TRAVEL GUIDE: A WEEKEND IN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

“TRAVELING IS LIKE FLIRTING WITH LIFE. IT’S LIKE SAYING, “I WOULD STAY AND LOVE YOU, BUT I HAVE TO GO; THIS IS MY STATION” – LISA ST. AUBIN DE TARAN

Ah, Adelaide. Where to begin? For those who have been before, you’ll understand when I say Adelaide is a somewhat peaceful country town compared to her neighbours Melbourne and Sydney. Though not overly touristy, it’s an awesome place to spend a weekend away from the hustle and bustle!To get a little taster of what Adelaide has to offer, I’ve put together a weekend itinerary full of adventure!

DAY ONE:

• MOUNT LOFTY

Kick-start your weekend with an early morning climb to Mt. Lofty. It’s about 4KM to the summit and is quite a steep challenge, but the views from the top are incredible and offer panoramic views over the city of Adelaide. Take comfort in the fact that to get back to your car it’s all downhill!IMAGE FROM FLICKR

• ADELAIDE CENTRAL MARKET

After Lofty, if you’re anything like me, you will have built up a bit of an appetite. Head to the Adelaide Central Market for some fresh produce and delicious food. With over 80 stalls under one roof, the Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Open from 7AM-3PM Saturday (closed Sundays).IMAGE FROM FLICKR

• GLENELG

Now that you’re fueled up and full of energy, head over to the Victoria Square Tram Stop and hop on the next tram headed for Glenelg. It’s about a 40-minute tram ride to this coastal spot in Adelaide. How you wish to spend your afternoon in Glenelg is completely up to you!

• Pick up some Gelato and walk along the picturesque Glenelg Pier taking in the beautiful coastal views.
• Grab a spot in the shade or on the sand and laze in the sun reading a book.
• Wander through the boutique shops along promenade and treat yourself to a little ‘souvenir’ or two.
• Head to the Glenelg Visitor Center and learn about the history of Glenelg and maybe even book a boat tour or hire a bicycle to cover more ground.
• Pick up some fish and chips (or potato scallops and chips for my veggie friends), grab a spot on the grass by the water and watch the waves roll in.IMAGE FROM FLICKR

• RUNDLE MALL

After exploring Glenelg, jump back on the tram headed for Rundle Mall. This wide street was pedestrianised and is now home to Adelaide’s top stores and a huge variety of eateries and restaurants to suit everyone. Why not treat yourself to a beverage and source the locals for a good spot to have dinner to finish off the perfect first day.
IMAGE FROM FLICKR

DAY TWO:

• BAROSSA VALLEY OR ADELAIDE HILLS

If you’re a wine lover like myself, you definitely don’t want to miss visiting two of Australia’s most famous wine regions. There is quite a selection to choose from, but the Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and Adelaide Hills is very scenic and well known for its cool climate wines.IMAGE FROM FLICKR

You can opt for a wine tour that will collect you from your accommodation and take you around to various vineyards to sample a range of local wines. If you prefer to self-drive and explore along the way, I definitely recommend grabbing a map of the region you wish to visit at a local visitor center.IMAGE FROM FLICKR

Hahndorf is a must visit if you decide to visit Adelaide Hills.; a great place to enjoy a beautiful lunch and wander through the small town shops.

• PORT LINCOLN

If wine tours aren’t for you, and you would prefer something a little more adventurous, a trip to Port Lincoln may be more enticing. Port Lincoln is a 50-minute flight (7+ hour drive) from Adelaide. It is a city on the lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and is known as one of the best places in Australia for shark cage diving and swimming with sea lions.

It is also the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia’ and has a huge range of dining options to suit all budgets and taste buds. There’s also great scenic options for hiking or you can opt to hire bikes to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time. Ensure you allow plenty of time to get back from Port Lincoln and depart from Adelaide to head home if flying out the same day.IMAGE FROM FLICKR

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