Adelaide can sometimes be overlooked in lieu of Australia’s more famous east coast cities, but this bustling metropolis offers world-class attractions and nightlife for adventurous travellers. Check out some of Adelaide’s hottest attractions.
Adelaide Fringe
The performing arts collide with a Mardi Gras scene at Adelaide’s Fringe festival. Since 1960, this fest has provided a stage for artists, who found themselves boxed out of mainstream show business. Here you can be the first to catch the hottest up-and-coming acts. For four weeks (mid-February to mid-March), night and day, thousands of artists from Australia and beyond show off their crafts and showcase their art. From cabaret to comedy and music to film, you are guaranteed to see something new and exciting.
Experience Food and Culture at the Central Market
The Adelaide Central Market has been a booming hub of commerce for over 145 years. This huge indoor market houses over 80 unique traders of fresh meats and produce. Get lost in the teeming aisles and sample something new.
Or, if you prefer a more structured approach to shopping, there are a variety of tours available. Try an early-morning breakfast tour, during which you can sample fresh baked goods and artisan cured meats. A Cantonese Seafood Lunch tour is available for those wishing to sample an Asian twist on the freshest catches from Australia’s oceans.
Get Inked
Finding the perfect souvenir is an important part of traveling, and Adelaide offers truly unique options for the fearless traveler. There are many high quality tattoo studios in Adelaide, where you can procure a lasting memento of your travels. Adelaide tattoo studios are unlike any others when it comes to cutting-edge designs. Consider checking out Progression Tattoo and set up an appointment to design your own unique Japanese style body art. Or check out Front Yard Tattoo if you are looking for a bright, photorealistic custom tattoo. Commemorate your travels in Adelaide with some world-class ink.
Cruise for Dolphins
Hop on a boat near the famous Adelaide lighthouse and head out to search for dolphins. The friendly mammals are known to frequent the Port River, where they hunt for food and investigate the boats that come to have a closer look. Thanks to the loudspeaker commentary of the boat’s crew, you needn’t worry about missing anything while you relax with a cold beverage. On a nice sunny day, it is hard to imagine a better way to spend your time in Adelaide than out on the water.
Fine Wines
Directly adjacent to Adelaide is the Adelaide Hills wine country, where some of the finest Australian wine is produced. In 20 minutes you can go from bustling downtown Adelaide to the scenic hills outside the city. There are a wide variety of tours for all types of wine drinker, from the novice to the expert. Diverse soil types make for a surprising variety of both red and white wines. With all of the great restaurants and bed and breakfasts nearby, you might be tempted to let your day-trip extend into a long weekend.
With all there is to do in Adelaide, it is no surprise so many people are catching on to its charms. For the adventurous traveler, Adelaide’s sights, natural beauty, booming food and arts scene, and eclectic nightlife are a natural draw.
