Coastal capital of the state of South Australia

Adelaide is the state capital of South Australia; a well-ordered grid of wide boulevards lined by attractive buildings and interspersed with verdant park areas. Adelaide enjoys a glorious climate thanks to its location on the eastern shore of Gulf St Vincent, backed by the low-lying and fabulously named Mount Lofty Ranges. There is certainly no shortage of entertainment and activities in Adelaide, which boasts a civic calendar peppered with festivals of art, sport and gastronomy. A great range of accommodation to suit every budget helps to make Adelaide a very welcoming and friendly city for all-comers. The breathtaking natural surroundings of Adelaide make it perfect for fans of the great outdoors, with opportunities to enjoy walking, biking and horse riding in the hinterland, or surfing, waterskiing and diving in the harbour.

Why Go?
Adelaide is a compact, well-planned little metropolis that is often overlooked in favour of Australia’s other great cities. A superb climate, beautiful natural scenery and a packed events calendar featuring everything from horse racing to wine festivals, all go towards making Adelaide an outstanding destination.

When to Go?
Adelaide has hot dry summers and mild winters, although the winter does tend to be wet at times. Of course being in the Antipodes, Adelaide’s summer is in December, January and February. Summer is the peak tourist season in Adelaide, but it is a great time to visit, especially as the city comes alive with outdoor events and the beach becomes a hive of activity for surfing and other water sports.

How to get there?
British Airways and Australian airline Qantas operate flights to from London Heathrow, but both airlines have stop-offs on the way, usually in places like Singapore Changi Airport. Cathay Pacific also operates a Heathrow to Adelaide flight stopping off in Hong Kong. Alternatively you can book Adelaide flights with Malaysian Airlines, who fly to Adelaide via Kuala Lumpur, or fly to Sydney with BA or Qantas and catch a connecting flight to Adelaide.

Must see
Visit Adelaide in October to enjoy the Tasting Australia Festival of wine and food, which attracts hungry tourists, journalists and foodies from around the world. The Art Gallery of South Australia features a collection of over 35,000 works of art, including indigenous Australian and British colonial works. One of the cornerstones of Adelaide heritage is the Christmas pageant parade, which passes through the city attracting hundreds of thousands of people, and makes for a very unique Christmas experience. The Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute offers fascinating insights into aboriginal art, music and traditional storytelling.