Adelaide’s Hidden Gems

What is Adelaide known for? Well, it wasn’t crowned the City of Churches for no reason. The Adelaide Oval is accepted to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Adelaide’s proximity to the Barossa Valley wine region is a definite plus, and Adelaide Central Market is a foodie’s dream come true. But there’s so much more to the South Australian capital. Here, we’ve come up with some of the best things to do in Adelaide that fly under people’s radars.

Adelaide City Secrets

Adelaide is always evolving, with restaurants and bars opening all the time. Locals are wild for places like 99 Gang Social, a super-cool burger bar that transforms into a disco when it gets late, and A Prayer For the Wild at Heart, where French technique is married with Australian flavours. Half the fun of 1950s-inspired cocktail lounge Maybe Mae is finding it. Once you discover the concealed door to this hidden bar in the tunnel between Leigh and Peel streets, ease into a booth and order a libation from a list that also includes some interesting non-alcoholic concoctions for the designated driver.

Obviously, it’s no secret that Adelaide Central Market is a great place to ease hunger pangs. The sheer volume of choice, however, can be overwhelming for visitors, so we’ve come up with a few recommendations: coxinha (Brazilian meatballs) and empanadas at Cumbia; custard-filled obanyaki (fluffy Japanese pancakes) at O Bun Chef; and porchetta rolls at Marino Meat and Food Store. You might need a second visit.

If we said you’d come away from a library visit inspired, you’d perhaps think it was us that had checked out. However, there’s an incredible amount to see and do at the State Library of South Australia. The Mortlock Wing opened in 1884 and today, with its galleried interior and original features that resemble something from Hogwarts, it often appears on lists of the world’s most beautiful libraries. This wing is also home to Royal Geographical Society’s collection focused on Australian geography and exploration. Check out the collection of Ernabella Arts rugs, the Treasures Wall displaying precious manuscripts and artefacts, and the Centre of Democracy.

Find Bliss on Adelaide Beaches

Jump in your rental car and, less than 20 minutes drive from Adelaide CBD, you’ll discover a stretch of safe, sandy beaches. One of the best is Henley Beach, popular for splashing, paddle boarding and fishing off the jetty. At the end of 2022, a new public plaza opened. This extension of popular Henley Square offers grassed areas, shade, seating and an array of eateries with outdoor dining.

Further south, about 20km from Adelaide, is Hallett Cove Conservation Park. The cliffs and glacial pavements here were formed an impressive 280 million years ago. Take the Glacier Hike and look for honeyeaters, wrens and stumpy lizards. Down at the water’s edge go for a swim, explore the rock pools or snorkel at the base of Black Cliff.

North of the city, at the mouth of the Port Adelaide River, visit the Garden Island Ships’ Graveyard. From 1909 to 1945, ships that were no longer needed were dismantled here and their hulks left behind. Spot 25 vessels, from paddle steamers to barques, on a walk along the maritime heritage trail. On the island, there’s also a kayaking outfit offering guided tours taking in the wrecks and mangroves while watching for dolphins.

Adelaide’s Natural Attractions

You might think you’ve flown overseas when you step inside Adelaide Himeji Garden, a magnificent gift from sister city Himeji. As well as conifers, water features and garden ornaments typical of a Japanese garden, you’ll find plantings that have been adapted to suit the South Australian climate. 

Point the rental car in a southeast direction and head towards the Mount Osmond Reserve, about 10km away, with its extensive selection of walking trails. A favourite is the 3.4km Themeda Circuit that heads up a steep zigzag path to Gleeson Ridge, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Adelaide. 

When you’re sitting at the base of a cliff by a waterhole shaded by red river gums, hardly another soul around, you’ll wonder how it could be that you’re only 10 minutes from Adelaide’s southern suburbs. Onkaparinga Gorge is part of the Onkaparinga River National Park and, if you follow the service road from gate 10 on Piggott Range Road and negotiate the final rocky descent, you’ll come to the Punchbowl, the perfect spot for a swim. Not ready to leap into the deep? The Echidna Hike takes you through different kinds of bushland with wildflower displays, a vast array of wildlife, including birds, kangaroos, koalas and echidnas, ruins of houses built in the 1800s and views of the gorge.

30 Minutes to Wine Time

Many people use Adelaide as a base from where to explore the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, but there’s an even closer wine region. McLaren Vale is just 30km south of the city and is home to some of the oldest vines in the country. There are more than 80 cellar doors in the region, but seek out Down the Rabbit Hole, where wine tastings are held in a vintage double-decker bus. You’ve probably seen images of the impressive d’Arenberg Cube, but it’s more than a cellar door. While you’re there, view artworks by Salvador Dalí, visit the Alternative Realities Museum with its interactive wine experiences, and dine at Singapore Circus, with its bold design, South-East Asian menu and amazing views. There are more views at Dowie Doole, but the set-up is very different. Try its biodynamic wines at the Tasting Pod, a cellar door made from shipping containers. Don’t forget to assign a designated driver before heading out wine tasting. 

It’s not just about vines here though. McLaren Vale is on the coast, so don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel the reef at Port Noarlunga Beach or surf the break at Moana Beach. You can also extend your visit with a night or two at Glamping in the Vines. These two safari-style bell tents, set in a working vineyard, have comfy queen beds inside and firepits outside.

Ready to explore Adelaide and all its secrets? You can hire a car at Adelaide Airport as soon as you arrive.

To explore the Coral Coast, hire a car in Perth. You could also do the trip from north to south by hiring a car in Exmouth.