6 Reasons to Visit Adelaide

South Australia has been Australia’s best kept secret, until now! Having just been voted the third most liveable city in the world* and the top city in Australia, now is the time to book a holiday to Adelaide. Maybe you’re looking for the best places to visit in Australia, the best city in Australia or the biggest cities in Australia. Maybe some of the best Australian sightseeing tours you’ve come across have been in Melbourne or Sydney, and nothing seems to be grabbing you about Adelaide. If that’s you, read on!

Chances are you haven’t considered Adelaide as a holiday destination because you think it’s not worth your while or too far out of the way. Read these top 6 reasons to visit Adelaide and you might just rethink your itinerary. On top of the usual appeal of an Australian holiday – sunshine, friendly people, good food and wine, stunning beaches, koalas and kangaroos, just to name a few – Adelaide holds many pleasant surprises for the traveller.

If you’re after some genuine downtime that’s sparked with just enough nature experiences, stunning beaches, gourmet food and drink, arts and culture, friendly people, and amazing photo opportunities to keep you interested, add South Australia to your itinerary now.

*Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s most liveable cities list for 2021

1. Nature is still natural

Because we don’t get high numbers of international tourists in Adelaide and because Adelaide locals fight hard to protect nature, our parks, reserves and camping grounds can be enjoyed in their natural form, without being bombarded with crowds, advertising or commercialisation. There isn’t a gift shop at every turn or a billboard impinging on that open, blue sky everywhere you go. You can take the time to walk slowly, breathe deeply and be mindful of the beauty of nature in Adelaide.

2. Coffee is great everywhere

So, you love your coffee. Well, it’s hard to come across a bad one in Adelaide. We have every variation at almost every café, so all your dietary preferences can be accommodated. Many cafés and eateries also have vegan and gluten free food options as a standard. What’s more, our cafés are still friendly places where you can strike up a conversation with a few locals and not get stared at or ignored.

3. There’s free parking in the city centre

There aren’t many cities in the world where you can still find free car parks in the CBD on weekday evenings. This makes dining out in Adelaide a breeze and a joy. The best way to get around Adelaide is probably to hire a car, but you may also like to use the free city circle tram that will take you to all the key places in the CBD, for free! It’s also easy to get around on public transport in Adelaide in the sense that every bus, train and tram heads to the CBD, so as long as you’re travelling in the right direction, you’ll find yourself in the CBD in no time. They’re just not very frequent, so hire a car if you’re short on time.

4. Experience your own ‘private’ beach

Adelaide doesn’t get high foot traffic from tourists so if you’re visiting our beaches during the school term (See South Australian term dates), chances are you will be able to enjoy metres and metres of your own ‘private’ sandy beach, with clear, blue skies and calm, clean waters as far as your eye can see. Most likely there will also be great coffee, artisan gelato, a walkable jetty, and good old hot chips within walking distance. If it’s a little too cold and windy, you will easily be able to park your car (for free!) and enjoy an uninterrupted view of the ocean from the comfort of your car. What bliss, and all this is just a short, relaxed drive or short tram ride from the city centre.

5. Discover Ditters Nuts

Back in 1918, German immigrant called Otto Kurt Ditter, a most proper and impeccable man, opened a shop in Adelaide called Ditters, selling fruit and nut snacks and gifts. More than 100 years later, Ditters still sells the most delicious snacks for proper people!

We were the first gourmet food brand in South Australia to create premium quality gift packs and we’re famous for our delicious Ditters Gourmet Cake, a whole fruit and nut cake with no added gluten or dairy.

6. It’s a photographer’s dream

Anyone who’s ever visited Adelaide will tell you that there is something special about the light we get in Adelaide. At certain times of the day, the sun seems to shine horizontally across the city, creating the most amazing glow and depth. Adelaide has four distinct seasons and is a place of many contrasts. The colours, textures, landscapes and people you encounter in the State of South Australia will captivate you. Just have a look at #myadelaide to discover Adelaide via Instagram.

So, start planning your trip to South Australia! Adelaide welcomes tourists with open arms and we’re always ready to offer a smile and chat to anyone. Visit the South Australia website to find out more about Adelaide or read our blog post on Things to Do In Adelaide. Come visit us soon!