Adelaide’s vast Central Market is the place to begin your exploration of the city’s evolving food landscape. It’s one of the largest indoor fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 70 traders under one roof, and attracts around 9 million visitors every year. Enjoy food here the Australian way: casually. Aside from the traditional fresh produce market, it is also home to some of Adelaide’s most popular eateries, cafes, distilleries, and of course, wine stalls. Sample locally grown and sourced food as you navigate the avenues and pathways in this historic Adelaide landmark.

Located in Adelaide’s West End, Peel Street and Leigh Street are at the front and centre of the city’s thriving cosmopolitan scene, boasting some of best bars, restaurants and cafes around. Known for its electric atmosphere after dark, diners and drinkers flock to these streets for their award-winning food and fine cocktails. The district is no less trendy during the day, thanks to the students and suits who enjoy the area too, and it’s no wonder given the quality of coffee shops and brunch spots that can be found here.

The wonderful thing about building a planned city is that everything is considered. In Adelaide’s case, this can be seen in the convenient placement of parks surrounding the city centre, known as the Adelaide Park Lands. This vast green space – the largest inner urban park system in Australia – provides the perfect escape for those wishing to find respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is no shortage of things to do in Adelaide’s 29 parks that make up this area, which feature botanic parks, sporting facilities, lakes and many trails and walkways.

Few Australian cities boast modern architecture as impressive as Adelaide. In fact, mid-century architecture and design enthusiast Stuart Symons has not only written a book on the city’s celebrated architecture, but also offers tours of the great twentieth-century buildings in Adelaide. That doesn’t happen in every city in Australia. These post-war pops of modernism are some of the top attractions in Adelaide, such as the SAHMRI 2 Building, d’Arenberg Cube and Adelaide Convention Centre.

Adelaide is home to an eclectic range of art galleries and enriching museums. The South Australian Museum is a five-floor natural history museum with endless pieces of history to marvel at, located in the Adelaide Parklands. The Art Gallery of South Australia is another top Adelaide attraction, housing an incredible, ever-growing collection of almost 46,000 works of art, and the national wine centre, nestled in the heart of the city’s Botanic Gardens is another must-visit. This centre showcases the best of Australia’s wine industry and offers visitors the chance to experience the winemaking process from vine to bottle – including tasting, of course.

Adelaide is surrounded by majestic mountains and lush forests, perfect for hiking, biking and adventuring. The majestic peak of the Mount Lofty Ranges offers explorers spectacular panoramic views of Adelaide’s skyline against the azure blue coastline, while the beautiful bushland of Belair National Park is a great place to get active – with walking and mountain biking trails aplenty. Another great option is Morialta Conservation Park, just 10km east of Adelaide, which boasts thundering waterfalls, charming creeks, and vibrant wildflowers in spring.

Just a short 20-minute drive from the city lies Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, home to around 30 resident bottlenose dolphins and another 400 or so transient dolphins that visit at various times to feed, play and nurse their calves. The Sanctuary is part of South Australia’s largest port and is home to a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest, making it the perfect habitat for other marine wildlife, too – such as sting rays, long nosed fur seals and endangered Australian sea lions. Another great place to visit in Adelaide is Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the last remaining platypus on mainland South Australia. This fenced off sanctuary offers a glimpse of what Australia would look like if no international animals had been introduced to the country.

Known as the wine capital of Australia, Adelaide is surrounded by some of the best wine regions in the country. Less than an hour away from Adelaide is Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s finest wine regions. The Mediterranean climate of this region allows for a diverse wine portfolio, however, it is the powerful red wines that the region is known for, namely Shiraz. With over 150 wineries, there’s no shortage of tastings to indulge in. Or if you’d like to sample more from the region, there are Barossa Valley tours you can enjoy.

When it comes to Adelaide’s beaches, travellers are spoilt for choice. Close to the city centre there’s Glenelg, a popular spot amongst locals known for its wide beach, scenic sunsets and lively food scene. For those who enjoy snorkelling and diving, Port Noarlunga is also just a short drive from the city and is one of the most iconic diving destinations in the state thanks to its enclosed reef. A little further afield, the Fleurieu Peninsula boasts some of the most spectacular coastal experiences in South Australia. With its white sand beaches, renowned wetlands, charming coastal towns and rolling vineyards, there’s no shortage of things to enjoy in this spectacular region.

With its rugged coastline, crystal clear waters and breathtaking wildlife, Kangaroo Island is the perfect island getaway for your Adelaide holiday. It’s just a short 30-minute flight from Adelaide Airport or a 45-minute ferry from the Fleurieu Peninsula. As you step onto the island, you’re immersed in the laid-back island lifestyle. The Remarkable Rocks were severely damaged in the bushfires of summer 2019/20, but the island still offers a wealth of things to enjoy, from lesser travelled walking trails and conservation parks to Seal Bay and white sand beaches.