The city of Adelaide is a modern, thriving economic hub tucked between the exquisite Australian South Coast and the rolling Mount Lofty Ranges. The famous South Australian capital city was shaped by European immigrants who learned to adore Australia’s rich cultural heritage.
Planning to visit Adelaide soon? Or are you from the area and for a place to hang out with your kids, partner, or friends? The good news is there are a lot of fun things to do around the region. Head over to the Adelaide CBD, Henley Beach, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, the city centre, Adelaide Botanic Gardens, and you’re bound to find something to do. Sometimes, all the choices can be overwhelming, but we’ve come up with a list of the best things you should try around Adelaide.
Today, Adelaide is a beautifully adorned, bustling city with magnificent galleries, ultra-modern high-rise structures, attractive gardens, and gourmet restaurants. Here are some best places to pass the time in Adelaide.
1. Visit Adelaide Parliament House On North Terrace
Do you want to start your tour of Adelaide in style? Then why not start with a visit to Adelaide’s famous tree-lined North Terrace? The North Terrace is not just some handsome boulevard; it is full of some of Australia’s cherished cultural and historical treasures.
While here, you can visit the Adelaide Parliament House, located at the North Terrace-King William intersection. With its legendary monumental colonnade, the Parliament House is renowned as one of Adelaide’s most imposing structures, enthralling countless visitors.
As a bonus Walk a little down the street, and you can take a guided tour of the South Australia Art Gallery, the South Australia Museum, and the South Australia State Library. And just nearby is the University of Adelaide main campus. The University acts as a host to the famous Mitchell Building. This structure ranks among Adelaide’s most valued pieces of the Gothic Revival-era architecture.
Address: Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Phone Number: (08) 8237 9100
Website: adelaidecitytour.com.au
2. Visit Botanical Treasures, Adelaide Botanical Gardens
If you love touring botanic gardens, Adelaide is a great place to be for families and couples especially. While here, you can visit the Adelaide Botanic Garden. The garden was first established in 1855. It is widely dubbed as a botanical treasure. Here, you can enjoy a variety of themed plantings, including a Mediterranean garden, native Australian species, wetlands, and medicinal plants.
Additionally, you are always welcome to visit the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Here, you will learn about the role of plants in daily life. This is taught graphically through presentations characterized by permanent collections.
Visit the Bicentennial Conservatory and tour a variety of lowland rainforest plants, particularly the Amazonica water lilies, which are famed for night-flowering. You can also visit century-old fig trees at the Botanic Garden’s Moreton Bay display.
Finally, wrap up your flora expedition of the area with a visit to the famous botanic garden at Mount Lofty. Feast your eyes upon a massive collection of plants that thrive in colder climates, including the gorgeous heritage rose garden.
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Phone Number: +61 8 8222 9311
Website: botanicgardens.sa.gov.au
3. Take A Leisurely Walk To The Adelaide Central Market
This colourful, vibrant market is a popular spot to visit when you’re in Adelaide. It was established in 1870, ranks among the world’s oldest indoor markets. When you visit, you can buy fresh produce, like vegetables and fruit, cheeses, baked goods, flowers and a great variety of multicultural culinary products.
The Adelaide Central Markets are located in the southern section of Grote Street near Victoria Square. The market is the perfect way to get a taste of the city’s delicacies. You can enjoy these in any of the hundreds of cafes located within the area. Finally, you can enjoy an exciting treat in the market’s Chinatown which offers rare Asian foods and delicacies.
Do not forget to bring your own shopping baskets and bags — you’ll definitely want to buy something! If you are an eager bargain hunter, it is advisable to visit on Saturday afternoons. During certain times throughout, many vendors are known to cut down on prices as a means to empty their stalls faster.
Address: 44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Phone Number: (08) 8203 7494
Website: adelaidecentralmarket.com.au
4. Run Rings Around The Legendary Adelaide Oval Stadium
When visiting the world’s top cities, few people may think that a visit to a sports stadium can be fun. On your visit to Adelaide, you will find something different. One thing that makes Aussies different from most people is a great love of sport. Therefore, the Adelaide Oval is considered an essential city landmark by locals.
The Adelaide Oval was built in 1871. The first cricket match — which was mostly a test match — was held in 1884. The stadium has since hosted over 16 different sport disciplines. These include tennis, hockey, cycling, lacrosse, archery, and AFL. Furthermore, the Adelaide Oval has hosted major live music concerts as well as community sports. Not only does it bring in major players, it supports its local ones as well.
The famous stadium received a multi-million dollar facelift in 2014. Despite this move towards modernization, the stadium still features the legendary heritage-listed scoreboard. It also features the area’s famous fig trees from Moreton Bay.
While in Adelaide, take the time to attend an event at the Oval. Not only will it be plenty of fun, but you’ll be visiting a piece of Adelaide’s history. Lovers of cricket can peruse the Bradman Museum inside the stadium which features plenty of memorabilia centred around the history of one of Australia’s most famous cricketers.
You may also join in on a 90-minute whirlwind tour of the stadium to take in its best features before the game begins.
Address: War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia
Website: adelaideoval.com.au
Even More Activities
- Visit the South Australian Museum
- Wine tasting at The National Wine Centre
- Go shopping at Rundle Mall
- Day Trip to Kangaroo Island
- Visit Adelaide Zoo
- Visit the Adelaide Festival Centre
- Explore Victor Harbor
- Try the wine at McLaren Vale
- Go on a sweet tooth escapade at Haigh’s Chocolates
- Walk around Adelaide’s central business district
- Swim with Sealions at Port Lincoln
- Bike along the River Torrens
- Ride The Glenelg Tram
- Check out the Fleurieu Peninsula
Check out 19th Century designs at Palm House
Conclusion
The city borders of Adelaide overflow with its culture and history. Between its beauty and story and endless entertainment possibilities, you’ll want to make sure you book a stay long enough to take in as much as possible. It is a renowned host to world-famous libraries, countless botanical features, and is a significant centre of immigration and sport.
Though it may be difficult to find a place to start, you must start somewhere on your visit. The important thing is not to rush through what the city has to offer. And if you run out of time and must leave, then you can always plan to schedule another visit in the future. Each visit will be just as good as the last!
