Joanna James
Nestled between the south coast and the Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide offers its visitors a pastoral experience. To make the most of your trip, explore the city with the list of these attractions.
The garden was established in 1855 intending to making flora and fauna an intricate part of Australian life. Interesting features of the garden include medicinal plants, the Mediterranean garden, a wetland to irrigate the garden and various Australian native species. To get an insight into how plants are part and parcel of everyday life, drop in at the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Among other highlights are the palm house, water lilies and Moreton Bay fig trees. Visiting Adelaide Botanic Garden is a must do as it is a significant highlight that makes this elegant city touristy.
Located in the thick of all the action in Adelaide; the Art Gallery is where you should go to be impressed by a world-class collection of art. The gallery is housed within a building with Victorian architecture which perfectly blends in with the artworks displayed in the gallery. There are exhibits of all mediums that include textiles, metalwork, paintings and photographs. Among the Australian assemblage, there are exhibits pertaining to the colonial era and artworks done by indigenous people in Australia.
Located closely to iStay Precinct and adjacent to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens is the Adelaide Zoo. The Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Australia. With over 1,800 forms of fauna and 300 forms of flora, Adelaide Zoo charms young and old alike. Various types of bird life, orangutans and two giant pandas populate the zoo. There's a petting zoo as well where you can pet, cuddle and feed animals.
The Central Market at Adelaide is a favourite place among locals and tourists – which is located in the midst of holiday apartments in Adelaide. You can buy anything from vegetables to fruits to cheese and flowers, or you can grab a bite at nearby cafes and restaurants if you feel like it.
The largest public research library in Southern Australia, the state library has a collection of general reference material and South Australian Information. If this is your first-time visit to the library – you will marvel at the perfect collocation of old and new. You can recognise the contemporary wing as it stands out with its glass front. Mortlock Wing, on the other hand, has a setting of an old library with massive bookshelves with loads of leather-bound books stacked in and ladders to reach up.
Just an hour's drive from the airport is the Barossa Valley – one of the oldest grape growing regions in Australia. The place is packed with restaurants and fresh produce which you will find extremely delightful if you are a foodie. In addition to the gastronomic allure of the site, the valley is a treasure trove of cultural highlights such as craft stores, cookery schools, heritage trails, galleries and museums. A few paces away is Clare Valley which also features grape growing fields and gastronomic delights.
A fine specimen of Regency architecture, Ayer historical House Museum was owned by Henry Ayers during 1855 and 1878. The 40-room mansion is now an architectural highlight belonging to the National Trust of South Australia. The house is frequently used as an event venue – but visitors are allowed guided tours of the house as well.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
