|
Adelaide Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Adelaide
- Adelaide Holiday Package Deals
|
!
Search & Compare Discount on Adelaide Hotels or Holidays
|
Adelaide Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Adelaide - In keeping with its climate, Adelaide, capital
of South Australia, has a Mediterranean ambience as it straddles
the Torrens River, filled with churches, gardens, civic buildings,
sidewalk cafes and a plethora of museums, galleries and festivals
catering to the culturally inclined. The city was originally laid
out in 1836 by Colonel Light in a square mile (three sq km) grid of
wide streets with gracious colonial architecture. This has resulted
in a compact inner city area, geared for easy exploring on foot,
allowing the central area to be surrounded with hectares of
parklands, walking trails, sports grounds and picnic areas on the
banks of the river. The main boulevard is North Terrace, along
which are the restored Mortlock Library, the Art Gallery of South
Australia and the South Australian Museum with its spectacular
whale skeleton and collection of Aboriginal natural history.
Aboriginal culture is also catered for at Tandanya, a multi-arts
cultural centre that has galleries, performance areas and a café
serving native cuisine. Visitors who have had enough of culture can
take a cruise or gondola ride on the Torrens River, or ride a
vintage tram to the nearby seaside town of Glenelg with its
magnificent white, sandy beach, popular despite the occasional
rumour of sharks. Adelaide's Central Market is the destination for
'foodies'. Among the noisy, colourful atmosphere and wondrous
smells are fruit and vegetable stores and a large selection of meat
and fish along with gourmet specialities introduced by the waves of
immigrants who call Adelaide their home. Also popular with visitors
is the Adelaide Zoo and Cleland Wildlife Park, which features local
birds and animals including koalas and
kangaroos.
Advertisment: Search for a Holiday deal.
There are options for all Adelaide holidays, hotels,
Adelaide Flights and other deals with the
multi-search
booking engine.
Adelaide
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Hahndorf
16 miles (26km) south east of Adelaide
|
What is it? Just an easy 20-minute drive along the
six-lane South Eastern Freeway from the city centre of Adelaide is
the scenic Adelaide Hills region. The most popular tourist
destination in the area is Australia's oldest surviving German
settlement, Hahndorf. The town was settled in 1839 by Prussian and
East German immigrants, and today is a flourishing community that
attracts visitors from all over the world. They come to admire the
many historic buildings, the 100-year-old elm and plane trees that
line the main street, to shop for crafts, and to enjoy legendary
hospitality in the many restaurants and accommodation
establishments. Hahndorf is surrounded by many wineries and there
are two cellars in the main street offering tastings and meals. The
three local hotels have traditional German beers on tap. Just
outside the town is the famous Beerenberg Strawberry Farm where
visitors can pick their own in season. Hahndorf makes a perfect
base for exploring the other delights of the Adelaide Hills, which
include the Mt Lofty area, Norton Summit, the Torrens Valley and
Onkaparinga Valley.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Kangaroo Island
www.tourkangarooisland.com.au |
What is it? Australia's third largest island is home to
colonies of sea lions, fairy penguins, pelicans, marine life and,
of course, kangaroos, and provides so much to do and discover that
visitors are advised to stay for at least two days. Kangaroo Island
is situated eight miles (13km) from the mainland of South
Australia. It is inhabited by a small farming community that
produces speciality foods - this, combined with the fact that the
fishing is excellent, means it is worth visiting for the food
alone. The island separated from the mainland during the last Ice
Age, and has many plants and animals no longer found elsewhere. A
third of the island is protected to preserve the natural heritage.
Organised tours visit the parks and protected waterways, or
visitors can 'do-it-yourself' with the aid of a walking trails
brochure available at the tourist office and many of the hotels.
Walking close to wildlife is a unique experience - glance around at
kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, echidnas, possums and platypus;
along the coast watch dolphins and seals frolic while penguins come
to roost.
Hours of Operation: The Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information
Centre is open 9am-5pm (weekdays), 10am-4pm (weekends and public
holidays)
Phone:(08) 8553 1185 (Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor
Information Centre) |
3. Flinders Ranges
www.flindersranges.com |
What is it? The Flinders Ranges, one of the few elevated
landmasses in South Australia, is the gateway to the State's
outback, offering rugged and spectacular scenery best seen at
daybreak or sunset when the colours come alive. At the southern end
of the ranges, about 25 miles (40km) from Port Agusta, is the town
of Quorn which is the jumping off point for four-wheel-drive and
adventure tours of the region. A vintage train runs through the
nearby Pichi Richi Pass, and visitors can try rock-climbing at
Warren Gorge. Further north is the small township of Hawker, which
is the main point for access to the main attraction of the
Flinders, Wilpena Pound. Wilpena is one of Australia's most
significant Aboriginal heritage areas, enclosed in the Flinders
Ranges National Park. Rock engravings can be viewed at Sacred
Canyon and there are many bushwalks to be
followed.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(08) 8648 6419 (Flinders Ranges Visitor Information
Centre) |
Adelaide
holidays - Top Events
1. Adelaide Festival of the Arts
From 2008-02-29
To 2008-03-16
|
What is it? The splendid Adelaide Festival of the Arts
has become one of Australia's (and even the world's) premier
cultural events, with its epicentre at the Universal Playground
venue. The bi-annual festival draws about one and a half thousand
artists in all categories, most Australian but also guests from
around the world. The packed and exciting programme features
everything from circus performances and symphony concerts to
serious drama and ethnic art exhibitions. The first festival was
held in 1960, and the event has grown in size and stature every
second year since.
Where is it? Various venues in and around Adelaide |
2. The Credit Union Christmas Pageant
From 2006-11-04
To 2006-11-04
|
What is it? The streets of Adelaide come to a standstill
on pageant day in November each year, when hundreds of thousands of
people converge on the city to watch a procession of fairytale
floats weave their colourful and magical way past, heralding the
start of the Christmas season. Father Christmas has arrived in
Adelaide in this traditional manner since the first pageant in
1933, helped along by South Australia's credit unions and the state
government. The pageant is now the largest of its kind in the
world.
Where is it? The procession begins on the corner of King William Street
and South Terrace and winds its way through the streets, finishing
at the ?landing stage' on Adelaide Central Plaza, at North
Terrace |
3. Adelaide's Big Day Out
From 2007-02-02
To 2007-02-02
|
What is it? Each year Adelaide rocks to the tune of some
of the world's top popular music bands, when the travelling smash
music festival, The Big Day Out, hits town. Adelaide is an
important stop on the famous festival tour, which begins each year
in Auckland, New Zealand and then transfers to main centres in
Australia over the following three weekends. Star attractions in
previous years have included Metallica, The Strokes and The
Black-eyed Peas. The festival, first organised in 1992, also
showcases Australia's home-grown talent and is regarded as the
country's biggest music event.
Where is it? Royal Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Road, Wayville |
4. Carnevale
From 2007-02-10
To 2007-02-11
|
What is it? South Australia's Italian community come out
in force to demonstrate and share their vibrant culture, traditions
and delicious cuisine at this annual event. Revellers can enjoy
cooking demonstrations, Italian fashion on show, admire cars and
motorbikes, watch music and dance shows, and fill up on Italian
food.
Where is it? Rymill Park |
|
