Also known as Australia’s City of Churches, Adelaide is one of the nation’s oldest capital cities, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that this bustling cultural hub along the River Torrens is one of Australia’s most modern! It’s relaxed vibe and abundance of cool restaurants and cafes, mixed with extensive colonial heritage and culture, make Adelaide a popular choice for travellers. Catch some waves at the popular Glenelg beach, some sport at the famous Adelaide Oval, and some shopping at Rundle Mall!
If arts and culture are more your thing, Adelaide is also home to the renowned Adelaide Gaol, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum. With easy access to the Adelaide hills and the Barossa Valley beyond, you will surely never run out of things to do and places to explore in Adelaide!
Things To Do
First opened in 1869, and now bustling with over 80 food stalls, grabbing a bite to eat at the Adelaide Central Market should feature on your Adelaide to-do list! With seasonal fruit and vegetables, along with gourmet meats and seafood, visiting the Market is an easy way to experience all the wonderful tastes of South Australia.
Fancy a spot of shopping? Adelaide’s iconic Rundle Mall is an open-air shopping experience with something for even the most discerning of shoppers. Be sure to admire the amazing architecture and the many sculptures scattered throughout the mall!
Located in the heart of the city, the Adelaide Oval is a truly iconic venue. While the Adelaide Oval predominantly hosts sporting events, you can also catch live performances from some of your favourite musicians!
Cute animals are aplenty at the Adelaide Zoo! As Australia’s second oldest zoo, there are plenty of well-established exhibits, including the Panda Exhibit, Australian Bush Aviary and Tamarin House.
Take a well-earned break from study and go for a walk around the Adelaide Botanic Garden Free admission, along with free audio tours and free guided walks, make this an excellent and inexpensive way to spend a day enjoying the beautiful gardens of Adelaide!
For Chinese cuisine at a cheap price you cant go past Star House. Famous for their Yum Cha, they offer prompt service and are open until 10.30pm
Sitlo is a Vietnamese food sensation. They offer specialty handmade Steam Buns (Baos), Banh Mi, Pho and much more. Most mains are under $15!
Sunny’s is your go-to pizza shop, authentic and funky. They’re open everyday, 5pm- late and serve the most delicious pizza in SA.
Lawash Bakery offers spares of meat BBQ’d to perfect, wraps and and big rounds of dough that are slapped on the furnace walls similar to how Indian Naan are cooked. It’s located on the corner of South Road and Ross Street.
For the best breakfast in town, head to The Loose Caboose. Located in Australia’s oldest railway station , they have amazing coffee and breakfast staples you won’t want to miss.
Looking for a Booze-free hotspot? Eggless is popular. Located in Goodwood, it offers simple, homemade decadent deserts, that are exactly as the name suggests – eggless.
Palace Nova is in Adelaide’s Eastend and in the cool hub of Prospect. They’re fully licensed venues, so you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine while watching a new film. They also host film festivals!
The Unley is a restaurant by day and bar by night – offering delicious cocktails and specials each day, it’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends for a casual day drink or party into the night.
With European décor and grand chandeliers, Mary’s Poppin is as cool as it’s name. This fun Gay bar is located near the University of Adelaide, it’s known for its drag divas, cocktails and cabaret.
Ancient World is a hidden hot spot you don’t want to miss. Good vibes and great music where they encourage you to sign your name on the bathroom doors!
Open 8am – 7pm Monday to Friday, UniBar has craft beer, live bands and great Aussie food. They’re located on the ground level of Union House – just a hop skip and a jump from classes if you attend University of Adelaide!
Head to 2KW for some epic views while you sip a good cocktail on a Friday arvo. They’re open 7 days and one of Adelaide’s best.
RocketBar is a fun rooftop dance club. Popular with the locals, you can meet new friends and dance the night away. You can find Rocket Bar and Dance club at 142 Hindley Street, North Adelaide.
Having been described as “Australia’s biggest culture event” by The New York Times, the Adelaide Festival is one you do not want to miss! Held annually throughout March, this festival is a vibrant and eclectic mix of theatre, music, dance, writing and art with something for everyone.
Held annually in October, the Adelaide Film Festival is an excellent opportunity to experience both Australian and international film culture. Used as a platform for new talent in the Australian film industry, the Adelaide Film Festival is your chance to discover a new favourite!
The Adelaide Fringe is currently in its 58th year and is bigger and better than ever! The Adelaide Fringe is held annually at the end of February, and is the world’s second largest arts festival. Held throughout the CBD, surrounding suburbs and even the hills this open-access festival celebrates creativity in all its forms!
Ozasia celebrates the link between Australia and Asia through music, art, theatre and food. It’s held in October and runs for about three weeks.
As South Australia’s longest running festival – 2018 will be its 178th year – the Royal Adelaide Show is a favourite pastime for many South Australians. The Royal Adelaide show runs annually during September, and has plenty of food, stalls, entertainment, rides and animal exhibitions. With such a variety of activities, try and keep a full day free to have time to explore all the show has to offer!
Things To Know
Adelaide is Australia’s only capital city that was not settled by convicts, instead it was completely inhabited by free settlers.
You can reach all of Adelaide’s key attractions – from the beaches, city centre and even the airport – within 20 minutes, giving it the nickname the ’20 minute city’.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is home to the largest and oldest glasshouse in the Southern hemisphere.
Over 75% of the entire South Australian population lives within the city of Adelaide.
Summer in Adelaide is warm and dry. Average temperatures range between 16.7 – 28.6°C, although sometimes temperatures can soar to 40°C. Pack light clothes, make sure you wear sunscreen, stay hydrated and seek shade!
Autumn is a beautiful time in Adelaide, as the city turns orange and the leaves begin to fall. Average temperatures range between 12.7 – 22.7 °C – making this a pleasant, temperate time of year. However, temperatures can drop – so wear a jacket to avoid feeling the cold!
Winter is the rainiest season for Adelaide, with June as its’ wettest month annually. Average temperatures range between 8-16°C, so be sure to wear warm clothes and use an umbrella. While snow in Adelaide is rare, frost is not uncommon during Winter.
Spring, like Summer, is quite dry in Adelaide. It is a beautiful time to explore the city after the cold of Winter. Spring temperatures generally range between 11.8 – 22 °C.
Adelaide is an extremely well-connected city. The Adelaide Metro is Adelaide’s public transport system, and incorporates Adelaide’s bus, tram and train systems. To use any (or all!) of these public transport options, you will need a Metrocard or Metroticket. The Metrocard is the more convenient option, as it is a tap-and-go, preloaded transport card that you can use on any public transport in Adelaide. Metrocards need to be purchased prior to using public transport (only Metrotickets can be bought on-board buses), and there is a one-off $5 fee to purchase a Metrocard. Metrocards are available from a variety of city and suburban locations, including newsagencies, convenience stores, Australia Post outlets and even on some university campuses. Concessional fees are available to full-time students, so be sure to take your student identification with you when purchasing your Metrocard and while using public transport to be eligible for cheaper fares!
Uber is often cheaper than a cab and you can confirm the fare before you take off, meaning you will know an approximate price before confirming the ride. Uber is also a great way to meet some locals who know their way around the city.
Adelaide is easily accessible by car – with many main roads and highways connecting to the city centre. These include: Anzac Highway, Princes Highway, Payneham Road, Port Road, North East Road, and Sir Donald Bradman Drive. There are also lots of well-maintained bikeways in and around Adelaide.
Taxis can be cheap if you share them with others, local taxi services: Independent Taxis 132 211, Yellow Cabs 132 227 and Access Taxis 1300 360 940.
$9 tickets for shows at the State Theatre Company of South Australia
UNiDAYS – Use your student email account to sign up and receive 10-25% discount on a huge range of stuff. Visit their website for more info.
ISIC – The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the most internationally-recognised student ID offering amazing discounts on products and services throughout Australia and the world. It’s also handy if you need official proof that you’re a student. View their website to see if you qualify for the card on their website
Insider Guides offer their top tips on finding student discounts and have their own discount page – make sure you check it out.
