Last updated on August 30th, 2024 at 10:37 am

Things to do in Adelaide – Adelaide (in South Australia) is one of my favorite cities in Australia. Its gentle and lovely atmosphere, along with its charming villages and stunning landscapes, leave me feeling enchanted. After many years of living in Australia, finally getting the chance to explore South Australia truly surprised me and left me in awe of this beautiful state.

1.Adelaide Central Markets

The market located right in the center of Adelaide CBD, under its vast roof, the Adelaide Central Market, with its numerous vendors, which presents an extensive array of fresh offerings, such as fruits and vegetables, meats and poultry, cheeses, baked goods, seafood, delicatessen items, and health food products. It also houses some of Adelaide’s favorite cafes and dining spots.

During Christmas, the market transforms into a beautiful spectacle with festive decorations, accompanied by live music that fills the air with joy. If you find yourself in the city during this time, a visit to the market is highly recommended.

2. Glenelg

A well-loved destination just 20 minutes from the CBD is Glenelg. Here, you can experience breathtaking sunsets while taking a leisurely stroll along the promenade.

Adjacent to the area, there’s a highly frequented restaurant called Moseley providing captivating ocean views. Guests can sip their beverages while taking in the scenic beauty of the ocean. Additionally, there are numerous other dining establishments and food outlets in close proximity.

During our visit, we encountered street performers, including circus acts, entertaining the lively crowd.

3. Mount Lofty Summit

If you are up for a hike challenge?

Located just 15 kilometers east of Adelaide, Mount Lofty Summit offers an excellent hiking opportunity not far from the city. With its stunning native bushland trails, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. As the majestic peak of the Mount Lofty Ranges in the Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Summit boasts breathtaking panoramic views stretching from Adelaide’s city skyline all the way to the coast.

The weather was delightful for a hike, with sunny skies and temperatures that were pleasantly warm without being too hot. We chose the Waterfall Gully road to Mount Lofty Summit. The trail can be classified as moderate, taking approximately 2 hours to complete the walk.

Start Point :       Waterfall Gully Rd, Waterfall Gully SA 5066, Australia

End Point:        Mount Lofty Summit

There are many track options you can choose for your hike, see more here.

The Visitor Information Center at Mount Lofty Summit offers complimentary information on tourist spots in the Adelaide Hills . For those looking to bring home quality souvenirs, the Mount Lofty Summit Gift Shop is the ideal spot.

I purchased a magnet saying “I have climbed Mount Lofty,” and Its so cute

4.Wineries

Adelaide, celebrated as Australia’s wine capital, is recognized for its exceptional wines. Wineries are accessible as close as a 20-minute drive from the CBD and up to a 3-4 hour drive away. The city is surrounded by stunning landscapes, picturesque coastlines, and quaint towns. Embarking on wine tasting tours and visiting wineries are must-do activities when visiting this beautiful city.

McLaren Vale (A drive south of the city, taking approximately 40 minutes).

McLaren Vale stands out as a premier wine destination in South Australia, renowned for its red wines that thrive in the region’s warmer climate, especially varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Staying near Mount Barker, we opted to visit McLaren Vale due to its shorter travel distance. During our trip, we explored three cellar doors:

• Down The Rabbit Hole Wines
• Samuel’s Gorge
• Coriole Vineyards

For those interested in exploring my reviews of these three notable cellar doors in McLaren Vale, click here to dive in.

Barossa Valley(Located about an hour’s drive to the north-east of the city).

The Barossa Valley boasts a profound wine heritage that stretches across seven generations. It is celebrated for its regular production of outstanding vintages and its distinctive, bold, earthy shiraz.

Adelaide Hills (15 minutes from the city center)

Distinct from other wine regions in South Australia, the Adelaide Hills excels in producing high-quality cool-climate wines, such as sparkling wines, chardonnay and pinot noir, owing to its positioning in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Clare valley (Situated just shy of a two-hour drive north of Adelaide): Clare Valley is home to 50 cellar doors and top-tier wineries, along with a collection of enchanting villages including Clare, Sevenhill, Auburn, Mintaro, and Watervale.

5.Germany town-Hahndorf

Located just 25 minutes from Adelaide, Hahndorf proudly stands as Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, still resonating with its rich German heritage today. The town’s vibrant German character is evident in its bustling main street, adorned with smallgoods outlets, pubs, cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.

I was captivated by the town’s beauty and charm. One of my favorite spots was an Art Gallery showcasing exceptional artwork by talented artists. Additionally, I enjoyed browsing through a souvenir shop offering various clock designs themed around Hahndorf, along with other souvenir items.

6.Victor Harbor

Victor Harbor offers a tranquil escape where the serene waters can rejuvenate the soul. This destination is perfect for those seeking relaxation or adventure, with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural history providing a diverse experience.

We bid farewell to 2022 in the most picturesque setting, warmly welcoming the new year ahead.

7. Art Gallery of South Australia

Looking for cool things to do while in the city? Do not miss out on this fantastic free attraction.

This remarkable art gallery was founded in 1881, the Art Gallery of South Australia houses a prestigious art collection, one of the nation’s finest, featuring over 45,000 works from various regions around the world. The collection encompasses an extensive range of art forms such as textiles, sculptures, ceramics, paintings, photographs , prints, drawings.

The gallery hosts no-cost guided tours at 11am and 2pm on the majority of days. Additionally, on the first Friday of every month with a rotating program of different activities such as free live music, book fair, workshop, discussions, suitable for people of all ages. Make sure to explore the upcoming events scheduled for the week of your visit.

8.Pink Lake Bumbunga

Pink Lake Bumbunga, situated near Lochiel in South Australia, captivates visitors with its vivid pink coloration. This unique hue results from high salinity levels in conjunction with Dunaliella salina, a type of algae that produces a pink pigment under certain conditions.

While the lake’s striking appearance draws local people and tourists, it’s important to note that access to the lake itself might be limited, and its color can change, sometimes appearing less vibrant or even dry, depending on seasonal variations in salinity and weather.

There are occasions when Pink Lake Bumbunga may completely dry up, especially following extended periods of minimal rainfall. It’s recommended to contact local visitor information services before your visit to stay informed about the current condition of the lake.

The driving distance from Adelaide to Pink Lake Bumbunga near Lochiel is approximately 160 kilometers, which typically takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to drive, depending on traffic and road conditions.

9. Enjoying delicious Food and Coffee

Adelaide is also renowned for its wide range of diverse and excellent culinary choices.

A friend of mine, who has lived in Adelaide for many years, introduced us to Thanh Thanh, a Vietnamese restaurant that offered one of the best Vietnamese dining experiences I’ve had in a long while, with affordable prices. We ordered pho, Vietnamese rolls, satay sticks, fried quails, and com tam (rice with pork chop, shredded pork, and an egg on top).

The next day, we visited a Gawler Street Cafe that served excellent iced coffee and breakfast .

While exploring Hahndorf, we had a delightful German meal for lunch at the German Arms Hotel. Our meal included slow-cooked roasted crispy pork hock, buffalo chicken wings, and seasoned wedges. I tried a very dark beer, which wasn’t to my liking, and I can’t remember its name. However, I’m keen to try other beer options there next time.

Things to do in Adelaide-Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, is renowned for its culinary excellence, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning natural landscapes. It’s a city where history and modernity converge, evident in its well-preserved colonial architecture. Adelaide is often celebrated for its extensive festivals and sporting events, earning it the title of Australia’s festival city. The city is surrounded by world-famous wine regions such as the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Adelaide Hills, making it a haven for wine enthusiasts.

With its compact city center surrounded by lush parklands, Adelaide combines the charm of a small town with the amenities of a large city, offering a quality of life that is hard to match.

If you like to see more of my posts about food, click here