| A statue of Adelaide's founding father,
Colonel William Light, stands atop Montefiore Hill and gazes proudly
across the city he helped to create. Below him is an expanse of pretty
green park land, resplendent with rose beds, peppered with trees and
dominated by the ivy-clad Adelaide Oval. To the rear of the cricket ground
lies lazy Torrens Lake, its southern foreshore replete with grand
bluestone buildings that contrast starkly with the white concrete
extrusions of The Festival Theatre. Further south, modest towers mark the
heart of Adelaide's central business district, while to the east a
corrugated line of hills defines its inland boundary. To the west, the
coastal plain slips gently away into the rich blue waters of St Vincent's
Gulf.
So it is easy to see why there should be a flicker of pride on Colonel
Light's weathered face. It is also wholly appropriate that the city of
Light should become the city of churches ' mighty St Peter's Cathedral
lays testament to that. However, as all Adelaidians know, there is much
more to their captivating city than things ecclesiastical! In modern-day
Adelaide, festivals, food and fine wine are just for starters.
The city centre
Despite these enlightened days of metrication, Adelaide's central business
district still measures exactly one square mile! And it is packed with
goodies, all within easy walking distance of each other. This is
especially true along North Terrace, where there is ready access to the
Hyatt Regency Hotel and Adelaide Casino plus the imposing granite and
marble Parliament House building. Moving east, grandiose buildings queue
for attention: the State Library, South Australian Museum, Art Gallery and
Ayers House (the mansion of Sir Henry Ayers, an early state premier who
had a very large rock named in his honour). Further along North Terrace
the weary wanderer is invited to relax amidst the blooms and flowering
shrubs of Adelaide Botanic Gardens. In the heart of the city is the
symbolic fountain of Victoria Square. The square is a handy landmark for
several hotels and is also a terminus for Adelaide's only tram, which
trundles its way to the beachfront at Glenelg.
Shoppers flock to the ever-festive Rundle Mall, historically the first
traffic-free shopping mall in Australia. Many of the big retail players
can be found here, as can a variety of street entertainers. The Mall leads
eastwards onto Rundle Street, which throbs with a cultural mix of diners
and thirsty pub-goers. It is also the primary venue of Adelaide's Fringe
Festival.
Across the eastern parklands from Rundle Street is the fashionable
inner city suburb of Norwood with its ever-popular dining precinct, The
Parade. Shoppers in search of bargains, or simply fresh herbs and
vegetables, head for Central Market and Chinatown. Neighbouring Gouger
Street is alive with yummy restaurants, Asian, naturally, plus a wealth of
other cuisines besides.
North Adelaide
Both the city and elegant North Adelaide are isolated from the surrounding
suburbs by a leafy moat of parklands. This 'figure-of-eight' greenery is
truly a jewel in Adelaide's crown, enhancing a unique and enviable
lifestyle for city-dwellers. It is small wonder, therefore, that some of
the state's grandest homes are to be found in North Adelaide. Along
O'Connell Street there are also some of the city's finest restaurants,
with pavement dining under lacy iron verandahs a speciality.
Port Adelaide and District
The generously wide streets, sturdy stone buildings, and uncompromising
wharf-side warehouses tell tales of a proud and historic past for
Adelaide's ocean port. The plethora of street-corner pubs also suggest
that this history has been amply laced with rum and brandy! Port Adelaide
lies less than half an hour's drive north west of the city and today it
remains a modest working port. Tourism through Port River cruises, Sunday
markets, twee cafes and informative museums ' like the excellent Maritime
Museum - fuel the local economy. The region as a whole is a fascinating
mix of heavy industry, recreation and residential boom, exemplified by the
award-winning West Lakes residential development.
The Coastal Fringe
Spanning nearly 70 kilometres north to south, the Adelaide coastal fringe
runs from North Haven marina to the sumptuous white sands of Sellicks
Beach. Whether it is viewing or doing, there's beachside fun to be had by
all. Not to mention sunsets to die for! Adelaide's maritime heritage can
be explored around Semaphore, there's discerning dining at Henley Beach,
and a hive of activity and history at Glenelg.
When there's a swell in the Gulf, knowing surfers head for the
mid-south coast, while sailboarders test their skills off Seacliff Beach.
Even nude bathing is catered for on this eclectic coast. Just grab a towel
and head for Maslin!
The Adelaide Hills
Rising around the eastern rim of the coastal plain, the Adelaide Hills
offer a favourite fresh-air treat. Delightful forests of stringybark gums
carpet many slopes, while in Belair National Park, and conservation parks
such as Scott Creek, Cleland and Warrawong Sanctuary, native flora and
fauna abound. So watch out for kangaroos, koalas and bandicoots! Farming
and market gardening are important industries with vineyards blossoming on
many hillsides. Tourism has also taken off, and dotted throughout the
hills are enchanting villages like Stirling and the 'little Germany' that
is Hahndorf. Of course, no visit to the hills would be complete without
experiencing that breathtaking view over Adelaide ' night and day ' from
the summit of Mount Lofty.
The Wine Districts
Adelaide is unquestionably the wine capital of Australia, simply because
it lies within an hour's drive of some of the finest vineyards in the
southern hemisphere. To the north lies the world-renown Barossa Valley
with its proud Teutonic heritage, rich soils and exquisite flavours.
Equally appealing to many wine-lovers is the quality of product from the
south of the city - the boutique wineries of McLaren Vale. Indeed, what
better way to spend a lazy afternoon than drinking fine wine amidst gentle
hills, fertile flats and tinkling creeks? |