Adelaide Holidays

Adelaide is a great all-rounder. The weather is wonderful, so you can choose coast or countryside for sunny days out. The city itself mixes a fresh, bright atmosphere with fascinating heritage, rich culture and a very original approach to eating, drinking and shopping. 

Must-do museums like the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum are near each other in the city centre. The historic Botanic Gardens are central, too. And, if you want browsing of a different sort, the main shopping district is right in the heart of Adelaide. In the evenings, head to laneways like Peel Street and Anster Street for the city’s brightest bars and restaurants.

If you're a cricket fan, don't miss the opportunity to do the RoofClimb at the Adelaide Oval. Offering unparalleled 360 degree views of Adelaide and beyond, you'll be guided across the rooftop of the Oval’s Western Stand before navigating to the Riverbank platform, perched 50 metres over the hallowed turf. 

Down on the coast, make your way to Semaphore Beach and stroll along the old-style promenade. You can find markets and music at Henley Beach, or take the tram to Glenelg for white sands and heritage seaside architecture. 

Adelaide’s coast stretches for 30 kilometres, and has beaches for every mood. Sands vary from sugary white to golden, and the activities are just as varied. There are safe beaches for swimming, beaches with a retro-seaside vibe, vibrant beach communities and – if you go a little further afield – you’ll even find one of Australia’s top 10 beaches. The ethereal Second Valley Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula really is picture-perfect.

Hop on a tram to Henley Beach to discover the city’s best seafood restaurants. Meanwhile, Grange is the one for gentle seas, peaceful sands and good waterfront cafés. Dramatic cliffs and pretty pines are just a couple of attractions at Christies Beach, while Maslin Beach has famous sunsets. If you want to try snorkelling in the clearest of waters, do as Adelaide locals do all summer and set out for Aldinga Beach near Port Willunga.

In Adelaide there is so much, so close. You have the beaches, 20 mins to the west but 20 mins east of the city lies the lush, green Adelaide Hills. The hills are filled with wineries, eateries, quaint little townships and wildlife parks – plus unrivalled views from the summit of Mount Lofty.

Drive one hour north of the city, and you’ll soon see why Adelaide is known as one of the world’s great wine capitals as you reach the world-famous Barossa Valley. Even if you just have a passing interest, you’ll be fascinated by wineries like Penfolds or Jacob’s Creek. If you’re a wine enthusiast, you can join tours to get in behind the scenes, meet the wine-makers and learn all about the puzzle that is wine making.

Speaking of puzzles, just a 45-minute drive south of Adelaide, lies the incredible d’Arenberg Cube, a 5-storey high Rubik’s cube. Half winery cellar door/half art museum, the has to be seen to be believed and can be found in the beautiful wine region of McLaren Vale. This exciting region sits in the wildlife-rich Fleurieu Peninsula – a natural wonderland also famed for its green rolling hills, leading to white-sand beaches.

Adelaide has the lowest humidity levels of any Australian capital. This means the weather is warm and sunny most of the year, but remains comfortable for exploring the city and sunbathing on the beach. 

The summer seasons runs from December to February, and this is a great time to go to Adelaide. The days are dry and sunny. Temperatures have been known to reach 40°C on occasion, but an average of about 28°C is more common. The ocean is deliciously warm too, so this is very much beach season. 

For cooler temperatures, go to Adelaide during autumn. March to May sees highs of 22°C, plenty of sunshine and glorious autumn colours in Adelaide and the surrounding countryside.

Winter – which runs June to August – is the wettest season, though that seldom means torrential rain. Temperatures can drop below 10°C and it’s not unusual to see frost in the Adelaide Hills. Once winter’s over, Adelaide warms up fast. Spring evenings can be cool early on, but from September the thermometer climbs steadily and daytime highs of 22°C are the norm.