Adelaide, Australia- Hot As Hell !
Victorian train station.
Adelaide, Australia Sunday February 15, 2015
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. It is the opal capital of Australia, famous both locally and internationally for the best-selling opals available.
Adelaide is also known as a gateway to some of Australia's best wine country and is home to Australia's official best restaurant, hotel, wine, gin and beach.
The bustling city is brimming with events that excite, restaurants that inspire and beaches that make you feel at ease. What’s more, Adelaide sits right at the foot of three incredible wine regions that produce both world-renowned and under-the-radar wines.
When we arrived, it was the day of the Cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan. Across Australia — in Adelaide, especially — Pakistan fans, fearing to face their Indian colleagues, are expected to take a day off on Monday. People on the street were highly charged. The regular followers of India vs Pakistan at the World Cup had seen this before.
Adelaide is an easy city to get around, with a great range of options for public transport. Adelaide has an extensive public transport system of buses, trains and trams. To use the network, it’s recommended that you purchase a MetroCard. You can purchase a regular metroCARD at Adelaide Airport or from participating retailers in the city. You can also purchase a metroCARD Visitor Pass, which gives you three days of unlimited travel on the Adelaide Metro network for one fixed fee. These cards can be purchased from the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station.
If you choose a regular metroCARD, you’ll need to load it with some money to cover your fares. You can do this online, at metroCARD retail agents or by using ticket machines at train stations.
You can use a contactless credit card, debit card or mobile device to tap and pay on trams and O-Bahn busway buses. Note that the tap and pay option does not provide the benefit of discounted transfers to other services.
To start your ride, tap your card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when you disembark.
If you arrive on a cruise ship, you can purchase an inexpensive one-day Cruise ship metroCARD at the Outer Harbor railway station or the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre.
Adelaide has a useful tram service that operates through the city centre and inner suburbs. It’s most convenient for travel within the city and reaching the popular coastal suburb of Glenelg. The service runs every 10-15 minutes from around 7am to midnight.
The tram is free to use in Adelaide city centre between Entertainment Centre Station and South Terrace Station.
THINGS TO DO :
A must-visit for foodies, explore the laneways of the Adelaide Central Market to find fruit, vegetables, cheese, seafood, international dishes and unique ingredients. Learn more about Adelaide’s most famous market.
Taking a sightseeing cruise on Adelaide’s rivers is a great way to see the city.
Cruise the River Torrens through the city centre on the charming river boat Popeye.
Spot the dolphins of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary during a Port River Cruises tour on Port Adelaide River.
Wine tasting
Known as the wine capital of Australia, Adelaide is surrounded by some of the best wine regions in the country, many of which are just a short drive from the city. Add in stunning natural scenery, charming historic towns and exceptional gourmet experiences and you’ve got yourself the perfect getaway.
MCLAREN VALE
Where: a 40-minute drive south of the city.
With its enviable position between the hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula’s coastline, McLaren Vale is one of the most popular wine destinations in South Australia. The region is well known for its warmer climate reds, most notably shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, but has also mastered varietals such as sangiovese, roussanne and tempranillo. There are more than 80 cellar doors like d’Arenberg, as well as a plethora of culinary offerings, all set against a stunning backdrop of rolling green hills and coastal vistas.
BAROSSA VALLEY
Where: a one-hour drive north-east of the city.
The Barossa Valley is deeply rooted in a rich wine heritage spanning seven generations. It is known for consistently producing exceptional vintages and bold, earthy shiraz, but also grows grenache, cabernet sauvignon, riesling and semillon. It is home to more than 170 wineries, including famous names such as Penfolds, Jacob’s Creek, Wolf Blass, St Hugo and Henschke.
ADELAIDE HILLS
Where: 15 minutes from the city centre
Adelaide Hills is unlike other South Australian wine regions in that it produces great quality cool-climate wines like pinot noir, sparkling and chardonnay thanks to its location in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The closest region to Adelaide, it's home to more than 60 wineries and 40 cellar doors. Visit Shaw + Smith for a limited release wine flight experience, or Penfolds’ Magill Estate; one of Australia's most distinguished wineries, or wander around one of the region's most awarded cellar doors at The Lane, offering personalised tastings.
CLARE VALLEY
Where: just under two hours north of Adelaide.
While most wine regions surrounding Adelaide are known for their bold reds, the Clare Valley is celebrated for its crisp whites, particularly its riesling. There are more than 50 cellar doors and premium wineries, and a string of charming villages like Sevenhill, Mintaro, Auburn, Watervale and Clare. One of the best ways to explore the region is by cycling the Riesling Trail, a 32-kilometre (20-mile) trail between the towns of Auburn and Clare.
COONAWARRA
Where: a four-hour drive south-east of the city.
Located on the Limestone Coast, the Coonawarra region has a strong reputation as one of the country’s top red wine producers. Most favoured for its cabernet sauvignon, with shiraz following closely behind, the region is often referred to as South Australia’s red centre. Despite only stretching across a mere 20-kilometre (13-mile) strip, it packs in more than 25 cellar doors and a range of gourmet offerings. Visit the beautiful cellar door at Brand's Laira for a tasting, tour or a blend your own wine class.
