Adelaide Cheat Sheet |
The party's starting in the South Australian capital...
Adelaide is the pint-sized city Australia loves to poke fun at.
But anyone who's visited knows Adelaidean's are having the last laugh, as they sip on world-class wines, dip toes in the water on pristine beaches and feast on gourmet fare over long, sun-drenched lunches.
The city is humming with a new energy as public spaces are reinvented, pocket bars sprout in laneways, rooftops and basements, and a smorgasbord of hip restaurants fires the dining scene.
There's never been a better time to visit as the southern belle readies itself for its annual month of fun festivals.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The saying goes that everywhere in Adelaide is 20 minutes away - the beach, the hills, the 'burbs - you'll be delighted by the cost of Ubers. But if you're looking for a budgetfriendly way to check out city attractions, jump on the free City Connector bus services around the inner city and North Adelaide, and the free city tram.
Free City Connector Bus
Free Trams - Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Airport's about 6.5km from the CBD - take an Uber from the designated ridesharing rank, or a taxi, Adelaide Metro's JetExpress bus, Airport City Shuttle or a rental car.
The metroCARD is your ticket to ride public transport. Buy and top them up at ticket vending/recharge machines and local agents.
Bus Services - Adelaide Airport
WELCOME TO MELBOURNE LITE
Memo to Melburnians: you no longer have the monopoly on sexy speakeasys, underground wine bars and rooftop revelry.
Drink in views of Adelaide Oval and beyond atop an old bank at 2KW; cosy-up in cocktail bars down pedestrian avenues; sip sangria in reimagined warehouses or whiskey in basement lounges such as Suzie Wong.
The relaxation of liquor laws about five years ago has ushered in a sophisticated new era, with a small bar scene rejuvenating laneways on Peel, Union, Bank, Leigh, Gilbert and Gresham streets, with offerings such as Clever Little Tailor, Pink Moon Saloon and La Buvette.
But for those just wanting an old-fashioned pub pint and parmie (yes, it's "parmie" in Adelaide), try The Kings Head or Gilbert Street Hotel.
Adelaide Oval Roof Climb
Adelaide Oval Tours
WHERE TO EAT
In a state synonymous with good grub, there's more dishy diners than you can poke a lamb and haloumi cigar at.
But the big book-ahead headliners are Bistro Blackwood (creative chefs, indigenous ingredients), North African eating house Africola (wild flavours) and Peel St for Middle Eastern/Asian menu items such as banana blossom chicken with chilli jam and coconut salad.
A short stroll south, Chinatown spills out of Adelaide Central Markets into two food courts and Gouger St. Hobnob with journalists and politicians at Press, or duck behind Rundle St after a spot of shopping to the eateries and wine bars of Vardon Ave.
WHEN TO GO? MAD MARCH
There's no better time to be in Adelaide than March, when the Adelaide Fringe arts festival (February - March), its highbrow sister the Adelaide Festival (February - March), world music fest WOMADelaide (March) and the Adelaide 500 car race (February) collide for a month-long party.
Catch a vaudeville show or tread the tightrope in The Garden of Unearthly Delights, dance under the stars at an open-air Persian bar, be showered with thousands of delicate feathers at WOMAD ... every corner, riverbank, park and laneway throbs with fun.
Adelaide Fringe Festival
Adelaide Festival
Adelaide 500
WOMADelaide
'ARE YOU ENGLISH?'
It's a question Adelaideans regularly field - and secretly relish.
Get used to hearing words like dance, plant and chance with an endearingly affected accent.
But before you can say "City of Churches" , these genteel folk will go and undo their impressive work by telling you "Radelaide" is "heaps good" .
FRUCHOCS AND FROG CAKES
If you put nothing else in your belly but this glorious duo (along with Farmers Union Iced-Coffee ), you won't leave disappointed.
Fruchocs (bliss balls of chocolate-covered apricot and peach) and Balfour's frog cakes (iced sponge cakes filled with cream) have been declared bona fide heritage icons by the South Australian Heritage Trust.
BONDI OF THE SOUTH
Glenelg boasts Australia's first licensed beach club, The Moseley.
Grab yourself a day bed on the sand for the afternoon or hit up the games and rides with the kids at The Beachouse nearby.
Or swim with dolphins on a boat tour, browse the Jetty Rd shops or enjoy a meal at the marina.
Adelaide has a never-ending supply of picture-perfect beaches and touristy Glenelg, which is a short tram ride from the CBD, is the most accessible.
TASTE ADELAIDE'S HISTORY
At famed Adelaide Central Markets, one of the largest fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere, locals salivate over Belgian chocolate fountains at The Providore, breakfast at The Big Table, rustic Italian at Lucia's and all the continental delis.
Take a tour for the scoop on more than 70 stalls at the historic market, which harks back to 1869.
OPINE ABOUT WINE
It's only fitting to quaff a few Barossa reds, or a crisp sauvignon blanc from the cool climate hills.
And in Adelaide, you can even visit a shrine to their famed top drops.
Daily tours at the National Wine Centre of Australia are free but you pay to taste any of the 120 wines.
Head to the source for sumptuous sips at hipster, elegant and rustic cellar doors in the regions.
Try the closest, the Adelaide Hills, to help their recovery from the recent bushfires.
Source: The Herald Sun Digital Edition: ADELAIDE Cheat Sheet
This article is from the February 11, 2020 issue of The Herald Sun Digital Edition.
Subscribe, visit https://www.heraldsun.com.au/.
Cheat Sheet
Elissa Doherty
Time: 6pm - 10:00pm
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