Adelaide is located in South Australia. It is a small city compared to Sydney or Melbourne. It seems to be completely forgotten when people book trips to Australia.
I have compiled a list as to why you shouldn’t miss Adelaide on your next trip to Australia (+ my Top 10 Places to visit in South Australia).
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1. Adelaide Zoo & Monarto Zoo
All zoo’s are the same right? Well, Adelaide is the only zoo in Australia that has a Giant Panda! Well actually we have 2, Wang Wang & Funi! They are the first pandas in the Southern Hemisphere and the first in Australia.
Monarto is a zoo with 1000 acres of wild “African animals” – African safari in Australia. It was first set up in 1983 as a closed special purpose breeding program.
You can see such animals as Zebra’s, Black and White Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Cheetah and much much more! Who would have thought you would have to come to Adelaide to see African animals in the “wild”.
2. Adelaide Central Markets
The Central Markets is known for its incredible fresh food, most cafés and restaurants go to the markets to get fresh produce in the morning to prepare for the day.
Its funny because what I remember about the Central markets is it used to be known for its terrible hours!
It is has become more popular they have made the hours a little more regular, now open from 7am/9am til 5:30pm and later on Friday’s.
The Adelaide Central Markets is located on Gouger street right next to China town, Gouger street also has a great select of yummy restaurants!
3. Barossa Valley
Adelaide is known for its wines. The Barossa, is also the oldest wine regions in South Australia. It is approx. 50km outside of the Adelaide CBD.
Some of my favourite wineries are Jacobs creek and Murray Street Vineyards!! Not to sound “snooty” but South Australia produces some of the best wines in Australia! Not sure? Come and try some for yourself!
4. Hahndorf
Hahndorf is a small town 28 kilometres south-east of Adelaide, it’s acknowledged as Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement.
Hahndorf has lots of yummy German food and drinks! There are also a few wineries you visit to have a taste of the area. You could also visit the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm, where you can go pick your own fresh strawberries! (if in season).
You could easily spend a day wondering about Hahndorf, it has a very relaxed atmosphere and lots to do!
5. Great beaches
Australia has fantastic beaches, wether it is the famous Bondi beach in Sydney or Surfers paradise on the gold coast but Adelaide has some beautiful beach communities like Glenelg.
Glenelg it a great beach during summer and winter, during summer the beach is full of people enjoying a dig or hanging out at the “beach house” a games arena, or relaxing at one of the café’s or bars.
Close by is also Brighton beach or Henley beach, both filled with yummy café’s and bars!
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I am going to be traveling to Adelaide soon and am looking forward to the beaches! I was also never aware of the central markets! Do you know where people usually get the produce from? Is it pretty expensive?
HI Luke,
You can get everything you need from the central markets 🙂