Planning a trip to Australia? Then head south to Adelaide! Though it may not receive international publicity like Sydney or Melbourne, this beautiful capital city of the state of South Australia has so much to offer. If you are looking for an easy-going, fun and adventurous trip, this is the itinerary for you. Prepare to be amazed?
Credit: giphy
First up, let’s get your accommodation and transportation settled!
Accommodation
Whatever your accommodation budget is, there are plenty of hotels and apartments in Adelaide. I personally prefer staying at an apartment as my family and I had the homely feel and we cooked our own dishes. It may be a couple of days stay, but trust me you will miss the typical Nasi Goreng breakfast and Mee Soto for lunch! Check out affordable rental apartments for your stay at AirBnb.
Getting around Adelaide
Renting a car is the best option to explore Adelaide if you only have a few days to spend and explore. Check out Car Hire Australia for your bookings.
#HHWT Tip: You will need to pay cash into a ticket machine for a street parking. It is best that you keep coins and small notes on you at all times. Parking costs vary from one area to another.
Day 1
1. Aldinga Beach
After a long flight, all you would want is a nice place to rest and relax to begin with, after checking into your accommodation. Make a trip to Aldinga Beach and experience the best of nature.
The beach is covered with soft white sand, patches of pebbles and cordate seashells. It is a great place for picturesque views as the beach has a background of hillsides. Definitely a place for photographic memories and snacking!
#HHWT Tip: You can drive onto the beach but remember to obey the 10km speed limit. (Pssst! Make sure your car is built for sand-driving and read tips on sand driving or else you will get badly bogged.)
2. My Charcoal Kebab House
Hungry? Fancy an Afghan meal? Then be enticed with authentic Afghan cuisine at My Charcoal Kebab House. It is a homely restaurant with an ethical ambience and it is halal certified! YAY ?
Their main course items like lamb, chicken and minced skewers are served with Kabuli or Biryani rice (hands down delicious!). This place is a MUST to visit because their food is flavoursome and value for money.
Day 2
1. Rundle Mall
Go on a shopping spree at the premier shopping destination of Adelaide. Rundle Mall is a beautiful mall with a wide variety of stores. Even if you have an aversion to shopping, amazing buskers and art work scattered around the mall will give you a different sort of experience. After all, isn’t that what traveling is all about? ☺️
You wouldn’t want to miss KMART! They literally have everything from clothes to fitness equipment, toys and heaps more. The items are so cheap that you would feel like snatching whatever is on the shelves and stuffing them into your shopping basket! Don’t say I didn’t warn you ?
It’s never too early for souvenir shopping. Keep a lookout for the two souvenir shops where you can bring home the essence of Australia.
#HHWT Tip: Look out for the mall’s iconic balls!
2. Warong Food Stall
Only Day 2 but already missing the food back home? Fret not! Located at the ground floor of Rundle Place, there is a food court for you to have your lunch. The only halal-certified stall is Warong. They serve authentic Malaysian-Indonesian food ranging from Chicken rice, fish ball noodle soup and Horfun. You'd have your much-need quick fix of Asian food here!
#HHWT Tip: Try the fried kway teow! So moist and full of flavour!
3. Haigh’s Chocolates
Calling all chocolate connoisseurs! Haigh’s Chocolates is the oldest family owned brand in South Australia. There is an outlet at Rundle Mall, so you can’t miss it!
They carry a range of chocolates that are creamy, smooth and oh-so-delicious! Definitely a chocolate lover’s paradise ?
#HHWT Tip: The shop is NOT Halal-certified! Do check the ingredients and buy at your own discretion. You can also go for a tour at their factory if you can squeeze it in your itinerary. Approach the friendly staff to find out more.
4. Marion Mosque
The Islamic Society of South Australia is a Muslim community that controls and finances a few mosques in Adelaide. One of them is the Marion Mosque which is located at a quiet suburb, Park Holme. It is a small, beautiful mosque along the streets of houses. Facilities include a main prayer hall, female prayer hall at Level 2, restroom and ablution areas for both males and females.
Address: 658 Marion Rd, Park Holme, SA 5043
Day 3:
1. Semaphore Beach
Go for another beach escape at this stunning beach. Walk along the jetty and watch fishermen and crabbers display their catch.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, there is an amusement park located just before the start of the jetty.
The amusement park consists of the Hurricane Ride, the Cha Cha and the Dodgem cars. After enjoying the rides, end your day with watching the sun set over the sea before heading home.
#HHWT Tip: Keep a lookout for the Semaphore Carousel as it is one of the oldest attractions at the beach side.
2. Royal Copenhagen Ice-creamery and Dessert Bar
Just a short walk from Semaphore Beach, you will find an ice-cream parlour for an indulgent break. It is an Australian Brand founded in 1982, and they offer a range of mouth-watering ice-cream treats.
Their ice creams are freshly made using Australian dairy products hence you will devour authentic Australian freshly made ice-cream!
What’s more, they have a self-served toppings corner and the toppings are FREE!
#HHWT Tip: The ice cream shop is NOT Halal Certified and the two flavours that are not Muslim friendly are Rum and Raisin, and Royal Copenhagen. It is best to consult with the staff first before making your purchase.
3. The Islamic Arabic Centre and Al-Khalil Mosque
Situated at Torrens Rd, this is another beautiful mosque to visit. While enjoying our holiday, as Muslims ,we should foster and enhance Islamic Brotherhood and Sisterhood through congregational prayers. Have a break and enjoy the tranquillity of the mosque after your prayer. Facilities include a main prayer hall, female prayer hall, restroom and ablution area for both males and females.
Credit: denisbin on Flickr
Address: Torrens Rd, Woodville North , SA 5021
Day 4
1. The Big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory
A drive to Adelaide Hills will not be complete without visiting one of Australia’s Big Icon , The Big Rocking Horse! It is the LARGEST in the world. You can climb the big rocking horse for AUD2 per person and receive a certificate of achievement upon completion. Be warned that the ladders are steep so make sure that young children are accompanied by adults ☺️
If you love handmade wooden toys, indulge in some retail therapy at the toy shop. They have a great selection of good quality wooden toys!
Kids will definitely love them and as for us adults, though the toys are a little pricey, you will admire the craftsmanship and quality. The little kid in us will be just as tempted to buy?
2. Animal Park
In between the Big Rocking Horse and the Toy Factory is an animal park! There are kangaroos, wallabies, goats, and many other cuties for you to meet. It is an open park , with the animals roaming about freely. You can even hand feed them!
Some of the animals will allow you to get close enough to give them a pat or snap a wefie. You will immensely enjoy the interaction and time spent with the animals.
Entry to the animal park costs AUD1.OO/person and a bag of animal food costs AUD2.00. You might want to pack your own food in case you get hungry (you definitely will). There are seats and a picnic area for you to take a break. Do note that the nearby café is not halal-certified.
#HHWT Tip: Give them a call first to double check if they are open.
3. Wandana Mosque
With its castle-like structure, this mosque has an impressive exterior and is extremely beautiful. There is one main prayer hall where the female prayer area is separated from the main hall by partitions. Ladies will have to walk all the way in and enter by the back door. To the right is the female prayer area and to the left is the restroom and the ablution area.
Address: 52 Wandana Avenue, Gilles Plains, SA 5086
#HHWT Tip: Bring your own prayer garment as they had only 2 sets in the mosque when I visited it.
4. Mount Lofty Summit
Drive up to the magnificent peak of the Mount Lofty Ranges in Adelaide Hills. You will enjoy spectacular panoramic views across Adelaide’s city skyline. This is one of the best places to witness the sunset as you are 710m above sea level. It is a worthwhile place to visit for a scenic lookout.
#HHWT Tip: Drive up an hour before sunset and bring along a wind breaker with you as it can get real chilly!
Day 5
1. Beerenberg Strawberry Farm
Pick your own fresh, plump and juicy strawberries straight from the patch - at only $4/person (13 years and under are free)! Yum! You will be given a wristband and a picking container before entering the strawberry patch.
Enter the patch and pick to your heart’s content. It costs $9.95/kg for the fresh strawberries!
Once done, you can proceed back to the farm shop and check out the variety of delicious jams and spreads made with top quality ingredients. Make sure you check the ingredients before making your purchase!
#HHWT Tip: Do give them a call first as they might close the strawberry patch if the weather is too hot.
2. St Kilda Adventure Playground
More than just your average slide and swing, this adventure park is gigantic and fun for all ages. With its massive slides, swings, zip line and pirate ship right on the beach, it’ll definitely bring out the inner child in you! It’s a great place to run wild and enjoy yourselves ☺️
This place is also a great spot to witness the breathtaking sunset.
#HHWT Tip: Based on my personal experience, the mosquitoes went on a rampage after the sun sets so remember to douse yourselves in mosquito repellent!
Day 6
1. Gorge Wildlife Park
If you want to hold a koala, pat kangaroos and get up close and personal with wildlife and camels, the Gorge Wildlife Park is your hidden gem! The park is family-owned and offers a range of exotic and native animals in a pleasant, casual setting.
One of the highlights is to cuddle a koala for FREE! Another highlight is the kangaroo/wallaby area - which is really large. Do keep a lookout for the Albino Kangaroo which I missed due to lack of time. You definitely need to give yourself enough time to explore the park and see all the animals, as this park offers one of the best animal experiences in Adelaide.
#HHWT Tip: Koala holding is at 11.30am/1.30pm/3.30pm
2. Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Take time to explore the Adelaide Botanical Garden! It is a must visit because of the beauty and diversity of plants from across Australia and around the world. It is a beautiful part of Adelaide that you can’t miss ?
Take your time...there’s plenty to explore. But the highlights would be the rose garden which is beautifully packed with different species of roses!
The other highlight is the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion with huge waterlily pads and scary pods.
Be mesmerized by the beauty of nature ☺️ If you love tranquillity, this place is an oasis of calm in the city.
3. Adelaide Mosque
This mosque was previously known as the Afghan Chapel and is the oldest mosque in Australia. The distinctive minarets of the mosque are the most prominent structures on Little Gilbert Street. Facilities include a main prayer hall, female prayer hall at the second level, restroom and ablution area for males and females. Another mosque worthy of a visit in Adelaide and another opportunity to build rapport with the local Muslim community!
Credit: nationaltrustofsouthaustralia on Flickr
Address: 20 Gilbert Street, Adelaide SA 5000
I hope this article has helped provide you a clearer picture of Adelaide! There are definitely more places to visit but with only 6 days there, those are some of the essential highlights of Adelaide that you have to see and experience!