Adelaide is a city of great visual harmony and classical elegant style, superbly set beside the River Torrens between the Adelaide Hills and waters of Gulf St Vincent.
Colonel William Light got it right in 1837 when he laid out his broad streets and surrounded them with a generous green cushion of parkland. The result is a place where traffic seldom jams, the inner-city highlights are all an easy walk away and it's virtually impossible to get lost.

Within minutes of arriving in Adelaide you'll soon realise that it's not trying to be some other place. It has its own quiet confident air of individuality that gives it instant appeal.

Adelaide is blessed with a good life that no other Australian city can match. These things combine to make it a great holiday location, whether you choose to stay in the city, by the sea or in the surrounding towns and suburbs.

Adelade Coast 
A beach so near! Just 15 minutes from the city, the waters of Gulf St Vincent wash onto a wide band of fine white sand, which stretches virtually unbroken for more than 30 kilometres.

The metropolitan coast begins at the tip of the narrow Le Fevre Peninsula, created by the Barker Inlet's sweep of waters, and ends at Sellicks Beach, where the sandstone cliffs begin their run down to the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Glenelg
Glenelg is Adelaide's most popular beach destination. It's always buzzing with people enjoying the sand and sea, foreshore parks and summer entertainment. Stroll along the jetty. Browse through the hundreds of shops and dining at sidewalk cafes along Jetty Road.

The Bay Discovery Centre at Glenelg Town Hall tracks the history of Holdfast Bay and its evolution into today's seaside lifestyle. Also at the Town Hall, the Rodney Fox Shark Experience is the living history of this world-famous underwater and shark adventurer.

Tilbruke 
What is now Adelaide's metropolitan coastline plays a significant role in the creation story of the Kaurna (pronounced Gar-Na) people. The ancestor Tjilbruke carried the body of his slain nephew down the coast from the place that's now Kingston Park to the tip of the (Fleurieu) Peninsula. At each place where the grieving giant stopped to shed tears, a freshwater spring welled from the ground.

Springs and other geological sites at Kingston Park, Hallett Cove, Christies Beach Port Noarlunga, Port Willunga and further south are all linked by this great Dreaming legend.

To discover this ancient story, and learn about Kaurna life in the region, visit the peaceful Warriparinga Reserve (bounded by Sturt, Marion and South roads at Marion). Here the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre sits with the tranquil wetlands.

Adelaide Hills
As the oldest wine region in South Australia (the first vines were planted in 1839, just three years after settlement) the Adelaide Hills has had time to get things right.

Sleep overnight in a sanctuary for endangered animals. Explore galleries and shops in leafy villages. Buy organic fruit and vegetables from roadside stalls. Dine in divine restaurants and taste some of Australia's best cool climate wines. Find stunning views and award-winning places to stay. And just 20 minutes from the heart of Adelaide.

Barossa Valley
Immerse yourself in the history of Australia's most famous wine region, or check out the latest in cellar door chic at the Jacob's Creek and Wolf Blass visitor centres. Talk shop with some of the best winemakers in the world; soak up the region's German heritage; or time your visit to include one of many sensational Barossa events.  

Kangaroo Island 
If wildlife and wilderness are your thing, Kangaroo Island is your destination. Walk among sea lions as they doze on the beach. Meet the locals (that's echidnas, fairy penguins, platypuses, koalas and the island's own species of kangaroo). Marvel at Remarkable Rocks and Little Sahara. And relive it all over a glass of fine island wine.

Flinders Ranges and Outback 
Forget five-star lodgings in the Flinders Ranges and Outback - it´s more like five billion. Chart tomorrow's course around tonight's campfire. Fly over a salt lake the size of Holland. Join the postman on his mail run to the world's smallest town. Drive the iconic Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks; or noodle for opals before retiring to your underground hotel.
 

 

Average daily winter (June-August) temperatures
Adelaide - Max 15.9 Min 8
Average daily spring (September-November) temperatures
Adelaide - Max 21.7 Min 11.6
Average daily summer (December-February) temperatures
Adelaide - Max 28.3 Min 16.5
Average daily autumn (March-May) temperatures
Adelaide - Max 22.4 Min 12.5

Around the coast, South Australians enjoy a temperate climate that encourages outdoor living and a relaxed atmosphere. But in the north, temperatures can get really hot, particularly in the summer months (that's why you'll find some people living underground in places like Coober Pedy). For comprehensive weather information, visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Fly 
The domestic/international terminal is located approximately 8 kilometres west of the city centre. An Airport Shuttle service operates between most city hotels and both terminals. The average taxi fare from the CBD to the airport is AUD$15. Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar operate multiple daily flights to Adelaide, with typical flight times being one hour from Melbourne and 90 minutes direct from Sydney. Regional airlines flying to Adelaide include QantasLink and REX - Regional Express Airlines.

Bus/Coach 
The main coach terminal in Adelaide is the Central Bus Station at 101-111 Franklin Street, Adelaide. All interstate and intrastate coaches depart from and arrive at this terminal.

Hire Cars 
Hire cars are available at the Airport and other city locations. Major national and local companies are listed under 'Hire'.

Public Transport 
Adelaide Metro is the city's transport system, servicing the greater metropolitan region with trains and buses - and the Glenelg tram. Of particular note are the Adelaide Free buses that cover the CBD. These bright yellow buses travel the main streets and go to the main attractions in the city. Please visit http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au for more information.

Disabled Access 
Getting around greater Adelaide is constantly getting easier. In the city itself, the free BeeLine and City Loop services are completely wheelchair accessible. All the metro trains have ramps that the driver or assistants will operate for passengers. There is a good fleet of Access Cabs available to visitors. There are a lot of wheelchair accessible buses in the Adelaide fleet please check with Adelaide Metro on arrival.
 
Rail 
The interstate trains The Overland, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific arrive and depart from the Keswick Rail Terminal, located on Richmond Road, Keswick 3km from the city centre.

Taxis 
All taxis in Adelaide accept major credit cards and Cabcharge. Taxi stands are located at the Airport and throughout the city. There are several companies that offer an alternative to taxis, providing luxury vehicles and uniformed drivers for transfers and touring.

Haigh's: Chocoholic Heaven
Visit Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre, home of Australia's oldest surviving chocolate-making company and one of only a handful worldwide still making chocolate directly from cocoa beans. Take a free, 20-minute tour of the factory and check out the heritage displays before getting down to business in the tasting room.

Location: Greenhill Road, Parkside (just south of the city centre)

The Home of Australian Wine
Test your skill at virtual wine making; meet the winemakers on the interactive Wine Discovery Journey; and delight in great Australian architecture at the National Wine Centre of Australia. Part of the University of Adelaide, the centre showcases the national wine industry and is a great place to start your journey through South Australia's wine country.

Location: Corner of Botanic and Hackney Roads, Adelaide

Take a Dip with Dolphins
Swim with dolphins just 20 minutes from the city centre on a Temptation Sailing cruise. The 17-metre catamaran, based at Holdfast Shores Marina in Glenelg, is perfect for cruising beside Adelaide's endless sandy shoreline. Afterwards, stick around to explore Holdfast Shores and its many great restaurants, pubs, luxury boats and apartments.

Location: Holdfast Shores, Glenelg

Botany Bounty: the Adelaide Botanic Garden
Marvel at native and exotic flora displays and 5000 roses at the International Rose Garden. Stroll through a lush tropical rainforest in the Bicentennial Conservatory (it's the biggest glasshouse in the southern hemisphere). Established in 1857, the 16-hectare Adelaide Botanic Garden is right on North Terrace and still South Australia's most popular attraction.

Location: North Terrace, Adelaide city centre

Your food and wine experience begins right in the city centre with the Adelaide Central Market; the National Wine Centre of Australia; vibrant cafes and restaurants boasting some of Australia.s best chefs; and events such as Tasting Australia.

You'll find a mix of restaurant strips dotted right across the city - Rundle Street East for alfresco dining. The Parade at Norwood for great Italian food. Gouger Street for seafood and Asian fare. And anything goes on O'Connell and Melbourne Streets in North Adelaide. Visit Restaurant & Catering Australia's website for a comprehensive list of great Adelaide restaurants.

Taste the Adelaide Central Market
Join thousands of people buying, selling and tasting the best of South Australia at the Adelaide Central Market, established in 1869 and now the largest undercover market in the southern hemisphere. Nearby China Town is also great for fresh local produce and authentic Chinese food.
Location: Gouger Street, Adelaide city centre

A hub for events
Festivals and events occur with remarkable frequency for a city of Adelaide's size. The Clipsal 500 Adelaide V8 race annually attracts more than 200,000 people and has been named Australia's best major event. Adelaide's international music festival WOMADelaide has the Adelaide Botanic Garden as its backdrop. And the Tour Down Under is the biggest road cycling event in the land.