From riding through famous vineyards, to hitting Adelaide’s best hotspots, 2021’s Tour Down Under is sure to be a memorable adventure. We’ll ride the small roads as only the locals can, take in the best scenery, enjoy the best restaurants, and relax at the finest coffee shops.
While it is hard to list all the wonderful attractions in Adelaide, here are some of our favourite areas to explore. We hope to have the honour of showing you around next year!
1. Wine Regions
The Adelaide Hills is home to one of Australia’s best cool-climate wine regions, with 100s of wineries just a short drive from the city! We recommend visiting:
- The Adelaide Hills – Home to some of South Australia’s best food, wine and scenery, all within 20 minutes of the city.
- The Barossa Valley – With more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, the Barossa Valley has been one of Australia’s top wine regions for over a century now. Whether you want to dine on gourmet local produce, visit the wineries, or take in the beautiful scenery including rolling hills, vineyards, and stone churches, this is a can’t-miss stop.
- McLaren Vale – Deserves mention for its ultra-premium Grenache and Cabernet and Mediterranean varieties such as Sangiovese, Fiano, Vermentino, and Tempranillo. From high-end restaurants to casual dining, you are sure to find exactly what you are in the mood for.
2. North Terrace
North Terrace, a tree-lined boulevard dotted with cultural and historic treasures, offers several opportunities to appreciate the city’s art and culture. From the Art Gallery of South Australia to the State Library of South Australia and the South Australian Museum, this area features a number of interesting and entertaining attractions.
Visitors to North Terrace can also check out other treasures such as the Parliament House, the University of Adelaide — featuring the Mitchell building, a fine example of Gothic Revival style — the Migration Museum, and Ayer’s Historic House.
3. Adelaide Botanic Garden
Got a green thumb? Make the Adelaide Botanic Garden a priority on your visit. This breathtaking collection of botanical treasures has featured native Australian species, medicinal plants, a wetland, and educational themed planting since 1855.
Garden favorites include the Bicentennial Conservatory featuring lowland rainforest plants, a collection of the oldest Moreton Bay fig trees in Australia, the palm house (pictured below), and permanent collections that showcase the important role played by plants in everyday life.
Palm House at Adelaide Botanic Garden
4. Art Gallery of South Australia
Adelaide’s Art Gallery of South Australia features an expansive collection of mediums ranging from photographs to ceramics, furniture, jewellery, textiles, paintings, metalwork, sculpture, and more.
5. Adelaide Oval Tour
Located in the center of Adelaide’s Riverbank Precinct, the 90 minute tours of this iconic venue take you behind the scenes to showcase the stadium’s top features and fascinating history.
Established in 1871, the Adelaide Oval stadium has hosted more than 16 sports including tennis, lacrosse, cycling, and more.
Adelaide Oval near the River Torrens
6. South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum, famous for its Aboriginal heritage collections, is a perfect (free) stop if you want to learn about local fauna and flora, view artifacts from the South Pacific Islands, and explore the various exhibits including fossils, skeletons, and natural history.
7. State Library of South Australia
The State Library of South Australia seamlessly combines modern facilities and contemporary surroundings with the original section of the library.
Entering the original library, built in 1884, is the closest you can get to taking a step back in time. Natural light floods through the glass come in the roof to reveal leather-bound books, multi-tiered galleries, and wrought-iron balustrades.
8. Adelaide Central Market
Just a short way west of Victoria Square, the Adelaide Central Market is shopping hot-spot and one of the world’s oldest indoor markets. Established in 1870, these markets boast fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, flowers, baked goods, and a wide variety of mouthwatering treats.
9. Adelaide Zoo
Featuring a fun yet educational focus on a lovely cast of feathered and furry animals such as wallabies, kangaroos, and orangutans, the Adelaide Zoo is a beloved destination of kids and adults alike. While all the animals are special, the giant pandas are especially popular:
A giant panda at Adelaide Zoo
10. Cleland Wildlife Park
Just a short drive from the city, you can wander among wallabies, kangaroos, emus, and potoroos at the Cleland Wildlife Park. Whether you want to feed the cute creatures, learn about the animals and their habitats, or capture stunning photographs, this stop is sure to be memorable. You can even cuddle a koala for an extra fee!
11. Adelaide Festival Centre
Just a few minutes away from North Terrace sits the Adelaide Festival Centre, an exciting, multi-functional arts venue beloved by locals and tourists alike.
Home to various small theatres, a light-filled gallery, an amphitheater, a 2000-seat festival theatre, and a banquet room, the centre hosts lectures, exhibitions, readings, ballet, opera, and much more.
12. Ayers Historic House Museum
The Ayers House is a popular event venue, as well as being open to visitors for guided tours of the home. Displayed within the home you’ll find a stunning collection of furniture, artwork, silver, and changing exhibitions.
13. Migration Museum
The Migration Museum details three centuries of South Australia’s immigration history. Visitors can learn about the diverse culture and rich history of Australia through the museum’s interactive displays and exhibits, all within a beautifully restored building.
14. Kangaroo Island
As one of the world’s best nature-based destinations, Kangaroo Island is often at the top of the list when it comes to must-see attractions for tourists. With spectacular scenery in every season, Kangaroo Island is the perfect way to enjoy nature and visit with wildlife without going far off the beaten path.
It also produces some of Australia’s finest foods and beverages, including olives, eggs, wines, seafood, and honey.
Kangaroo Island at Sunset
Ready to Explore Adelaide?
Have you visited Adelaide? Let us know if you have any must-see attractions we didn’t feature.
If you’d like to join us to ride through Adelaide’s most well-known regions, be sure to contact us for information on the upcoming 2021 Santos Tour Down Under!
