Hi again folks

I may be pushing it but if we have time I'd love to take one of the special flights from Sydney to Adelaide for 2 or 3 nights.

Can you give me any great tips on Adelaide? I know about Barossa Valley but I haven't don't any major research yet.

LN

Hi LN,

I only wish I'd had more time in Adelaide, because I really liked it.

I spent 2 nights in Barossa and one night in town, and I wished for another night (bad weather kept me in my lovely B&B, which wasn't so bad!) The city (and surroundings) is lovely and I could have easily spent more time there.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

I had a great time in Adelaide, but I was with a local.

Central Market was fun to shop for fresh produce. Glenelg is a nice beach area, although I prefered the few restaurants in Henley Beach, where my friend lives.

The Barossa, of course was really nice. We visited the following wineries, and all were quite nice.

Two Hands - tasting room was modern and new...they have won prestigious awards for some of their wine.

Charles Melton - our house affectionately called it "the tin shack", but it was my favorite for the hominess of it.

Turkey Flat, Yalumba, Rockford, are a few more. I know we went to others, but the names escape me at the moment.

Enjoy Adelaide!

Hi there!

Adelaide (ADL) is a truly pretty city. Hope you enjoy your trip there. Here are some tips:

1) DO VISIT the CENTRAL MARKET along Grote St. If you are there on a Friday evening, I recommend going there for dinner along Gouger St and then just walking to the Markets which is along that st. as well. You'll absolutely love the scene and vibe there with all the locals shopping for the freshest groceries imaginable. The market is open till 9pm, Friday.

2) Food, glorious food. The ONE thing I missed when I was in Europe was the FANTASTIC food in Adl. And I'm not joking here!

Fave restaurants along Gouger St:

KY CHOW (CHINESE) - it'll probably be booked out but please do try (+618-822 15 411).
I'm Chinese and this is my ALL TIME FAVE Chinese restaurant. Order the Crunchy Beef, Salt and Pepper Squid,
Chinese String Beans with Beef - YUMMM!!
The best bit about it is it's dirt cheap, about AUD $10 pp minimum for a fantastic meal.

GENGKI'S (JAP) - Order the fantastic Dragon Roll.

GAUCHO'S (ARGENTINIAN) - For something a bit more special (and pricier) this place is well known for their steaks. But the one thing I loved there was the duck, sweet and succulent!

RUNDLE ST - yet another restaurant lined st. in the heart of the city. If anything, you will have to try AMALFI'S for the yummiest Italian in town. Once again, very popular. May need bookings but ask the locals for directions (it's off Rundle St on the corner). We are v. friendly

BAROSSA VALLEY - Well known wine region. If you are driving ( it's a really easy drive), it's about 45 mins out of ADL city. If anything, do visit the famous Penfolds, Jacob's Creek and Wolf Blass. My personal fave is the Alicante Bouquet by Rockfords. It's a light rose red, wonderful chilled.

Visit the Tourist Info Centre first in Tanunda town and the ladies there will give you a helpful wine circuit map you can do. Go to Barossa to do lunch in mind as certain wineries offer fantastic lunches.

McCLAREN VALE- Another wine region South. But I recommend Barossa if anything.

BEACHES - if you are coming in our Summer, fantastic beach weather awaits you!!! The popular beaches to get to are Glenelg ( very touristy with quaint shops). Do try the Oyster Bar along Holdfast Shores. They have the freshest shucked oysters in town!! Au Natural and Kilpatrick are to die for!

BRIGHTON - it's further South, out of the city but much less crowded so ideal for swimming.

Of course, there's the heart of the city : RUNDLE MALL (pedestrian shoppin st), HINDLEY ST, RUNDLE ST (restaurant and cafe lined), NORTH TCE where our Art Gallery and SA Museum is (both free of charge). Do pop into the Art Gallery. It's small but I think it's a good size for a quick art fix if you like that type of stuff. The musuem is pretty good too even if it's just to see the Aboriginal exhibitions and the small section on mummies.

KANGAROO ISLAND - you may not get round to this wonderful island but for next time, do attempt to visit KI. For nature lovers, this is the place.

Feel free to ask anything else. ADL is a wonderful compact city, perfect for 2-3 day sightseeing. If anything, rent yourself a car (VERY easy driving around) and just explore!!

Enjoy ADL!

Thank you for such great tips Melodie, Celine, and Mina (our world jaunting American). I hope to try all of these and especially celine's great restaurants.

Hope all is well with you Mina - haven't heard any travel postings in awhile. What's up??

Celine, we are not big on Roses here, but I will second the Alicante from Rockfords. Very nice summer drinking!

LN, thanks for asking...I hope all is well with you. Most of my traveling was done last year (4 months in Europe, and and 3 weeks in Oz). Due to the fact that I met an Australian and have a long distance relationship, when I travel, it's going to be to Adelaide for awhile. With only 10 puny days of vacation time with this new job, I don't have much to spare, and they are taken up with showing Australians the U.S. I met quite a few last year, and said they should come visit. Australians seems to take things at face value (and I certainly DID mean it) and they are all coming through and staying at my place! In fact, at this very moment, I have a couple from Brisbane in my guest bedroom conked out from a full day of touring L.A.

I really enjoy hanging out with my Ozzie friends, so I don't mind that I won't have that much travel time myself for awhile. But later this year, I am treating myself to a bit of luxury travel to Mexico. I've never done a "loungy" type vacation, so this should be interesting!

BTW, there was an Italian restaurant...name La Trattoria in downtown Adelaide which was quite good/reasonable as well. However, if you like wine tasting, I would spend a nice chunk of time up there. You could spend a week wine tasting and still not hit all the goodies!

Oh Mina, could you check with your Brisbane visitors and ask what I should add to your visit. We are heading from Sydney to Brisbane to Canberra and back to Sydney. Love to get some good ideas!!

Thanks

Hi LN...

Unfortunately, I have take my lunch hour today to drive them to the airport, so I don't think I'll have much time to ask. They'll probably say the zoo, sunshine coast etc, and I know a lot of people here could give you good advice. Sorry about that!