Australia: Adelaide recommendations

[AdelaideBound]

I never go on holiday. But I'm attending a conference in Adelaide in late June and I'm determined to make the most of my time there. I'll be by myself.

Does anyone have recommendations for anything? From a good airline (I've seen recommendations for Singapore Airlines) to good things to do in the area. I can see that it's Winter there. I love the sea and outdoors.

I'm thinking about Kangaroo Island and maybe a coach trip on the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide.

I know I'm being unimaginative but that's probably because I don't go on holidays.

Suggestions please!

I've not been there for decades, but Kangaroo Island is lovely. We stayed there for a couple of nights.

If you do have a choice of airline and route, you could do worse than getting home via Singapore on their national carrier. It is a lovely airport.

I live in Adelaide. Wine tasting here is great, the Barossa is iconic but I think McLaren Vale is more fun, plus no need to book.

Cleland is a wildlife park in the Adelaide Hills, lovely setting and you can hold a koala. You could also visit some of the small towns in the hills, and the Hanhdorf Hills Chocolate and Wine Tasting is worth a visit.

There are some fantastic restaurants here, my favourite is Restaurant Botanic, very expensive, food is beautiful, and the setting is magical at night.

Kangaroo Island is definitely worth a visit!

Singapore is definitely the best option.

Thank you both, I realise that I sound like an idiot but this is what happens when you're not used to doing these things.

I've read about the Botanic Garden restaurant and I'm steeling myself to spend the money because when will I ever be there again.

Is it likely to be very cool rather than actually cold?

Kangaroo Island is sounding like a good idea. I'm likewise thinking that a gentle introduction to the time zone while I acclimatise is a good idea.

I returned from Adelaide one week ago. It's a lovely city. Very relaxed. I was in Australia for 3 weeks and did some amazing things but Kangaroo Island was the absolute highlight (of many highlights). It was my 5th visit to Australia and KI is probably my all time favourite. On my last morning, I did a private tour of Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, so just me and one of the keepers for 3 hours. It was just incredible, and very moving - they were in the heart of the bushfires and narrowly escaped and many of their wildlife residents are survivors who can't be released. Listening (and seeing) what they went through, and knowing that I was supporting them with my visit was very meaningful. I also did a guided tour at Seal Bay and that was also quite incredible for very different reasons. KI is just fabulous. I cried when I had to leave. Seriously. Just make sure you hire a car (use Budget at KI airport as they're locally owned and allow you to drive on dirt tracks - and they're really lovely people).

I flew with Qatar in Business. They're better than Singapore Airlines (who sadly aren't quite as amazing as they used to be). Adelaide is a really lovely airport - good shopping, lots of decent food and drink (including the Penfolds Bar) and only 15 mins drive from the CBD.

I don't know who the decent UK/Aus specialist travel agents are these days, but I am pretty certain that we had some sort of package to get around KI that we arranged from here.

I used to use these Bath travel agents 15 -30 years ago (now bought out) who happily fitted car hire/tours/flights around family visits or work meetings:

www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk/results?HolidayType=&Continent=&Country=Australia+-+South+Australia&Month=&page=1&star=&boardBasis=

We flew over and back after having driven from Melbourne (Grand Prix and catching up with family). We had the same guide each day (Pru, who had some camels up in the outback for reasons I can't remember) who would pick half a dozen of us up each day from an assortment of B&B's/farmstays armed with a tupperware of Lamingtons or whatever else she decided to bake. (I now realise this was 26 years ago; there are probably loads of hotels and Airbnbs on the island now)!

The wineries in McLaren Vale are lovely - many offer delicious food In beautiful surroundings.

Also the central covered market in Adelaide is worth a visit

Hi OP,
I agree with the other suggestions, but would also add,

Kayaking at the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary , it's an easy paddle near Adelaide and we saw lots of other wildlife apart from dolphins.

Roof Climb of Adelaide Oval, it's walking not climbing and there are some seats on the roof of the highest stand ,so if there's a game on they let you watch the action for a bit from way up.

It's further afield but if there's a chance you can get there I'd recommend Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges , it's a fabulous National Park administered by traditional owners and it's Australia on a stick, kangaroos, emus, wedge tailed eagles and the like in a red-dirt environment

Whatever you manage to do in around Adelaide , I'm sure you'll love it , I think it's unfairly ignored by a lot of tourists in favour of the bigger cities and I live in Sydney

Definitely agree with Kangaroo Island, if you can rent a car it's the best way to see the island.

Barossa and McLaren Vale for wine - the Adelaide Hills also has some lovely small wineries and easy to do a tour from the CBD. Could also check out Hahndorf, a mini German village in the hills.

For dining my absolute favourite place in Adelaide is www.topiary-dining.com - it's a small place that does breakfast and lunch in Tea Tree Gully and is very seasonal with what they serve. It's located in a Nursery do some lovely flora to look at.

The great ocean road has some beautiful small towns you could visit - would depend on how much time you have.

The Adelaide Central Market in the CBD is a great place to visit - a food market, full of SA products. Also next to Chinatown for some cheap and yummy food.

Coming in June if you were interested you could see an Aussie rules football match at Adelaide Oval.

If I think of anything else I'll post again.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I know it's ridiculous but I'm so excited by the idea of booking things like this it's almost dizzying. It's a far cry from a day trip to Betws-y-Coed (last school trip, a long time ago).

Kangaroo Island, the market, the various side trips, and if I can get a booking at Topiary Dining and (I hope) the Botanic Garden I'll be very happy. If I don't get the restaurant bookings, they look like I should visit the area anyway.

I’ve lived in Sydney for 16 years but the first time I saw koalas in the wild was when I did an Adelaide Hills half day wine tour a few months back, the driver knew where to go and it was so cool just seeing 4/5 koalas hanging out in the trees. We have done Barossa Valley tours as well which were great. I love Adelaide, the market is fun and there are some great restaurants. Sashi, who won MasterChef Australia a few years back, has an Indian restaurant called Gaja which is nice. I’m guessing your accommodation is sorted but The Mayfair hotel is boutique and gorgeous and very well located. Make sure you pick up some Haigh’s chocolates while you are there.

Adelaide to Melbourne is going to be a long drive. The tourist bit with twelve apostles etc is at the Melbourne end. Depending on how much time you have there you might want to reconsider that bit. Definitely go to Kangaroo Island and the more local hills and beaches. You can do things like pop to Glenelg after work, or on a full day with something else, especially if you aren't going when it will be that warm. I will be very jealous if you go to Sashi's restaurant!