I went on a quick jaunt over to Adelaide for two blissful days. I flew from Melbourne, which only took about 1.5 hours. I highly recommend getting a window seat if you ever do the same because it’s really neat seeing the landscapes of western Victoria and South Australia – the land looked so incredibly dry, it gave me an impression for how the rest of the vast country might look outside of its coastal towns. Every now and then I’d see small towns or farmsteads interspersed over the seemingly dry, desolate landscape. I was shocked to think that anything could grow there and that anyone could make a living in a place like that, although this region is renowned for Australia’s finest wines and vineyards.
As the capital of the state of South Australia, Adelaide is a charming city on the edge of the St. Vincent Gulf. It boasts beautiful architecture and fine dining experiences with an adventurous aftertaste. The city is bisected by the beautiful River Torrens which adds to its appeal. The predominant February weather is sunny and hot – but in an enjoyable, non-humid way. In my short time in the city, I managed to do a few fun things but there were also a few things I didn’t manage to do because I was short on time, but they’re definitely at the top of the list for next time! So, you have two to four days to spare in the city, I highly recommend that you check out these great activities!
Top things I did:
Things I would do if I had more time:
Roxie’s
Roxie’s is a cute little restaurant and bar situated in a courtyard. It’s a unique mesh of old-school colonial architecture and surfer shack vibes. With corrugate plastic roofing built on wooden two-by-fours, surf boards on display, and an abundance of foliage, it has a chique and relaxed vibe – a perfect place to enjoy a stereotypical Australian atmosphere. When I came here, I’d only been in Australia for a few days, so this was definitely an impressionable drinking experience. They had a great selection of beers on tap paired with delectable delights such oysters and freshly handmade pizza.
Glenelg Beach
This beach is a must! Boasting scenic ocean views paired with cute drinking lounge areas, such as The Moseley Beach Club, this beach is definitely worth visiting. It’s also one of the best places in the city to catch majestic sunsets since it’s directly facing west, with unobstructed views over the St. Vincent Gulf – a pocket of the Indian Ocean’s Great Australian Bight. Glenelg has a beautiful pier with a big Ferris wheel and gorgeous big palm trees – all lit up with whimsical lights at night. If you’re looking for a beachy, picturesque evening, this is it!
Botanical Gardens
If you’ve followed my content for awhile now, then you know I can’t pass up an opportunity to check out the city’s botanical gardens. I must say, the Adelaide gardens are top tier. They have giant eucalyptus trees, cool baobab trees, a lily pad greenhouse(!!!), a bamboo grove, a desert garden, an elegant rose garden with every type of rose you can think of, and a big, cool-looking greenhouse with really neat tropical species of trees and plants. This place is truly decadent in terms of their selection of green beings. I spent hours here, enjoying the various gardens. Every time I thought it couldn’t possibly get better, it did! These gardens are a must, if only for the gorgeous Palm House, with its delicate glass panes and mosaic-tiled floor, this elegant, historical structure is originally from Germany, built during the Victorian era, and was opened in Adelaide in 1877.
The following activities I didn’t actually do but would’ve done had I more time…
Taste the Barossa
If you’re in Adelaide for any given time, a wine tasting and/or tour should be at the top of the list. Adelaide is known as Australia’s wine capital, and more specifically, the Barossa Valley, which produces world famous Shiraz. Taste the Barossa is a wine tour that has really good reviews and looks like a fantastic time! The great thing about inclusive wine tours, is that you get taken around to all the great wineries in stress-free fashion and don’t have to worry about driving.
Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour
Kayaking with dolphins? It doesn’t get better than this! As an outdoor nature-lover, this is something I’ll absolutely do next time I’m in the city. The Dolphin Sanctuary is only a 20-minute drive from the city and boasts 20 resident dolphins with over 400 visiting dolphins – depending on what time of year you visit. The sanctuary also has ancient mangrove forests, biodiverse salt marshes, and picturesque tidal flats. If you’re into bird watching, this is also a great place for that.
Hahndorf
Hahndorf is a little off the beaten path with it being a half hour’s drive from the city centre, but if you have the means to get there, then it’ll definitely be worth your while. This beautiful town is Australia’s oldest German settlement. Many of its buildings have characteristic German architecture and its restaurants offer original German delicacies. It’s a unique place to experience German culture in Australia.
