Things to do in Adelaide

Adelaide is one of Australia's most activity packed cities for tourists. There will never be a dull moment for you in Adelaide for sure! You can expect to have a ball with all the attractions on offer at this city. You can start by exploring the lovely beaches in Adelaide. You can access Henley Beach or Semaphore. You can also take the tram to the beautiful Glenelg. You can also visit several tourist hotspots on beaches scattered across the entire Fleurieu Peninsula including Goolwa, Port Willunga, Victor Harbour and Normanville among others. Kangaroo Island, of course, is another picture perfect beach for you to enjoy.

Adelaide gives you multiple options for exploration, enjoyment and scenic beauty if you are really fond of beaches and the seaside. You can also check out the majestic and imposing Adelaide Hills which lie only 20 minutes away from the main city. This area is right out of fantasy novels and you will definitely congratulate yourself for having made the drive till this point. You can opt for guided tours across the Adelaide Hills with pit stops at the charming and pristine villages of Aldgate, Hahndorf and Stirling. You can also check out some of the biggest and most iconic wineries in South Australia. Adelaide is often called the gateway to premier wine regions of Australia and it's not hard to see why! There are more than 200 cellars that you can check out during your stay in Adelaide and these are scattered throughout popular regions including the Barossa Valley which is a global landmark of sorts along with the McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Coonawarra.

Get up close and personal with Australian wildlife by booking a date at the Cleland Conservation Park or even the Gorge Wildlife Park at the Adelaide Hills itself. At these magnificent places, you can easily snuggle up to koalas, feed lovely kangaroos, Emus and wallabies in addition to other native Australian animals. If you're in love with kangaroos, you should definitely book a trip to Kangaroo Island which will give you one of the most unforgettable experiences for life. This island offers tours where you can feed kangaroos from your hands in addition to walking amongst lovely Australian sea lions at Seal Bay and even holding koalas or wallabies. Places to explore at Kangaroo Island include Remarkable Rocks, Kelly Hill Caves, Admirals Arch and the Little Sahara sand dunes.

The Murray River offers a lifetime experience as well and you will definitely experience pure and unadulterated relaxation by simply cruising down the River on the famous PS Murray Princess Marvel. You will be amazed with the breathtaking natural formations of rocks and the plentiful flora and fauna on the way in addition to some rare birds. You can also stop by at some quaint little port towns en route to the final point. The Adelaide Zoo is also a must visit for most tourists and contains almost 300 fascinating species of native and exotic mammals, reptiles, birds and fish in addition to 1800 animals in entirety. You can definitely get a dekko at the two popular Giant Pandas who are named Funi and Wang Wang as well!

If you're looking for something different, you can head to the Monarto Zoo which is the largest open range zoo in Australia and is located approximately 50 minutes away from the main city. This zoo has several animals that you can observe from specially tailored platforms including white rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, lions and chimpanzees in addition to native Australian wildlife. Indulge the foodie in you with a leisurely stroll through the Adelaide Central Markets which will give you access to several delectable gourmet products and other local produce. You can then take a picnic in The Adelaide Botanical Gardens with the sumptuous lunch you've just bought! The North Terrace precinct is another popular spot for tourists and has been renovated recently. This is home to the South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, Ayers House, Parliament House and the Botanic Gardens in addition to the National Wine Centre of Australia. This area will give you a lot to do and explore. From history to wine tastings, contemporary art and communion with nature, the North Terrace precinct has something for every mood and taste.

If you're a bonafide shopaholic, you should certainly check out the East End and Rundle Mall in addition to King William Road at Hyde Park, Burnside Village, The Parade at Norwood, Jetty Road at Glenelg, Harbour Town at West Beach and even Magill Road at Norwood. You will find several premium apparel, accessories, antiques and knick knacks at these prime shopping destinations in Adelaide. These are highly popular with tourists and usually witness good crowds on every other day. You can also spend some time with your loved ones at Adelaide's award winning restaurants. Rundle Street, Chinatown or Gouger Street will give you plenty of options. You can also stretch towards O'Connell Street in the northern parts of the city, King William Road, Jetty Road and The Parade. The Leigh Street and Peel Street precinct is home to several charming restaurants and bars which are frequented by tourists and locals alike.

Adelaide hosts several spectacular events throughout the year and you can plan your vacation or trip accordingly. These include the Adelaide Cup Races, Coopers Kangaroo Island Cup, Santos Tour Down Under, Clipsal 500, Mad March and the AFL Games at the Adelaide Oval. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is held in June and promises unique experiences for participants and visitors. The Royal Adelaide Show is the longest community event in the whole of South Australia and is held every September.

The Adelaide Port also gives you a historic yet memorable experience. You will like the imposing and magnificent 19th century buildings, wharves and classic pubs. You can choose to kayak along the lovely Port River or even check out the Maritime Museum and the Port Dock Brewery Hotel. If you're a serious cricket fan, the Adelaide Oval should also be on your list of must-visit destinations in Adelaide.