Adelaide, Australia

Executive summary by darmansjah

Why Go? Nobody does laid back urban chic like Adelaide. Flanked by the rolling hills of Mount Lofty to the east and the waters of the Gulf St Vincent to the west, the South Australian capital is perfect for travelers who want equal doses of pristine nature and fuss-free city life, spiked with top drops from surrounding wine regions.

When to Go. Adelaide’s moderate climate (winters average at 16 degree celcius; summer at 28 degree celcius; makes it ideal for year-round visits. For events galore, time your trip in March, when the city comes alive with festivals including the popular Adelaide Fringe.

How to Go. Singapore Airlines and Qantas fly direct to Adelaide from Singapore; Malaysia Arilines flies direct from Kuala Lumpur (about severn hours; from US$880).

SEE

BEST FOR CULTURE, Culture vultures will love the Adelaide Festival Centre, home to international and local theatre, dance, music, opera and comedy performance (61 8 8216 8600; adlaidefestivalcentre.com.au; Festival Drive, off King William Rd).

BEST FOR FOODIES, The Adelaide Central Market is a kaleidoscopic maze of stalls padding everything from seafood and cured meats to Middle Eastern spices and farm-fresh produce (adelaidecentralmarket.com.au; 44-60 Gouger Street; 7am-5.30pm Tue, 9am-5.30pm Wed & Thu; 7am-9pm Fri; 7am-3pm Sat).

 BEST FOR WINE, The National Wine Centre of Australia offers a wide range of short and long wine appreciation courses, and an interactive Wine Discovery Journey and Exhibition (61 8 8303 3355; wineaustralia.com.au; Cnr of Botanic and Hackney Rds; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; 10am-5pm Sat & Sun; free).

BEST FOR KIDS, The Adelaide Zoo is home to over 1,800 animals and 300 species. Sign up for the animal encounters to get up close and personal with lemurs, squirrel monkeys and more (61 8 8267 3255; zoossa.com.au/Adelaide-zoo; Frome Rd; 9am-5.30 pm daily, US$18 child, US$31 adult)

BEST FOR MUSEUMS, The South Australian Museum has the world’s largest collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural objects. Other exhibitions include a biodiversity gallery, and ancient Egyptian artefacts (61 8 8207 7500; samuseum.sa.gov.au; North Terrace; 10am-5pm daily; free).

EAT & DRINK

Casual dining goes chic at Sparrow Kitchen & Bar. The grocchi is flawless and the duck donuts are gold. Or try the tapas tasting menu (61 8 8296 2444; sparrowkitchenandbar.com.au; 10 O’connel St; noon to late daily; tapas from US$5, mains US$22-US$37).

Chow down on thoughtful fast food at Burger Theory, Adelaide’s first US-style pop-up food truck has gained a cult following for its Coorong Angus beef burgers and bean burritos Check their online calendar for location updates (burgertheory.com; US$6-US$10).

Master Chef Australia finalist Andre Ursini dishes up Italian comfort fare in Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar. Polenta may be the specialty, but his delicately crumbed fritto misto di mare (fried seafood with lemon aioli) blew our minds (61 8 8244 0004; andrescucina.com.au; 94 Frome Str; lunch & dinner Tue-Sat; dinner Mon; mains US$15-US$26).

Spoil yourself at Appellation. The chef’s tasting menu marries the day’s freshest local procedure with the sommelier’s choice vintages (61 8 8562 4144; appeliation.com.au; Seppeltsfield Rd, Marananga; dinner daily, reservations only; chef’s tasting menu US$135).

Eat local at The Locavore. This restaurant serves honest-to-goodness fare using produce sourced within a 100-mile radius (61 8 8339 4416; thelocavore.com.au; 49 Mount Barker Rd, Stiring; lunch & dinner Tue-Sat, dinner Sun; mains US$17-US$38).

Getting Around Adelaide is dubbed the 20-minute city for good  reason. Most of the main sights around the city centre are accessible by foot. A free tram plies between North and South Terrace should your feet tire. Keen bikers can take advantage of the Adelaide city Bike scheme (bikesa.asn.au) which offers free bike hire for travel within the city limits.

SLEEP

Return to the Art Nouveau ambience of The Sebel Playford after a day of trawling the city. Rooms are spacious and elegant, and the indoor heated pool is a godsend in winter (61 8 8213 8888; mirvachotels.com; 120 North Terrace; from US$229).

The compact 14sqm rooms at Majestic Minima Hotel are proof that size can be overrated. The furnishing are minimalistic but trendy, and creature comforts like broadband access and LCD televisions are intact. The hotel utilizes a 24-hour self check-in facility so don’t expect porter services (61 8 8334 77666; majestichotels.com.au; 146 Melbourne Str; from US$99).

Put up in a converted fire station at the Fire Station Inn. Choose from three suites – the Penthouse Residency is the most spacious, but we like the kitschy Fire Engine Suite for its life-sized fire engine and related knick-knacks (61 8 8272 1355; adelaideheritage.com; 109 Glen Osmond Rd, Eastwood; from US$325).

 Rest up in opulent seclusion at The Louise. The Barossa valley boutique retreat features 15 roomy suites that look out to picturesque vineyards. Soak in the spa tub after a day of sightseeing, and then relax with a glass of the region’s famed reds on your private terrace (61 8 8562 2722; thelouise.com.au; Seppeltsfield Rd, Marananga, Barossa Valley; from US$440).

Nestled in the heart of the Moorooroo Park Gardens, Jacobs Creek Retreat offers seven suites set in historic stone buildings. Go for the loft suites for the best views of lush lawns and the famous Jacobs Creek (61 8 8563 1123; jacobscreekretreat.com.au; Nistchke Rd, Tanunda, Barossa Valley; from US$256).

More recommendations

Wine Tripping, The Adelaide Hills is a 30-minute drive and a world away from the city. Escape to stunning views and some of Australia’s best cool-climate wines. Towns range from peaceful stiriling to the livelier Hahndorf, which is peppered with cafes and curio shops. If you have time, venture further to the Barossa Valley for luscious reds and world-class nosh.

Secluded Sleeps, Chill out and recharge at The Rockbare Retreat, loacated on the oustskirts of hahndorf’s main street behind the Rockbare Cellar Door. A chic mix of luxury, heritage and funk, the secluded three-bedroom property also sleeps up to eight comfortably, so bring a party, if you wish (61 8 8388 7155; rockbare.com.au; 102-104 Main Str, Hahndorf; from US$515 for minimum two nights).

Family Fun, The Beachhouse at the beachside town of Glenelg is a family entertainment centre packed with arcade games and rides including water slides, a 120-year-old carousel and Asutralia’s first single-armed Ferris wheel (61 8/8295-1511; thebeachhouse.com.au; Colley Terrace, Glenelg; opening hours vary, check on website; free entry, games from US$1).

Australia guide has a chapter on Adleaide and South Australia, which can be downloaded from TravlerGuidance.Blogspot.Com. more practical details can be found online at Australia.com and southaustralia.com