A holiday in Adelaide is a holiday in an attractive, historic and easy-paced destination. Capital of Australia’s driest state, Adelaide is a charming, orderly city that has preserved its heritage of history and culture while heightening its claim as the Festival City. There’s always something going on in the arts and theatre and this city of a million people is justifiably proud of the European feel of its Victorian architecture.
Relaxed and understated, Adelaide hosts a range of attractions from sparkling beaches, galleries and museums, the epicentre of Australia’s wine industry and charming Lutheran townships. It’s a very easy city to get around; laid out in a grid pattern it has continued to bloom in a neat and carefree style. Many of Adelaide’s city attractions are located in the North Terrace precinct, home to all the oldest and grandest buildings of the city and, lit by gas lamps, the atmosphere of 19th-century Adelaide is perfectly captured.
Adelaide is bordered to the west by a stretch of beaches, including Glenelg, 11km south-west of the city where pine trees and beautiful stone buildings line the beach. To the east, the rolling Adelaide Hills harbour wineries, wildlife sanctuaries, walking trails and quaint townships. It is also the home of the historic Hahndorf German settlement and its art galleries, cake and souvenir shops.
The McLaren Vale region, south of the city, produces excellent wines of all kinds, but is particularly renowned for its Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. The town of Coriole, with a distinct Tuscan feel, is a great spot overlooking the vales.
Australia's premier wine region, the Barossa Valley starts about 50km north of Adelaide and continues for almost as far again. The vineyards are closely located together on both sides of the valley, creating a uniform vista of cultivated vine rows thickly carpeting the valley floor. The Barossa was shaped centuries ago by European settlers, and it was German colonists who planted the first vines. There are plenty of small towns and villages in the area that retain their German character, in their buildings and culture.
Adelaide fun facts
It’s believed that every time a pub appeared in Adelaide another church was built
More than 65% of events in the Adelaide Festival of Arts come from overseas
Adelaide city is laid out in a square mile grid
PICTURESQUE AND CAPTIVATIONAL CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
Friday 15th August 2008
Travel Counsellor: Charlene Lush
Central Australia is so picturesque and captivating, it grabbed my attention before my flight touched down. Rich in colour, history and culture! I was so excited to be travelling to such a diverse part of the country. Flying over the bare dry land I was surprised with how green the trees and shrubs where. I think we all forget what Australia has to offer as we all get caught up in today’s hustle and bustle of life.
On arrival I joined my group with APT and set off for our afternoon tour of Alice Springs. Our tour included Anzac Hill which has outstanding views overlooking the West MacDonnell Rangers, the Old Telegraph Station, Royal Flying Service, the School of Air and then onto the Mbantua (Aboriginal Cultural Museum and Gallery) home to a private collection of Aboriginal Artefacts.
Over the course of six days I managed to walk about 32kms. I had never felt so relaxed and energised just by the fresh air and peacefulness the area has to offer. I walked the base and watched... view full story
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