Whether you're traveling to Adelaide for business or pleasure, there are plenty of things to see and do. From a cosmopolitan coastal city to a place to experience culture, there's something for everyone.
Adelaide Zoo
Founded in 1883, Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Australia. It is located on an 8-hectare (approximately 20-acre) block next to the Adelaide Botanic Garden. This iconic zoo offers visitors a number of different attractions, including animal feeding tours, keeper talks, and a night-time tour.
Among the highlights of the zoo is the Envirodome, which is an interactive visitor experience. It features a hay-bale wall, solar panels, and rain-water fed toilets. Throughout the site, visitors will find 65 iBeacons. These beacons are designed to deliver location-specific content.
For the bird lover in you, there is no shortage of bird-related exhibits at the zoo. There are three walk-through aviaries, each of which focuses on a different animal type. There is also a free flight bird show, which takes place in the Australian Rainforest Wetlands area.
There are several other zoo attractions, including the Gorge Wildlife Park, which features a large collection of Australian animals. The park offers daily koala cuddles, and a ring-tailed lemur encounter. It is also home to a number of American alligators, meerkats, and playful monkeys.
There is also the Children's Zoo, which is a safe and fun environment for young kids. This is particularly true of the newly opened nature-inspired adventure playground. It has climbing structures and aerial walkways, as well as water play games.
Adelaide Botanical Garden
Located near the Adelaide CBD, Adelaide Botanical Garden has been captivating visitors since 1857. A sanctuary for nature lovers, the garden is set on nearly 50 hectares and includes eight gardens.
It's a great place for kids to enjoy nature, as well as adults. The garden features a worm farm, a Mediterranean garden, and themed botanical beauties. It also has a wetland designed to sequester water.
The botanical garden has an array of different attractions, including a botanical store and a cafe-restaurant. The garden is wheelchair accessible, as well as free to visit.
One of the attractions is the Palm House, a restored Victorian glasshouse imported from Bremen, Germany. It has a collection of Madagascan plants.
Another attraction is the Bicentennial Conservatory, Southern Hemisphere's largest single-span conservatory. The conservatory is an excellent place to see Australian native plants and learn about the role of plants in everyday life.
You can also walk around the tropical rainforest observation park. The park is a tribute to the 200th anniversary of Australia's founding. The shady areas provide a relaxing environment. The park is also very large, making it perfect for walking.
There is also a Japanese Himeji garden, a Zen garden in the heart of the city. The garden includes a koi lake and flora. The gardens are artfully arranged and feature stepping stones and soothing sounds of trickling water.
Adelaide Central Market
Known for its food and drink, Adelaide Central Market is a major draw for visitors from across the globe. It's a hub of local and international produce, with some of the finest gourmet in the country. Traders here aren't shy about boasting about their superior produce.
The market has been running continuously since 1869. It's one of the oldest and largest markets in the Southern Hemisphere. It has 76 stalls in one undercover area. There are also lots of restaurants to choose from. Among the most popular are Le Souk, which offers Latvian pirags, Merguez sausages and other ethnic cuisines.
There are also dozens of cheap and cheerful Asian restaurants. It's home to a small but mighty coffee shop called The Grind @ Central, which makes Nespresso pods that are reusable.
The best part is that the market is actually free, as long as you're in the city centre. You can easily get there on foot or by public transport.
The market is also the perfect place to find fresh seafood, premium meat and award-winning smallgoods. It's also a great spot to pick up some exotic cheeses and baked goods.
While you're there, don't miss out on the free Discovery Tour. This is a unique experience, where you learn about the market's history, as well as how it operates sustainably. You'll even get to sample some of the produce from the growers.
Adelaide Intercontinental on North Terrace
Located on the riverside, InterContinental Adelaide is a luxurious 5-star hotel offering luxurious accommodations, dining and entertainment. It is within easy walking distance of some of the city's most popular attractions. Guests can enjoy a variety of services including a gym, an outdoor swimming pool and an exclusive Club InterContinental lounge. It is also close to the Adelaide Casino, Rundle Mall and The Gallery.
InterContinental Adelaide's convenient location makes it the ideal choice for those looking to experience the cultural and historic side of Adelaide. The hotel is just 15 minutes' drive from the airport and within walking distance of the city's central business district.
The property is surrounded by magnificent views of the city and river. Guests can enjoy luxury services, including a 24-hour concierge desk, a fully-equipped fitness centre, an outdoor pool, massage treatments, a beauty salon and an on-site restaurant. The hotel has an extensive loyalty program, IHG Rewards.
Among the top attractions in Adelaide are the Art Gallery of South Australia, which exhibits some of Australia's most prized works of art. It is situated on North Terrace, the city's cultural boulevard, which also boasts several memorials and statues.
The State Library of South Australia is another popular cultural institution in the city. It houses a unique juxtaposition of old and new architecture. It is free to visit the main displays. However, special exhibitions may charge a fee.
Adelaide Cricket Stadium
Among the many things to do in Adelaide, the Adelaide Cricket Stadium is a must see. It was the venue for the first ever test cricket match in 1884. It's also been host to several other famous events.
The Adelaide Oval has hosted a variety of sports including rugby, football, Australian Rules football and cricket. The stadium has also been used for music concerts.
The Oval Stadium is a multi million dollar renovation which took place in 2014. This reconstruction retained the building's history. It's the perfect venue for major sporting events.
The stadium boasts a free museum dedicated to Sir Donald Bradman. The museum features memorabilia and prints. There is also a contemporary Spence Wing that has sharp lines and glass fronted entrance.
The Oval Stadium also has its own restaurant which is a great place to eat while you watch a game. There are also several parking lots for you to use. The Stadium is only a short walk from the city centre. The 98A and 98C City Connector buses stop at the Adelaide Oval.
The Oval Stadium has also played host to several famous musicians. The Rolling Stones have played a few concerts at the Oval.
Cleland Animal Park
Located in Adelaide, South Australia, Cleland Animal Park is a government-run conservation park focusing on Australian native animals. Its 35 hectares of natural bushland habitat provides refuge to over 130 native species, including kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas, reptiles, and water birds.
The park offers a variety of experiences for visitors. It features a cafe and souvenir shop, plus a number of self-guided discovery trails. There are also guided tours and school holiday activities.
Cleland is a great place for families with children, especially those interested in wildlife. There are plenty of free parking spaces. The park is open 9am to 5pm, daily. The park is also wheelchair accessible.
For a truly unique experience, the Koala Close-Up experience is a must. This tour takes visitors on a journey to meet the cutest inhabitant of Australia, the koala. It includes a tour of the Ocean to Outback Interpretive Centre, listening to the park keeper during feeding times, and touching a koala. The tour is free with entry and can be booked in advance.
The Park also offers NightWalks, which are a two-hour guided tour that includes sounds of nocturnal animals. It is timed for peak bird activity and includes a relaxed breakfast at the Barking Gecko Cafe.
Adelaide Fringe
Whether you're looking for family friendly shows, theatre or circus, Adelaide Fringe offers a variety of options. In fact, there are more than 1200 performances registered for the festival.
The Fringe is one of the largest arts festivals in the southern hemisphere. It is a four-week celebration of performing arts that includes improvised theatre, cabaret, comedy and music. Hundreds of artists from around the world will perform at this event.
During the four weeks of the Adelaide Fringe, there are more than 1200 performances, exhibitions and activities. The program covers theatre, cabaret, circus and interactive shows. There are also a number of free events for kids. There are also food trucks, roving performers, carnival rides and bars.
The Fringe is the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 7,000 independent artists will perform across 300 venues, which includes a wide range of daytime and late kick-on events. The festival will run from mid-February to mid-March.
In addition to the theatre, there are a variety of music concerts for the whole family. If you're interested in comedy, the festival is home to the best of the Edinburgh Fringe and the Blanc de Blanc Cabaret Show.
The Fringe festival has expanded over the years to become one of the largest arts festivals in the southern Hemisphere. It has more than seven stages and three main temporary venue hubs.
