Adelaide wears its charms lightly. Founded in 1836 and thoughtfully planned around parklands, South Australia’s capital is a city of gracious boulevards, iron-lace verandas, and a thriving arts scene. It’s also Australia’s wine gateway: the Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills sit within an hour, serving up cellar doors and country hospitality.

Fun fact: Adelaide hosts one of the world’s largest arts festivals — the Adelaide Fringe — every Feb–Mar, when the city is ablaze with cabaret, comedy, and pop-up venues. Beyond festivals, locals live outdoors: beach sunsets at Glenelg, riverside walks along the Torrens, and weekend forays into the Hills for farm-gate treats and koala spotting.

Practical notes: Summers (Dec–Feb) can be hot; pack sun protection and refillable water bottles. Bushfire awareness is essential on extreme heat/wind days in regional areas. Food lovers should plot a course through Adelaide Central Market, then book ahead for popular spots like Africola and Restaurant Botanic. For flights to Adelaide (ADL), compare options on Kiwi.com and Trip.com.

Adelaide

Adelaide blends wine-country sophistication with an under-the-radar creative energy. By day, explore museums along North Terrace and the 19th-century arcades off Rundle Mall; by night, follow locals into the small-bar laneways of Peel and Leigh Streets for cocktails and shared plates.

Top highlights include the Art Gallery of South Australia’s astonishing works, a behind-the-scenes Adelaide Oval tour, and easy beach escapes to Glenelg, Henley, and Semaphore. When you’re ready to roam, the Barossa and McLaren Vale are close enough for indulgent day trips.

Getting here: Adelaide (ADL) is a 1h20 flight from Melbourne, ~2h from Sydney, ~3h30 from Perth, and ~7h–8h from Singapore (typical one-way fares from about $65–$240 USD domestic and $350–$750 USD international, depending on season). Compare and book via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Where to stay (book early for weekends/festivals):

• The Mayfair Hotel (boutique glamour, rooftop bar): Check Mayfair rates
• Oaks Adelaide Horizons Suites (spacious apartment-style on North Terrace): Check Oaks Horizons rates
• Adelaide Central YHA (excellent-value private rooms and dorms near the Market): Check YHA rates
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com or whole homes on VRBO.

Day 1: Arrival, Rundle Mall arcades, small-bar laneways

Morning: Fly into Adelaide. If you arrive early, stretch your legs in the parklands encircling the CBD, then grab a flat white at Exchange Specialty Coffee (bright, minimalist) or My Kingdom for a Horse (all-day brunch, in-house roastery).

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Rundle Mall’s heritage arcades — duck into Adelaide Arcade to admire the tiled floors and boutique stores. Continue to North Terrace for a first look at the State Library’s Mortlock Wing, a Victorian bibliophile’s dream.

Evening: Dinner at Africola (fiery North African accents — peri-peri chook, wood-fired cabbage) or Peel Street Restaurant (market-driven Mediterranean plates). Finish with cocktails on Peel/Leigh Streets: Maybe Mae (hidden, art-deco speakeasy) or Clever Little Tailor (intimate whisky haven).

Day 2: Central Market flavors and Port River dolphins

Morning: Start at Adelaide Central Market (since 1869). Breakfast at Lucia’s (espresso, bruschetta, house-made pasta later in the day), The Big Table (hearty eggs and toasted sandwiches), or Jamface-style bakes at nearby vendors. Pick up local cheeses and Barossa smallgoods for snacks.

Afternoon: Ride the train from Adelaide Railway Station to Port Adelaide (~25–30 minutes) for a wildlife-tinged cruise among mangroves and maritime history.

Featured experience: 90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise

Glide through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, watch for resident bottlenose dolphins, and pass photogenic shipwrecks. Before or after, grab lunch and a fresh pour at Pirate Life Brewing’s Port Adelaide taproom or tuck into hearty plates at Folklore Café on the water.

Evening: Tram to Glenelg for a sunset stroll on the jetty and casual beachside dinner — think grilled seafood at Seafire on the Marina or pub classics at The Moseley. Back in the city, Shōbōsho beckons with yakitori and smoke-kissed Japanese plates.

Day 3: Kangaroo Island showstopper (full-day)

Full day: Early hotel pick-up for one of Australia’s great wildlife days. Expect a 1.5–2-hour coach down the Fleurieu to Cape Jervis and a ~45-minute ferry to Kangaroo Island (some departures use a short flight instead; check your confirmation). On-island highlights typically include Seal Bay Conservation Park (guided boardwalk with Australian sea lions), Vivonne Bay’s turquoise water, and Flinders Chase National Park — Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch are natural sculptures.

Featured experience: Kangaroo Island in a Day Tour from Adelaide

Lunch is typically included; keep your camera ready for kangaroos, koalas, and coastal vistas. Return late evening to Adelaide.

Evening (late): If you’re peckish on return, Gouger Street has late-night eats: dumplings at Mandoo (earlier) or burgers at Bread & Bone.

Day 4: Barossa Valley wine day (full-day)

Full day: Swap city streets for a tapestry of vineyards in the Barossa, Australia’s historic heart of shiraz. A curated small-group tour means tastings at a handful of top cellar doors, a scenic lookout (often Mengler’s Hill), and a generous lunch featuring regional produce.

Featured experience: Barossa Premium Wine Tasting Tour & lunch Departs 7 days a week

Typical stops might include family-run gems and icons like Château Tanunda or Peter Lehmann; drivers share the region’s stories from German settlers to today’s innovative winemakers.

Evening: Back in Adelaide, celebrate with handmade pasta and a negroni at Fugazzi Bar & Dining, or book a table at Osteria Oggi (house-made pasta, Sardinian-style gnochetti, vaulted interiors).

Day 5: Adelaide Hills panoramas and Hahndorf heritage

Morning–Afternoon: Cool-climate vines, winding lanes, and village charm await just 30 minutes from the CBD. Take a guided half-day that pairs city vistas from Mount Lofty Summit with time in Hahndorf — Australia’s oldest surviving German village — for strudels, sausages, and boutique shopping.

Featured experience: Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Half-Day Tour from Adelaide

Snack on cheeses at Udder Delights, sample local chocolates, and, in season, consider strawberry picking at nearby Beerenberg Farm. Return mid-to-late afternoon.

Evening: Go all-in on fire and flavor at Arkhé in Norwood (wood-fired seafood and dry-aged meats), or reserve Restaurant Botanic for a once-in-Adelaide degustation set amid the Botanic Garden — a celebration of native ingredients and sustainable cooking.

Day 6: Art, oval, river, and coastal sunset

Morning: Breakfast at Hey Jupiter (French brasserie breakfasts, excellent croissants) before the Art Gallery of South Australia — linger over Indigenous works and contemporary Australian pieces. Pop into the Museum next door if natural history calls.

Afternoon: Tour Adelaide Oval (history, player rooms, perhaps a peek at Sir Donald Bradman memorabilia) or book the RoofClimb for skyline views. Then stroll the River Torrens promenade for photo ops with the footbridges and festival center.

Evening: Head to Henley Beach for a golden-hour walk on the jetty. Dinner options: Fishbank (CBD; top-tier seafood, raw bar) if you head back to town, or Melt Henley (pizza and share plates) by the sea. Nightcap at 2KW Rooftop with city lights.

Day 7: Gardens, design shopping, and farewell

Morning: Brunch at Bloom in Thebarton (riverbank setting, wood-fired brunch dishes) or return to My Kingdom for a Horse for a last perfect flat white. Wander the Adelaide Botanic Garden — the Bicentennial Conservatory and Amazon Waterlily Pavilion are serene finales.

Afternoon: Pick up thoughtful souvenirs at JamFactory (design objects by South Australian makers) and the Central Market’s specialty stalls. Depart in the afternoon with a final pastry in hand.

Optional add-ons and swaps

• Swap Day 2 afternoon for a mellow city float: the Popeye on the Torrens, then picnic in nearby parklands.
• Beach-hop to Semaphore for a quieter foreshore, vintage arcades, and heritage streetscapes.
• Wine lovers can trade Day 6 for McLaren Vale — think bold reds and sea breezes — or extend with another Barossa cellar door trail.

Alternative curated experience (choose one if you’d like an extra day tour)

For a mix of city icons, Hills charm, and coastal views in one day, consider:

Featured experience: Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour

With a week in Adelaide you’ll sip storied Barossa reds, meet Kangaroo Island wildlife, and taste your way through a beloved market culture. The city’s easy pace, beach sunsets, and creative spirit make it effortless to fall for — and just as easy to plan a return.