Adelaide Metro operates metropolitan train, tram and bus services. Single and day-trip tickets can be purchased onboard, remaining valid for two hours. Multi-trip tickets are also available. There's a free tram from the CBD to Glenelg, and a free city loop bus. Visit the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre on the corner of King William and Currie Streets for detailed information.
Being so compact, there's really no need to hire a car unless you plan to travel further afield. However, if you don't arrange your car hire before arriving you can easily book at the airport or a city rental office once you're here. Get a map and you're ready to go. Even the CBD is easy to drive around.
With a flat city centre and a grid system of well organised streets, Adelaide is easy to roam and navigate on foot. For a quicker alternative, Adelaide City Bikes depots hire out bikes, helmets and locks for free to tourists. With dedicated bike lanes and pathways around the city, riding is a breeze. There's no better way to take in the sights.
There are plenty of taxis in Adelaide to save you time and make travel easy. Hail a taxi on the street or book ahead by phone. Taxi ranks are located in major city locations, including outside the Sky City Casino on King William Street. With several companies operating, most taxis charge the same, with higher fares at night and on weekends.
The atmosphere buzzes and your senses come alive at the Adelaide Central Market, where a fine mix of 80 stalls will no doubt tempt you. From fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, to seafood, gourmet cheeses, bakery food, sweets, nuts and health foods, it's all here under the one roof including some great cafes to get your caffeine hit.
Every visitor to Adelaide must make the 25-minute tram ride to the leisurely Glenelg Beach – it's a very local thing to do. Bask in the sun, walk along the pier, take a swim or browse the local shops. Explore the local history at the Discovery Centre at Town Hall, and enjoy some fresh fish and chips down by the beach.
In the heart of the city seek refuge amongst the peace and greenery of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Stretching over 16 hectares, this historical garden features many plant collections, including exotics, Australian natives and ornamental plants. It's also home to the restored Victorian Palm House, the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion and the Bicentennial Conservatory. Drop by the Visitor Information Centre for detailed information.
Home to the world's largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material – consisting of over 3000 artifacts – the South Australian Museum hosts a wide variety of natural history and cultural collections from across the globe. With both permanent and temporary exhibitions spread over five fascinating floors, don't miss the Giant Squid, the Ancient Egyptian Room or the Opalised Fossils.
Start the day fresh at the bustling Adelaide Central Market where you can pick up all kinds of foodie bits and drinks, including your morning coffee hit. Meander through Victoria Square and up to North Terrace, Adelaide's cultural boulevard. Packed with galleries, museums and beautiful old buildings, take your pick of which you enter. The Parliament and Government House are situated near the Railway Station. Then rest your feet and find a pretty perch amongst the greenery of the Botanic Gardens (don't miss the river views). Top off the day with dinner at one of the great restaurants on the other side of the river, along Melbourne Street in North Adelaide.
Jump on the tram to Glenelg on Holdfast Bay, the city's favourite beach. Explore the area, swim and soak up the sun –you can even swim with dolphins or take a jet boat ride in the ocean if you're game. For the history buffs, head to the Discovery Centre at Town Hall and enjoy a walk along the Federation and Proclamation Trails. After a fish and chips lunch by the sea, wander the esplanade to Brighton then catch a bus to historic Port Adelaide. Explore the museums, renovated warehouses and the charming town centre before busing it back to Adelaide city. Enjoy your evening meal in Chinatown, along Gouger Street.
Head straight to Rundle Street Mall for a little retail therapy and perhaps a quick breakfast too. This is the biggest shopping outlet in Adelaide with around 700 retailers and 15 arcades, including the three largest department stores to be found in the city. For some trendy trawling don't miss Ebenezer Place, which has a shopping vibe of its own. Once you can shop no more, wander the city and just see what you find, or explore one of the many parklands circling the CBD. When the tummy grumbles, head back to Rundle Street to experience it by night. Choose a lovely bar or wine bar and a restaurant, and maybe even catch an art house cinema flick afterwards.
Why not escape Adelaide completely and have a new adventure? The Adelaide Hills make for a great day out, with crisp air, green valleys and charming towns to explore, as well as plenty of cellar doors to knock on. Of the 90 Adelaide Hills wineries, almost 50 have cellar doors. While there are buses running to the different town centres, the easiest way to explore the wineries is through an organised tour. If you'd prefer to hire a car and drive, be sure to visit the local information centres to get reliable maps. You could even consider venturing deeper into the famous South Australian wine region by car.
MONTHS
MONTHS
Expedia Holidays > Adelaide Holidays
