Adelaide - City Of Parks

Adelaide is culturally rich, with something for everyone. Known as the wine and festival capital of Australia, it is a city set in the beauty of parks, gardens, historical buildings and open streets. You don't have to go far to experience a vast array of restaurants, cafés and shops within very short walking distance. It is an excellent city for those who prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of large cities, yet still enjoy all the city has to offer.

Located beside the River Torrens with the Adelaide Hills and St Vincent Gulf on either side, there is natural beauty everywhere you look. It has a colder climate between 15 and 29 degrees year round, with a Mediterranean charm most of the year.

For the campervan traveller, you will never run out of brilliant scenery, places to visit and a diversity of tourist regions that will keep you driving on and on. It is also an ideal destination for campervan hire. Most regions are easily reached from Adelaide, which makes it a perfect base for your adventures. The Adelaide Camping Ground is a popular choice if you want to stay for a while to explore the surrounding regions. Alternatively, there are a multitude of choices if you want to stop at a different place each night.

Close to the city is a cluster of green parks which bring a sense of peace and space to the region. One of the most popular is Elder Park, where you can hire paddleboats or cycle along the tracks winding along the banks of the River Torrens. It is lovely to just walk along and enjoy the tranquillity of the river and gardens. Rymill Park is also fantastic for a relaxing picnic with views of the lake set off by ducks and rowboats, with great coffee shops close by.

One of the favourite parks in Adelaide is Botanic Park, named for its spacious gardens and wide spaces. It is great for families as it is located between the Zoo and Botanic Garden with numerous walking trails and plenty of picnic spots. There are also a number of parks around the city fringes with cycling and walking trails taking you past the River Torrens and through forests and wetlands. It is incredible scenery especially so close to the city.

Within the city, visit the Adelaide Central Market displays an abundance of food, wines and delicacies. This is one of the largest underground markets worldwide, and is worth visiting to sample some of the cities local produce, and grab some bargains along the way.

Adelaide is known mostly for its wide range of wines, and is home to some of the most famous vineyards in the country. Perfect for a weekend getaway, you can escape to any number of vineyards for a weekend to enjoy the peace of the country or settle down for a night or two in one of the many camping spots around the city.

For those who love the Arts, head to the Adelaide Festival Centre located next to the River Torrens. With incredible local and international creativity, Adelaide prides itself on hosting some of the largest arts festivals worldwide. The South Australian Museum, also located close to the city centre, has one of the largest displays of aboriginal artefacts in the southern hemisphere and is always popular with tourists and locals.

A few attractions close by are the Rodney Fox Shark Experience, a great place to learn about the Great White Shark common to this region, or the Bay Discovery Centre where you will be fascinated by the history of South Australia. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the jetty at Glenelg and take in the sea air and incredible beach views.

The South Australian Maritime Museum is a must do not far from the city (down Port Road) located at Port Adelaide. There are interactive displays, a life size sailing ketch, lighthouse and everything you need to know about the maritime history of the area.

Further out from the city centre, the sea beckons you to swim with dolphins on a sailing cruise. Less than half an hour away this is perfect for a daytrip, where you can base yourself at Glenelg or drive along the coastline for the day.

Just past Glenelg, one popular campervan destination is the Brighton Caravan Park, which is the only one in Adelaide to be situated right on the beach. There are wineries and country vistas behind you, and nothing but blue horizons stretching before you.

Adelaide is elegant, pleasant, modern and diverse, with something for every traveller. The green countryside, clear blue waters, pretty cafes, historic buildings and sweeping parklands all complete the picture as a perfect Australian travel destination. One thing is for sure, your stay here will be relaxing and enjoyable.

Jenny Brewer 2007