Embracing a blossoming cosmopolitan energy and incredible diversity, far removed from its conservative roots, Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is a dynamic city full of vitality waiting to be discovered and explored; stunning city beaches, an engaging calendar of festivals, renowned restaurants and home to world-renowned vineyards, Adelaide promises interesting sightseeing adventures and activities, with luxurious stays for Club Owners at our Club Escapes Oaks Plaza Pier with its spacious apartments overlooking the ocean; the perfect seaside getaway.

Adelaide: Australia’s Beachfront City

While the colonial heritage of Adelaide’s architecture gives the bustling city an air of elegant sophistication, there is an invitingly enticing laid-back vibe here. The beaches, fringing the city offer unparalleled relaxation on soft sands. Glenelg, a charming seaside city with cafes and restaurants is perfect for al fresco dining. This original mainland settlement site is renowned for its sunset views, white sand beaches and pristine waters. Here, right by the Oaks Plaza Pier, you can spot wild dolphins and even swim with them.

Further up the coast is the quaint, historic Henley Beach, with its long jetty, white sands and gentle waters; an ideal family beach destination in the suburbs of Adelaide, with cafes, fine dining restaurants and entertainment. Travelling north a little is Semaphore Beach, with its olde worlde feel, where Club Owners can feel miles from the city with low dunes and a long expanse of greenery set against wide, white sands and shallow waters. The vintage carousel, jetty and steam train add the finishing touches to this family-friendly beach.

Down the coastline from Adelaide, and rich in Aboriginal history, is the Fleurieu Peninsula, a stunning wine region promising a mild climate and beautiful beaches such as Victor Harbor with its resident penguins. Across from here are the celebrated beaches of Kangaroo Island too.

Adelaide’s attractions

Wine Country

Adelaide is Australia’s wine capital; a landscape of wonderful vineyards and cellar doors to explore. Wine appreciation never tasted so good as you discover celebrated wineries such as Penfolds in the Adelaide Plains and visit the National Wine Centre of Australia. Leading cellars are found in the Adelaide Hills, making Adelaide a perfect spot for a wine tour. Further afield, Club Owners can enjoy winetasting at Barossa, Clare Valley which is famous for its Riesling, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra on the Limestone Coast.

Adelaide Zoo

An easy-to-get-around city zoo, what really makes Adelaide Zoo stand out, aside from being home to indigenous wildlife, are Wang Wang and Funi, mascots for the Olympic Games in Beijing and the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere. Find out more about Adelaide Zoo.

Dolphin Trail

Port Adelaide, just 10 km north-west of Adelaide was Australia’s trade hub and the disembarkation point for new settlers. Australia’s first designated State Heritage Area, the Port River is home to bottlenose dolphins and a dolphin sanctuary. Nowhere in the world can dolphins be spotted this close to the city. You can drive along the river or take a river cruise, charter boat or tall ship cruise. Find out more about the Dolphin Trail.

Adelaide Festival and Fringe

Each year, toward the end of March and into the beginning of April, is Adelaide’s cultural piece de resistance,  the Adelaide Festival; an impressively inspiring lineup of internationally acclaimed performers, musicians and artists displaying a striking visual array of talent. During February to March, Adelaide hosts its annual open-access Fringe Festival too; a four-week, open access event attracting emerging local talent as well as aspiring and established artistes from across the globe. Find out more about the Adelaide Festival and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Central Market

Buzzing with colour and atmosphere, Adelaide’s Central Market is a veritable feast of fresh produce, fine cheeses and specialty foods, with cafes and even a bookshop. Open Tuesday – Saturday, with a late night opening on Fridays until 9 pm, stop by the market’s renowned Big Table, for a coffee and breakfast or enjoy delicacies at Asian Gourmet; browse Adelaide’s trendy culture of international and health food flavours. Visit Adelaide’s Central Market site to find out more.

Dining in Adelaide

Aside from Adelaide’s many beachfront cafés and restaurants, the main city centre area has over 100 restaurants, with Gouger Street being a popular dining area in the heart of the city. Renowned for its Asian cuisine, this is the street to visit for an extravagant Chinese dinner or to indulge in Adelaide’s more renowned fine dining eateries.

Relative newcomers in the city include peel street with its ethos of simple, seasonal foods that are perfectly executed; serving up dishes in a casual, hip industrial style setting with exposed beams and brick walls. The Daniel O’Connell is an historic pub with an emphasis on ‘paddock to plate’ dining and a menu of fresh, sustainable and abundant produce inspired dishes.

Where to stay

Just a 25 minute tram ride from the centre of Adelaide, Glenelg is home to Oaks Plaza Pier, one of our City Escapes; an ideal location for Club Owners. Oaks Plaza Pier is right on the beachfront, with stylish, modern apartment style stays, from studio to 3-bedroom, along with wide balconies overlooking the beach or the park.

Adelaide is an exciting, relaxing and refreshingly vibrant Australian beachfront city promising Club Owners an interesting South Australia holiday.

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