Adelaide Travel Guide

Adelaide - gateway to South Australia is renowned for its food, festival and arts scene. While the wine scene of Barossa Valley is renowned, the urban features of spacious boulevards, vibrant inner-city districts, sophisticated architectures and lush gardens make Adelaide city a great getaway. You might want to immerse yourself in the culture of Adelaide's North Terrace, with its museums and city cafes. Or indulge in retail therapy while shopping at Rundle Mall, sample the tastes on offer at the famed Adelaide Central Market, or sip award-winning wines at the National Wine Centre.

Festivals and food. Arts and culture. Shopping and sports. This is Adelaide - the Australian city where there's always something on.

Whether you want to party or relax on your next holiday, South Australia's capital has it all. With spacious boulevards and vibrant inner-city districts, sophisticated architecture and lush gardens, plenty of accommodation to choose from, Adelaide is the perfect venue for all sorts of holiday activities - big or small.

Average Daily temperatures in Celsius:
Winter temperatures in Adelaide are maximum 15.9, Minimum 8.
Summer temperatures in Adelaide: Max 28.3 Min 16.5 (but it can soar past 30º.)
Autumn temperatures in Adelaide: Max 22.4 Min 12.5
Spring temperatures in Adelaide: Max 21.7 Min 11.6

Coastal South Australia has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm dry summers. Most rain falls in June, July and August. Very hot days and cool nights can occur in summer. In the north, temperatures can be extreme, particularly in the summer months (that's why you'll find some people living underground in places like Coober Pedy). Summer temperatures in the Outback regularly reach 40º Celsius.

South Australia is a great year round destination. Enjoying a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers, Adelaide has four distinctive seasons.

The sun can be intense during summer. To avoid sunburn, seek shade whenever possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm and always use a broad-based spectrum sun screen of at least SPF30.

We hope you enjoy your driving holiday throughout South Australia. We've collected this handy information for you, to help make your journey safe and enjoyable.

Driving Laws

Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road and seat belts must be worn by both driver and passengers at all times. If you want to drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle within South Australia you must have a license for that type of vehicle.

Interstate visitors staying less than three months in South Australia may drive with their current driver's license from another state or territory. Overseas visitors may drive in South Australia for up to 12 months if an International Driving Permit is carried.

Drivers on L and P plates, drivers of heavy vehicles, taxis, chauffeured vehicles or buses must not drive after drinking alcohol. Fully licensed drivers must ensure that their blood alcohol level stays below .05 or they may be charged with "driving under the influence".

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance in South Australia is offered by the Royal Automobile Association (RAA), with reciprocal rights offered to visitors from other states and some overseas countries. For further information visit the www.raa.com.au.

Outback Driving

To ensure that you get the best out of your experience it is important to obtain good advice and thoroughly prepare for your journey.

Good preparation and common sense are the keys to a successful journey in the Outback. Seasonal conditions change the terrain of the roads from smooth sandy tracks to corrugations, stony and rocky crossings.

• Research the terrain, conditions and safety requirements.
• Take frequent rest breaks and change drivers regularly.
• Be aware of forward facilities and services (fuel, water, medical).
• Check with your motoring organisation for emergency services and facilities.
• Research the terrain, conditions and safety requirements.
• You are sharing the road with everything from cyclists to road trains. Give room to the former and prepare for wind turbulence from the latter.
• Watch out for livestock and wildlife as they often stray onto the road. Avoid driving at sunrise and sunset when animals are most active.
• Be aware of forward facilities and services (fuel, water, medical).
• Check the conditions of Outback roads before leaving the nearest major town.
• Take care when travelling in remote areas during summer, temperatures in Outback Australia can reach over 40°C (104°F).
• Carry extra supplies of water, food, spare tyres and tools in remote areas.
• Hire appropriate emergency communication equipment, eg satellite phones, HF radio.
• Dust from dirt roads can obscure your vision. Slow down or stop until the dust settles.
• Obey road closure signs and stick to the main roads.
• If you encounter gates, they should always be left as they were found. Open gates should be left open and closed gates should be closed after passing through them.
• Avoid tracks that are for private use only, or that are not marked on maps.
• Leave details of your travel plans with a family member or friend.
• In an emergency, stay with your vehicle.

When we talk about South Australia being an accessible destination, we don't just mean it's easy to get around. Much time and effort has been spent in recent years to ensure that travelling with a disability won't stop you enjoying what South Australia has to offer.

Where to stay

When you search through accommodation, tour and attraction listings on southaustralia.com, you'll find South Australia's tourism operators offering easy access for travellers with disabilities. Look for properties displaying the international wheelchair symbol, and always check the business can accommodate your specific needs.

Car Hire & Car Parking

A number of South Australian car hire companies supply vehicles fitted with hand controls. Advise the company well in advance about the nature of your disability, and special arrangements will be made. Standard hire vehicles can also be fitted with special devices to assist your needs. Most public car parks in Adelaide have dedicated parking spots for disabled drivers, clearly identified by the blue international disability sign. The bays are close to ramps and lifts and are generally wider than regular parking spaces.

Taxis in Adelaide

Adelaide has many fully accessible taxis, and Access Cabs is the company to call. Ph: 1300 360 940 (within Australia).

Non-Australian citizens (except New Zealanders) need a valid visa to enter and spend time in Australia. The length of stay and purpose of your visit will determine the type of visa you are required to hold before you arrive. For short-term tourist entry to Australia, an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the recommended option, as there is no need for the traveller to then complete an application form for a visa. All applications must be made from outside Australia. For full details, please see www.immi.gov.au

Some goods brought into Australia may require payment of customs duty and sales tax. However, you are allowed to bring in a number of goods tax-free as hand luggage. Amounts of $A10,000 or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency) must be declared on arrival and departure. Certain foods, plants, weapons, firearms and drugs are subject to controls or prohibition.

The Tourist Refund Scheme allows overseas travellers to receive a refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) for goods bought in Australia. Travellers can claim the refund from customs officers at Tourist Refund Scheme booths at international airports or cruise terminals when departing Australia. For further information visit www.customs.gov.au.

Adelaide Botanic Garden
North Terrace, Adelaide
It's easy to understand the Botanic Garden’s popularity with its range of attractions, including the picturesque Botanic Park, the International Rose Garden, the stunning Bicentennial Conservatory, the Museum of Economic Botany and the enchanting Palm House, just to name a few.

Adelaide Central Market
Gouger Street, Adelaide SA
Central Market, buzzing with sounds, colours and wondrous smells is truly the destination for food lovers. Offering not only fresh fruit and vegetables, also find one of the largest ranges of meat and fish along with the gourmet specialities. Market days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Chinatown
Moonta Street, Adelaide SA
Chinatown in Adelaide is located on Moonta Street, within the large Adelaide Central Markets precinct between Grote and Gouger streets. Two large and impressive Paifang, erected by the city council and guarded by Imperial guardian lions donated by the People’s Republic of China, mark the entrances at either end. Adelaide Chinatown consists mainly of Chinese restaurants, grocery stores and markets.

Adelaide Oval and the Bradman Collection
SA Cricket Ground, North Adelaide SA
Adelaide Oval is widely regarded as the most picturesque test cricket ground in the world, with St Peter's Cathedral rising behind an elegant Edwardian scoreboard and Moreton Bay fig trees at the northern end. Take a tour of the oval and while there pay homage to the world’s greatest batsman Sir Donald Bradman visiting the newly relocated Bradman Collection.

Adelaide Zoo
Frome Road, North Adelaide SA
Beautifully landscaped with habitat exhibits, walk-through aviaries full of trees, and a superb reptile house, most animals are exhibited in natural settings.

Art Gallery of South Australia
North Terrace, Adelaide SA
The Art Gallery of South Australia holds one of Australia’s finest art collections, housed in one of Adelaide’s most beautiful historic buildings. It is centrally located on leafy North Terrace between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide, and has been an important cultural focus since its establishment in 1881, only forty-five years after the first European settlers arrived.

Haigh's Chocolates
154 Greenhill Road, Parkside
Established in 1915, Haigh’s is Australia’s oldest chocolate manufacturer. Now in its fourth generation, the family owned company has grown from the original Beehive Corner shop to a modern factory complex. Famous for their chocolate frogs, truffles, fruit centres, fudges and bars, Haigh’s is also the home of the original chocolate Easter bilby.

National Wine Centre
Cnr North Terrace & Hackney Road, Adelaide SA
Situated in Adelaide’s stunning Botanic Gardens, the National Wine Centre offers an enjoyable wine experience. The centre represents every wine region in Australia - over 50 regions in total - and takes visitors on an interactive journey through the past, present and future of the Australian wine industry.

Penfold's Magill Estate
78 Penfold Road, Magill SA 5072
Located in the Adelaide foothills, Penfold's Magill Estate boasts over five hectares of Shiraz vines that are among the most celebrated in the world. The estate contributed to the first vintages of Grange in the 1950s. Today the fruit is used exclusively for Penfold's Magill Estate Shiraz, the only wine still made at the Magill Estate winery. The vineyard is a mere 8 kilometre or a 15 minute drive from the city centre, and is very much part of suburban Adelaide. Enjoy a tour through the winery's cellars or sample award winning wine at the cellar door.

R.M. Williams – Original Store and Museum
5 Percy Street, Prospect SA
The RM Williams Outback Heritage Museum boasts a unique collection of RM Williams' artefacts. There is saddlery, hand plaited bridles, whips and a range of clothing and boots to marvel over. The Museum adjoins the historic retail shop in Percy Street where is all began back in 1932 in an iron shed at the back of the family home.

South Australian Museum
North Terrace, Adelaide SA
Wander through six floors of exhibits revealing fascinating stories, at the South Australian Museum. See the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, the largest Aboriginal cultural exhibition in the world, with more than 3000 items on display.
There are permanent exhibitions devoted to Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson, ancient Egypt, rare fossils of the Flinders Ranges and more. You can even see one of Adelaide astronaut Andy Thomas's space suits.

You'll find plenty of sports action in South Australia to help you enjoy your holiday here, including monumental motorsports, international cycling races, prestige golf tournaments and plenty of opportunities to be a spectator in some of the most picturesque surrounds in the country.

Major sporting events
South Australia is home to the exciting Clipsal 500 V8 (www.clipsal500.com.au) Supercar race, hosted on a city circuit once a year in front of record-breaking crowds. Every year we also host the Santos Tour Down Under (www.tourdownunder.com.au) attracting cycling superstars from around the world including Lance Armstrong in 2010.

Australian Rules Football
Adelaide's two teams in the Australian Football League - the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide - play their matches at AAMI Stadium in the western suburb of West Lakes, and during winter you'll see local games at football ovals right around South Australia.

Cricket
For state and international cricket matches, head to Adelaide Oval - it is widely known as one of the prettiest ovals in the world.

Soccer
Hindmarsh Stadium is the home of soccer and Adelaide United Football Club. This exciting facility seats 15,000 spectators and is five minutes from the city centre.

Basketball & Netball
If you're a basketball buff, watch the Adelaide 36ers play in the national competition at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Findon, just 10 minutes from the city centre. For netball head to ETSA Park, a world-class stadium and home to the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Tennis & Squash
Memorial Drive centre court hosts international tennis and spectators turn out in force to support local player and Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt. South Australians also love their squash and there are many courts to choose from.

With over 200 cellar doors within two hours drive, Adelaide is the centre of South Australia's booming wine industry. The closest working vineyard is only eight kilometers from the city centre and there are 17 official wine regions to discover.

If fresh produce markets are an indication of a city's quality of life, then Adelaide holds the nation's trump card. The celebrated Adelaide Central Market has been trading ever since 1869 when a band of industrious market gardeners first carted their home-grown fruit and vegetables to the market site between Grote and Gouger Streets.

And any visit to South Australia isn't complete without a visit to Haigh's Chocolates, the only chocolatier in Australia that still imports and roasts their own beans.

Our climate is perfect for alfresco dining much of the year, and our international influences range from the Mediterranean and Asia. All this makes for a relaxed and high-quality food and wine culture where fine dining, café culture and great pubs and bars mix together. You'll find entire streets devoted to dining. These 'eat streets' are a mix of cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Gouger Street is Adelaide's key eat street. It's the gateway to the Adelaide Central Market and the exotic, bustling mall and foodhalls of Chinatown. Take a five-minute stroll and you'll be embarking on a world tour of restaurants. Traditional Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Japanese, Asian fusion, noodle bars, regional Chinese and yum cha, French and Argentine cuisine, and a number of first-rate seafood restaurants.

Rundle Street, in Adelaide's East End, has a popular casual atmosphere and is recommended for lunch and night dining. It's bursting with alfresco dining - a vibrant food, wine and coffee experience not to be missed. Nearby Hutt Street is a great breakfast spot and home to GoodLife Modern Organic Pizza (you'll also find a Good Life in Glenelg's Jetty Road).

Hindley Street is home to Apothecary 1878, an elegant wine bar that must be seen to be believed. And the award-winning Red Ochre restaurant has views of the River Torrens and famed cuisine to try.

O'Connell Street and Melbourne Street are fashionable dining locations in North Adelaide, five minutes drive north of the city. You'll find The Manse restaurant in North Adelaide - one of Adelaide's finest and oldest established restaurants, located within a beautiful Victorian Mansion.

Coastal suburbs Glenelg and Henley Beach are also popular dining precincts. Dine outdoors while you watch the sun set over the ocean. Henley Beach Road has a cornucopia of food stores and eateries - Asian, African, Mediterranean and Indian.

Of course Adelaide's shopping hub, Rundle Mall, has an excellent range of food courts and dining venues when you need to take a breather from shopping.

From the city to the regions, South Australia can provide retail therapy for the most enthusiastic shoppers.
Whether you're after fashion bargains, designer labels, shoes of all shapes and sizes, jewellery, fresh fruit and veg, furniture, or that special bottle of wine, South Australia can satisfy your shopping urges.

Shopping hours
Trading hours are generally Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm.
There's late night shopping in Adelaide city stores every Friday until 9pm, and at Adelaide suburban stores every Thursday until 9pm.
Trading hours on public holidays may be limited. Trading hours vary in country areas, with many larger stores opened extensively, seven days a week.

Make sure you buy:

• South Australian opals - the world's best are mined in our Outback and sold in Adelaide
• Haighs Chocolates – said to be the best in Australia (and, possibly the world)
• Dried or glace fruit - our climate gives us quality and quantity
• Clothes and gear from RM Williams - Australia's legendary bush outfitters
• Dried or glace fruit - our climate gives us quality and quantity
• Brilliant design and craft pieces from the studios of the JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design
• Wine - South Australia boasts 70 per cent of Australia's wine exports
• Fashion and accessories from SA designers
• Pure and luxurious skin and body care essentials from Jurlique and Janesce

Adelaide Shopping Hubs
If you really want to experience Adelaide's shopping, don't miss the bustling Adelaide Central Market, coastal Jetty Road and King William Road, Hyde Park. These are just some of the popular Adelaide shopping precincts we've listed below for you:

• Rundle Mall - explore its elegant arcades including Regent and Adelaide Arcades, its department stores and boutiques, cafes and flower stalls.
• Adelaide Central Market for fresh food and speciality stalls, Asian grocery stores, cafes and food halls and South Australian products.
• King William Road at Hyde Park for stylish fashion and design.
• Glen Osmond Road at Eastwood for designer seconds and clearance shops.
• The Parade at Norwood for cafes, restaurants and boutiques.
• Jetty Road at Glenelg - a good excuse to mix shopping with a stroll on the beach.
• Harbour Town at West Beach for more than 50 quality brand discount outlets.
• Suburban shopping centres at Tea Tree Plaza, West Lakes and Marion have enough shops to browse and things to do to take up a whole day.

Bargain Hunting
Everyone loves a bargain - and you'll find plenty of them to take home at these well-known Adelaide shopping locations:

Valley Girl Clearance Store
Upstairs, shop 146 Rundle Mall
Funky fashion for hip young things - and there's nothing over $15.

Sussan Clearance
Downstairs, shop 77 Rundle Mall
From fluffy flannel PJs to hip and sparkly halters, it's all here and it's all on sale.

Katies Clearance
Upstairs, 11 Rundle Mall
Huge reductions on last season's and unsold stock. Great for cheap suits and work wear.

Harbour Town, West Beach
This well-designed shopping centre is 15 minutes from the city and houses more than 50 designer fashion and homewares outlets all selling direct at prices permanently up to 60 per cent below regular retail. Highlights include a Portmans outlet, Esprit outlet and Pairs - heaven for shoe lovers.

Magill Road, Maylands
Magill Road is a treasure trove for collectors and lovers of all things beautiful and unique. Its cluster of fascinating antique shops stock everything from funky 50s retro to 1800s elegance. There are also several furniture designers here who can make to order. Highlights include Rock 'n Rustic at 87a Magill Road, Maylands. You'll find funky lava lamps, bean bags and all things cool from the 50s, 60s and 70s, as well as kitchen tables sourced from historic houses and even a collection of authentic farming tools.

Glen Osmond Road, Parkside
Just five minutes from the heart of Adelaide, Glen Osmond Road is lined with factory outlets, clearance stores and seconds warehouses selling everything from cut-price designer fashion to discounted manchester and trendy sunnies. Look out for Ab Fab Eyeware, with funky designer sunnies at service station prices. There's also a Table Eight Clearance store.

Thebarton
Find your next pair of shoes at Diana Ferrari Factory Outlet, 64 George Street Thebarton. And stock up on lingerie at Innerware Lingerie, 36 Kintore Street Thebarton.

Adelaide's hot zones for nightlife are the pubs, clubs and bars of Rundle Street in the east and Hindley Street and Light Square in the west.

In the city centre, head to The Austral or Exeter in Rundle Street for a raucous welcome, good beer and good music. Soak up the contemporary house beats at ultra chic Distill bar, or relax with cocktails at Cushdy. Catch great live bands at the Crown and Sceptre, Grace Emily or Governor Hindmarsh hotels - where you'll often find leading musos enjoying a drink at the bar themselves.

Dance the night away in The Garage, SAVY, Vodka Bar, Apothecary, Cargo Club and Kings Head.

Located in the historic Adelaide Railway Station, SKYCITY Adelaide offers an exciting combination of restaurants, bars, live music and gaming facilities.

Other popular nightspots include Banque Bar, Archer Hotel, Royal Oak and the Lion Hotel in North Adelaide. There's also First at the Hotel Richmond, Boho Bar at Unley, Zootz at Henley Square and The Pier and Oyster Bar at Glenelg.

Throughout the greater Adelaide region, hundreds of pubs and clubs host musicians, bands, comedians and dance bands during the week, including great laid-back sessions on weekend afternoons.

And the Adelaide Festival Centre, Her Majesty's Theatre, the Adelaide Town Hall and the Lion Arts Centre are used by South Australia's opera, theatre and contemporary dance companies and visiting and touring arts companies.

Whether you want to sleep between cool sheets in a luxury hotel, snuggle in an inner-city cottage, or meet new friends at a caravan park, Adelaide has a wide variety of accommodation for you.
North Adelaide is known for accommodation in heritage-listed buildings along tree-lined streets, as well as some unusual suites that incorporate our history. The city's main boulevard, North Terrace, is home to high rise hotels and close to the nightlife and shopping districts. Adelaide is also noted for its family-friendly holiday resorts and caravan parks. They provide a variety of cabins for groups of different sizes, as well as outstanding playground and swimming pool facilities.

Air
Adelaide is easily accessed by air from all Australian capital cities and international destinations. Adelaide Airport (www.aal.com.au) is eight kilometres from the centre of the city, a 15-minute drive. It services regional, domestic and international travellers in one building. The state-of-the-art facility is the newest and most efficient aviation terminal in Australia, incorporating the latest in design and technology.
The South Australian Visitor & Travel Centre runs an information and booking centre in the main airport building. It is open for every domestic and international flight arrival, 365 days of the year. There is a AUD$2 levy on all taxi fares to the airport. The average taxi fare from the city centre to the airport is AUD$15. Skylink Shuttle operates between the airport, city and Interstate Rail Terminal (Keswick). Cost is $7.50 one way. JetBus links the airport and the city and some suburbs.

Coach
The main coach terminal in Adelaide is the Central Bus Station at Franklin Street, Adelaide. All interstate and intrastate coaches depart from and arrive at this terminal.

Public transport
You can travel for free within the Adelaide city centre on the Adelaide Free bus, the 99C, and the tram between South Terrace and North Terrace. You'll find route information on the AdelaideMetro website. AdelaideMetro services the greater metropolitan region with trains and buses and the Glenelg tram. Visit the Adelaide Metro (www.adelaidemetro.com.au) website for details of routes and fares.

Train
The interstate trains The Overland, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific arrive and depart from the Keswick Rail Terminal, located on Richmond Road, Keswick three kilometres from the city centre. All three are operated by Great Southern Rail (www.gsr.com.au).

Taxis
All taxis in Adelaide accept major credit cards and Cabcharge. There are several companies that offer an alternative to taxis, providing luxury vehicles and uniformed drivers for transfers and touring. On evenings in the city, you can find major taxi ranks on the North Terrace near SkyCity casino and also at the corner of Hindley and Morphett Streets. These are manned by taxi concierges Friday and Saturday nights from 11.00pm to 4.00am.

Cycle
Ride around the city centre on a bike supplied by the Adelaide City Council. Free bike hire is now available 7 days a week from 9am - 5pm. For more information and details of locations visit the Bicycle SA's website.
Or have fun on a bikelfun pedal car designed for adults and older children. Choose from a six seat Tourer or a three seat Roadster. You can hire bikelfuns at Rymill Park, Adelaide in the East Parklands just east of Rundle Street.

Within Australia there are three time zones:
Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory,
Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.
Central Standard Time (CST) is 30 minutes behind EST and operates in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Western Standard Time is two hours behind EST and operates in Western Australia.

South Australia time is calculated as Greenwich Mean Time plus 9.5 hours.

Daylight saving operates in South Australia from the end of October to the end of March. Clocks are advanced one hour during this period.

Area: 984,377 square kilometres

Capital: Adelaide (population 1 129 145 in June 2005)

Coastline: 4800 kilometres (with 100 islands)

Statewide population: 1 554 700 in June 2006

Language: English

Australia's electricity voltage is 240 volts AC. Some large hotels have power outlets at 110 volts AC, but if you're bringing 110-volt appliances into South Australia, it's advisable to bring a small 110-volt transformer and a plug conversion kit.

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