Great Adelaide escapes

A morning walk along the Torrens River, lunch on the beach in Glenelg, dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants then a show at the Festival Centre, what better way to start a short break in Adelaide?

At the same time you’ll be experiencing all those elements that make Adelaide so special.

There’s the natural beauty of the Torrens and the 29 parks that form a green belt around the city and make up 45 per cent of the total city area. Walk along the river and you’ll be greeted by lots of birds, active locals and a truly relaxing environment.

Then there are the city’s epicurean delights. It’s said there are around 700 restaurants, cafes, pubs and wine bars in Adelaide. Many take advantage of the farm fresh produce, organically grown meat and seafood which come from regional South Australia.

>> Destination Adelaide, Weekends For Two

Visit Penfolds’ Magill Estate and you’ll not only be assured of a great meal you’ll be able to tour the cellars that have housed the famous Grange wine since the 1950s. The 50 minute tour is followed by a tutored wine tasting of Penfolds’ premium wines.

In downtown Adelaide, Gouger Street is sometimes called Adelaide’s United Nations of food, thanks to restaurants serving everything from Argentinean to Vietnamese cuisine. Stylish Rundle Street East offers alfresco dining, while at O’Connell and Melbourne Streets in North Adelaide you’ll find fine dining and café society side by side.

For lovers of a good picnic a visit to Adelaide Central market is a must. There are over 550 retail outlets selling everything you could possible desire. Established in 1869 it’s said to be the largest undercover market in the southern hemisphere. Nearby China Town is great for local produce and authentic Chinese food. Market days are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For dessert why not head to Haigh’s Chocolate, Australia’s oldest surviving chocolate making company. Take a free tour and then taste some of the world’s best chocolates.

Other must do city experiences include a walk down Rundle Mall where you’ll find over 600 shops, 15 arcades and three department stores.

Then consider jumping on a tram and heading to Glenelg. One of Adelaide’s many beach areas, Glenelg is renowned for its sandy white beaches, wide ocean views and stunning sunsets.

There are also some great specialist shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants to explore. A visit to the Bay Discovery Centre, within the historical Glenelg Town Hall, shows how the area’s seaside lifestyle has evolved since European settlement. Glenelg is where the first settlers came ashore in 1836 to survey and establish Adelaide.

Wildlife lovers should consider a Temptation Sailing cruise which departs from Glenelg’s Holdfast Shores Marina. Swimming with the dolphins is a highlight of the cruise on a 17 metre catamaran.

Port Adelaide is also renowned for its dolphins, often seen from the cruise boats that ply the Port River.

Port Adelaide is a great place to learn about South Australia’s colorful maritime history. It features some of the finest collections of colonial and Victorian buildings in Australia. The best way to experience the area is to walk along the docks and through the old heart of the Port. Self guided tours are available.

Another of Adelaide’s claims to fame is its cultural offerings. The theatres of the Adelaide Festival Centre host numerous fascinating concerts and shows.

The Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Lion Art Centre are other popular live entertainment venues.

What better way to finish a day’s exploring than to attend a great show and then, over supper, to plan your next Adelaide adventure?