Whether you are travelling to Adelaide to visit family, doing some solo travel, or enjoying a weekend away, there is plenty on offer for the keen adventurer. But before you can pack your bags and jump on a plane, you need to decide what it is, exactly, you want to see.
Planning an itinerary involves some serious research, including when the best time to travel is as well as the places you’ll visit while you’re there. It’s the key to any successful holiday. Without it? You’ll be trying to cram too much into too small a timeframe.
So to ensure your next trip to Adelaide is one to remember, we’ve compiled a list of eight hidden treasures you must see while there. These will ensure you skip overcrowded tourist destinations, stick to your itinerary, and have a ball of a time while travelling.
1. Morialta Conservation Park
If you love the outdoors, then you’ll enjoy the rugged ridges, breathtaking views, and seasonal waterfalls of The Morialta Conservation Park. The park is home to a wide range of birds, mammals, amphibians, as well as native and introduced plant species, with options for easy bushwalks, moderate hikes, treks, rock climbing, abseiling, and mountain biking.
Peter Neaum [CC BY-SA 3.0]
Spring or Winter are the best times to view the park’s impressive waterfalls. The water flow is at its most active, and the orchids and wildflowers are out in full bloom. The Morialta Conservation Park is located thirty minutes from Adelaide’s City centre, providing the perfect rural escape.
2. Mount Osmond Reserve
Mount Osmond Reserve is located just twenty minutes from Adelaide, offering another hidden gem not far from the city itself. The reserve is home to forestry, native wetlands, and even the odd kangaroo and koala, so keep your eyes peeled.
Beneaththelandslide at the English language Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0]
There are ten trail options to choose from, ranging anywhere from 1 hour to all-day trails where you’ll experience the bush, coastline, and city views. The tracks are classed as moderate in difficulty with steep terrain, so remember to pack some tramping boots if you are adding this one to your itinerary.
3. Lake Bumbunga
Anyone up for a day trip? Why not hire a car from the likes of Thrifty, Hertz, or Budget and head to Lake Bumbunga? This magnificent spot is located just one-hour forty minutes from Adelaide City and is well worth the drive.
Goschurch [CC BY-SA 4.0]
Lake Bumbunga is one of Australia’s incredible five pink lakes. That’s right, pink! The colour of the lake changes between pink, white, and blue throughout the year depending on the season, time of day, cloud cover, and salinity levels of the water.
4. Mintaro Maze
On your way back to the city from Lake Bumbunga, why not get lost in the Mintaro Maze? Located fifty minutes from Lake Bumbunga or one hour fifty from Adelaide City, Mintaro Maze is made up of over 800 conifers, twists, turns, and fountains which are sure to stimulate the mind.
Image via tripadvisor.co.za
While you’re there, you can even pick up a quirky souvenir or two from the gift shop.
5. Hallett Cove Boardwalk
A short trip down the coast anyone? Just forty minutes from Adelaide you’ll find Hallett Cove Boardwalk.
This hidden gem winds along part of South Australia’s coastline across spectacular cliffs and past stunning sandy beaches. The boardwalk varies in length so you can walk anywhere from a short stroll to 10kms, depending on where you join and where you finish the walk.
6. Himeji Gardens
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens may be an obvious destination for some, but the beauty and culture of the Japanese Himeji Gardens provide a hidden oasis worth visiting right within the city centre.
The Himeji Gardens are located within walking distance of Adelaide City’s central accommodation – from Hotel Grand Chancellor through to Airbnb Apartments – offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Marionlad [CC BY-SA 3.0]
Designed with minimalism in mind the gardens feature traditional, well-manicured shrubs, trees and still ponds with two distinct sections, each with an emphasis on Japanese culture. The clever use of space provides room for picnics and relaxation within a tranquil atmosphere.
7. Hahndorf Hill Winery
If you are travelling in the heat of summer, what better way to cool off than with a drop of Adelaide’s very own wine? Hahndorf Hill Winery won the award for the best producer in 2016 and is pioneering Austrian grape varieties including Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner, Zweigelt and St Laurent to provide you with a taste of Austria…in Adelaide.
Mljacobs6 [CC BY-SA 3.0]
You will find the Hahndorf Hill Winery nestled amongst the hills just a short thirty-minute drive from Adelaide City.
8. Rundle Mall
The last stop on this must-see list is Rundle Mall. Rundle Mall first appeared in 1976 covering 520 metres from Pulteney Street to King William Street. The mall today is home to over 700 retailers, with many of the 19th-century buildings still standing which adds to the character of this location. If you’re up for a last-minute shopping excursion, make your way to the city centre and enjoy searching for hidden deals with a dash of history.
Where will Adelaide take you?
From rugged coastlines to breathtaking views, Adelaide has something new to offer around every twist and turn. Whether you are just visiting or plan to stay on longer, there is so much to see and do you’re sure to be planning a return trip long before you get home.