Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, is a vibrant destination known for its cultural festivals, stunning coastline, and renowned wine regions. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, nature lover, or art enthusiast, Adelaide offers a diverse range of activities and attractions.
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Getting to Adelaide
Both international and domestic flights depart from Adelaide Airport. From Europe, it takes about 24 hours for two flights and a stopover.
National flights serve Adelaide Airport. To get there from Melbourne, the flight is only 1h30, 2 hours from Sydney. The low-cost airlines to compare for domestic flights are Virgin and JetStar.
Adelaide Airport is located 15 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus from the city centre. Some hotels in the city centre offer a shuttle service to pick you up from the airport.
If you’re travelling by car, you’ll drive about 14 hours from Sydney to Adelaide. It takes 8 hours from Melbourne to drive on the famous Great Ocean Road!
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Best Time to Visit Adelaide
Adelaide enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. On average, summer highs reach around 30°C, though in the city centre temperatures can occasionally soar to 45°C. Winters are cooler, with averages near 15°C and occasional frosts in the surrounding Adelaide Hills.
- Summer (Dec–Feb): Hot and dry, 15–30°C, with very little rain—the driest climate of any Australian capital. Perfect for beach days and outdoor festivals, but be prepared for the occasional heatwave.
- Autumn (Mar–May): Pleasant and mild, 12–23°C, with beautiful foliage in Adelaide’s many gardens and parks. This is one of the best times for sightseeing and wine-tasting in nearby regions like Barossa Valley.
- Winter (Jun–Aug): Cooler (down to 5–15°C) and wetter, though sunshine is still common. It’s also whale-watching season on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and prices for accommodation are generally lower.
- Spring (Sep–Nov): Mild and colourful, with average temperatures of 12–22°C. Gardens and vineyards bloom, making this season ideal for outdoor adventures.
👉 The best period to visit Adelaide is from November to May, when you’ll enjoy warm, dry weather and the city’s buzzing festival season.
How Much Time to Spend in Adelaide
To properly experience Adelaide and its surroundings, plan for at least 4 days:
- Day 1: Explore the city centre, including Rundle Mall, Central Market, and the cultural attractions along North Terrace.
- Day 2: Visit the Adelaide Hills for wine tasting, wildlife at Cleland Conservation Park, or a German-inspired lunch in Hahndorf.
- Day 3: Spend a day at the beaches (Glenelg, Henley, or Semaphore), easily accessible by tram or bus.
- Day 4: Take a day trip to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, or even Kangaroo Island if you have more time.
If you’re short on time, Adelaide can be “sampled” in 2 days, but allocating 4–5 days gives you a balanced mix of urban culture, wine regions, and natural escapes.
Accommodation Guide
Accommodations in Adelaide are much cheaper than in other major cities in the country. There are different options depending on your budget and the level of comfort you’re looking for, here are some of them:
Hotels: you will have several options at different budgets. Generally, expect to pay around AUD 130 for a room. We recommend the Franklin Hotel in the city center. With its very good pub on the ground floor, decorated with original artworks by local artists, the hotel is located opposite the bus station. It is next to the Rundle Mall shopping center. The Art Gallery of South Australia and the Adelaide Zoo are both 15 minutes away.
🏨 Our top picks for hotels in Adelaide
Here’s a selection of recommended accommodations to suit your budget:
- Best Luxury Hotel: EOS by SkyCity
- Best Hotel average budget: The Franklin Boutique Hotel
- Best cheap hostel: YHA Adelaide Central
Hostels or youth hostels offer dormitory or private rooms. It’s a good option for young people or those on a tight budget. Rates start from AUD 35 per night.
Temporary sublets: many travelers or expatriates go on short vacations and sublet their rooms. You can find quite a few ads on Facebook.
Shared housing: if you plan to stay for several weeks, this will be the most cost-effective solution. You can post an ad on Flatmates, Facebook, or Gumtree.
Airbnb: This is a good option for short-term stays. It can be the rental of a room or an entire house.
Free accommodation options in Adelaide: let’s not forget the alternative solutions for staying without any cost, such as HelpX or Wwoofing, where you are accommodated by a host in exchange for a few hours of work per day. There’s also the option of Housesitting, where you look after someone’s house and pets while they are away. However, these solutions are more suitable for medium to long-term stays.
Attractions and Activities in Adelaide
City Center
North Terrace, historic boulevard, is home to some of Adelaide’s most important cultural institutions, including the Art Gallery of South Australia (home to nearly 45,000 works, AGSA is a must for art lovers—especially its collection of Australian and Indigenous art), the South Australian Museum, and the State Library of South Australia. Stroll along North Terrace to immerse yourself in art, history, and architecture. Located in a beautifully restored historic building, the Migration Museum explores the diverse cultures that have shaped South Australia. Step back in time with a tour of the Old Adelaide Gaol, one of the state’s oldest colonial buildings. Discover its history and stories of notorious inmates.
Located on the banks of the River Torrens, the Adelaide Festival Centre is the heart of Adelaide’s arts scene. Catch a performance, whether it’s theatre, dance, or live music.
If you’re a shopaholic, going for a stroll on Rundle Street, packed with shops and shopping malls, is just what you need.
For the more athletic, discover the Adelaide Oval Stadium where the culture of sport is more than a myth. Built in 1871 and renovated in 2014, the stadium now hosts major matches of Australian football called footy, rugby, or cricket. Get your ticket and meet passionate Australians who will explain the rules of footy with sympathy and enthusiasm, even when you will likely remain confused by the rules, which are quite different from European ones.
Parks and Zoos
For nature lovers, visit the many parks in the heart of the city, especially the botanical garden. The Himeji Gardens, a Japanese-inspired garden, will offer you a zen break in the heart of the city center.
If you want to observe wildlife, head to Gorge Wildlife Park to get close to wombats, dingoes, and Tasmanian devils. You can also discover Cleland Wildlife Park where the animals are in semi-freedom and you can observe them very closely.
For a unique experience, you can also choose to join a tour to swim with dolphins! Set off for more than 3 hours to meet these playful cetaceans and join them in the water to perfect the experience.
For hiking enthusiasts, head to Mount Lofty starting from the waterfall. You will enjoy a panoramic view of Adelaide and its suburbs upon your arrival.
The Beaches
For those who want to have a picnic on the beach, admire a sunset, or dive into the waves, Glenelg, Semaphore, or Henley Beach will delight you. A short tram ride from the city center, Glenelg is a popular seaside destination. Walk along Jetty Road, relax on the sandy beach, or take a dolphin cruise.
Port Adelaide
Accessible by bus or train from the city center, this small town to the northwest of Adelaide offers several surprises. Visit the Fishermen’s Wharf Markets on the esplanade on Sundays to discover a huge two-story flea market where visitors stroll and connoisseurs negotiate prices even on the most whimsical items.
Continue your walk along the esplanade where street art has found its place among the few bars and restaurants where you can have lunch. Then spend the afternoon on a boat on the water to spot dozens of dolphins around you.
Discover Adelaide’s Food and Wine Scene
Established in 1869, the Adelaide Central Market is a food lover’s paradise. With over 80 stalls, you can sample fresh produce, gourmet foods, and international cuisines. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack. Adelaide Central Market has been officially recognized as Australia’s favorite foodie experience, drawing over 8.5 million visitors annually. A major redevelopment is underway, with a $400 million expansion including a hotel, residences, and new dining precincts slated for completion by 2026.
Rundle Street is a bustling street in the East End, known for its eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Enjoy alfresco dining and people-watching in this lively area.
Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale: Just a short drive from Adelaide, these world-renowned wine regions offer picturesque vineyards and cellar doors. Take a wine tour to taste some of Australia’s best wines, including Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Experience Adelaide’s Festivals and Events
The city’s cultural scene is booming: Adelaide is emerging as “Australia’s coolest city” with a thriving festivals calendar, from Adelaide Fringe and WOMADelaide to the Adelaide Festival. The “Mad March” season made 2025 one of the city’s strongest on record.
Adelaide Fringe Festival: Held annually from February to March, it’s the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, transforming the city with thousands of performances across hundreds of venues.
Adelaide Festival: Running concurrently with the Fringe, the Adelaide Festival showcases world-class theatre, music, and dance.
WOMADelaide: This four-day world music festival in March brings together artists from around the globe for an unforgettable cultural experience in Botanic Park.
Illuminate Adelaide returns this winter (2–20 July 2025), lighting up the city with 134 immersive art, light, music, and technology experiences—including world premieres and Australian exclusives.
Santos Tour Down Under: Held January 21–26 with pro cycling races, street parties, and free family-friendly hubs around the city.
Where to Go Out?
If you like going out with friends, having a romantic drink or partying with strangers, you will find what you are looking for in Adelaide. Rundle street is full of cool bars and restaurants with flavors from around the world. Hindley Street is the street of night clubs where you can dance to all styles of music.
🎉 NOT TO BE MISSED The Fringe Festival takes place every year in Adelaide for a month from February, and if you are in the city during these dates, it’s well worth the detour. It’s the second-largest independent festival in the world after Edinburgh’s: street performances, concerts, theater… The city is closed to cars to offer the best experience to participants in a more than festive atmosphere.
Where to Eat?
Located in the heart of the country’s most famous wine regions, Adelaide offers an incredible gastronomic scene. A few days’ stay there is not enough to experience everything the city has to offer in terms of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Here are our recommendations for places to eat in Adelaide.
Adelaide Central Market
Visiting the Adelaide Central Market is an absolute must. Ideal for a lunch break, the market is covered and offers many tables to sit and enjoy the products and dishes offered by the local merchants. You will find fresh produce, cheese, bread, charcuterie, and lovely cafes such as Jamface.
Chinatown
Close to the Central Market, on Gouger Street, is Adelaide’s “Chinatown.” You will find a variety of Asian stores and restaurants. Vietnamese, Japanese, Malaysian, Thai, and of course Chinese cuisine, there is something for everyone. Note that most of these restaurants serve late into the evening, which is interesting if you do not eat at Australian times.
West End
The western part of Adelaide is home to numerous dining options for all tastes and styles. It’s one of the must-visit places to eat in Adelaide.
Hindley Street
Extending west from Rundle Mall, Hindley Street is where you’ll find quick eats. The street offers a wide choice of fast food: kebabs, burgers, pizzas, etc. Ideal for a pre or post-night out in the area.
Perpendicular to Hindley Street, Peel Street is a small street full of good addresses. We recommend the restaurant of the same name, Peel Street, one of the best addresses in Adelaide.
Bank Street
And for those on a budget, Moona restaurant on Bank Street is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. With excellent value for money, Moona is famous for its authentic Korean dumplings handmade by the owner Ki Dong Ra. Don’t let the exterior facade of the place discourage you. The chicken, pork, and vegetable Mandoo dumplings ($15) are a treat and worth the wait.
East End
To the east of Rundle Mall, you find yourself on Rundle Street. This street also houses many lovely restaurants of all styles. Café Brunelli is an Italian restaurant open 24/7. A good option for eating at any time or if you are in Adelaide on a public holiday.
From Rundle Street, follow Ebenezer Place or Vardon Avenue. In these shaded little streets, you will find European restaurants such as the French Hey Jupiter or the Belgian Café Oostende.
South Adelaide
To the south of the city center, The Original Coopers Alehouse is the brewery that will serve you the most famous local beer: Coopers. Recently renovated, the establishment offers some of the best pub food. The restaurant displays a large selection of dishes made from fresh local products, a wide choice of beers, and local wines. You just have to choose between wine or beer to accompany your dish!
A little further south on the same street, The Astor offers good value for money dining. A popular and modern hotel, you will find classic pub dishes all day starting at $10. Are you up for a good steak, a juicy cheeseburger, or even a bowl of vegetarian nachos? The Astor offers a special menu that is almost too good to be true.
The National Wine Center
Finally, we recommend stopping at the National Wine Center in the center of the Botanic Gardens. Let’s not forget that Adelaide is located in the heart of a major wine region. So what could be better than eating a good platter of local products accompanied by a glass of wine? The National Wine Center, which also offers a permanent exhibition on wine in Australia, is the perfect place to stop for lunch in the shade of the trees of the Botanic Gardens.
How to Get Around in Adelaide?
Adelaide’s compact city center makes it easy to explore on foot or by bike. The city also has an efficient public transport system, including buses, trams, and trains.
For public transport options, have a look at Adelaide Metro. Some services are free, such as the tram in the South Terrace city centre, which takes you to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, or the Free City Connector bus, which connects most tourist attractions.
Finally, for the more athletic, take advantage of the numerous bike paths and BikeSA bicycles, which can be rented for free during the day upon presentation of an ID, to discover Adelaide and its surroundings.
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Tips for Adelaide
Take a boat trip to Port Adelaide. For only 10 AUD, you’re cruising for two hours, and you can even see dolphins if you’re lucky.
In February and March, Adelaide hosts several festivals. The city is very busy at the time and you have the opportunity to watch free concerts, street performers, and outdoor games.
At the Semaphore or West Lakes cinemas, you get to watch movies for only 10 AUD, no matter what day. In comparison, tickets in other cinemas cost 25 AUD!
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 17:30 to 20:30, you can enjoy a vegetarian and vegan dinner at Govinda Restaurant. This is a Krishna Temple, where you have to take off your shoes before going to dinner.
From Tuesday to Thursday between 4pm and 6pm, it’s Happy Hour at the Lady Burra Brewhouse. There you get the beer brewed locally in the heart of the city centre.
Exploring the Surroundings
The Barossa Valley
Discover the Barossa Valley, one of the world’s most famous wine regions. Traverse vineyards and estates for wine tastings and other local products.
Set off from Adelaide and expect a journey of 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the route taken. Stop by the visitor center in Tanunda to get the regional map (Touring Map), which lists all the addresses of wineries and cellars for tastings, restaurants, picnic areas, and lookouts. Follow the Barossa Scenic Heritage Drive, a tourist route lined with vineyards and palm trees.
Adelaide Hills
Less than an hour’s drive away, head to the Adelaide Hills, a wooded and hilly region. At the entrance to the Hills, visit Mount Lofty for a spectacular view of the city.
Nearby, you can visit the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden (free entry). Then, explore the typical small towns of Aldgate, Stirling, Oakbank, Crafers, Mount Barker, and Hahndorf.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is one of South Australia’s jewels. Located 2.5 hours south of Adelaide, it is accessible by ferry (45 minutes). Kangaroo Island’s beaches are stunning, with turquoise waters and fine sand.
There are beautiful rock formations to see on Kangaroo Island (Admiral Arch, Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase National Park). Plan to stay for at least three days.
