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Adelaide Travel Guide

Our EPIC travel guides, written by a local who lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Adelaide City

Why We Love Adelaide. Adelaide is one of Australia’s most underrated cities. A destination known for its festivals, beautiful architecture, and stellar wine-producing regions, the City of Churches should definitely be on your Australia bucket list. Use this Adelaide travel guide to kick off your trip!

🌆 Adelaide Destinations

The-Suburb-Of-Port-Adelaide
  • North Terrace – The northern boundary of the Adelaide CBD, home to its most popular attractions.
  • The East End – A selection of Adelaide’s favorite restaurants and retailers overlooking the parklands.
  • The West End – The bustling center for nightlife and fun things to do in Adelaide.
  • North Adelaide – Lying on the banks of the River Torrens, North Adelaide has some of Adelaide’s best restaurants and pubs.
  • Glenelg – One of Adelaide’s most iconic beachside suburbs.

Explore all the best places to visit in Adelaide.

⭐️ Things To Do In Adelaide

  • South Australian Museum – A collection of wonderful exhibits showcasing the history of South Australia and the world.
  • Adelaide Botanic Garden – Adelaide’s most beautiful native and exotic plants set out in a beautiful public garden.
  • BBQ Buoys Boat Ride – Take in the sights of the Adelaide CBD while drinking and dining on the River Torrens.
  • Morialta Conservation Park – A free public park where you’ll find hiking trails, waterfalls, a giant cave, and native wildlife.
  • Adelaide Zoo – Come and visit 2,500 animals who call the zoo home, including Adelaide’s favorite mascots: Wang Wang and Fu Ni, the giant panda couple.

Explore all the things to do in Adelaide.

Pandas-Munching-Away-At-Adelaide-Zoo

🗺️ Where To Stay

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  • Adelaide CBD – You should definitely stay in the CBD during your first stay. This is where all the magic happens!
  • North Adelaide – This area is rich in history, and a drive-through will showcase several stunning heritage homes that have often been in the same families for generations.
  • Western Beaches – You won’t find high-rise hotels and resorts here. Rather, the western beaches are home to caravan parks, holiday rental homes, apartment blocks, and Airbnbs’.
  • Glenelg – I’d recommend staying here if you’ve already been to Adelaide a few times and are familiar with the city center

Explore the areas & places to stay in Adelaide.

🗓️ Best Time To Visit

  • Autumn (March – June) – If you travel during the start of autumn, there will always be something to do, specifically The Adelaide Fringe, one of the biggest arts festivals in the world, takes place in March. However, April and May are significantly quieter than March, although they offer picturesque views thanks to the falling leaves of local deciduous trees.
  • Winter (June – September) – Winter is the quietest time to visit Adelaide, but there are still a number of season-specific events to look forward to. One of the most popular is the Winter Village, which pops up in the heart of the city on the Torrens Parade Ground, usually between May and September. June is the rainiest month in Adelaide, and surprisingly, this is a great time for hiking.
  • Spring (September – December) – Spring is a positive time in Adelaide—the weather starts to warm up and the city starts to prepare for the approaching summer. A walk through the Adelaide Botanic Garden is a must. In particular, the International Rose Garden is an exquisite sight from early September.
  • Summer (December – March) – Christmas decorations illuminate Adelaide throughout December, which is one of the best Adelaide travel seasons. You’ll also find various Christmas markets around the city in December, the most famous of which is probably the Hahndorf Christkindlmarkt.

Explore the best and worst times to visit Adelaide.

🚌 Getting Here & Around

  • Airport – Most visitors to Adelaide will fly into Adelaide Airport, which is around 15 minutes from the CBD.
  • Once here, you can rent a car and drive yourself, as many destinations are easy to drive to.
  • Otherwise, you can rely on public transport, as the Adelaide Metro system runs buses, trams, and trains that service most parts of the city.
  • Additionally, you can use taxis and ride-share options, though these tend to be more expensive than public transport.

ℹ️ Adelaide Travel Tips

  • Come in the summer – Adelaide summers are not to be missed. There are several spectacular beaches less than half an hour away from the city center, along with those that are less crowded and a little further away (perfect for day trips!).

    Christmas also coincides with summer in Adelaide, so coming in December will give you a chance to witness the city lit up with festive lights!

  • See the hills – Visiting the Adelaide Hills is a must for your trip to Adelaide. The hills are easily accessible via self-driving or public transport and are only around 40 minutes from the CBD.

  • Experience the quaint townships, stunning wineries, and iconic landmarks among the lush greenery of the area.

  • Stay in the CBD – There are several great areas to stay in during your trip to Adelaide, but I’d recommend staying in the CBD, particularly if it’s your first time. Most of Adelaide’s metropolitan attractions are located within the CBD, and many are within walking distance to the main hotels.

    The Adelaide CBD also serves as a public transport hub, connecting you to highlights like the Adelaide Hills or the local beaches.

🧳 What To Pack

  • Sunscreen – The sun is stronger in Australia than it is elsewhere, so you’ll need SPF whether you visit in summer or not. Apply sunscreen every morning before you go out, reapplying every two hours during summer.

    On beach days when you’re directly under the sun, it’s imperative to use 50+ SPF with other sun protection, like hats and glasses.

  • Walking shoes – No matter where you’re staying in Adelaide, you’ll probably do a lot of walking. The city center itself is completely walkable, though you can catch the tram between most destinations.

    In many cases, walking in the CBD tends to be quicker and easier than catching public transport.

  • Bathers (Swimwear) – A swimsuit is a must in Adelaide! This is a no-brainer for summer, as you won’t be able to resist the water at the beach. But even in winter, many CBD hotels have heated pools and spas.

    If you forget your swimsuit though, don’t sweat it: you can buy one in Rundle Mall any time of year!

Adelaide Travel Guides

Meet Our Adelaide Travel Expert

Vanessa Elle

Vanessa Elle

Vanessa is an Australian-based freelance writer and editor with a BA in Creative Writing. She’s passionate about creating travel content that inspires her readers to take a leap of faith and power through their bucket lists. When she’s not writing (with her border collie asleep at her feet), she’s devouring books, exploring the world, or planning her next trip.

Read Vanessa's Articles

ℹ️ Facts & Info

  • Population – 1.36 million
  • Largest Areas – Plympton, Enfield – Blair Athol, Rostrevor – Magill, Windsor Gardens
  • Time Zone – Australian Central Standard Time (UTC +9:30 hours)
  • Airports – Adelaide Airport (ADL)
  • Nickname – The City of Churches / The 20 Minute City
  • Demonym – Adelaidean
  • Country – Australia

🗺️ Adelaide Map

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WayToStay is an independent travel website, providing in-depth travel guides from locals and experts. Our mission is to help travelers, backpackers & adventure lovers to discover and research their next destination.

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