'''Adelaide''' [http://www.adelaide.southaustralia.com/] is the capital city of South Australia. In Adelaide, you can enjoy stylish architecture, boutique shopping, sandy swimming beaches, fabulous arts events, nightlife, fine dining, and some of Australia's best cafe strips. Its population is slightly over 1 million, which makes it by far the largest city in the otherwise sparsely populated state. It is also known for having the conveniences of a large city, while at the same time being far less cosmopolitan than the "Big Four".
Adelaide is centrally located among the wine regions of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, all of which are within day-trip distance.
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).
Melbourne - Adelaide = 736 km via Horsham (National Highway 8) or 901 km via Mt Gambier (National Highway 1)
Sydney - Adelaide = 1422 km via Mildura (National Highway 20) or 1659 km via Broken Hill (National Highway 32)
Adelaide - Brisbane = 2031 km via Broken Hill
Car rental
'''Airport Rent A Car Adelaide''', [http://www.airportrentacar.com.au/adelaide].
By plane
Adelaide's airport has regular international connections to Auckland (Air New Zealand [http://www.airnewzealand.com]), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific [http://www.cathaypacific.com]), Denpasar (Pacific Blue [http://www.flypacificblue.com/]), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines [http://www.malaysiaairlines.com]) and Singapore (Singapore Airlines [http://www.singaporeair.com] & Qantas [http://www.qantas.com.au]) as well as domestic connections to many Australian cities. Budget airlines Virgin Blue, [http://www.virginblue.com.au/] Jetstar [http://www.jetstar.com/] and Tiger Airways [http://www.tigerairways.com.au/] offer the cheapest domestic airfares.
The airport is connected with the public transport system (Bus ticket 4.70 AUD) or taxi (ca. 18 AUD) and the city center can be reached with 15-25 minutes. Skylink Adelaide operates a regular service to most commuter specified destinations within the CBD area from the airport (7.50 AUD), as well as services out to Keswick Interstate Railway Terminal (4 AUD). Airport to the closest beach, West Beach, is only 4 km away. West Beach is an excellent swimming beach with minimal surf and is well serviced with holiday apartments and a camping area/caravan park.
By train
Adelaide is part of the cross-country train network, and there are regular services [http://www.gsr.com.au] from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The famous Ghan train departs from Adelaide to Alice Springs (and Darwin).
Get Around
Metropolitan train, tram and bus services are contracted out by the State Government under the unified brand name "Adelaide Metro" and use a unified ticketing system, "Metroticket". Single trip tickets can be purchased on-board any bus, train or tram 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 traveling 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 centre is compact and can be easily covered on foot, but for the leg weary there are free buses and tram travel within the city centre is also free. The '''City Loop (#99C)''' bus runs Monday-Friday 7:40AM-6PM every 15 minutes, Friday 6PM-9:20PM every 30 minutes, Saturday 8AM-5PM very 30 minutes and Sunday (and public holidays) 10AM-5PM every 30 minutes. It has clockwise and anticlockwise routes each with about thirty stops taking in all the major cultural and commercial centres, beginning at Victoria Square and including Adelaide Railway Station. The buses feature ground-level access ramps.
There is a tram that runs from North Terrace to the popular seaside suburb of Glenelg. Stops within the city centre include Adelaide Railway Station and Victoria Square. Tram travel within the city centre is free, as is travel confined to Jetty Road in Glenelg. Otherwise the standard ticket system applies and the whole trip takes about 30 minutes. Tickets may be bought in advance or purchased from the conductor.
Be warned that bus and train frequency declines sharply after 6pm, with hourly intervals being typical in the suburbs. Some services cease operation before midnight, so check your timetables and expect to catch a taxi if required if you are out after this time. Some special 'After Midnight' bus services operate either half-hourly or hourly after midnight on Saturday nights.
Visitors from Japan and Western Europe should be warned that the local and interstate train services are not quite up to the speed and standards of their own train systems, purely due to the fact that there is not enough population to justify the cost of a modern, European style upgraded light rail or high speed network. The system is still quite clean and functional though, and (mostly) punctual!
Taxis are provided by several companies and can be hailed on the street or arranged by phone. There is a common rate of flagfall and a per-distance/time charge, both of which are increased at night and on weekends.
The '''Adelaide Metro''' website [http://adelaidemetro.com.au] contains comprehensive information about public transport in Adelaide. Accurate transit instructions, including transfers and complex cross-city travel, can be obtained using the travel planner, or using the "transit" directions in google maps.
NGO "Bicycle SA" [http://www.bikesa.asn.au] provides a range of bicycle services, including free-to-use tourist bikes, from its offices at 46 Hurtle Square. Tel +61 8 232 2644.
See
Historic beachside suburb of Glenelg offering a jetty, the 'Grand' (a quality hotel) and many restaurants and cafes. Catch one of the historic trams from in Adelaide's CBD on weekends and holidays (or new 'light rail' trams other times).
Montefiore Hill in North Adelaide (provides a spectacular view of the city, especially at night)
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 souvenir shop which also offers tourist information. The summit cannot be accessed by vehicle between late evening and early morning hours, however the lookout is still accessible by foot.
Other lookouts include Windy Point along Belair Road, and Skye at the end of Kensington Road.
Hahndorf German settlement, a short drive up the freeway, attractions include a small chocolate factory, the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm (where you can pick your own strawberries for very reasonable prices!) 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, Migration Museum (free entry), Art Gallery (free entry), Adelaide University, University of South Australia, Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Botanic Gardens. A worthwhile trek!
Catch an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide_O-Bahn O-Bahn] bus out to the North East suburban shopping centre of Tea Tree Plaza. The O-Bahn is a 12Km long guided bus way, where special street buses run on guided tracks at up to 100Kmh and uses the unified metroticket system mentioned above.
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, the Adelaide Fringe Festival (second largest of its type in the world) and Festival of Arts bring the city alive with music, arts, dance and culture from all over the world. Both are large and very popular events visited by people from all over the world. 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 Wildlife Sanctuary, Cleland is a good stop on the way down from Mt. Lofty. The park offers gas BBQ facilities (Entry fees apply).
. See the Rundle Lantern light display (Cnr Rundle St and Pultney St). From dusk to midnight every night with 750 light panels.
Museums and Galleries
'''Migration Museum''' is located on Kintore Avenue, Adelaide (''behind the State Library''). [http://www.history.sa.gov.au/migration/migration.htm] Open everyday 10am-5PM, except Good Friday and Christmas Day.
'''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, [http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/]. Open everyday 10AM-5PM, except Christmas Day.
'''South Australian Museum''' is located on North Terrace, Adelaide (''next to the Art Gallery of South Australia''). [http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/page/default.asp?site=1] Open everyday 10am to 5pm, except Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Port Adelaide Lighthouse
Port Adelaide SA Train Museum
Glenelg Museum & historic tram
Gawler Museum, via Gawler train line
The '''South Australian Maritime Museum''' is located at 126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide. Contact telephone number: '''08 8207 6255'''. Adult: $8.50 Concession: $6.50 Child: $3.50 Family: $22 (2 adults & up to 5 children)
The '''National Motor Museum''' is located in Birdwood, less than an hour's drive from the city centre. [http://www.history.sa.gov.au/motor/motor.htm]
The National Wine Centre in the city centre [http://www.wineaustralia.com.au/]
Adelaide Central Market, a vibrant hub of fresh food delights and one of the world's largest undercover markets. [http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/]
National parks
'''Belair National Park''' is a national park of 835 ha, located 11KM south of Adelaide City. Due to its history as a "Recreation Park" it has many good trails for bushwalking, as well as tennis courts and grassy areas available for hire, and a good adventure playground for children. Old Government House, the colony's first official Vice-regal summer residence, is located within the park. [http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/belair/] A vehicle entry fee applies to cars entering the park, or else its western parts can be accessed from the Belair line train, a 35 minute journey from Adelaide city. The park gates are open daily from 8am to sunset, everyday except Christmas Day.
'''Cleland Conservation Park''' [http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/sanpr/clelandconservationwp/] is a large National Park of 992ha, located 20 minutes from Adelaide City. Although it lacks the picnic and sports facilities of Belair, Cleland offers greater opportunities for tourists to get up close and personal with Australian native fauna. Visitors can feed and wander at their leisure among kangaroos, wallabies, Emus and waterfowl. Displays of Dingoes, reptiles, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Echidnas and Koalas allow easy viewing access, or stroll through the aviaries. Visitors also have the rare opportunity to be photographed holding a Koala, under supervision from Parks and Wildlife Officers. There is also an Aboriginal cultural tour.
'''Morialta Conservation Park''' [http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/sanpr/morialta/index.html]is located 10 km north-east of the CBD, where the suburbs meet the Adelaide hills. It covers 533 ha, and contains numerous walking trails of various levels of difficulty, including trails that pass by three major waterfalls, and provide panoramic views over Adelaide itself. There is also a popular rock climbing area within the park. Note that the waterfalls only flow in the winter months, and are usually completely dry by Christmas.
'''Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary''' [http://www.warrawong.com/] is a privately run wildlife sanctuary, strongly fenced off from the outside, allowing it to remain completely free of feral plants and animals, especially cats. Warrawong offers unguided day, and guided day and night tours for tourists. As well as allowing visitors to get up close and personal with well known animals like the Kangaroo, Warrawong also offers a unique opportunity to see a number of very rare or less well known native Australian animals, such as the Platypus, Tree Kangaroo, Quoll, Bettong, Potoroo, Pademelon, Bandicoot, Bilby and Possums.
Do
Check out the wineries, beaches, whale watching, fairy penguins and other attractions south of the city on the '''Fleurieu peninsula.'''
'''The Adelaide Casino''' on North Terrace, adjoining the Festival and Convention centres. Adelaide Casino is South Australia's only licensed Casino, and offers not just great gaming, but also three restaurants, and four bars, including the LOCO nightclub and Grandstand sports bar. Valet parking is also available.
'''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, and 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 a worthwhile visit, simulating a tropical rainforest with mist falling from the roof. Be warned, it is quite humid so if you have difficulties breathing or can't tolerate warm temperatures you should not enter.
'''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. Beaches south of and including Semaphore are all excellent white sand beaches, some with public toilets and cold water showers. If you want to 'wet a line' there are jetties at (suburban beaches, from north to south) Grange, Semaphore, Henley Beach, Glenelg, Brighton and Port Noarlunga.
During the summer months get down to the '''Adelaide Oval''' for a cricket match. Australia plays host to a couple of touring nations each summer and they will play a few matches at this beautiful ground which is just minutes from the city centre. Tickets for internationals tend to be snapped up quickly, but domestic matches (South Australia play their home matches in Adelaide) are frequent and equally exciting.
The local sport is Australian Rules Football. Home games for the local teams the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power are played at '''AAMI Stadium''' in West Lakes, usually referred to by its old name of "Football Park" or "Footy Park". Getting tickets shouldn't be a problem - check out the AFL website [http://www.afl.com.au] for more details.
Alternatively, the local footy league, the SANFL [http://www.sanfl.com.au/], has 4 games per weekend. '''Norwood Oval''', home of the Redlegs [http://www.norwoodfc.com.au/], is situated on the Parade in Norwood which is home to a variety of restaurant, cafe and pub options for after the game.
Soccer is increasingly popular in Australia, although certainly not yet at the level of Aussie Rules or (in other states) rugby. The local team in the national A-League is Adelaide United, who play home games at '''Hindmarsh Stadium'''.
Take a tour of the '''Coopers Brewery''' [http://www.coopers.com.au/brewTours.php?pid=1], the only remaining large family owned brewery in Australia, well known around the world for their bottle conditioned ales. Founded by Thomas Cooper in 1862, the Brewery is currently run fifth generation Tim and Glenn Cooper. All proceeds from the tours go to charity.
Buy
'''Rundle Mall''' [http://www.touradelaide.com/rundle_mall.html], is a pedestrian-only shopping strip, with many arcades and side streets coming off it. Runs parallel to North Terrace. Over 800 shops.
'''The Central Market''' [http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/CentralMarket/] offers fresh produce and a range of goods, with cheap multi-storey parking. Closed Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Located between Grote St and Gouger St, west of Victoria Square.
'''Chinatown''', a pedestrian-only area (Moonta St) adjacent to Central Market.
The '''Tea Tree Plaza''' [http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/routes/interchanges/ttp.html] complex (TTP for short) is a medium-sized shopping centre with over 250 shops. Tea Tree Plaza is the terminus of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-Bahn_Busway Adelaide O'Bahn dedicated busway] which begins in the city centre at Hackney Road. It is easy to get there from the city centre; most of the buses that stop on the Grenfell Street stops travel to the TTP interchange via the O'Bahn busway. It is easy to see from a distance as it has the large antenna and supporting pyramid type structure, well-known to the locals, on the roof of the Myer department store. Ample parking is available around, on top of, and underneath the complex. More information is at [http://westfield.com/teatreeplaza/]. The much smaller Tea Tree Plus shopping centre is right next to Tea Tree Plaza.
'''Westfield Marion Shopping Centre''' [http://www.westfield.com/marion/] is Adelaide's largest shopping centre with over 400 shops. There are buses direct from the city centre, timetables can be found at [http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/ttsearch.php?action=search&searchtext=Marion+Shopping+Centre&js=1] More information on Marion Shopping Centre as well as how to get there can be found at their website.
'''Harbour Town''' [http://www.harbourtownadelaide.com.au/] a mid sized mall currently undergoing an expansion, featuring outlet shopping, situated up against the western edge of the Adelaide Airport. Only a short bus ride from the Airport, and 15 minutes from the city centre.
Eat
Many restaurants in Adelaide allow "BYO". You can bring one or more bottles of wine to the restaurant and the staff will pour it for you and add a service charge to the bill, typically between about $8 and $20. Often this will work out cheaper than buying wine at the restaurant. Check beforehand with the restaurant.
Adelaide
'''Gouger Street''' offers a wide range of tastes to suit many budgets in a variety of Asian, Italian and seafood restaurants as well as upmarket French, Argentinian and many other choices. From Friday to Sunday make sure to reserve a table to avoid disappointment. Gouger Street also incorporates Adelaide's "Chinatown Arch" which fronts a large number of budget eating options. As well as The Central Market, which on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings are buzzing with produce traders, sights and smells.
'''Hutt Street''' offers a small variety of upmarket restaurants that please most tastes, and also boasts a wide variety of gourmet shops and supermarkets.
*'''Kenji Modern Restaurant''' 242 Hutt St, +61 8 8232 0944? nominated as the best Japanese restaurant in Adelaide.
*'''City East IGA the fine food store''' 116 Hutt St, +61 8 8223 1112? national award winners for fine foods.
*'''Alfonzo''' 202 Hutt Street? an Italian eatery and shop; a great place to enjoy breakfast and lunch any time of the day.
'''Rundle Street''' a large number of al fresco cafes and restaurants of varying budget and taste. It is the cultural hub of Adelaide and the equivalent of Melbourne's Chapel Street.
North Adelaide
An eclectic mix of small restaurants and cafes make '''Melbourne Street''' an interesting place to eat.
*'''Elephant walk''' 76 Melbourne St, +61 8 8267 2006? particularly interesting because it is a small, cosy cafe which is very dimly lit. Each booth is separated by straw screens so you can't really see the other patrons. It opens at 8pm and if they're full, you'll have to wait outside for a table.
The variety of take-aways, pubs, cafes, bakeries and restaurants that line most of '''O'Connell Street''' means you won't be wanting.
Suburbs
'''The Parade''', Norwood boasts a long stretch of shopping and cosmopolitian dining. Buses from the CBD numbering 122-124 or a very short taxi ride.
'''Jetty Road / Mosley Square''', Glenelg has a variety of restaurants and pubs at the end of a 30 minute tram journey.
'''Stuart Road''', Dulwich features two cafes, a licensed restaurant and a very good bakery. Catch the 145 from North Terrace which heads along Fullarton Road and up Dulwich Avenue.
'''King William Road''', Hyde Park is an upmarket strip of fashionable cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.
'''Vietnam''' on Addison Road just off Torrens Road, Pennington is the finest (fun-est) Vietnam dining there is. The "cold wrap" is a must-have when dining there. Make sure to reserve a table because they're always full.
Budget
'''Raj on Taj''' King William Rd, +61 8 8271 7755? Good, underpriced Indian food. There are two Raj on Taj restaurants, one in Hyde Park and one nearby in Unley. The Hyde Park one is the better of the two.
'''Cafe de Vili'''2-14 Manchester Street- Vili is an Adelaide producer of pastries, especially pies and pasties. This unpretentious eatery at their factory serves full meals in addition to pastries. Shift workers and night owls regularly eat there because it is open 24 hours, 7 days. It is a minor Adelaide icon.
'''Fasta Pasta''' is the McDonalds of pasta; although found in other states its popularity in South Australia is due to the chain having started in Adelaide.
Mid-Range
'''Regent Thai''' 165 O'Connell St, +61 8 8239 0927- Excellent and consistent standard Thai menu. The friendly proprietor Chang was a refugee from the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Try the oysters in coriander sauce, the red curry chicken, or ask for a whole fish steamed with ginger and shallots. Its sister restaurant at Glenelg, Phuket, is worth checking out as well. Mains $13-$18.
'''Nu Thai''' 117 Gouger St, +61 8 8410 2288- Slightly more expensive than Regent, with a more adventurous menu. They have a huge blackboard inside with a long list of specials which change regularly. Arguably the best Asian restaurant on Gouger St.
'''Amalfi''' 29 Frome St, +61 8 8223 1948- This little Italian place located just off Rundle St has a loyal following and is usually jam packed. It has an inventive range of pizzas and pastas, with quality a cut above the other Italian cafes filling Rundle St.
'''Jasmin''' 31 Hindmarsh Square, +61 8 8223 7837- Arguably Adelaide's best Indian restaurant. Beautifully decorated, with classical music playing and impeccable service. The very hot curries (vindaloo and tindaloo) are especially good. You might also consider trying the mixed entree or orange sponge cake.
'''Chefs Of Tandoori''' 292 Unley Rd, +61 8 8373 5055- As the name suggest, founded by Indian chefs who deserted the Tandoori Oven across the road. Good Indian food at a very reasonable price.
'''Fellini''' 102 O'Connell St, +61 8 8239 2235- This large North Adelaide cafe is packed to the rafters every weekend. The menu is Italian-based pasta, pizza and so on, but what keeps the punters coming back is the large size of the menu and inventiveness of the dishes.
'''North'''- This is the signature restaurant of the Adelaide Casino, and offers exclusive a la carte cuisine, influenced by European and Japanese flavours. North is located on the corner of North Terrace and Station Road.
'''Hotaru Japanese Restaurant''' 162 Gouger St, +61 8 8410 2838 - A cosy Japanese restaurant with wonderful food, particularly the fresh sashimi, various sushi rolls and the grilled eggplant. The home-made sesame ice cream and green tea ice cream are just wonderful. Hotaru is located off the main Gouger St area.
Splurge
'''Enoteca''' 262 Carrington St, +61 8 8227 0766 [http://www.enotecacucina.com.au/index.html]- This restaurant is attached to Adelaide's Italian Club, so you would expect top quality Italian food and that's exactly what you will get, along with an extensive selection of local and Italian wines. The cuisine here ranks with the best Italian food in Adelaide.
'''The Manse''' [http://www.themanserestaurant.com.au] 142 Tynte St, +61 8 8267 4636- Small, peaceful French contemporary restaurant tucked in a quiet corner of North Adelaide.
'''Magill Estate Restaurant''' [http://www.penfolds.com/microsites/magill/default.asp] 78 Penfold Rd, +61 8 8301 5551- While the food here is good, the real stars are the view and the wine list. This restaurant is owned by Penfolds, probably Australia's best-known premium red wine makers, and overlooks the vineyards on their Magill property, not far from the city center. The grapes grown on this estate are used to make the Magill Estate label single vineyard Shiraz. The wine list allows you to order back vintages of the Penfolds (and other) wines going back 20 or more years.
'''Windy Point Restaurant''' [http://www.windypointrestaurant.com.au] Windy Point Lookout, Belair Rd, +61 8 8278 8255- A restaurant with a nice ambience, excellent service and good food prepared in a unique way, complete with a nice view of the city skyline. For those who wish to have a less formal setting, the adjacent cafe also offers a good selection. Usually only open for dinner from 6pm onwards, though lunches are possible with prior arrangements.
'''Alphutte''' [http://www.alphutte.com.au] 242 Pulteney St, +61 8 8223 4717- A small Swiss restaurant tucked at the edge of the city centre, well known among locals for its steak.
'''Auge''' [http://www.auge.com.au] 22 Grote St, +61 8 8410 9332- A small Italian/Modern Australian fusion restaurant tucked in a corner opposite Central Market.
Drink
There are pubs and bars dotted all around the CBD, but a few districts are worth singling out. Rundle St and its neighbouring area (also known simply as "The East End") have a number of popular pubs. Hindley St used to be notorious as the seedy home of Adelaide's strip clubs and bikie bars, but it and its surrounds ("The West End") have undergone a renaissance. The eastern end of Hindley St is more mainstream, whereas the western end (West of Morphett St) has a few trendier and more alternative venues. The seedy places are still there, but so too is a university campus and a number of trendy bars and clubs. Also important are Gouger St (still mostly restaurants, but an increasing number of bars and pubs) and O'Connell St, home to a few of North Adelaide's popular pubs.
Smoking in pubs and clubs is banned under South Australian law. Many drinking establishments have outdoor areas where smoking is permitted.
Pubs
'''Grandstand''', Adelaide Casino, North Terrace Adelaide, +61 8 8212 2811. Sun-Thurs 10AM-late, Fri-Sat 11AM-5:30AM. Situated on the first floor of Adelaide Casino, Grandstand is Adelaide's premier venue for watching all live sporting events. Featuring several TV screens showing all the action from Fox Sports, Setanta and Main Event, Grandstand also has full Keno and TAB facilities. An excellent bar menu is also available, as are regular great drink promotions.
'''Crown & Anchor''', 196 Grenfell St Adelaide, +61 8 8223 3212. M-We 11AM-3AM, Thu-Sat 11AM-4AM. Situated just off Rundle St, this Adelaide institution is often referred to as "The Cranker" - or, less kindly, the "Crowd of Wankers" - and attracts those of an alternative bent. Goths, metalheads, punks and hippies all mingle in this multi-roomed venue, sipping beer. But don't worry, piercings and tattoos aren't essential to have a good time. Music playing could be just about anything.
'''Worldsend''', 208 Hindley St, Adelaide, +61 8 8231 9137. M-Fr 11AM-late, Sat 4PM-late, Su closed. Serves food all day. This lively pub features a beer garden and a solid restaurant. The crowd is generally early to mid twenties, many from the nearby Hindley St campus of the University of South Australia. While it definitely has a strong pub feel, the music is more like a bar, with live jazz and funk, house and drum'n'bass (rather than rock) the order of the day.
'''The Exeter''', 246 Rundle St, Adelaide, +61 8 8223 2623. This friendly old-school pub is much frequented by students from nearby Adelaide University and TAFE. At night, it has an alternative feel drawing crowds from all areas. Two back rooms contain a great little restaurant (the curry nights on Wednesday and Thursday are popular) and a small music venue, mostly showcasing live alternative bands. M-Su 11AM-late.
'''The Archer''', 60 O'Connell St, North, +61 8 8361 9300. The pub of choice for the younger crowd in North Adelaide, with a modern, hip feel and a large range of beers on tap. Be aware that it has to close earlier than most places (usually midnight) due to residential noise restrictions.
'''The Cumberland Arms''', 205 Waymouth St, Adelaide, +61 8 8231 3577. M 9AM-12AM, Tu 9AM-1AM, W-Th 9AM-3AM, F-Sa 6PM-4AM, Sun 6PM-2AM. Located in a strip of bars and clubs along the southern end of Light Square (adjacent to Hindley St), the Cumberland was bought out and refurbished some years ago. Nowadays it's a cozy spot which does a good job of being all things to all people. The front bar areas conceal a dancefloor within, where a DJ is invariably playing house, and an outdoor area around the side. The popularity of "The Cumby" is cyclic, but if it's not happening, one of the adjacent places will be.
'''The Grace Emily''', 232 Waymouth St, Adelaide, +61 8 8231 5500, [http://www.graceemilyhotel.com/] - Opposite "The Cumby" (above), the Grace has plenty of trinkets behind and around the bar to keep one's eyeballs busy whilst nursing a Coopers or bloody mary. Local, interstate and even overseas bands play most nights. Every Monday night Billy Bob's BBQ Jam sees a variety of local bands strut their stuff to impress the crowd with 3 or 4 songs (though perhaps more by popular demand) whilst a sausage sizzle out the beer garden feeds the hordes - a highlight of an otherwise quiet evening in Adelaide.
'''The Austral''', Rundle St., [http://www.theaustral.com/]. On the main street for shopping and nightlife in Adelaide, which is really the same long street as Hindley Street but with a different name either side of King William Road, and the pedestrian only Rundle Mall in the middle. The Austral is the unofficial backpackers pub of choice.
'''Coopers Alehouse''', 316 Pulteney St., [http://www.coopersalehouse.net/] also known by the original name still on the front facade '''The Earl of Aberdeen''', is the only pub to hold the complete range of Coopers Beers on tap, including the Vintage Ale. Also serves good food, including pizzas, in the attached '''Arnou Woodfired at the Earl''' restaurant. Ten minute walk from the Rundle St.-Pulteney St. intersection.
'''The Stag''', 299 Rundle St. (Corner of Rundle and East Tce.), [http://www.staghotel.com.au/] More up market establishment, with good views of the parklands from the al fresco seating, good range of drinks and weekly live music. The second floor balcony literally overlooked the old Formula 1 street circuit and was always crammed with race fans. With the shortened Clipsal 500 course this is no longer possible, but still a good place to go after the days races.
Bars
'''Zhivago''' 155 Waymouth Street- This West End bar attracts a friendly, relaxed, mid-twenties crowd.
'''First''' 128 Rundle Mall, +61 8 8223 4044- Situated in Richmond Hotel, this is the only nightspot on Rundle Mall. First started life as a chilled out cocktail bar, but rapidly became popular as an after-work spot on Fridays, and could now also be filed under "clubs". On weekends they are packed out and play commercial house, but on weeknights it reverts to the original cocktail bar atmosphere.
'''Fumo Blu'''270 Rundle St, +61 8 8232 2533- Below ground cocktail lounge in the heart of Rundle St.
'''Boho''', [http://www.bohobar.com.au/html/main.html] 27 Unley Road, +61 8 8271 5544- A burlesque themed bar, with live music and burlesque and period performances, located a 5 minute drive, bus or Tram ride South of the CBD.
'''Supermild''' 182 Hindley St, +61 8 8212 9699- Situated underground (look for steps leading down off Hindley Street West), this is a dimly-lit cocktail bar tending to have DJs playing eclectic electronica.
'''Rocket Bar''' 142 Hindley Street [http://www.rocketbar.com.au] - Inconspicuously located off Hindley Street (it's a door with a sign above it), Rocket Bar is a live venue that hosts international/interstate and local alternative indie acts. Also home to indie/alternative Modular nights and ABRACADABRA on Fridays. Open every weekend until late.
Nightclubs
'''HQ''', [http://www.hqcomplex.com.au/] 1 North Tce, +61 8 7221 1245- Previously known as "Heaven" and "Heaven II", this complex at the far end of the West End boasts the best sound system and most floor space to be found anywhere in the city. It is easily Adelaide's largest club. The big nights are Saturday, where you'll hear mostly commercial house, with a little trance, and Wednesday, which is a retro night. Fridays can also be big, depending on what's on; check the website.
'''Mars Bar''' 120 Gouger Street, +61 8 8231 9639- Adelaide's only gay club. Straight people are also welcome.
Jive. 81 Hindley St, Adelaide. ttp://www.jivevenue.com/. 300 capacity mainly live venue that hosts local and interstate rock/alternative/indie acts. Also home to indie/alternative dance club Gosh! on fortnightly Saturdays. Open every weekend and sometimes during the week too.
Sleep
Budget
'''Adelaide Central YHA''', 135 Waymouth Street, +61 8 8414 3010 (''fax 08 8414 3015, email adlcentral@yhasa.org.au''), [http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/details.cfm?hostelid=156]. $23 per bed per night in a dorm room, $60 for a private double room and $75 for double en suite. Non YHA members pay an additional fee of $3.5 per night and person.
'''My Place Adelaide''', [http://www.adelaidehostel.com.au/] 257 Waymouth Street, +1 800 221 529, very clean, good social vibe and free breakfast & free bus to Glenelg beach
'''The Austral''', 205 Rundle Street, +61 8 8223 4660, [http://www.theaustral.com/]. 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, +61 8 8231 6371 (''fax +61 8 8231 2055, email plazahotel@bigpond.com'') [http://www.plazahotel.com.au/]. 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. Lots of Irish and English backpackers that like to party hard, so place tends to be on a bit noisy.
'''Blue Galah''', Rundle St CBD, +61 8 8231 9295 (''fax +61 8 8231 9598, email bookings@bluegalah.com.au'') [http://www.bluegalah.com/]. $24 per night in a dorm room, $70 per night for a private single/twin/double room, weekly dorm rates are also available.
'''Hostel 109''', 109 Carrington Street, +61 8 8223 1771, [http://hostel109.com/]. Small, quiet, modern, secure & centrally located. Very clean. Free Internet Access.
Mid-range
'''Mantra on Frome, Adelaide''' [http://www.mantra.com.au/south-australia/adelaide-and-surrounds/adelaide/accommodation/hotels/mantra-on-frome/]88 Frome Street, Adelaide SA 5000. Tel: 1300 987 604 (within Australia) or + 61 8 8223 9000 (international), fax +61 8 8223 9014, [mailto:frome.res@mantra.com.au]. 4 star apartment hotel. 72 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, most with private balconies, fully-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities. All apartments feature living and dining areas with cable television and in-house movies.
'''Mantra Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide''' [http://www.mantra.com.au/south-australia/adelaide-and-surrounds/adelaide/accommodation/hotels/mantra-hindmarsh-square/]55-67 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide SA 5000. Tel: 1300 987 604 (within Australia) or + 61 8 8412 3333 (international), fax +61 8 8412 3344, [mailto:hindmarsh.res@mantra.com.au]. Mantra Hindmarsh Square is only a short stroll from the Rundle Mall shopping and Rundle Street dining precinct and minutes away from the Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Casino, Festival and Entertainment Centres. Guests have a choice of 179 studios, one and two bedroom air-conditioned suites which have kitchenette, bathroom and laundry facilities. Some suites also offer a private balcony with views across Adelaide city.
'''BreakFree on Hindley, Adelaide''' [http://www.breakfree.com.au/on-hindley/]255 Hindley Street, Adelaide SA 5000. Tel: 1300 987 604 (within Australia) or + 61 8 8217 2500 (international), fax +61 8 8217 2519, [mailto:hindley.res@breakfree.com.au]. BreakFree on Hindley offers business and leisure travelers 142 self-contained studio and two bedroom apartments situated in Adelaide_fs contemporary West End. Guests will enjoy comfortable accommodation in well-appointed spacious apartments which include modern amenities and a range of premier guest facilities.
'''BreakFree Directors Studios, Adelaide''' [http://www.breakfree.com.au/directors-studios/]259 Gouger Street, Adelaide SA 5000. Tel: 1300 987 604 (within Australia) or + 61 8 8213 2500 (international), fax +61 8 8213 2519, [mailto:directorsstudios.res@breakfree.com.au]. BreakFree Directors Studios is a boutique hotel situated in the heart of Adelaide City. Located within close proximity to the thriving central business district and major Adelaide city attractions.
'''Golden Chain Motels''' [http://www.goldenchainmotels.com.au/capital-cities/category?cid=158] has many locations in Adelaide serving quality accommodation at affordable prices. View a '''Map of Adelaide ''' [http://www.goldenchainmotels.com.au/nsw/category?layout=map&cid=158]
'''Adelaide City Park Motel''' [http://www.citypark.com.au/], 471 Pulteney Street. Tel: 800 231 444 (within Australia) or +61 8 8223 1444 (international), fax +61 8 8223 1133, [mailto:citypark@chariot.net.au citypark@chariot.net.au]. Double rooms from $88 per night.
'''Holiday Inn Adelaide''' [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/adlhs], 65 Hindley Street. Tel: +61 8 8231 5552, fax +61 8 8237 3800, [mailto:reservations@holidayinnonhindley.com.au reservations@holidayinnonhindley.com.au]. Double rooms $150 per night.
'''Quest on King William''' [http://www.questapartments.com.au/property/hm_intro.asp?PropertyID=227], 82 King William Street. Tel: +61 8 8217 5000, fax +61 8 8217 5050, [mailto:questkingwilliam@questapartments.com.au 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''' [http://www.questapartments.com.au/property/hm_intro.asp?PropertyID=31], 21 Pulteney Street. Tel: +61 8 8232 0033, fax +61 8 8223 4559, [mailto:mansionsquestapartments@bigpond.com.au 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''' [http://users.senet.com.au/~splanade/], Absolute Beachfront 80 Seaview Road West Beach. +61 8 83530443 , fax +61 88 3564478), [mailto:splanade@senet.com.au 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 (close to beach with excellent Mt Lofty Range views). +61 8 83533874 (international),. Apartments one bedroom from $75 per night and two bedroom from $90 per night, three bedrooms from $110 per night .
'''Rydges South Park Adelaide''', 1 South Terrace 1300 857 922 - The hotel is situated next to the southern parklands with views of the Adelaide Hills and features 97 rooms with 9 spa suites.
Splurge
Hilton Adelaide. 33 Victoria Square. 61 8 8217 2000. delaide@hilton.com. 61 8 8217 2001. pm. 1am. eluxe king sized rooms from $250/night. ttp://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ADLHITW.
Hyatt Regency Adelaide. orth Terrace. 61 8 8231 1234. delaide@hyatt.com.au. 61 8 8231 1120. pm. 1am. ing sized rooms from $240/night. ttp://adelaide.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp.
Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury. Flinders Street. 61 8 8112 0000. ttp://www.medina.com.au/default.asp?page=/locations/adelaide-accommodation/medina-grand-adelaide-treasury. pm. 0am. tudio rooms from $210/night. gat@medina.com.au. 61 8 8112 0199. Located in the former Treasury building and consisting of 80 one & two bedroom apartments & studio rooms. The hotel overlooks Victoria Square and is only minutes to Rundle Mall and Adelaide's Central Markets.
Rendezvous Allegra. 5 Waymouth St. 61 8 8115 8888. es@adelaide.rendezvous.com.au. 61 8 8115 8800. pm. 1am. ttp://www.rendezvoushotels.com/adelaide/.
Stamford Plaza Adelaide. 50 North Terrace. 61 8 8461 1111. ales@spa.stamford.com.au. 61 8 8231 7572. ueen sized rooms from $225/night. ttp://www.stamford.com.au/spa/.
Contact
There is extensive free Wi-Fi access (port 80 only) in the CBD and the airport provided by Internode [http://www.internode.on.net]. View coverage here: [https://hotspot.internode.on.net/coverage/]
Stay safe
Salisbury east and Para hills are areas known for rock throwing incidents involving buses. These include routes 205, 206, 560, 225, 226, T500, 229. However these suburbs are quite a far distance north of the city out in the suburbs and travellers are unlikely to venture there.
In the past few months of early 2009 there have been many violent incidents and social disturbances in the Northern suburb of Davoren Park [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25192345-421,00.html][http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/03/2533796.htm]. It would be inadvisible to travel alone at night through this and/or surrounding suburbs.
In Adelaide, car theft and break ins are a nuisance. Do not leave valuables in view at any time even for a few minutes whilst leaving the vehicle unattended.
Be careful when driving through the suburbs of Wingfield, Christie's Beach and Hackham due to a recent spate of carjackings.
Many of the suburban railway stations are rundown and poorly maintained, with poor lighting and graffiti ridden bus stop style shelters. If catching a train at a suburban station, it is best to arrive at the station within 1 - 2 minutes of the scheduled arrival time. The trains are fairly reliable in comparison to Sydney and Melbourne. There are security guards on all trains after 7PM with many bus connections available. Exercise personal safety at Adelaide, Woodville and Noarlunga stations (and Gawler, Noarlunga lines[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25353471-2682,00.html]).
Adelaide is no more dangerous than any other similar sized Australian city to walk around. If you don't go looking for trouble, you usually will not find it. Police actively patrol the vicinities of Rundle Mall and Gouger/Hindley St, the latter being where many of the city's nightclubs and bars are located.
Taxi ranks are located by the Adelaide Casino, North Terrace, outside the Hilton on Victoria Square, and the Western end of Rundle St where it intersects with Pulteney St. outside of Hungry Jacks.
Avoid the parklands and playground on West Terrace, there are often homeless and intoxicated groups there who may cause trouble.
Get out
Go to the wine regions of Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley.
Explore the natural environment of Kangaroo Island.
Head North to explore the natural beauty and frontier history of the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilpena_Pound]
Take 'The Ghan' (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.
Go to Victor Harbour and the nearby surf beaches in Pt Elliot, Middletown and Goolwa. It is recommended that you drive however there are bus services to Victor Harbour.
Go on a tour to Melbourne which moves along the coast. These tours usually will pass through the Coorong National Park, followed by the Limestone Coast and finally the Great Ocean Road before arriving in Melbourne. Some also include an Aboriginal bush tour as part of the package.
The Yorke Peninsula is a popular holiday destination for Adelaidians, and less touristy than Victor Harbour, with towns dotted along the coast and the rugged Innes National Park at the foot of the peninsula.