Hi..

I really hope someone can make good suggestions to me of things to do and see in Adelaide within 1 1/2 day. I will fly in early from Canberra on 28 Sep and leave for Melbourne in the evening the next day. No car.

What is the most convenient place to stay for the night... in the city, Glenelg or ..?? How far is North from South Adelaide?

I'm a bit rusty on Adelaide, but just to kick the discussion off:
- Check the South Australia official state tourism website (sorry, don't have the URL, but a search will turn it up).
- Book a day tour through the Barossa Valley - if possible one that will stop off in the Adelaide Hills town of Hahndorf.
- If you like a flutter, visit the casino on North Terrace - it's non-tacky as casinos go.
- I think the state museum is also worth a visit.
- If there's something on that catches your fancy, go to a performance at the Festival Centre.
- Catch the tram from Victoria Square to the beachside suburb of Glenelg for lunch or whatever.
- Eat at one of the many restaurants in and around the east end of Rundle Street.

From memory North Adelaide is less than 2 km from the city (there's no South Adelaide, as such). The most convenient place to stay though would be the CBD (central business district), preferably close to North Terrace but in any event in the NW quadrant. Adelaide's CBD is a mile square (or 1.6 km if you prefer) and surrounded by parklands. I think there are a few past threads on this subject (use the search box above).

Adelaide is my hometown and it's easy for carless visitors. Stay in the city or North Adelaide (short walk across the river) and focus on North Terrace. From west to east you'll see the Casino (in the old Railway Station), Parliament House (behind which is the SA Festival Centre and Elder Park), Government House, the State Library (behind this is the small and excellent Migration Museum), SA Museum (best collection of Aboriginal cultural material in Australia), Art Gallery of South Australia (beautiful new renovations and great cafe), University including Conservatorium, Hospital and then Botanic Gardens with its splendid Conservatories and rose gardens, then the national Wine Centre. Behind the Botanic Gardens is the Zoo - it's also nice to walkForget Glenelg - it's crass and ugly (unless you want to swim - all Adelaide beaches are clean with white sand, good but flat and surfless as its on a gulf). Parallel with the eastern end of North Terrace is Rundle Street east - wall to wall cafes and restaurants, mostly good. The main shopping strip is the extensiuon of Rundle Street called Rundle Mall - a bit dull but with a couple of C19th arcades, and department stores. If you're in the centre of the city don't miss the Central Market and Lucia's for coffee. Up the road (King William Street becomes O'Connell Street in North Adelaide are more terrific cafes, and wide boulevards with lovely C19th houses largely unspoiled. There's a good view over the city from Montefiore Hill (a statue called Light's Vision points to the view over the cricket ground, cathedral and tennis centre. What's your accom budget - I'll happily recommend a hotel in any range.

should have added, if you only have a day, barossa is probably too far (and Neil it's NOWHERE near Hahndorf!). Hanhndorf is a good quick trip out of the city (loads of buses and it takes 30 minutes up the freeway. It's a C19th village settled by Germans escaping religious persecution and is charming in a folksy and now touristy way - good German bakeries abound. The Barossa Valley is also German in origin - lots of charm and lots of wineries. If it's wineries you're after, the best ones are the closest - south of the city at McLaren Vale but not very easy without a car.

Paul, I know there's a stretch between Hahndorf and the Barossa - I once lived in Mylor - but I thought there might be a tour that takes in the two areas (which we did by car comfortably on our last visit - maybe we drove too fast).

I did notice that some of the "German" atmosphere in Hahndorf (last time I looked) is faux-Bavarian and culturally nothing much to do with the Silesians (I think) who settled the area, but a drive through the pretty Hills towns is still worthwhile.

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