Feature image by Adam Bruzzone, SATC
Cementing itself as one of the coolest cities in Australia, and a fresh alternative to the bustle of its counterparts, Adelaide is increasingly on people’s lips as the place to visit.
Boasting some mind-blowing dining hotspots, an unbeatable wine region, and a legion of sexy small bars, it’s the city to put at the top of your list.
As border restrictions ease, it’s time to highlight South Australia’s premier tourist attractions. Whether you’re flying in or on the great open road, why not have some fun on the way?
Adelaide
Here, award-winning restaurants rub friendly shoulders with budget bites, and scattered across the city and state are a slew of talented teams, serving some of the best cuisines you can get in the country.
When you arrive, go up, up high. Specifically, to the eighth floor on number 2 King William street, where you will find 2KW. This rooftop bar really shook up Adelaide’s scene when it opened. It’s best for lazy afternoon nibbles and cocktails that turns into long nights.
Head to Adelaide’s East End for one of the restaurant on everyone’s lips. Africola is a spectacular example of Adelaide’s elevated dining, and with Duncan Welgemoed’s eccentricities at the heart, it’s truly an experience you’ll remember.
In 2016, Osteria Oggi was named as one of the top ten place to dine in the world by CNN. Oggi is an establishment that celebrates Italian cuisine and culture, with emphasis on everyone’s one true love: pasta.
Modernity is the word, with Orso and Part Time Lover, the former delivers modern European bistro dining, expect fresh, tasty, aesthetically pleasing food, the latter is one of Adelaide’s hottest new restaurants. The menu is split three-ways, vegetarian, fish, and meat. Everything on it is spectacular, and the beautiful venue will be a feast for your eyes too.
The expanded hit list includes:
- Stem: Huge Wine Bar and Restaurant. Stem Is A CBD Must-Visit
- Five Regions at the new Adelaide Oval Hotel: Experience a new take on seasonal dining – all while overlooking the hallowed turf of Adelaide Oval.
- Soi 38: A showcase of dishes from Thailand’s regions, history and ethnic minority groups.
- East End Cellars Tasting Room: The perfect place to prop yourself on a window seat and enjoy a cosy drink with friends while watching the beautiful East Enders pass by.
- Oceanique: Spectacular panoramic coastal views, Oceanique boasts some of the best vistas in Adelaide.
- Star of Greece: All about the good stuff here. Good food, really good views and great wine.
- Anchovy Bandit: Adelaide Pizzeria in Prospect serving Neapolitan Pizza, Cocktails and Tap Beer.
- BRKLYN: BRKLYN is New York inspired Gin and Cocktail bar on Rundle Street.
- Cry Baby: Providers of good times, loud music, wicked beer and a jukebox filled with rock & roll mayhem from the 60s through to the 80s.
- Baddog Bar: Hole in the wall bar. “If the light’s on, we’re home.”

Regions
South Australians are obsessed with their wine (and dare we say, rightly so). Surrounding the city are regions upon regions boasting some of the world’s best wineries. The do justice to the amazing spots, we’ve had to delve into our faves, region by region.
Adelaide Hills
Head to the uber Instagrammable Bird in Hand Winery for their delicious drop, perfect service, and that photo you’ve been looking for. The Lane is a bit bigger than a mere lane (let’s just say, it’s huge) and offers some of the best winery views you can ask for. Drink their delicious wine (if you’re inclined to an oaky drop, The Lane is your go-to), and feast on the views.
You’ll also find Lot.100 in the Adelaide Hills, a hub of gin, wine, food, with stellar views and live music. Sidewood Estate, Howard Vineyard, and Longview Winery are all stellar stops in the Hills.

The expanded hit list includes:
- Udder delights cheese cellar door: From Blue Cheese to Brie, Chevre to Camembert, Udder Delights is passionate about making, sharing and eating cheese.
- Hahndorf: Hahndorf is located in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, and is classified as Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement.
- Ambleside Distillers: Tasting Bar oozes character, with a nine metre long reclaimed red brick wall, polished concrete floors and a large timber deck overlooking our picturesque Adelaide Hills.
- Golding Wines: Golding Wines philosophy is simple; great wines taste even better when shared in beautiful surrounds.
- Mount Lofty Botanic Garden: Whether you’re out for a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous trek, there’s always something new to discover at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.
Barossa
Two worldwide masters are homed in the Barossa, and we’re talking about Penfolds and Seppeltsfield. Visit their stunning cellar doors in the Barossa and get a taste of wine history. If you’d like a more intimate experience, head to Hart of the Barossa’s boutique winery and check out their charming tasting shed.
While you’re in the valley, check out Henschke, First Drop Wines, go golfing at Thorn-Clarke Wines, and just taste the delightful drop of Schild Estate, one of Barossa’s oldest wineries.

McLaren Vale
Amongst the rolling vineyards in McLaren Vale sits a cube. You read that right, the d’Arenberg Cube is an architectural feat and a must visit for tourists. It also helps that their range of wines are absolutely delicious. Another excellent experience awaits you in Mitolo, their cellar door is sleek and sexy, and their Osteria offers simple and sensational fare.
McLaren Vale promises and delivers a range of standout hotspots for wine lovers. Check out Coriole’s gorgeous gardens and their gorgeous wines, Down the Rabbit Hole and Hugh Hamilton Wines’ boast stunning cellar doors, and newly opened hub of gin, wine, and pinsas, Chalk Hill Collective is a must visit.

Clare Valley
Slightly farther out from the CBD, the drive to Clare is absolutely worth it. Picturesque surroundings, a historic township and Shut the Gate Wines; this winery’s garden is a beauty and so is their wine. While you’re there, head to Taylors Wines for another historical winery.
While you’re there, the Riesling Trail is an absolute must. Travelling through the picturesque Clare Valley has never been more enjoyable than by walking, mountain and touring biking, as well as wheelchairs and pushers.

Riverland
With the beautiful sights and sounds the Murray River offers, they are not the only thing to see in the South Australian Riverland.
Taking your time on the drive to NSW? Maybe a Moonlit tour of the Murray is just for you. As the sunset glows and fades, glide through Wetland creeks under the sensational moonlight. No experience required and all equipment provided.
One of the Riverland hidden treasures is the Riverglen View Art Studio and Gallery With river views that are as stunning as the artworks, a visit to this unique and private gallery is a must while in South Australia’s Riverland region.
The historic Twenty Third Street Distillery, built in 1914, has been resurrected with twenty-first century technology. Constantly hunting for new flavour territories, the distillery uses old-school craftsmanship to bring you sensory pleasures.

Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is bouncing back after suffering from horrific bushfires at the start of the year. The region remains one of the biggest tourism draw cards.
When you visit, stop by Kangaroo Island Spirits. It is South Australia’s first boutique distillery and was established in 2006. With gin being the main attraction, the distillery produces a variety of liqueurs and vodkas
For an unforgettable wildlife adventure, make a stop at the sensational Seal Bay Learn about the amazing lives of the endangered animals as experienced guides take you on a tour into the colony.
Established in 1997, Dudley Wines is one of Kangaroo Island’s Pioneer Wineries. Relax for the afternoon on the deck with fantastic coastal views while enjoying Dudley’s locally grown and produced award-winning wines, and a tasting platter.

Experience the best
Needing more ideas? Here are some great attractions South Australia has to offer.
- Innes National Park: Innes National Park is a favourite for camping, fishing and surfing. Bushwalking is a great way to discover the park, with trails ranging from 30-minute strolls to four-hour treks.
- Eyre Peninsula Seafood Frontier: Take a seat perched by the seaside and wine and dine in the heart of Australia’s seafood frontier.
- Silo art tour: Sitting on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula is a living gallery awash with a kaleidoscope of street art.
- Flinders Ranges: Forming some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in the country.
- Adelaide Zoo: One of Adelaide’s most iconic attractions, is home to more than 2,500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish exhibited over eight hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings. Head down to our city-side zoo, which houses Wang Wang and Funi, the only Giant Pandas you’ll see in Australia.
- Monarto Zoo: The largest safari experience to exist outside of Africa.
- Wine Train: Steaming towards some of South Australia’s best wineries, for an experience unlike any other.
- Burkirk glamping: Experience sleeping under the stars without giving up electricity or a comfy bed?
- Adelaide Central Market: Great for fresh produce, plus a stack of little cafes and food outlets, and access to China Town’s food courts if you want something delicious while you’re out and about.
- Rundle Mall: A great outdoor mall, perfect for shopping, exploring the laneways that have some hidden gems.
- North Terrace: The Museum, Art Gallery, universities, the Botanic Garden and Tiffany & Co are all found here, so it’s a great place to take a walk and see the sights. The amazing Botanic Gardens Restaurant is also hidden in the Botanic Garden, so do yourself a favour and treat yourself.
- Chinatown: A melting pot of culture and exotic flavours, you can find every flavour in Chinatown, from walk-in budget eats, bubble tea galore, sharing a Yum Cha feast with the family, fine dining on the weekend, or a date night eating spicy lobsters.
- Peel & Leigh St: A bar hopping hub that’s a food, wine and cocktail lover’s dream (on the move that is). You’ll want to try out every single bar on these streets. From underground bar Maybe Mae, or sexy new bar Paloma, to the rooftop at La Rambla and then to Latino haven Casablabla.
- Adelaide Riverbank Precinct: You’ve got the Adelaide Casino and its brilliant restaurants – Sean’s Kitchen and Madame Hanoi, the Adelaide Festival Centre and the Torrens footbridge that takes you across to Adelaide Oval, and North Adelaide. It’s a great place to start, and then wander along the river for some scenic time out.
- Ebenezer Place: Brilliant little boutique stores by Adelaide craftspeople, niche cafes, great coffee, plus two of our favourite wine locations – East End Cellars (bottle shop, wine bar, and sister restaurant, The Tasting Room) and Mothervine.
Got kids?
- Tree Climb: If your little ones aren’t afraid of heights then why not climb through the treetops at Adelaide’s first inner-city aerial park?
- Latitude: Let the kids bounce, climb and fly at this super fun giant playground with giant trampolines, climbing walls, parkour courses and more.
- The Beach House: There’s something for everyone at Glenelg’s Beachouse, with mini golf, arcade games, waterslides, dodgem cars, bumper boats and playgroup on offer.
- MegaAdventure: They also have Australia’s largest Aerial Ropes Course and a 20m free fall simulator if you are looking for something for the whole family.
- Bounce: It’s a massive indoor adventure park that provides an adrenaline rush for all ages.
- Funtopia: Aptly named Funtopia, Prospect now houses South Australia’s largest indoor playground.
- AFL Max: With indoor rock-climbing walls, massive trampolines, virtual reality, an indoor AFL field, cafe, kids parties, climbing tower & soft play area for little ones, a bump course, giant slide and more, AFL Max is about to blow your mind.
- Woodhouse Activity Centre: What’s a tube slide? Think of it as a water-less water slide or a snow-free ski run where you slide down synthetic slopes in big rubber rings that turn, accelerate, go up in bends and stop on their own. You can find them at the Woodhouse Activity Centre.
- Paddleboats on the Torrens and jump on the Popeye.
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