Adelaide, Capital of South Australia

Nestled between the ocean and the hills, Adelaide (Capital of South Australia) can also be called the capital of the "Lifestyle". It’s considered one of the most elegant cities in the country with its tree-lined avenues and its Victorian-style parks. Adelaide is the only Australian city that was not founded by British prisoners (a fact that makes South Australians proud). Renowned for its food and wine culture (the famous Barossa Valley wine area is nearby), this elegant city is experiencing a lively evolution thanks to the multitude of bars, festivals of international importance, film events.

Among the most significant events we find the Fringe Festival, an event that starts with a spectacular parade and fireworks and that, day and night, involves the entire city in a blaze of music, art, sounds and colors. The festival that makes it famous all over the world, however, is the WOMADelaide, a great musical event held in the botanical garden.

Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate and average temperatures are around 16 ° in winter; 28 ° in summer (on hot days the temperature can reach 40 °!).

Adelaide's economy is strong and dynamic. It is home to the manufacturing, warfare and research industries. Automotive production dominates with General Motors and Mitsubishi. The cultural heritage of Adelaide is rich and varied. Ancient churches fill the entire city, making it a favorite destination for art and religion enthusiasts. Queen of the music scene, Adelaide has given birth to acclaimed talents around the world, who have brought honor and glory to the city. A special mention goes to the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Adelaide Youth Orchestry.

In Adelaide, more than in other cities, the Aboriginal culture is breathed. While in Sydney it is possible to meet the aborigines who play the "didgeridoo" at the pier asking for coins, in Adelaide the members of this people live and work like many other ethnic groups. Many places still here today retain the original aboriginal formulation and next to the national flag that of the local indigenous population, the Kaurna, waves. It is important to know that if you meet an aborigine on the street, you do not have to photograph them because they get nervous and you can get some insult. To get an overview of the city it is good to be accompanied by an Adelaide Greeter, ie a volunteer citizen who accompanies the tourist for free for a walk; this service is booked for free and you plan what you intend to go to see.

Let's now see some of the attractions that the city of Adelaide offers.

North Terrace

A beautiful tree-lined boulevard graced with historical and cultural treasures, North Terrace is the perfect place to start a city tour. Parliament, at the intersection of King William Street and North Terrace is perhaps the most impressive building in Adelaide with its monumental colonnade.

At the end of the street we find, in order, the State Library of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia. They offer a triple dose of art and culture and are three of the city's top attractions. Bordering these, we find one of the best examples of the neo-Gothic style in the city, the Mitchell Building,. Other North Terrace treasures include the Migration Museum, Ayer's Historic House, and the Adelaide Botanic Garden, a green thumb's dream.

South Australia Art Gallery

In the heart of Adelaide's cultural zone, the South Australia Art Gallery exhibits one of the best art collections in the country. The elegant Victorian building, founded in 1881 and featuring a colonnade, sets the tone for the masterpieces within. The collection spans all branches, from sculpture, paintings, textiles, metals and photographs to ceramics, jewelry and furniture.

The Australian collection spans colonial days to the present day, including indigenous and island art from the Torres Strait. European works highlight pieces from the Renaissance to the present day, and Asian exhibits include Australia's only dedicated Islamic gallery. Important North American pieces and some striking avant-garde sculptures are also exhibited.

Museum of South Australia

This museum is located in the central North Terrace and offers tourists the opportunity to learn about Australia's natural and cultural heritage. In the wing dedicated to natural history we discover the flora and fauna that distinguish the biodiversity of Southern Australia.

In the Australian Aboriginal Gallery of Cultures, the aboriginal guides present help to understand the uses and customs of their people through interactive panels, artifacts, videos and artistic artifacts. In fact, this gallery houses the largest collection of Aboriginal crafts from the southern hemisphere. For those who want to deepen the Aboriginal culture, it is advisable to pay a visit to the Tandanya (which in Kaurna means "place of the red kangaroo"), the National Institute of Aboriginal Culture, located nearby.

South Australian State Library

The State Library of South Australia surprises first-time visitors with its dramatic overlap between old and new. The modern Spence Wing with its sharp lines and glass entrance offers modern amenities and free Wi-Fi. From here, visitors should ask for directions to the original library, housed in the adjacent 1884 French Renaissance building known as the Mortlock Wing. Entering this great ancient space is like stepping back in time. There is a stream of natural light pouring through the glass dome on the roof. The Mortlock Wing is also worth a visit for its special collection of works on South Australian history.

Park Lands Trail

Adelaide is rich in greenery and so there is nothing better than to see its parks on foot or by bike along the Park Lands Trail, an equipped circuit that runs through the city and connects the 760 hectares of natural areas such as the river Torrens, the Botanical Garden and Bonython Park.

Adelaide Central Market

Adelaide's central market is located in the heart of the city and is the largest covered market in the southern hemisphere. It reflects the great and growing passion of Australians for food and its counters contain the best of local and international products, to the delight of the curious and greedy: from cheeses to craft beers, from organic honey to energizing juices made on the spot. Difficult to resist the perfumes and colors of the stalls!

The incredible abundance of South Australian products will leave you speechless: fresh fruit and vegetables, hormone-free meats, artisan cheeses, smoked meats and fish products. You can have a snack or drink a coffee. To fully experience the market experience, it is very nice to take part in one of the Mark Gleeson tours that take place early in the morning, to taste the products and talk with the merchants. There is nothing more fascinating than walking through galleries, museums and colonial buildings on the North Terrace, Adelaide's cultural boulevard. Crossing the majestic train station you can admire the parliament and the seat of government. Go to the discovery of wine bars, boutiques, independent cinemas and elegant restaurants in nearby Rundle Street. Lose yourself among the many Rundle Mall stores, unveiling the secrets of high fashion at Ebenezer Place and wandering the Sunday markets.

There's nothing more exciting than diving into the waves or relaxing on the soft white beaches. From here you can swim with the dolphins or take an exciting excursion along the coast on a motor boat. Have a picnic overlooking the sea, follow the Tjilbruke Aboriginal Trail and visit the historic Kingston House in the Kingston Park Coastal Reserve. Stroll along the promenade to the charming village of Brighton, then take a bus to Port Adelaide. At that point, you can spend the afternoon exploring the converted museums, historic streets and warehouses located in the center of the city's maritime area. End your day on Henley Beach and dine in one of the many multi-ethnic restaurants along Henley Road and listen to the bands playing live in Henley Square in the summer.

Glenelg

In the protected, surf-free Gulf St Vincent, the seaside village of Glenelg is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. To get here, most visitors opt for the 25-minute ride on Adelaide's only surviving tram, from where Victoria Square in the city center departs. In addition to the allure of the beach and the many tourist attractions, Glenelg has a fascinating history.

The first group of free settlers disembarked from HMS Buffalo in Holdfast Bay, making this the oldest European settlement on the southern continent of Australia. Outdoor cafes, boutique hotels and lively summer entertainment lend a holiday vibe and tourists will find many family attractions. Kids can experience the thrill at the Beachouse, an amusement park filled with rides including a giant slide, bumper boats, and Ferris wheel. Those looking for a quieter visit can bask on the beach or cast a fishing line from the dock. Sailing and swimming with dolphins are other popular activities.

Adelaide Zoo

Adjacent to the Adelaide Botanical Gardens to the northwest, the Adelaide Zoo was founded in the late 19th century and is much loved for its educational streak and charismatic animal collection. Giant pandas are the stars here, delighting young and old alike.

Other popular attractions are the aviaries, orangutans, and the EnviroDome (interactive visitor center with a vertical garden and terrarium). Kids will love the zoo. Here they will be able to cuddle, kiss and feed a cast of furry and feathered backyard friends, as well as kangaroos, quokkas and wallabies.

Adelaide Festival Center

A 5-minute walk from North Terrace and Rundle Mall, the Adelaide Festival Center was Australia's premier multi-purpose art venue and thrills locals and tourists alike with its vibrant cultural calendar. The white tent-shaped roof structure is a distinctive landmark along the River Torrens. In addition to the large 2,000-seat Festival Theater, the structure houses several smaller theaters, a banquet hall, a light gallery and an amphitheater for concerts and recitals.

The center hosts the Adelaide Arts Festival with theater, opera, ballet, exhibitions, lectures and writers' readings. Those who don't have time to attend an event can join a behind-the-scenes tour of the changing rooms and performance spaces. Ample parking and easy accessibility enhance the appeal of this multi-faceted place.

Victoria Square

In the city center, at the intersection of Grote Street and Wakefield Street, King William Street opens into the renovated Victoria Square, an event venue with beautifully landscaped gardens. The square is also known by its aboriginal name, Tarndanyangga. In the shadow of modern skyscrapers (including the Hilton Hotel), some beautiful nineteenth-century buildings have been preserved. On the south side, the imposing courthouse (1851) with a Doric colonnade and the Supreme Court (1868) rise. On the east side of Victoria Square is the Treasury Building adjacent to the Town Hall, and the Cathedral of San Francesco Xavier (1856-1926).

Other features of the square include a statue of Queen Victoria and a fascinating fountain by John Dowie, with figures representing South Australia's three major rivers, the Murray, Torrens and Onkaparinga. Victoria Square is also home to the popular Adelaide Central Market from where the city's only surviving tram runs from the square to the seaside suburb of Glenelg. North of Victoria Square, the busy pedestrianized Rundle Mall street lined with department stores, boutiques and arcades.

Rundle Mall

And finally a jump to the Rundle Mall that is not only the most famous shopping center in the Central Business District of Adelaide, but it is also a meeting point for Australians who are there. It is located in a pedestrian area and inside there are Australian and international shops, bars, restaurants, sculptures and very original street artists, who are officially authorized to perform here.

Excursions around Adelaide

Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide, located about 14km northwest of the city center is a popular tourist destination with well-preserved museums, restaurants and historic buildings.
A series of impressive 19th-century buildings such as the 1879 Customs House and the courthouse testify to the city's early prosperity as a thriving port.

Top tourist attractions include dolphin-watching cruises and a number of intriguing transportation-themed museums including the National Railway Museum, South Australian Aviation Museum and South Australian Maritime Museum, where visitors can browse interesting exhibits on the region's maritime history . Fish lovers head to the Fishermen's Wharf Markets on Sundays to buy freshly caught fish straight from the boats.

Fleurieu Peninsula

Less than an hour's drive south of central Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula is one of Adelaide's top tourist destinations. Rolling hills, farms, fantastic surf beaches and upscale restaurants attract foodies and city lovers looking for a slower pace. Victor Harbor is the largest and one of the most popular towns on this rugged peninsula.

By renting a car you can head south to the wine region of McLaren Vale, where you can visit galleries and cellars and buy olives, oil, cheese, almonds and berries in the kiosks along the way and in the orchards. If you still have the strength to ride a bike and follow the old railway to the elegant Willunga, you will reach the coast of the Gulf of St Vincent, for a swim at Port Willunga and the beaches of Christies and Maslin. Stroll along the rugged and spectacular coastline of Deep Creek Conservation Park. Driving on the east coast of the peninsula by car. See the smaller penguins and the whales that migrate between June and October at Victor Harbor.

Barossa Valley

Settled by Prussian and English immigrants, the Barossa Valley is about an hour's drive from Adelaide Airport and one of the oldest regions in Australia. Foodies will be in heaven here with an abundance of fresh produce and fabulous restaurants. In addition to all the gastronomic delights, visitors will find some cultural treasures in the region, such as historical trails, cooking schools, craft shops, galleries and museums. A little further afield, the rolling green hills of the Clare Valley also get a taste of the rich history of the vine and a thriving food culture.

Reaching Adelaide

Adelaide, along with Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra is one of the most visited Australian cities. These cities are connected to each other and with other Australian territories by 4 airlines, among which we mention the advantageous Tiger Airways, Virgin Australia and Quantas. Adelaide Airport is located approximately 10 km from the city center and is easily accessible by Skylink company buses. It is also possible to easily reach the city by train or car.

To visit Adelaide or simply enter Australia as a tourist it is mandatory to apply for an entry visa for Australia. If the tourist is a citizen of the European community, he has the obligation to apply for eVisitor visa, which gives the possibility to stay in the territory for a maximum of 90 days for each visit. The eVisitor is valid for one year with multiple entries.
If the tourist is a non-European citizen, for example he is an American or Canadian citizen, he has the obligation to apply for an ETA to Australia , which gives the possibility to stay in the territory for a maximum of 90 days and has a validity of 1 years.