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Top 15 Tourist Spots and Best Things to do in Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia. It is a very compact city where almost all the attractions are close to one another. Adelaide is well-structured in an immaculate grid pattern, something travelers enjoy when roaming around the city. Adelaide is filled with natural landmarks, such as the River Torrens, which runs through the city, and the green belt that surrounds the city. There are no shortages of fun things to see and do in Adelaide, from the four famous wine districts to the culture-rich city center, bustling food scene, and scenic beauty.
Port Adelaide – Things to do in Adelaide
In this article, we will take a close look at the 15 best things to do in Adelaide, so keep reading to discover what you should include in your itinerary.
Shop at Rundle Mall
Being the leading shopping mall in the city, you can expect to find a variety of big Australian retailers and big international brands here. Many boutiques and a comprehensive collection of arcades are also linked to the mall. Besides shopping, visitors can also admire sculptures such as the Spheres, a group of bronze pigs, and a giant cockroach.
Visit the Central Market
The Central Market is, in itself, a tourist hotspot in Adelaide. Self-proclaimed as “Adelaide’s food hub,” the market boasts around 80 stalls underneath one roof. The Central Market is the largest in Australia, dealing with fresh produce.
The market offers a wide range of products, including fruits and vegetables, but that is not all. Central Market is also dotted with cafes, gourmet cheeses, delicious patisseries, and charcuterie.
Freshen up at Himeji Garden
Himeji Garden was gifted to Adelaide by its sister city in Japan called Himeji. The gardens have Japanese touches for apparent reasons, notably the seizure – lake and mountain garden and kare senzui – dry garden. The entire garden is designed to depict the beauty of nature. Visitors can enjoy the Zen rock garden, the lake, and the fish.
Get charmed at Glenelg.
Head over to Glenelg to rest and relax on the beach, walk along the jetty or enjoy boat riding. This seaside resort is a trendy spot for both locals and visitors.
Glenelg is the oldest European settlement in South Australia, so you will come across numerous European architectural buildings.
Enjoy flora at the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Influenced by the famous Versailles and Kew gardens, Adelaide Botanical Garden has drawn visitors since 1857. The 51-hectare garden also features 19th Century buildings such as the Palm House.
This over 200-year-old conservatory is also heralded as the largest in the whole Southern Hemisphere and is home to numerous endangered plants from different parts of the world.
Take a heritage walking tour.
There are numerous informative guided tours available in Adelaide to enlighten you about the history behind the city’s historical buildings. If you are a backpacker, check out the Adelaide City Council website to discover some of the many self-guided tours you can enjoy. Most of these sites are located in the city’s central district, making them easy to access.
Check out the Cleland Conservation Park
Located just 20 minutes away from the city center by car, Cleland Conservation Park also features Mount Lofty, which offers vistas of the city. The Cleland Wildlife Park is the best place to get up close with koalas, emus, and other native Australian animals.
Visit the North Terrace cultural precinct.
Schedule a day to fully enjoy and be inspired by Australian culture at the North Terrace. The Southern Australia Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the State Library of South Australia, and the University of Adelaide are just a few lovely places you can check.
Admire some art at Carrick Hill
This historic property is located at the base of Adelaide Hills. The original contents, as well as the gardens, are well-preserved. Visitors can check out numerous artworks displayed in this house.
Carrick Hill also hosts regular art exhibitions, while its grounds include formal gardens and 26-hectare native bushland.
Visit the Adelaide Oval
The recently refurbished Adelaide Oval is located across the river and hosts concerts, cricket, and football, among other sports. Visitors can book the Adelaide Oval tour, which takes place from Monday to Saturday.
Stroll the weekend markets
In Adelaide, there are twilight markets, weekday markets, farmers markets, Christmas markets, vintage markets, weekend markets, and all other things markets. If you are an artisan markets buff, check out the Wayville Farmers Market (Sundays), Gilles Street Market (every 1st and 3rd Sundays), The Market Shed (Sundays), as well as the Flinders Street Market (Saturdays and Sundays).
Check out Ebenezer Place
In East End Adelaide, Ebenezer Place is filled with boutiques, cafes, exceptional wine cellars, and lots of food. You can shop for locally made wares at Council of Objects or get delicious coffee at SAD or Exchange Café. Pick flowers at East End Flower market and then Mother Vine for the best wines in Adelaide.
Cool off in the sea
South Australia has one of the best beaches, not only in Australia but in the world. Visiting these coastlines is among the best things to do in Adelaide. Each beach carries its own unique vibe and allure. Catch a tram in the city to Jetty Road, Glenelg, or Holdfast Shore precinct.
Eat, eat and eat
South Australia is known for its gastronomic culture, and if you want to immerse yourself in this celebrated culture, head to the Leigh Street/Peel Street Precinct and East End in Adelaide for the best food stalls.
Visit Chinatown
Chinatown is among the tourist hotspots in Adelaide. Located close to the Central Markets between Gouger and Grote streets, it is tough to miss this spot, especially with the usual red gates giveaway. A trip to Chinatown is arguably one of the best things to do in Adelaide. The businesses in this area are mainly Chinese, with a bit of Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, and Korean.
Check out our complete list of recommended hotels in Adelaide, Australia, via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Read:
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- 10 Of The Biggest Chinatowns In The US
