A Vacation Insiders Guide
Adelaide, Australia
Hello, and welcome to Adelaide!
Welcome! We are Luan and Wendy, Adelaide natives who love to share our beloved city with the rest of the world! Allow us to be your guide to the city and its stunning surroundings: beaches, cafes, vineyards, restaurants, parks, markets, festivals, and more!
We're here whenever you need us! E: superduperholiday@gmail.com T: 0412 795 525
OUR STORY As Adelaide natives, we're excited by the prospect of sharing our love for this charming and culture-rich Australian city! One of our favorite things about Adelaide is its accessibility, with beaches 15 minutes away in one direction, lush rolling hills in the other, and a bevy of restaurants, shops, and attractions in between. Seeking the perfect location central to all the area has to offer, we settled on a cozy cottage with all the modern amenities in the center of the city. The two-bedroom cottage melds old-world charm and new-world luxury. You can enjoy breakfast in bed or an afternoon reading, bathed in warm sunlight thanks to tall ceilings and wall-sized glass doors. Polished wood floors cover the entirety of the house, leading into
Built in 1880, then renovated to reflect a modern sensibility, our 2-bedroom cottage is the perfect balance of old and new. Lofty ceilings and wallsized glass doors add space and light to this cherished property. We hope you enjoy your stay with us!
OUR HOME the sunny bedrooms. After a day of exploring the city, spoil yourself with the immaculate standing glass shower in the tiled bathroom. Have a glass of wine and a conversation with the cook at the breakfast bar in the contemporary kitchen. Once dinner is prepared, savor your meal in the lush courtyard underneath hanging plants and sunshine. Guests are welcome to park their own (small) cars or rental vehicles for free in the back of the property, which is a huge plus in this centralized neighborhood and ideal for those adventurous day trips. With so much to do and see, it's impossible to pack it all into a single stay. So the goal of this guide is to give you the very best bits. If you need more we live in North Adelaide so we're usually around and on call to advise!
THE REAL ADELAIDE... Come find out why Adelaide is called the heart of South Australia! The capital city of the state of South Australia, Adelaide was named for Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, queen consort to King William IV. In a range of 20 miles from shoreline to inland hills, the city holds everything you'd ever hope to experience in the area, including wineries, miles of lush nature trails, a buzzing city center with high-end dining and shopping, and, of course, welcoming white sand beaches. A short stroll from our vacation rental places you at the Central Market and Chinatown, where you can pick up fresh produce and local goods, or try a high-end restaurant on Hutt Street, which is just behind the house! A 5 minute walk will have you at Rundle Street and Rundle Mall for all your fashion needs. There you can also visit trendy bars and restaurants, enjoying a night out on the town. Away from the city the great Australian landscape beckons! If the ocean appeals, then spend an afternoon lounging on Henley Beach, dip your toes in the Gulf St. Vincent, or try your hand at surfing. Adelaide is also home to the Mawson trail, the longest bike trail in the southern hemisphere, which runs from the coast of
“Close to the beach, wineries and walking distance to the trendy surrounding neighbourhoods, the cultural hub of Adelaide is at your doorstep� Adelaide to the rocky hills of Blinman. It takes a couple of weeks to ride the entire trail, but you can sample parts of it whilst you're here! The nearby vineyards make for spectacular half-day or full-day trips into the lush, rolling hills. Just north of Adelaide is Barossa Valley, one of Australia's oldest areas for fine wine, recognized for producing Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. For family-friendly fun, hit up the Adelaide Zoo. It's the only zoo in the southern hemisphere with pandas, named Wang Wang and Fu Ni. And that's in addition to more than 2,500 animals! Adelaide is also well-known for its festivals. So much so that, in 2015, it became a member of the International Festivals City Network, alongside places like Barcelona, Edinburgh, and Montreal. Everything from music, to film, to food and wine. For a list of what's on head over to Festivals Adelaide. There are also sporting events galore with The Tour Down Under, Clipsal 500, Aussie rules Football, and cricket. The best part of all? Easy accessibility. Not only is Adelaide a walkable city, but you can also pick up free rental bikes all across the area or hop on one of the city's many free buses. A stop for both is just a short walk from the property. Have fun!
5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS... 1
Adelaide's Beaches...
2
Adelaide Zoo...
3
Adelaide Wine Regions...
4
Harndorf and the Adelaide Hills...
5
Central Market...
Your vacation wouldn't be complete without a day of lounging in the sun on Adelaide's white sand shores. We recommend Glenelg Beach and Henley Beach. Glenelg Beach is accessible by the tram and is a more commercialized beach, with shopping and restaurants on Jetty Road. Henley Beach is perfect for early morning strolls or a free bike ride along the Torrens River all the way to the beach on a sealed bike track.
In addition to being the only zoo in Australia with two playful pandas, you can see more than 250 species of exotic and native creatures at this family-friendly destination. From natives like the koala, wombat, bilby, kangaroo and emu, to lions, alligators, and even a Chilean flamingo! There are also some exciting and interactive behind the scenes experiences, including being a keeper for a day, or even hand feeding a Giant Panda!
Take a tour of the famed Barossa Valley and try a tasting of the region's awarding-winning Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. Experience the equally rich local food culture at Barossa Farmer's Market or Barossa Valley Cheese Company. Clare Valley and McClaren Vale are two other popular wine regions to explore, and alternatively, the National Wine Centre in the city is convenient if you're not up for a day trip.
Harndorf is a historic town in the Adelaide Hills, a touristy German kind of town full of quirks, in a good way! Have a warm meal at one of the town's many pubs. Try the kranski or other small goods. Check out the local farms like Beerenberg Strawberry Farm. If you're visiting between mid-October and April, take the family out for an afternoon of strawberry picking and enjoy your juicy spoils under the warm Australian sun!
Immerse yourself in the local culture of Adelaide by heading over to Central Market. With more than 80 different vendors and traders, there's lots of local delicacies to try and buy. During different months, the market celebrates a different staple, like citrus in July, seafood in September, and coffee in October. And the surrounding Gouger St and Chinatown offers a wide selection of delicious restaurants for any dining occasion!
LUAN & WENDY'S TRIP SUGGESTIONS... If you're looking for a DAY TRIP
Glenelg Beach...
Hop on the tram that runs along King William Street for a day of sand and surf. Swim, dive, snorkel, fish, or just explore the shops down Jetty Road and Moseley Square with the family. For dining, there's a wide selection all along Jetty Road or at the Marina Pier, a cosmopolitan update to the traditional waterside destination.
Kangaroo Island...
For an authentic Australian experience, spend the day exploring Kangaroo Island, taking in the Remarkable Rocks and the animals that inhabit the landscape. With more than 5 different itineraries, you can tailor your experience to your interest, be that wining and dining or getting up close and personal with nature.
Visit a Wine Region...
Drive yourself to the cellar doors of Clare Valley, known for its Riesling varieties. With more than 30 wine makers to choose from, all within 40 kilometers or less from one another, you're bound to find yourself in a wine lover's personal heaven. Clare Valley is also home to a thriving arts scene, with galleries and exhibits and revolving public arts.
or a bite-sized HALF DAY
Rundle Mall...
Walk along North Terrace or pop into Rundle Mall for some retail therapy, souvenirs, and specialty treats like Haigh's Chocolates. Take some family photos in front of the well-known sculptures like the Malls Balls and the Rundle Mall Pigs.
Ride the City...
Hop on and off the free city bus that loops around the City of Adelaide and North Adelaide. You'll find lots of historic walking trails and stops at the many attractions around Adelaide and North Adelaide, including the zoo and Central Markets.
Haigh's Chocolates Tour...
This free tour at the Haigh's Visitor Centre will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the confectioners who concoct these handmade treats. And afterward, you won't be able to resist indulging in fresh truffles, fudges, and more at the retail store.
Or a Short Walk Away... The restaurant scene on Hutt Street is an easy walk... just behind the house! An equally short stroll places you at the Central Market and Chinatown, where you can pick up fresh veggies. A 5 minute walk will have you at Rundle St. and Rundle Mall for all your fashion needs, bars and restaurants. Everything is accessible!
OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS... There are so many great restaurants we love! Here are our personal top five picks. If nothing inspires you, ask us, we have years of research to share!
1
Chianti Classico...
T: 08 8232 7955
There's a reason a reservation is essential at Chianti—and that reason is the delectable menu of seasonal Italian favorites. With locally sourced ingredients and a variety of fresh seafood, there's no wrong choice. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it's usually easier to get in earlier in the day.
2
Chinatown District... Adelaide's Chinatown is a thriving hub of authentic and diverse dining. We recommend Star House or Ding Hao for yumcha and T-chow for general Chinese food and the exceptional oyster omelet. Ming’s Palace is great for Peking duck. And then there's the exception of Gaucho’s Argentinian Grill, which has great steaks.
3
The Loose Caboose ...
4 5
T: 08 8340 0809
Have breakfast, brunch, or a hot cup of coffee in this historic trainstation-turned-cafe. The other side of the cafe is a working platform so you can see trains going to and from the city through the window! Enjoy coffee from 7am - 4 pm and food until 2 pm, including Brioche French toast with pineapple gel, Classic Eggs Benedict, and more!
The Greek...
T: 08 8223 3336
Nestled on Halifax, The Greek is a local favorite for delicious and creative Greek dining. Our go-to pick on the menu are meze plates because they offer a lot of variety. Try a flavorful goat or lamb dish or indulge in traditional moussaka. For groups of 15 or more, enjoy a specialized banquet-style menu of must-eats.
A Hereford Beefstouw...
T: 08 8232 6868
Steak lovers, take note: A Hereford Beefstouw is a prime dining destination. The Adelaide location of this famous Danish steakhouse opened its doors in 2011 and continues to draw in crowds with its Scandinavian design and stand up menu. Choose from 12 different cuts of meat, add some surf to your plate of turf from a selection of fresh fish and shrimp, and finish it all off with a class of wine. It's sure to be a memorable dinner.
ADELAIDE'S FESTIVALS & SPORT SCENE... For the cycling enthusiast... Every January, the Tour Down Under cycling race takes over the city for nine days. You can see 17 UCI World Teams race to the finish line. Try your hand at cycling the city with the many free bike rental stations!
For the cricket fans... Cricket season here runs between October and February. There's a match being played most days, with tickets available on the website. If you're a real cricket fan you should check out the Adelaide Oval Tours!
For the festival lover... In a city known for its festivals, there's a good chance you can catch one while you're in town! Some of the most renowned are The Fringe Festival, WOMADelaide, Festival of Arts, OzAsia, and Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
For the footy nut... See a footy match and barrack for your team at the Adelaide Oval during the Australian Football League season, which runs from March-September. Or see some more local footy around Adelaide. Head to AFL or SANFL (local)
Then end? Not quite... It's the end of the guide, but it's not even close to the end of our mental book of suggestions! If you haven't found inspiration here, or if you need any additional details, please ask. And if you find your own hidden gems whilst out and about please let us know!
Thanks for staying with us!
Produced by Guest Hook GUEST HOOK LLC Š 2016 | www.guesthook.com