Adelaide in 5 days

A relaxed festival city ringed by parklands and world-class wine regions. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $90 to $160 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Adelaide CBD, The walkable grid - North Terrace museums, Rundle Street, the markets.

Morning: Adelaide Central Market. One of the great food markets - produce, cheese, coffee, a foodie's morning.

Afternoon: Explore Adelaide CBD, The walkable grid - North Terrace museums, Rundle Street, the markets.

Evening: Barossa Valley wine day. Australia's most famous wine region, an hour north - Shiraz, long lunches, cellar doors.

Eat: Adelaide Central Market produce and food stalls

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: North Adelaide, Heritage streets, pubs and leafy parkland edges.

Morning: Tram to Glenelg Beach. The historic tram runs from the city centre straight to the sand and jetty.

Afternoon: Explore North Adelaide, Heritage streets, pubs and leafy parkland edges.

Evening: North Terrace cultural mile. Free museums, the art gallery, the botanic gardens, all in a row.

Eat: Barossa and McLaren Vale Shiraz

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Glenelg, The beach suburb at the end of the historic tram line.

Morning: Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf. Cool-climate wineries and Australia's oldest German settlement, 20 minutes up.

Afternoon: Explore Glenelg, The beach suburb at the end of the historic tram line.

Evening: Cleland Wildlife Park in the hills - hold a koala, feed kangaroos.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh seafood and a 'fritz' from the market

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Adelaide Hills, Cool-climate wineries, German Hahndorf, forest drives - 20 minutes up.

Morning: The free city Connector bus that loops the CBD and North Adelaide.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Adelaide Hills, Cool-climate wineries, German Hahndorf, forest drives - 20 minutes up.

Evening: Penfolds Magill Estate, a heritage winery within the city limits.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Adelaide Hills cool-climate wines and German fare at Hahndorf

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Port Adelaide, Revived dockside district with markets, street art and museums.

Morning: Semaphore Beach for an old-school, low-key seaside afternoon.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Port Adelaide, Revived dockside district with markets, street art and museums.

Evening: Dinner at Adelaide Central Market produce and food stalls, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Port Adelaide.

Eat: Adelaide Central Market produce and food stalls

Hidden gems

Cleland Wildlife Park in the hills - hold a koala, feed kangaroos.
The free city Connector bus that loops the CBD and North Adelaide.
Penfolds Magill Estate, a heritage winery within the city limits.
Semaphore Beach for an old-school, low-key seaside afternoon.

Getting around

The CBD is flat and walkable, with free Connector buses and a free tram zone in the centre. The historic tram runs to Glenelg beach. For the wine regions and Adelaide Hills you'll want a car or a day tour. The airport is 15 minutes from the city.

Safety

Very safe and easy-going. Summers can be extremely hot (40°C+ heatwaves), so plan accordingly. Beaches have strong sun and occasional rips. Standard awareness in Hindley Street nightlife late at night.

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