Things to do in Adelaide
Sensational North Adelaide, SA Great, the City of Churches, the Festival State
See for yourself why SA was rated one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities to visit in 2014 and why Adelaide was listed as one of the ‘top places to go in 2015‘ by The New York Times.
There is so much to see and many places to explore within South Australia and a few of our favourites are listed below. We have an exhaustive variety of brochures and information which we are delighted to give to you during your stay, and our helpful staff are always eager to share a tip for a favourite restaurant or rooftop bar.
The Adelaide Fringe Festival
Internationally acclaimed and the biggest Fringe Festival in the southern hemisphere, the Adelaide Fringe has grown over the years to an annual event. Take in art, music, vaudeville, theatre, comedy, and dance, or simply visit the Garden of Unearthly Delights for a cob of BBQ’d corn and some drinks with friends while you soak up the atmosphere. Held in February and March, this is a must see.
Clipsal 500
The Clipsal 500 draws thousands to Adelaide every year to watch Holden and Ford battle for bragging rights. One of the huge volume of events held in “Mad March”, the Clipsal features high energy racing, live concerts every night from some of the best names in Australian music, and of course, the atmosphere around the track, including family attractions for the kids, racing schools, parades and the ever popular grid girls.
Food and Wine Tours
Heralded as the “wine capital of Australia”, South Australia boasts an incredible array of wineries, many of which can be visited by way of a tour or by dropping by the Cellar Door. From the Adelaide Hills (K1 by Geoff Hardy, Nepenthe, Bird in Hand) and Barossa (Seppelt, Henschke, and foodie Maggie Beer’s Pheasant Farm) to the Clare Valley (Annie’s Lane, Skillogalee) there is plenty to see and do. Try a bicycle tour, or visit during one of the many food and wine festivals held in the various regions.
Church Tours
Long called the City of Churches, Adelaide has plenty to see for lovers of architecture and religious history alike. The breathtaking St Peters Cathedral (pictured with the Cross of Sacrifice Memorial Gardens) is a short walk from North Adelaide Boutique Hotel, and is a wonder to see by day or night. Similarly, the North Adelaide Baptist Church, home of a grand organ boasting near 2,500 pipes, is situated in nearby Tynte Street. Most churches open daily for tours (working around services on Sundays) and are often free.
Events at Adelaide Oval
The redeveloped Adelaide Oval offers a unique blend of new and old, carefully integrating the latest in stadium design with famous features such as the heritage scoreboard, century-old Moreton Bay Fig trees, the grassed northern mound and more. These elements form an embedded museum, with integrated points of interest and historical features bringing the whole stadium to life. The Adelaide Oval Tours take you behind the scenes to the inner workings of this iconic ground. You will be guided through the stadium by our expert volunteer guides whose passion for the oval is infectious and their stories captivating.
Stunning Coastal Regions
Adelaide has a few popular beach spots, such as Semaphore and Henley, but the standout has always been Glenelg. Home of shops, dining, cafes and bars and a fun park for the kids, the beach itself is a relief on scorching summer days, and hub of activity for locals. The jetty is a popular fishing spot, jutting out from the crowded beach, and the iconic tram makes it a quick, no fuss ride from the CBD. A must see.
Dolphins and River Cruises
Only 20 minutes from North Adelaide Boutique Hotel, Port Adelaide is home to markets, river cruises and dolphins, and makes for a perfect family day out. Climb aboard a river boat for a sunny day on the water while the dolphins frolick in the waves around the vessel. Wander through the Fishermans Markets for a bargain, and grab a bite to eat from one of the food vendors by the lighthouse (we recommend the hot donuts).
Shark Diving at Pt Lincoln
For the more adventurous, Port Lincoln boasts day long shark cruises that will see you spend a day on the water viewing the Great Whites in their natural habitat. Those who fear the teeth can keep a safe distance on the boat, whilst the brave can hop in a cage and get up close and personal. For those that prefer slightly less dangerous animals, Tuna dives and Sea Lion dives are also available in the area. Tour providers are fully government certified and licensed, so your safety is assured.
Haighs, Melbas and Menz FruChocs
It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t love chocolate, and the kids and adults alike will love seeing chocolate factories in action. See the decadent delights on offer at the Haigh’s Manufacturing facility in Parkside, just south of the CBD, the South Australian icon that is the Menz FruChoc factory outlet in Glynde, or watch the candy being made at the Melbas Chocolate Factory in Woodside about an hour up the freeway. The kids will love it.
Giant Pandas and the Adelaide ZOO
The Adelaide ZOO is proud to host the only two Giant Pandas living in the southern hemisphere, Wang Wang and Funi. Housed in a state-of-the-art enclosure the size of two house blocks, the pandas have drawn thousands of tourists to the zoo since their arrival in Australia in 2009. While visiting, take a stroll through the beautiful grounds of the zoo and the neighboring botanic gardens- highlights include the walk through bird enclosures and the zookeeper talks that are held daily. Situated between the CBD and North Adelaide, the kids will love it.
Adelaide Festival
The Adelaide Festival of Arts runs annually, concurrently with the Fringe. Featuring a host of cabaret, musical theatre, dance, art and performance acts from around the globe, it’s a must see. With venues around the city hosting a range of acts, you’re bound to see something that tickles your fancy, and more often than not it will be in walking distance, given our accommodation’s proximity to the CBD and North Adelaide venues.
WOMADelaide Festival
WOMADelaide is a long running music festival featuring a host of artists from every corner of the planet, catering to all tastes. Held in the beautiful Botanic Park on the CBDs eastern fringe, WOMAD plays host to music and dance acts, public speakers, workshops,stalls and a kidzone for the little ones. A vibrant, enthusiastic celebration of life and culture, WOMAD is held in ‘Mad March’ every year.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
If you head to the Barossa region and somehow manage to find yourself with spare time, a scenic hot air balloon ride at dawn is the perfect remedy. Take in the early morning sights of the picturesque vineyards and the rolling hills as you glide serenely through the air. Best of all, the Barossa is only an hour and half drive from our studios in North Adelaide, so you’ll have time in your day for visiting cellar doors and local producers, or to explore the countryside you have seen from above.
Old Adelaide Gaol
Previously the home of ghost tours and night tours (including sleep over tours on occasion), the Adelaide Gaol currently offers entry on a self-guided tour basis in a recent change of operation. Estimated to take around 90 minutes, the Gaol tour can be taken between 10am and 5pm Sunday to Friday. You can find the Gaol conveniently located just west of the CBD in Thebarton, with disabled access and plenty of parking available.
Shipwreck adventures
Purposely scuttled off the coast of Wirrina Cove near Yankalilla, the ex-HMAS Hobart is a popular dive site in South Australia. As a marine protected area permits are required to dive, but it’s well worth the trouble to see a piece of history, large schools of fish, and the eerie quiet of a sunken vessel. Charter tours are available, and for photo enthusiasts there is a Shoot the Hobart competition for the best shots you get on your adventure.
Hahndorf
When in Adelaide, a stop in Hahndorf is highly recommended. Originally a German settlement, locally produced smallgoods, delicacies, preserves, sweets and of course, the German Arms Hotel with its hearty meals, are the attraction in this township, with local stores full to the brim with gourmet goodies and handmade items. The leafy, peaceful streets are lined with things to see and do, making it the perfect relaxed dayout.
Flinders Rangers and Outback – An Ancient Land
Change the way you look at the world. Step back in time in a beautifully rugged, 540 million-year-old landscape.
There’s a lot to do in the Flinders Ranges and Outback. Go four-wheel driving, see Wilpena Pound and try native food.
Ever eaten an emu egg omelette or kangaroo tail soup? Creative chefs combine bush tucker with European and Asian style cuisine.
See rare native animals, hundreds of bird species, rugged mountains, towering granite peaks and ancient gorges, all in the Flinders Ranges.
Adelaide Central Markets
The freshest produce is at the heart of South Australia’s food culture. Take the time to wander through the Adelaide Central Market. The Adelaide Central Market is our most visited tourist attraction. It has more than 80 stalls, cafés and restaurants and is unchallenged as Australia’s best market. You won’t find this variety of food under one roof anywhere else.
RoofClimb – Adelaide Oval
Take a walk on the wild side! Be led along the impressive curved roof-line of Adelaide Oval’s Western Stand by an experienced RoofClimb Leader before navigating your way across a narrow bridge to the southern Riverbank Stand. Take in the sights and marvel at the beauty of Adelaide and its surrounds.