Things to do in Adelaide
Adelaide is often referred to as a 'city within a park' as it is surrounded by seemingly endless parklands. These areas of outstanding beauty and endless recreational opportunities are considered a prized asset to the city and are extremely well maintained. Each park has its own unique character: there are formal rose gardens, wide spaces with grand native and exotic trees, playgrounds and lakes, and numerous sporting fields which provide venues for a diverse range of sporting activities from archery to cricket. A range of landscapes surround the city, including the Mount Lofty Ranges and the white sandy beaches and the seas of Gulf St Vincent to the west.
Attractions
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Established in 1857, the 16 hectares of gardens are located on the North Terrace. A haven in the city, the gardens were established in 1857 and are home to more than 5,000 roses and a lush tropical rainforest housed in the Bicentennial Conservatory (which happens to be the largest glasshouse in the southern hemisphere). Free guided walks of the Botanic Garden are conducted by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.
Festival Centre
The world famous Adelaide Festival Centre sits in Elder Park on the banks of the Torrens River. This impressive arts complex comprises a drama theatre, a lyric theatre, an open air amphitheatre and a multipurpose concert hall. The centre holds a diverse range of interesting cultural activities throughout the year and is widely regarded as one of the best live performance venues in the world.
Art Gallery of South Australia
Adelaide has always had a close association with the arts and the region has produced more than its fair share of significant Australian artists, all of whom are well represented and displayed in the Art Gallery. It is most well known for holding one of Australia 's finest, largest and oldest public art collections.
Shopping
Adelaide is full of surprises and the fabulous shopping on offer often pleasantly surprises visitors.
Rundle Mall is the heart of shopping in the city, with international retail stores and trendy boutiques intertwined with cafés, elegant arcades and inspiring architecture.
To the east, the Mall becomes Rundle Street, Adelaide 's cosmopolitan centre and part of the historic East End. This area is notorious for its great bars and restaurants and quirky fashion shops.
