Heading to Adelaide? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
QUICK FACTS
- The capital city of South Australia, Adelaide is home to around 1.4 million people.
- It is a mecca for the arts and culture, with plenty of world-class museums, natural attractions and captivating sights.
- Renowned for its accessibility – claims to be the “20 minute city” (all main destinations can be reached in that time frame).
- The only state capital never settled by convict labour. Entirely established by free settlers since its founding in 1836.
- Nicknames: Addy, City of Churches, RADelaide, The 20 Minute City.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).
- Spoken languages: English.
- Best time to visit: from November to March, for pleasant temperatures and little rainfall.
- Arriving via airport (ADL): you can get to the city centre in 22 minutes on the JetBus (J1 and J2 lines from Stop 10 on airport road) for $5.80.
- Taxis charge $20-27 for the city centre (this includes the $3 airport exit levy). The ride will be approx. 10-15 minutes.
WHERE TO STAY
- Best hostel for solo travelers: Adelaide Central YHA. Newly-renovated and right in the heart of Adelaide, this one is a winner.
– Welcoming staff, with modern and clean facilities (cleaned daily).
– Not the cheapest in town, but you get what you pay for! - The CBD is compact (one square mile) with Adelaide’s best attractions and widest range of accommodation.
GETTING AROUND
- Adelaide Metro represents the public transportation network in the city, which consists of train, tram and bus services.
– Peak (3PM-9AM weekdays, all day Saturday): $4.40
– Interpeak (9AM-3PM weekdays, all day Sunday): $2.50
– Day pass: $12.10 - metroCARD (rechargeable smartcard): $5 for regular card.
- Contactless payment (Tap and Pay) now available with Visa/Mastercard on buses and trams.
- Download the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app to purchase single trips, day trips, and three-day visitor passes
- Taxis operate on a meter system. Fares:
– Day (6AM-7PM): Base fee $3.90, $2.11 per km
– Night (7PM-6AM weekdays, all day weekends): Base fee $5.20, $2.43 per km - Instead of taxis, consider getting a quote from Uber first (use their app). UberX (base fare $2.20, $1/km)
- Note: Bikes cannot be taken on buses or trams but are allowed on trains. Secure bikes in empty wheelchair spaces during train journeys.
ADELAIDE NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, and last call is 4 AM.
- Rundle Street keeps things casual and cosy with pubs and cafés that cater to the after-work crowd and the laid back.
- Hindley Street ups the tempo with a neon-lit strip of cigar bars and lounges, earning it the reputation of “party central.”
– The many bars, clubs and cheap(ish) restaurants on Hindley make this a popular area for students and backpackers. - North Terrace is known for its gigantic nightclubs and all-night parties.
- Great bars for solo travelers in the CBD: Malt & Juniper, Alfred’s Bar, The Sorcerer’s Bar, and Udaberri Pintxos Y Vino.
- Super California: disco, funk and house music.
- Live music: Jive.
- Cocktails: Plain Jane (great tapas)
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Ayers House is the former residence of Sir Henry Ayers, ex-Premier of South Australia and an excellent example of colonial Regency architecture built during the years of the gold rush.
- National Wine Centre of Australia is a unique attraction located on the edge of the breath-taking Botanic Gardens that allows visitors to experience the wine making process complete with wine tasting and superb dining.
- Are you a cricket fan? The Bradman Collection is a must see. Pore over the personal items of the world’s greatest batsman, donated by the man himself.
– Continue your cricket loving journey at Adelaide Oval (now offers rooftop climbing experiences with epic city views). - Ask a local and they will tell you that pubs far outnumber churches, despite Adelaide being known as the City of Churches. Before you hit the pub (or as you crawl your way to the next one), take the time to admire the more impressive Holy Trinity Church, St Peter’s Cathedral and St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.
- Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute: explores contemporary and traditional Aboriginal art.
- Art Gallery of South Australia: a visual arts museum with a permanent Australian art exhibition that records Australia’s development all the way back to the colonial period.
- Adelaide Central Market – vibrant farmers market with fresh produce and international cuisines.
- South Australian Museum – features indigenous artifacts, natural history, and a famous giant squid exhibit (!)
INTERESTING WALKS
- Mount Lofty rises above the city and presents an imposing figure from which to admire the panorama that extends to the Gulf, the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.
- Cleland Wildlife Park places visitors in contact with the stupefacient wildlife for which Australia is known, from koalas to kangaroos and wallabies.
- The Esplanade at Seaford is an excellent coastal walk perfect for winding down and discovering the natural charm of South Australia’s beaches.
- Victoria Square is the epicenter of Adelaide’s CBD, a leafy pocket of the city marked by a fountain that looks up to the modern horizon.
- Great coastal walks: Glenelg and Henley Beach – charming white sand beaches with fresh ocean air.
- West Terrace Cemetery: take a guided tour through Adelaide’s oldest burial ground and one of the world’s first multi-denominational cemeteries.
- Walk among the elm trees and immerse yourself at Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia.
- For a relaxing break, visit the Adelaide Botanic Garden or the Himeji Garden (Japanese garden with traditional design).
WHERE TO EAT
- Try the local cuisine: Pavlova, Lamington, or Vegemite on Toast.
- Great restaurants to try: Bread & Bone, Peel St, EST Pizzaria, Vietnam Village, Herringbone, Chianti ($$$ – Italian), Africola ($$$ – African), MaiKitchen Restaurant (authentic Viet with vegan options too), Two-Bit Villains (vegetarian).
- Where to find good cheap eats: Gouger Street offers an eclectic mix of cheap Asian eating options, while Central Market hosts food stalls of every variety and budget.
- Budget veggie options: Zenhouse Vegetarian Yum Cha and Thea Tea Shop.
LOCAL WISDOM
- The city is often referred to as the wine and festival capital of Australia, with “Mad March” representing the busiest month of the year thanks to world-class events such as the Fringe Festival, Clipsal 500, Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Writer’s Week and WOMAdelaide.
- Adelaide was the first place in Australia to legalize nude swimming. If taking off your togs (swimming costume) tickles your fancy, the closest nudist beach to Adelaide, Maslin Beach, is a 45 minute drive away.
- The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination located an hour northeast of Adelaide. Primarily known for its Shiraz variety of red wine.
- Dangerous areas: Adelaide is generally safe. In any case, exercise caution at night – especially on dark streets and around bars and clubs.
Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days