Adelaide, South Australia, Travel Information

A celebration of the palate

For Sydneysiders and Melburnians, it’s almost worth driving to Adelaide just to park.

Half a day in a parking garage can cost as little as $3 in Adelaide – music to the ears of motorists in NSW and Victoria. That’s the thing about Adelaide, you simply park and walk just about everywhere you want to go.
The perfect place to start is at Central Markets. South Australia’s greatest asset after its people is its produce, and nowhere is it better displayed and with greater sense of pride than the Central Markets. Magnificent local cheeses, artisan breads, nuts, coffee, small goods, fruit and vegetables – everything seems to glow with goodness. Tasting tours are regularly run, with information available on times and dates from tourist guides.

Adelaide is also renowned for its festivals, with Tasting Australia, a biannual celebration that attracts chefs and food media from around the world, being its homage to the palate.

Haigh’s Chocolates has been an Adelaide institution for generations, and the Chocolate Visitor Centre at Greenside is a chocoholic’s heaven. You can even watch the chocolates being produced by hand in the traditional way. The company has stores in Rundle Mall, Glenelg and several other parts of town.

South Australians are passionate about food, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the many restaurant strips dotted throughout the city. For delicious dishes from all corners of the globe, foodies should head for Rundle Street, Gouger Street and Unley Road in Adelaide; O’Connell Street and Melbourne Street in North Adelaide; and The Parade in Norwood.

The National Wine Centre, home to the largest selection of Australian wines in the world, has had a rocky path since opening but is well worth a visit. It’s located next to the Botanic Gardens on the corner of North Terrace and Hackney Road.

Luxury accommodation & cottages in Adelaide, South Australia

When all that culinary indulgence is enough, there’s the rare chance to swim with dolphins. Adelaide is one of the few cities in the world with dolphins living so close to the suburbs. Swimming with these friendly animals is guaranteed on a Temptation Sailing cruise, based at Glenelg’s Holdfast Shores Marina.