Festivals and food. Arts and culture. Shopping and sports. This is Adelaide – the city where there’s always something on. Whether you want to party or relax, South Australia’s capital has it all.

Art and Design

Art Gallery of South Australia (North Terrace)

One of Australia’s finest collections. Feast your eyes on works ranging from classical to cutting-edge. Free entry and free daily tours.

JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design (Morphett St)

A must-visit, with the best in South Australia’s designers’ glass, ceramics and jewellery on show. Watch glass blowing or call about a tour.

Aboriginal Culture

Tandanya – National Aboriginal Cultural Institute (253 Grenfell St)

Discover the vibrancy and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in a great modern space – there’s usually a performance at noon Tuesday to Friday.

Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery – (South Australian Museum) North Terrace

The largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the southern hemisphere. Entry’s free.

Shopping

Shopping Hours

Shopping hours in Adelaide are generally 9am–5:30pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-9pm Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday. Rundle Mall shops are generally also open on Sunday 11am–5pm. Please note that Monday 13th June is the Queens Birthday Public Holiday and as such, many of the services in this guide will not operate as usual. Most services and stores close on holidays; some operate to their Sunday hours.

City Supermarkets

Woolworths (80 Rundle Mall)

Mon – Fri 7am – 9pm, Sat 7am – 5pm, Sun 11am – 5pm

Coles Supermarket (21-39 Grote St)

Mon-Fri: 12am-9pm, Saturday: 12am–5pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm

Markets

Adelaide Central Markets, between Grote and Gouger Sts

For buying fresh food to prepare in your apartment, we recommend the Adelaide Central Markets. The Adelaide Central Market buzzes with life and colour all year round. The range of fresh food is exhaustive and it’s all under one roof. You’ll find fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, gourmet cheeses, bakery products, sweets, nuts and health foods. Shoppers can also take a break in some of the hippest cafes in Adelaide. Open hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 7am till 5.30pm
Wednesday: 9am till 5.30pm (limited stalls)
Thursday: 9am to 5.30pm
Friday: 7am to 9pm
Saturday: 7am to 3pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Department Stores and Boutiques

Adelaide’s major department stores and chain retailers are all located in Rundle Mall. Rundle St and Hindley St are packed with boutique and St fashion stores.

Shopping Further Afield

Melbourne St (North Adelaide), King William Road (Hyde Park), and Jetty Road (Glenelg) – are all a short distance from the city and boast some of Adelaide’s finest café’s, boutiques, and restaurants.

Adelaide’s Parklands

Adelaide’s parklands surrounding the city have many jogging and walking tracks. Linear Park extends 14km along the banks of the Torrens River, from the city to the sea, and is a great place to skate, walk, jog, or cycle.

You could also hire one of Captain Jolleys’ Paddle boats and explore the Torrens River. Hire is available on weekends and public holidays all year round, weather permitting.

Free Services Within the City

Tram

A tram runs from The Entertainment Centre on Port Road, up North Terrace outside the train station, along King William St to South Terrace, linking a number of Adelaide’s central attractions (including Central Market, Gouger St, Rundle Mall, and The State Library, Museum and Art Gallery on North Terrace), before heading south to popular beachside Glenelg. Travel between Port Road and South Terrace is free. The journey to Glenelg takes about 25 minutes and normal Metro fares apply.

City Loop Bus Service 99C

A free bus service links with the tram at Victoria Square and North Terrace, taking passengers on a loop around the inner city. Its destinations include cosmopolitan Rundle St East, and the stunning Botanic Gardens, following North Terrace, East Terrace, Grenfell St, Pulteney St, Wakefield St, Grote St, Victoria Square, Morphett St, Light Square, Hindley St, and West Terrace.

Adelaide’s Bus and Train Network

Bus

Grenfell, Currie and King William Sts have buses leaving to all parts of Adelaide, including the O-Bahn service to the North Eastern suburbs and Tea Tree Plaza and the JetBuses to the Airport (J1,and J2)

Train

Adelaide Railway Station on North Terrace provides access to many varied parts of the metropolitan area, including historic Port Adelaide, and the beautiful Adelaide Hills. You can catch the train to the Adelaide Showgrounds- closest station is Goodwood.

TICKETS/FARES – are available on board the tram and buses, from Adelaide Railway Station, and from the Adelaide Metro Info Centre on the corner of King William and Currie St. Metro tickets are valid for all bus, train and tram services.

Multi-trip ticket x 10 Trips $30.90
Single trip ticket $4.70
Interpeak ticket (9am – 3pm) $16.90
Interpeak – single trip ticket $2.90
Day trip (ticket valid all day) $8.80

Concessions apply for eligible persons carrying recognised concession identification cards. Free travel for Senior’s Card holders between 9am – 3pm
Adelaide Metro Info Line – Ph: 1300 311 108 or www.adelaidemetro.com.au

Taxis

In the city, hailing a cab from the St or going to a taxi rank is the best way of securing a ride. Hotel staff will also help you find a taxi. All taxis in Adelaide accept major credit cards and Cabcharge. On evenings in the city, you can find major taxi ranks on the North Terrace near SkyCity casino and also at the corner of Hindley and Morphett Sts.

A typical city cab fare is $12. Daytime Fares (6am – 7pm Monday to Friday) – Flagfall $3.50 and $1.69 per kilometre. All other times – Flagfall $4.50 and $2.19 per kilometre

Yellow Cabs 132 227
Suburban Taxis 131 008
Adelaide Independent 132 211

Bikes

City Bikes

FREE bike hire for use anywhere within the city limits. To take advantage of Adelaide’s City Bikes scheme, all you need is your driver’s licence, proof of identity card or passport. Bikes can be hired from the Adelaide Convention Centre on North Terrace (Ph: 8212 4099). The Adelaide Free City Bike is a Mongoose Crossway 225 hybrid. It comes in 3 Sizes and includes a helmet and bicycle lock as part of the hire.

The Adelaide Showground does serve food and drinks, like hotdogs, chips, salads, sandwiches and sushi, and soft drinks and bottled water. But on Saturday morning, you might want to visit the Adelaide Central Markets to stock up on fresh food and gorgeous breakfasts, and then travel the short tram ride south to the Showground (see Gouger St). On Sunday morning, the Wayville Showground hosts its own Farmers Markets.

Brown Dog – Breakfast and lunch

Try the green eggs and ham for breakfast. Good vego options and a cute outdoor section at the back. 143 Goodwood Road, Goodwood. Wed – Sun 9am – 4pm

The Goody – Pub, bottle shop and restaurant

It’s nearby if the Adelaide Showground is not open for beer. 75 Goodwood Rd Goodwood (08) 8272 9185

Farmers Markets

Leader Street entrance of Adelaide Showground. On Sunday morning, the Adelaide Showground hosts the farmers markets, which serves coffee, breakfast and delicious local produce.

Adelaide’s Best Eating Restaurant Streets

In Adelaide, you’ll find entire Sts devoted to dining. These ‘eat Sts’ are a mix of cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Gouger Street

Gouger St is Adelaide’s key eat St. It’s the gateway to the Adelaide Central Market and the exotic, bustling mall and food halls of Chinatown. Traditional Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Japanese, Asian fusion, noodle bars, regional Chinese and yum cha, French and Argentine cuisine, and a number of first-rate seafood restaurants. There are many small, cheap places to pick up something quick to eat between shows – particularly in and around the Central Market. The Central Market is a unique Adelaide nook – a wonderful place to soak up the atmosphere, find the best in all kinds of fresh food, not to mention good coffee!

Rundle Street

Rundle St, in Adelaide’s East End, has a popular casual atmosphere and is recommended for lunch and night dining. It’s bursting with alfresco dining – a vibrant food, wine and coffee experience not to be missed, and you can’t get later than Rundle Sts 24 hour falafel and gyros bar. Nearby Hutt St is a great breakfast spot.

O’Connell Street

O’Connell St and Melbourne St are fashionable dining locations in North Adelaide; five minutes drive north of the city. You’ll find The Manse restaurant in North Adelaide – one of Adelaide’s finest and oldest established restaurants, located within a beautiful Victorian Mansion.

Coastal Suburbs – Glenelg and Henley Beach

Coastal suburbs Glenelg and Henley Beach are also popular dining precincts. Dine outdoors while you watch the sun set over the ocean. Henley Beach Road has a cornucopia of food stores and eateries – Asian, African, Mediterranean and Indian.

Breakfast and Brunch

Big Table, Adelaide Central Markets

They are famous for their breakfast and their shop is known for great coffee, customer service and good food. Everything is made fresh every day. Open market hours.

Bliss Organic (7 Compton St)

Good for vego’s and vegans

East Terrace Contiental (6 East Tce)

Whether your breakfast faves are high protein (eggs, bacon) or nursery sweet (banana pancakes with caramel sauce), a long menu shows an exemplary commitment to the first meal of the day. Open seven days 7am-4pm.

Rigoni’s (27 Leigh St)

Winner of the best breakfast 2010. They also have amazing lunches and dinners! Call 8231 5160 for a reservation.

Coffee and Dining

Coffee Branch (32 Leigh St)

CIBO Espresso, 218 Rundle St (plus 10 other Adelaide locations)

Lunch and Dinner

Good Life Organic Pizza (170 Hutt St)

Good Vego and Vegan options. Open for lunch 12 – 2:30 during the week and every day from 6 until late for dinner.

Mekong Thai (68 Hindley St)

A true taste of Thailand. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner.

The Strathmore Hotel (129 North Tce)

Stonegrill dining that allows you to enjoy a meal freshly grilled to your taste. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.

Parlamento (140 North Tce)

Parlamento evokes a true inner-city Italian bistro with dependably good food.

Casablabla (12 Leigh St)

A hidden gem nestled in quiet Leigh St in the city. One step inside and you will be transported to a far away land with inspiration from Morocco, Turkey, Bali and Cambodia.

Cheap Meals Out

Chinatown (Central Markets), off Moonta St and surrounds

A lot of choice and a lot of tables. If you can’t feed yourself well here for less than $10, you’re just not trying. Open Mon-Thur 9am-5.30pm Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm.

Ying Chow (114 Gouger St)

Everyone raves about the absurdly cheap prices and exquisite Chinese food. Open Fri 12-3pm and 5pm til late, Sat-Thurs 5pm til late.

In and around Bank St/ Leigh St (between North Tce/ Hindley St/ Currie St)

A number of cheap eat place can be found on Bank St… Ajisen Ramen, Coffee Branch, Aussie Pizza House, Rock + Roll Sushi, Mandoo dumplings and many more!

East Taste (119 Gouger St)

Well priced and super tasty asian food.

Jerusalem Sheshkabab House (131B Hindley St)

Amazing, cheap Lebanese, BYO, heaps of vego options.

Late Night Treats/ Convenience Store

Adelaide Convenience Store (136 North Tce)

The Pancake Kitchen (13 Gilbert Pl)

Cheap and delicious stacks of pancakes, plus fry-ups and ice cream. 24 hours – Never closes

Bars

La Boheme (36 Grote St)

A very cool little spot with great artwork and tunes. Laid-back early, pumping later on.

Dragonfly (193 Victoria Sq)

This versatile space is a funky, friendly café by day before morphing into party central as the night winds on, with live DJs and tasty cocktails.

Casablabla (12 Leigh St)

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself swaying to the beat of a drum or dancing the night away to the exotic sounds of the planet in the two bars, or the outdoor courtyard and live music area.

Clubs

Zhivago (54 Currie St, Basement)

Zhivago is a hub for creative license represented through the arts, music and club culture. It is a place where people can dance, meet others and enjoy many great beverages or just let loose for a few hours and have some fun.

Mars Bar (120 Gouger St)

Adelaide’s legendary gay nightclub runs until the wee small hours, making it the perfect place to kick on after a show. Along with a solid line up of DJs it also hosts drag shows and MCs.

Sugar (274 Rundle St)

Sugar is open 7 nights a week with deejays every night from 9 pm until late. Hit the dance floor, shoot some pool, or just sip cocktails in the booths while you catch up with old friends or make new ones.

Live Music

Wheatsheaf Hotel (39 George St, Thebarton)

Awesome beers on tap, live music, brilliant staff and an excellent all round vibe – this is our sponsor pub!

Grace Emily (232 Waymouth St)

What you’ll find: a cool pub with no pretensions and live local music 7 nights a week.

The Governor Hindmarsh (59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh)

Just out of the city, The Gov is arguably Adelaide’s best-known and best-loved live venue.

Sqautters Arms (1 George St, Thebarton)

The Live music venue for punk, metal and hardcore.

Pubs

Exeter Hotel (246 Rundle St)

A casual pub popular with uni students and those in the know. Good beer, good pub grub and live music every night in the beer garden.

Crown and Sceptre Hotel (08 King William St)

Traditional pub meets groovy club. Eat, drink or shake it to a range of funky styles at the Sceptre.

The Metropolitan (46 Grote St)

The Metropolitan is in the centre of Adelaide next to Her Majesty’s Theatre and opposite Adelaide Central Markets. Renovations have left the hotel with a traditional pub feel in a contemporary setting offering food, gaming, accommodation and entertainment.

The Botanic Bar (310 North Tce)

A bit fancy-pants but great cheapo pizza

Schooner = 285mls (Called a ‘Middie’ ‘Ten-Ounce’ or a ‘Pot’ in some other states)


Pint = 425mls (Called a ‘Schooner’ in some other states)


Nine out of ten local derby girls who drink beer drink Coopers Pale or Coopers Sparkling, unless they’re at the Wheaty and spoiled for choice. Sparkling is stronger with a fuller Ale taste; as a result, the Pale’s a little easier to drink.