Adelaide Attractions
- Overview
- Attractions
- Events
- Facts
- Kids
Adelaide Oval
(08)8300
3800
Dominating
the parklands between Torrens lake and St Peter's Cathedral lies the Adelaide
Oval, often described as the most picturesque test cricket ground in the world.
The first test match played there was against England in 1884. Since that time
the ground has been used for other sports such as rugby league and Australian
rules football. The distinctive Victor Richardson and Clarrie Grimmett gates add
special character to the ground, while the splendid old scoreboard dates back to
Edwardian times. Public tours of the Oval and Museum are conducted every Tuesday
and Thursday, and on Sundays during the cricket season.
Ayers
House
288 North
Terrace
(08) 8223
1234
Open 10-4
Tues.-Fri. and 1-4 Sat., Sun.
Ayers
House is an excellent example of colonial Regency architecture. It was the home
of Sir Henry Ayers, a former Premier of South Australia and an influential
businessman. The restored house is administered by the National Trust and
incorporates two retaurants. The oldest section is open to the public and
houses a fine collection of Victorian furniture, memorabilia, and art.
Mount
Lofty Summit
(08)8370
1054
At 727
meters above sea level, Mount Lofty is truly Adelaide's Mount Everest! And the
magnificent panorama at the summit yields sweeping views over the city, the
Gulf, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. At night, view the city lights in
contrast to the inky blackness of the ocean beyond. Visitors can drive to the
top but, during daylight, the most rewarding method is to climb there by taking
the bush track through Cleland Conservation Park.
Sellicks Beach
(08)8323
9944
Situated
at the southern reach of Adelaide's coastal strip, Sellicks Beach has crisp,
white sands, sparkling gulf waters and a backdrop of craggy toffee-colored
cliffs. Vehicles are allowed to drive on a stretch of the beach, which is handy
for those with a boat to launch. On a perfect blue-sky day some simply prefer to
park on the esplanade and enjoy the spectacular ocean view.
Adelaide Zoological Gardens
(08)8267
3255
Established in 1883, Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest in Australia. Located
adjacent to Torrens Lake and Botanic Park, the zoo's lush mature gardens,
heritage buildings and tranquil setting contribute to a delightful day's outing.
The zoo's collection is diverse and continually changing, and for the children
there are lawns to play on, secret paths to explore and a children's zoo. You
can dine at the "Lyrebird Cafe," stop for a snack at the kiosk, or bring a
picnic lunch to enjoy under a shady tree.
Henley Beach
(08)8463
4500
Henley Beach is one of the two closest beaches to Adelaide central
business district. Henley's bustling center of beachside activity revolves
around the lawn, jetty and alfresco cafe precinct. There are nine restaurants
within the precinct offering a variety of cuisine including Thai, Greek, Italian
and Aussie fish and chips.
Maslin Beach
(08)8384
0666
Australia's first official nude bathing beach! Maslin Beach forms a sweeping arc
of golden sand sheltered by spectacular cliffs. It is the perfect isolated spot
to acquire that all-over body tan. Nude bathing is only allowed at the southern
end of the beach, some 700 meters from the main north-beach car park. There are
three car parks for beach-goers, two serving the north end and one the south.
Amenities are few but at north beach there is a general store and a large
grassed area with barbecue facilities and a small playground.
Rundle
Mall
Adelaide Arcade
(08) 8223
5522
Open daily
(except Public Holidays)
Adelaide’s
main shopping area, the Mall is a mix of department stores, boutiques, and small
shops. Several arcades run off the mall, including the fully restored 1880s
vintage Adelaide Arcade which has Italianate elevators and a central dome.
Living
Kaurna (pronounced Gar-na) Cultural Centre
Warriparinga Way
Bedford
Park
(08) 8357
5900
Open
Mon-Fri 10-4
Free
admission
The
cultural centre presents th long association of the Kaurna people with the area
and provides vistor with the opportunity to learn more about the culture.
National
Railway Museum
Lipson
Street
Port
Adelaide
(08) 8341
1690
Open daily
10-5
Admission
charged.
The museum
contains Australia’s largest collection of locomotives and carriages
representing those use on the three major railway gauges throughout Australia.
A great family destination. Easily accessible by train (about 20 minutes from
the city).
National Wine Centre of Australia
Corner of
Botanic Road and Hackney Road
(08) 8222
922
Open daily
10-5
Free
Admission (Charge for tastings)
Part of
the internationally renowned University of Adelaide, the centre presents all of
the aspects of winemaking.
Parliament House
North
Terrace
Adelaide
(08) 8237
9100
Free
guided tours on non-sitting days at 10AM and 2PM. Public galleries open on
sitting days from 2 PM.
South
Australian Museum
North
Terrace
(08) 8207
7500
10-5 daily
This
museum, whose entrance is framed by large whale skeletons, has an Egyptian room
and many natural history exhibits. Its most extensive collection is of
Aboriginal artifacts. It is internationally acclaimed and includes more than
37,000 individual items and 50,000 photographs. There are also sound and video
recordings.
SkyCity
(08) 8218
4273
SkyCity
Adelaide occupies a large (formerly unused) portion of the classically designed,
extremely well maintained central railway station in downtown Adelaide. The
venue offers a casino with machines and table games, live music seven days a
week, and several restaurants.
Adelaide
Central Market
Gouger
Street (between Gouger and Grote)
(08) 8203
7494
Tues.,
Thur.-Sat.
Just west
of Victoria Square, this fresh produce market has thrived for more than 125
years. Asian shops sit beside older European-style butchers and delicatessens.
Around the market are dozens of restaurants and cafes where local food is
adapted to international cuisine.
Tandanya
253
Grenfell Street
(08) 8224
3200
10-5 daily
Tandanya,
the Aboriginal name for the Adelaide area, is a cultural institute featuring
indigenous art galleries, workshops, and performance areas. Its gift shop
offers Aboriginal craft items.
Area
Attractions Outside of Adelaide
Hahndorf Area
Town of
Hahndorf
Directions: To get there from Adelaide, take the South Eastern Freeway from the
city of Adelaide, and turn off at the Hahndorf exit, a drive from Adelaide of
about 20 minutes.
Hahndorf
is the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia and is a flourishing
community that attracts visitors from all over the world. It contains many
examples of classic German architecture The 100-year-old elm and plane trees
which line the main street provide shade for the many craft shops, galleries and
restaurants. Horse-drawn carriage tours and German restaurants are features of
the town.
The
Cedars
Heysen
Road, just outside of Hahndorf
The former
home of South Australia’s best known landscape artist, the late Sir Hans
Heysen. Both his home and studio are open to the public. South of the town is
Nixon’s Mill, a stone mill built in 1842.
Melba’s
Chocolate Factory at Woodside
Directions: follow the signs from the Hahndorf - Woodside exit on the South
Eastern Freeway.
Open seven
days a week including Public Holidays from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
Parking is
at rear.
The next
time you're driving through the Adelaide Hills, drop by into Melba's Chocolate
Factory at Woodside. The old fashioned licorice block is the flagship of
Melba's. Take a tour and see how licorice is made. They'll even let you help.
The range of products at Melba's has grown from 20 to 200. All the machinery at
Melba's is old, and some of the machines have a pretty interesting history.
There is even a machine that was used to make wads for 303 rifles during WW2 and
is now used to make lollies. The building that houses Melba's is Heritage
Listed as it used to be the old cheese section of the Farmers Union factory.
Kangaroo island
Gateway
Information Center
Howard
Drive
Penneshaw
(08) 8553
1185
Australia’s third largest island is 96 miles long and 34 miles wide. It was the
site of South Australia’s first official colonial settlement. There is no
public transport on the island. Access is by ferry, by which automobiles are
transported. The roads are not optimal, and caution should be observed when
driving. The beauty of the island is preserved by its isolation. It contains
19 conservation areas and national parks. At Kingscote and Penneshaw fairy
penguins can be seen in the evening, and the windswept beach of Seal Bay is home
to a large colony of sea lions. The north coast has sheltered beaches that are
ideal for swimming. The south coast is beaten by the Southern Ocean and has 40
shipwrecks. One of the highlights of the island is a fantastic grouping of
rocks that have been eroded by the wind and the sea into unusual shapes. They
are called the Remarkable Rocks.
Barossa Valley Tour
This tour
can be made by car in a day from Adelaide. The roads are well maintained and
the accommodations are excellent. For those who are planning to stop for
samples at the wineries throughout the region, it is suggested that one of the
many available tours may be a preferred alternative to driving on one’s own.
The Barossa and Eden Valleys
are Australia’s most famous wine regions. The Barossa Train is an interesting
means of travel in the region. The wineries offer tours and samples. Each is
unique; all are worth visiting at a leisurely pace.
