Picturesque, quaint and a festive city. Surrounded by parklands with World class events would be a good start to describe the city.
Yet, Adelaide is unique in some ways.
No theme parks, mega shopping malls or purpose built tourist attractions. Yet it draws hordes of visitors. After all it is the capital city of the Festival State.
If you visit Adelaide in the midst of a festival or event with throngs of people around, you walk away thinking its inhabitants are in a perpetual state of celebrating life. And you would not be wrong.
Small, cultured and chic yet big in wines, cricket and festivals. A city with 1.3 million people, renown for liberal views and diverse interests. A tone set in 1972 by the then pink shorts clad State Premier Don Dunstan. That tone lingers on.
Legal pot at one time, first gay bar in the southern hemisphere and an iconic and much loved Central Market and the home of the Fringe.
Adding to that, churches in nearly every other corner and 2 Universities in the city precinct. Hedonism, religion and academia all rolled into one, though not in the same intensity as in the past for some.
The words picturesque, quaint and a festive city is starting to take shape, I hope. Let’s get into the city a little deeper in what it offers.
Festivals & Events
Do plan ahead to arrive for a festival or an event (unless you are into wines). Remember this is the festival state and thrives on events. It’s the city’s lifeblood. The top 4 that comes to mind are all World class events;
- Adelaide Arts and Fringe Festivals from mid February to mid March. The second biggest cultural event in the World. See my post on this annual event. It is actually 4 distinctly themed events. The biggest draw in our calendar.
- Tour down Under – another World event and now the yearly mecca for cycling Australia with many fans flying in with their bikes and following the professionals on their training runs along the picturesque Adelaide Hills.
- Test Cricket at Adelaide Oval is certainly one for the bucket list. A scenic walk from the city, across the River Torrens on the Riverbank Pedestrian Bridge with blacks swans in sight. You might get to see a ripper of a game that people around the World will talk about for years.
- Australian International 3 Days Event. A premier horse eventing trials and part of a World circuit that covers 6 other events in the US, UK, Germany and France. Held annually in November, it is the only one staged in the heart of a city. See these magnificent beasts at close hand as they traverse the city’s parkland course.
The Right Gear
Do look the part to fit in for the full experience. Bohemian, casual yet chic would be the order of the day. Most festivals and events are in late spring and summer, so we talking about wide brim hats, loose linen shirts, sundresses, sandals and baggy pants for the day. Chic causals for evening dining are fine.
A small compact camera that takes panoramic and night scenes for photos and video cuts as the city layout and parklands call for it. A laptop when you retire for the night to your hotel, motel or Airbnb to curate your photos and videos, and to blog away or to build your album. Also great while having your morning coffee in the many cafes in the city.
Stay in the City and fan out
Accommodation in the city works well. Between events, walk to North Terrace with its Museum, Arts Gallery, Casino, Aboriginal Heritage Centre, State Library and the Zoo behind.
Then cover the Central Market for breakfast or lunch the next day and spend the late evenings downing Belgian beers at the East End.
Wines and Vineyards
Many take the wines tours seriously in view of its rich history of viticulture and brands that are now World famous. There is so much to learn and experience about wines and the craft of wine making.
You need to hire a car or join a wine tour. Don’t forget to sample the food done to compliment the wines. Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale are yours for the taking. If you can, plan to visit when there is a festival to celebrate wines and the region.
The photo and selfie opportunities are exceptional in view of the famous brands and rolling vineyards. There are also the eye catching cellar doors, wine tasting rooms and outdoor patios. So make sure you have your wide angles ready and camera batteries fully charged. Tripod would be immensely helpful. Take your time and shoot loads. You can curate them later in the comfort of your hotel room.
Adelaide Hills
Another day and this time to a separate eco system within 20 mins of leaving the city. You can tell the difference. Cooler and you are into little towns with either German or English heritage and that includes the food. And these towns would qualify for the same label – picturesque, quaint and festive, albeit in a smaller scale for the festive part.
Do plan to visit the Hills on a weekend when the locals head there and there is an air of festivity with the presence of market stalls adding to the atmosphere.
Hahndorf of German Lutheran heritage is a favourite town for lunch followed by a scenic drive back via English heritage hamlets of Bridgewater, Aldgate and Stirling. There is also Cleland Wildlife Park to see animals in their natural setting, which I think is worth it.
The City Tram to Glenelg
Plan this for late afternoon and to have tea at the end of the Tram ride from the city.
The ride is interesting as you realise that tram passengers are more or less from 3 distinct groups, given away by their looks and attire – international uni students, camera toting tourists and office commuters. The same lot. It’s uniquely bizarre as Adelaide is. A reflections of the city.
Glenelg with its marina, jetty, beach and eateries is welcoming and pleasant for locals and visitors. As the sun starts to set, an outdoor table in one of the marina’s many restaurants would be perfect. Sip on Australia’s best wines, all from South Australia and taste the best produce of what the state can offer. It will be one dinner that I am sure you will remember. So make sure that a service staff captures the moment with the Glenelg backdrop with the food and wine on the the table in the foreground.
Adelaidians are immensely proud of their fresh produce, good food and growing availability of international cuisine. How appropriate and complimentary to the wine capital of Australia.
Quaint but not quiet
Picturesque, quaint and festive city for the residents and visitors alike, sounds about right.