AU
Adelaide
A relaxed, green city of festivals and food, close to the Barossa Valley and other wine regions
A relaxed, green city of festivals and food, close to the Barossa Valley and other wine regions
Trading since 1869, the market has around 70 stalls selling fresh produce, cheese, bread and international food. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Founded in 1855 on the edge of the city centre, the garden has a Victorian glasshouse, the Bicentennial Conservatory and a rose garden. Entry is free.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
On North Terrace, alongside the South Australian Museum and the State Library, the gallery has a large collection of Australian and Aboriginal art. General entry is free.
Photo: No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0
A tram runs from the city centre to this seaside suburb in about 30 minutes, ending by the beach and jetty.
Photo: eyeintim, CC BY 2.0
About an hour north-east of the city, the Barossa is one of Australia’s best-known wine regions, settled partly by German immigrants in the 19th century. It is known for Shiraz.
Join a tour or choose a designated driver.
Photo: Olivier Lemoine, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try local wines, seafood such as King George whiting and Coffin Bay oysters, and the city’s own ‘pie floater’ (a meat pie in pea soup).
Gouger Street, Rundle Street and Leigh Street have many restaurants.
Adelaide Airport (ADL) is about 15–20 minutes from the city by bus or taxi. The Overland and the Ghan railways link Adelaide with Melbourne and Darwin.
Trams are free within the city centre; Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams use the metroCARD. Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or travel authority. Most European passport holders can apply online for a free eVisitor; citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and some other countries can use the ETA, applied for through the official AustralianETA app (A$20 service charge). Both allow stays of up to three months per visit. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, so declare any food, plant or animal products on arrival. Check current rules before you travel.
Australia uses the Australian dollar (A$). It is an expensive country for accommodation and eating out, though free beaches, parks, museums and walks help keep costs down. Tipping is not expected. Adelaide is generally cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne.
Accommodation fills up during the Fringe in February and March.
City, beach and wine.
Visit the Central Market, the museums on North Terrace and the Botanic Garden.
Take the tram to Glenelg for the beach and the jetty, and stay for sunset.
Take a day trip to the Barossa Valley or the Adelaide Hills, including the German-founded village of Hahndorf.
🛂 Entry rules: every visitor needs a visa or ETA
Everyone except New Zealand citizens needs a visa or electronic authority before travelling to Australia. Passport holders from the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Singapore and several other countries can use an ETA (subclass 601): apply in the official Australian ETA app, which charges an AUD 20 service fee. It allows stays of up to three months at a time for 12 months.
EU and some other European passport holders can instead get a free eVisitor (subclass 651) online. Other nationalities need a Visitor visa.
Official information: Australian Department of Home Affairs: ETA · Reviewed September 2026
The Adelaide Fringe (February–March) is one of the largest arts festivals in the world.
Many cellar doors charge a tasting fee, often refundable if you buy.
Summer heatwaves can be intense.
City-centre trams are free.
Quick answers for planning time in Adelaide.
About an hour by car.
Yes, within the city centre.
Usually from mid-February to mid-March.
By tram from the city centre, which takes about 30 minutes.
February to April and September to November, when the weather is warm and settled.
Offline maps are useful outside the cities, where mobile coverage can drop out.
Free
Australians mostly use SMS and iMessage, but many tour operators also use WhatsApp.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Australia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.