recommended Accommodation:

Glenelg Beach or Adelaide CBD

Day 5

Breakfast at Organik Cafe, Glenelg
Tram to city
Himeji Gardens
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Adelaide Zoo
Warm up drink at Belgian Beer Cafe
Dinner at Osteria Oggi
Drinks at Hellbound

Description

Himeji Gardens, Botanic Gardens & Adelaide Zoo

Glenelg mornings are like nothing else: waves lapping at your door, ocean stretching as far as the eye can see and seaside dwellers meandering around for their kick-start coffee. Amongst many breakfast options lies the steady staple of Organik Cafe: a breakfast hub as well as a fresh fruit and vegetable grocer. I lived up the road from this store for a year and can’t count the number of times I stopped by for a quick premade slice or snack from their healthy pantry display. Get your fix and then hop on the uber convenient tram from Glenelg to Adelaide City. Stop at the ‘little pocket of Japan’: the traditionally-styled soul-soothing Adelaide Himeji Gardens, a gift from Adelaide’s sister city, Himeji in 1982. Continuing on from this, take some time to explore the illustrious Adelaide Botanic Gardens, a 51-hectare public garden that was officially opened to the public in 1857. It’s right next to the Adelaide Zoo, home to Australia’s only giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni! The non-for-profit zoo is Australia’s second oldest and home to 2500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

Delicious Dinner & Drinks

Head over to the Belgian Beer Cafe in Adelaide’s ‘East End’ district, to relax into your evening with the choice of over 80 local and imported beers in this old-world, wood-panelled bar & dining hall. The outdoor tables are equally as popular. Dinner is served at the favourite Osteria Oggi, a chic Italian restaurant dishing up the likes of classic pizza and pastas and roasted meats in a modern space. If you miss a booking, there are many other amazing eateries to choose from, such as Press Food & Wine, Golden Boy, Africola, Madame Hanoi, Sean’s Kitchen and Shobosho. Later take a stroll down Rundle Street and continue on the beer theme at an iconic Adelaide pub or find your way down to the tantalising underground wine bar, Hellbound.

Recommended Accommodation:

Adelaide CBD or Glenelg

Day 6

Kangaroo Island Day Tour from Adelaide City Centre

Description

It doesn’t take much Googling to come across one of South Australia’s premier and most beautiful travel destinations, Kangaroo Island. Located off of the SA mainland and accessed via SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis, the island suffered from colossal fires in 2019-2020, however the vegetation is recovering phenomenally. The island is home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. In the west, Flinders Chase National Park is known for its penguin colonies and striking coastal rock formations, such as the sculpted Remarkable Rocks and the stalactite-covered Admirals Arch.

How long should I spend on KI?

A day trip to Kangaroo Island is possible but takes a good 16 hours to complete from the Adelaide CBD by coach to Cape Jervis. Alternatively, you can drive yourself and park at the Cape Jervis carpark, or even take your car across on the ferry for greater mobility (albeit at a greater expense). If you have the time, I’d highly recommend coming to stay for at least a few nights. I’ll be preparing a post on Kangaroo Island in the not too distant future, so keep an eye out!

Recommended Accommodation:

Adelaide CBD or Glenelg

Day 7

McLaren Vale Winery Region
The Currant Shed for breakfast
D’Arenberg Cube
Beach Road Wines
Down the Rabbit Hole
The Salopian Inn for lunch
Alpha Box & Dice
K1 Wines by Geoff Hardy
Dinner at Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door

Description

Brace yourself for an epic final day in the McLaren Vale winery region! We also cap off the week in Adelaide with a mesmerising dinner at the iconic Penfolds Cellar Door in Magill, with far reaching views across the city at sunset.

I’m getting carried away with myself. First up, is The Currant Shed for breakfast. Seasonal modern Australian meals are offered in a minimalist space with outdoor tables & vineyard views. The venue is magnificent with its own surrounding gardens and the food is even better!

McLaren Vale Wineries

While there are countless wineries to choose from in the McLaren Vale, I have listed above some of the best! Beach Road Wines is fabulous for its views across the McLaren Vale from its large wooden tables on the terrace. The D’Arenberg Cube has reached international fame of late, with its iconic 5-storey structure and captivating artwork within. It also has two renowned restaurants: d’Arry’s Verandah and Polly’s. Down the Rabbit Hole is a wonderful place in the summer, perfect for a picnic on the wide spacious lawns. Enjoy a glass of wine to the lilting music! It comes complete with pastel blue vintage bus for those keen to ‘gram. Alternatively, head to The Salopian Inn for a some special gastronomy and don’t forget to visit their impressive downstairs international wine cellar. Heralded as ‘The Alphabet of Wine’, Alpha Box & Dice puts an interesting spin on wine tasting by showcasing South Australian varietals whereby each ‘letter’ of the alphabet embodies an individual winemaking project. Here you’ll find divine wines from across the McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley! K1 Winery is a bit further afield in Kuitpo but has views for days.

Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant

Penfolds sets the stage for dinner as a 7- (or 3-) course set menu at their exquisite Magill Estate Restaurant. I’d highly recommend going with the full 7 courses, with menu items such as smoked tuna with cucumber & mustard cream, lobster with fire roasted tomato and koji, flathead with crispy leeks and blonde beurre blanc, roasted quail with cabbage & grape juice, Wellington of lamb with kohlrabi & peas, fig leaf with watermelon & strawberry, and pear with pistachio & white chocolate. I’m already full reciting these. Pair your courses with one of 3 matching wine flights. It’s the ultimate palate dance and all whilst overlooking Adelaide City with the sinking sun ahead: a perfect ending to your week.

For those seeking a restaurant in McLaren Vale, you simply can’t go past Mitolo Wines in McLaren Vale.

Enjoying an afternoon in the vintage bus at Down the Rabbit Hole Winery, McLaren Vale

Recommended Accommodation:

Adelaide CBD or Glenelg

Final Comments

You haven’t truly been to South Australia unless you’ve tried a Balfours frog cake, a Farmers Union Iced Coffee and had a departure beer at the Coopers Alehouse in Adelaide Airport! Hope you have a fabulous stay!