Travel Eye on Adelaide (South Australia, Australia)

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Overview:

In keeping with its climate, Adelaide, capital of South Australia, has a Mediterranean ambience as it straddles the Torrens River, filled with churches, gardens, civic buildings, sidewalk cafes and a plethora of museums, galleries and festivals catering to the culturally inclined. The city was originally laid out in 1836 by Colonel Light in a square mile (three sq km) grid of wide streets with gracious colonial architecture. This has resulted in a compact inner city area, geared for easy exploring on foot, allowing the central area to be surrounded with hectares of parklands, walking trails, sports grounds and picnic areas on the banks of the river. The main boulevard is North Terrace, along which are the restored Mortlock Library, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum with its spectacular whale skeleton and collection of Aboriginal natural history. Aboriginal culture is also catered for at Tandanya, a multi-arts cultural centre that has galleries, performance areas and a café serving native cuisine. Visitors who have had enough of culture can take a cruise or gondola ride on the Torrens River, or ride a vintage tram to the nearby seaside town of Glenelg with its magnificent white, sandy beach, popular despite the occasional rumour of sharks. Adelaide's Central Market is the destination for 'foodies'. Among the noisy, colourful atmosphere and wondrous smells are fruit and vegetable stores and a large selection of meat and fish along with gourmet specialities introduced by the waves of immigrants who call Adelaide their home. Also popular with visitors is the Adelaide Zoo and Cleland Wildlife Park, which features local birds and animals including koalas and kangaroos.

Locality:

On the flat Adelaide Plain, bounded by the Gulf to the W and the low, rolling Adelaide Hills, part of the Mt Lofty Ranges to the E. Near the coast of South Australia, on the Gulf of St Vincent. 400 mls NW of Melbourne (1 hr by air). City centre 4m ls E of airport.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Adelaide suits all types of tourist but especially a more mature, quieter clientele who appreciate Victorian architecture and a refined, genteel atmosphere. The city does, however, have a livelier aspect, making it appealing to a younger crowd. A dozen or more beaches spread along the 20 mls of coast nearest the city, boasting stretches of golden sand are also a fabulous attraction to this city. Glenelg is probably the best known and most developed with safe swimming, a variety of water sports and a water park. There are Plenty of shops, befitting the capital of the state of South Australia. Rundle Mall is a pedestrian street in the NE of the city with department stores and lots of shops. Its continuation, Rundle Street, is full of boutiques. Central and East End Markets plus another in the suburbs at Tea Tree Plaza. In North Adelaide, Melbourne Street and O'Connell Street meet shoppers' needs. Opals are promoted as a good buy.

There is plenty do in Adelaide, examples of which include: the botanic gardens housing rainforest in a glasshouse, Japanese gardens, various parks, a zoo, museum, large aquatic centre with extensive indoor swimming pools, cricket and Australian rules football at Adelaide Oval, horse and greyhound racing, Australian Grand Prix motor race, held on the streets of the city, street entertainers. By night there is the Festival Theatre for shows, plays and concerts, cinemas, casino, pubs, clubs and discos, with the best selection on Hindley Street, in the NW corner of the city centre, which also boasts a few adult entertainment venues.

Those looking for a place to eat will not be disappointed, Adelaide is said to have more restaurants per head of population than any other Australian city, with many oriental, Italian, Greek and native restaurants; local fish is a favourite and even legal "Aussie tucker" like kangaroo-tail soup can be found. Head for Melbourne and O'Connell Streets in North Adelaide or Rundle and Hindley Streets in the city centre.

Local excursions to Barossa and Clare Valley wineries; Kangaroo Island; boat trip along River Murray are also popular options for tourists.