ADELAIDE

ADELAIDE
Once known only for its inordinate number of churches, Adelaide has emerged as a city with far more to offer than an uplifting Sunday sermon. The first completely planned city in Australia, in the first state not to be settled by convict labor, Adelaide Was destined to be different from the other Australian capitals. The one million people who call Adelaide home take pride in the city’s big leafy trees, historic buildings, and flourishing arts scene, and enjoy a big-city lifestyle that belies the lower cost of living. The long list of cultural attractions, headed by the Adelaide Festival of Arts, includes a fine symphony and chamber orchestra, numerous small, experimental theaters, and world-class galleries and museums. With more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia, Adelaide can satisfy any palate at any budget, and then wash it all down with some of the country’s best wines. For those who prefer a more raucous pace, the nightclubs along Hindly St, the pubs in the city center, and the cafes on Rundle St fit the hedonistic bill.
In the summer months, Adelaide’s coastline becomes a temple of sun worship, with devotion to the deity reflected in the nut-brown skin of its followers. The beachfront suburb of Glenelg is a favorite late night haunt, since many of its pubs, clubs, and restaurants face the ocean. Home to the first colonists of South Australia, Glenelg is now one of Adelaide’s most popular residences for families, fishermen, yuppies, and at least a gazillion seagulls. Be warned, however, that this is very much an urban hangout, and it can be difficult to find your own patch of golden sand. If sand and surf are not your first choice in outdoor activity, the gardens, playgrounds, and jogging trails in Adelaide’s 668 hectares of parkland provide plenty of room to romp. Some of the most visually stunning hikes in the country can be found in the Adelaide Hills, a short drive from die city center. For information on festivals and events, pick up a copy of the Calendar of Events for South Australia at the SA Travel Centre.