How You Can Explore Adelaide in a Weekend
With a stunning location along the south coast of Australia, Adelaide is a favourite travel destination for many people.
Not only is it blessed with gorgeous nature and scenery, but the city is also rich with activities and experiences just waiting to be had.
Now, before we dive into some of the amazing things you can do in Adelaide, first let us say that if you have the time, it’s certainly worth spending as long as you can in this beautiful part of the world.
If you’ve only got a weekend or so, keep reading to learn how you can make the most of Adelaide with our guide to the places to see and things to do.
But, before we do that, let us tell you a little bit about Adelaide.
Adelaide: The Facts
Along the southern coast of Australia, right in the middle, is where you’ll find Adelaide. It’s one of the smaller cities in Australia, with a population of about 1.3 million people.
The grid system of the city means that it’s so easy to find your way around, and it’s a very walkable city, so you can wander your way through the streets and really get that step count up (and save money!).
In terms of the weather in Adelaide, it’s certainly a place where you will experience the seasons. Summer is hot, but not humid like it is in some other cities. Winter can be quite cold. February to April is a favourite time of year for visitors as it’s still warm, but not blisteringly so. It’s also a time of year when many different festivals are on, so there is even more to do.
The city itself is rich with history and culture. A strong indigenous past is just waiting to be explored, as well as the galleries, museums, and vineyards galore.
So, if you’re planning a visit, keep reading to find out what you can do in a weekend in Adelaide.
Day 1: The City and the Beach
To get you warmed up, your first day in Adelaide is all about exploring the city. You’ll be able to do a lot of this on foot, and even though you won’t get to everything the CBD has to offer, you will get to see a fair bit.
If you’re into history, then the northern end of the city is a great place to start. Around North Terrace, you’ll find the Migration Museum, the Art Gallery, the Library, and the Adelaide Museum. If you don’t have time to visit all of them, we recommend taking in the Migration Museum, where you can discover more than two centuries worth of migration history. And it’s free.
The library is also worth a look in, with an incredible wing called the Mortlock Wing which looks like it might belong at Hogwarts.
If you love the outdoors, nearby the museum area, you’ll find the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Every day, a free guided tour is available to participate in. It starts at 10:30am each day, but if you don’t get a chance to take advantage of the tour, you can still enjoy the amazing indigenous plants and flowers of the gardens on your own.
If shopping is more your style, then luckily, you’re near the famous shopping strip of the CBD – Rundle Mall. You can easily spend your entire day perusing the shops in this strip – with plenty of arcades just waiting to be explored as well.
You can enjoy a spot of lunch in any of the streets surrounding the Rundle Mall – with so many cafes and restaurants offering delectable meals at every turn. Enjoy a good feed because you’re going to need a little energy for your next destination.
We personally believe that you can’t visit Adelaide without stopping by Glenelg – the gorgeous beachside suburb that you can get to via the tram from the city.
Offering a beautiful swimming beach, gorgeous sand to walk along, and plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to enjoy the sights from, it’s certainly worth a visit.
Grab a seafood dinner at sunset, where you can watch the sun sink into the ocean in front of you. For dessert, grab an ice cream or gelato from one of the nearby ice cream shops and take a stroll along the water. A beautiful way to cool down after a full day.
You can either stay in Glenelg with several hotels along the water that are available, or if you’re staying in the CBD, grab the tram or a taxi back there when you’re ready to call it a night.
Day 2: Head For the Hills
So, you probably know that South Australia is home to a wine region or two – or even three. Some of the most incredible wine regions of Australia are right here in South Australia, and actually all so close to the Adelaide CBD.
If you head northeast, you’ll find the Barossa Valley; head south and you’ll find McLaren Vale; and if you head east, you’ll find the Adelaide Hills. All of these are within an hour of the CBD – and while you can certainly try to visit them all – if we had to pick one for you to spend your day in, it’s the Adelaide Hills.
Only around 25 minutes from Adelaide City, you’ll start to glimpse the stunning landscapes and scenery of the Hills. The idyllic countryside is reminiscent of Europe, with rolling green hills and views to marvel at at quite literally every turn.
There is so much to see and do in this part of Adelaide, even if you aren’t much of a wine drinker, it’s worth a visit.
The first place of note is the traditional European village of Hahndorf. Settled by Prussian immigrants, Hahndorf has held onto its German roots, with bakeries, vineyards, boutiques, and cafes just waiting for you to spend your time in. The gorgeous architecture and quaint charm of Hahndorf makes it an unmissable destination.
The Hills is also known for its nature and animals. You can discover the beauty of the region at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, where you can explore the flora and fauna native to the region – you really could spend hours here. And if you want to meet the wildlife of Cleland Wildlife Park, which is only a few kilometres down the road from the Gardens.
And the real reason we’re visiting the Hills, is of course, for the wine. And you’ve got your pick of the bunch when it comes to choosing a vineyard (or 5) to visit. You’re going to be able to enjoy wine tastings, informative talks with the local wine makers, and of course delicious meals while you taste the drops.
It really doesn’t matter what kind of wine you like, because the array of vineyards in the Hills has you covered. There are over 60 different wineries in this region alone. Each of which is truly divine.
Some of the wineries we love include Deviation Road, Artwine, Bremerton, Nepenthe and Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard. Each has their charm and unique touch that will entice you. Just remember though, these are only some of the wineries, there are plenty more to be explored.
If you really want to make the most of your time in the Hills, we recommend staying at least for the night, but longer if you can. And if you’re going to stay in the Adelaide Hills, there’s really only one place you should – the Sequoia Lodge.
You’ll find Sequoia on the sprawling Mount Lofty Estate, where you’ll also find Hardy’s Restaurant – an award-winning restaurant; Mount Lofty House – an historical landmark; and the Gatekeeper’s Day Spa – the perfect place to indulge yourself with some pampering.
Sequoia Lodge is a truly luxurious experience, with 14 private suites that each offer views of the Piccadilly Valley below. The lodge not only has amazing facilities on site and in your suites, but there is also a huge array of luxurious experiences that have been exclusively curated for guests of Sequoia. A truly special and indulgent experience that should not be missed when you’re in the Hills. Visit www.sequoialodge.com.au to learn more about this incredible destination and all the experiences you can have!
Final Thoughts
Rich with activities, adventures and experiences, Adelaide is an ideal holiday destination that should not be missed.
