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YOUR GUIDE TO
Adelaide

Your complete guide to settling into Adelaide, from getting around and choosing a neighbourhood to
understanding living costs and making the most of student life.

 

Your student guide to Adelaide

WELCOME TO Adelaide CITY GUIDE

Hi everyone,

My name’s Emmanuelle and I want to help you get the most out of your university experience here in Adelaide! Whether you’ve moved interstate or overseas, it can feel overwhelming at times, especially if it’s your first time living alone.

You’ve come to a welcoming and lively city that can easily feel like home, you just need to know where to look! Adelaide has a lot to offer, cafes, beautiful walks, nightlife and so much more. I’d love for you to browse this guide and explore as much of Adelaide as you can!
citiy guide of Adelaide - Emmanuelle
Hi everyone,

My name’s Emmanuelle and I want to help you get the most out of your university experience here in Adelaide! Whether you’ve moved interstate or overseas, it can feel overwhelming at times, especially if it’s your first time living alone.

You’ve come to a welcoming and lively city that can easily feel like home, you just need to know where to look! Adelaide has a lot to offer, cafes, beautiful walks, nightlife and so much more. I’d love for you to browse this guide and explore as much of Adelaide as you can!

Nights out

Mustn't-Miss Nights Out in Adelaide

If you're after a night out, chill place to relax after class or just something new and exciting. I've found a few places worth sharing.

The
Howling Owl

The Howling Owl  is a café by day and a gin bar by night! It’s a vibrant venue in the heart of Adelaide’s east complete with intimate booths, a pizza menu, and a wide variety of fun drinks (even if gin isn’t your thing). It’s an ideal spot to hang out with and get to know your new flatmates.

10 Vaughan Pl, Adelaide SA 5000 

The
Lost Dice

The Lost Dice is a cosy game café and bar that offers a fun space to play a range of board games for only $8.50. It’s a chance to take a break from the digital world and unleash your competitive side! Easily one of the most fun, low-cost nights you’ll have all semester.

111 King William St, Adelaide SA 5000

The
Austral

The Austral  is one of Adelaide’s longest standing pubs! Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of South Australia alongside a pub feed and good company. I love their Tuesday steak nights, and they also have a student club.

205 Rundle St, Adelaide SA 5000 

weekend getaways

Barossa Valley

You can’t live in South Australia and not visit the vineyards of Barossa Valley. Located just over an hour’s drive, you can book a wine tasting for just $10 and discover your new favourite wine. Some of the best wine I’ve ever had!

Drive: Drive ~1 hr 15 min or join a student-friendly guided tour departing the city
Address: 66-68 Murray Street, Tanunda, SA 5352

Victor
Harbor

Jump on a horse-drawn tram and gallop your way out to Granite Island. It’s a scenic spot with ocean views on either side of you. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get to witness some whales.

Getting there:  LinkSA coach from Adelaide Central Bus Station (Franklin St), 1 hr 50 min, twice daily, or a beautiful scenic drive 1 hr. 

2 Railway Terrace, Victor Harbor SA 5211 

Hahndorf
Village

Head to Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and experience a true Bavarian lunch with German beer, pork knuckles, and pretzels bigger than your head. Spend the next day picking strawberries at Beerenberg Farm (available from November to April).

Getting there:  Bus T801 from the city, 1 Hr, or a 30-min drive into the Hills.

 Adelaide Hills, South Australia (postcode 5245) 

Monarto Safari Park

Monarto Safari Park is the world’s largest open-range safari park where you can see over 500 animals roam freely. It’s the closest thing to an African safari without leaving Adelaide!

Getting there: LinkSA direct bus from Currie Street, 1 hr 15 min (weekday mornings, returns mid-afternoon), or drive 50–60 min. 

63 Monarto Rd, Monarto SA 5254  

Day off

Glenelg Beach city guide Adelaide Glenelg Beach city guide Adelaide
Henley Beach city guide Adelaide Henley Beach city guide Adelaide
Port Noarlunga Port Noarlunga

Glenelg Beach

Chill at one of Adelaide’s most popular swimming spots. Go on a stroll, grab an ice cream, have a swim, it’s the perfect day with friends or even solo.

Getting there: hop on the Glenelg Public tram anywhere in the city and get off at Moseley Square, 25 min 



Glenelg SA 5045 

Henley Beach

Henley Beach is the perfect place to relax as I found it a little quieter than Glenelg. It’s super easy to find a spot on the sand to set up for the day. Also very well known for its vibrant food scene, nothing quite like dinner with a view!

Getting there: Bus H30 from Currie St, 40 min; or train to Grange station, 22 min, then a short walk. 



Esplanade & Seaview Road, Henley Beach SA 5022 

Port Noarlunga

This is by far my favourite spot in South Australia; these images don’t do it justice… It’s a picturesque village, with a gorgeous area to swim, snorkel, fish, or even kayak. You can walk 300 metres out on the jetty and you’re standing above one of South Australia’s most loved reefs

Getting there: Seaford line train to Seaford, 50 min, then a short bus, 15 mins, or drive 40 min from CBD. 



Port Noarlunga SA 5167 

Freebies

SA Museum

Home to some of Australia’s most stunning art collections, the South Australian Museum showcases world class natural history and Aboriginal cultural exhibitions. Free of charge, you can see dinosaur bones, ancient artefacts, and much more.

Getting there: Walk to North Terrace, CBD, or take Botanic Gardens Tram to Art Gallery stop. 

North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 
Home to some of Australia’s most stunning art collections, the South Australian Museum
Home to some of Australia’s most stunning art collections, the South Australian Museum showcases world class natural history and Aboriginal cultural exhibitions. Free of charge, you can see dinosaur bones, ancient artefacts, and much more.

Getting there: Walk to North Terrace, CBD, or take Botanic Gardens Tram to Art Gallery stop. 

North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 

Himeji Garden

Himeji Garden celebrates the ancient Japanese city of Himeji. It’s a green haven where you can experience the beauty of Japan without leaving South Australia. An ideal spot for a moment of reflection and solitude. The garden is open every day from 8am – 5:30pm.

Art Gallery of South Australia

Over 45,000 artworks from Australia, North America, Asia, and Europe, with a focus on Australian and Indigenous art. It’s not your average gallery, featuring many sculptures and textiles. It has also exhibited works by artists like Andy Warhol and Diane!

Getting there: Walk to North Terrace, CBD, 6 min, or take a Botanic Garden Tram to Art Gallary from CBD, 6 min. 

490 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 
Art Gallery of South Australia
Over 45,000 artworks from Australia, North America, Asia, and Europe, with a focus on Australian and Indigenous art. It’s not your average gallery, featuring many sculptures and textiles. It has also exhibited works by artists like Andy Warhol and Diane!

Getting there: Walk to North Terrace, CBD, 6 min, or take a Botanic Garden Tram to Art Gallary from CBD, 6 min. 

490 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 

Hidden gems

Adelaide Hidden Gems

See below for my top student-friendly spots in Adelaide: peaceful gardens, scenic lookouts and nature escapes I think are worth exploring.

Botanic Garden

Adelaide Botanic Garden

A peaceful, green retreat in the heart of Adelaide’s city. Take a stroll through the historic Palm House to explore the Madagascan collection in the magnificent glass building (shown below!), and don’t miss the glass chandelier.

North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

I love to visit during autumn to see all the leaves turning a vibrant orange, red, and yellow colour. You can also go in spring to see the cherry blossoms come to life. An ideal spot for a picnic by the lake.

16 Lampert Rd, Crafers SA 5152 
Mount Lofty

Mount Lofty Summit

I’d suggest walking from Waterfall Gully to the Summit, it’s a more physically demanding walk, covering 7.8 km return. Alternatively, you could enjoy the vegetation below Mount Lofty lookout. It’s a short walk where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the view.

Mount Lofty Summit Rd, Crafers SA 5152 

Active Bunch

Mount Osmond Reserve

Mount Osmond is an open space reserve with plenty of different walking trails; they range from anywhere between 30 mins to 4 hours. I’d recommend a stroll in the morning to see the sunrise. Very Instagram-worthy!

For the Active Bunch

Adelaide has plenty of ways to stay active and have fun. From arcade games and mini golf to social run clubs, here are three spots to get moving.

Archie
Brothers

An arcade-carnival bar with arcade games, bumper cars, karaoke, laser tag, virtual reality and more. They also provide a bottomless brunch for only $59 per person. A great spot for a date night!

Rundle Place, Level 1, 77/91 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000

Holey
Moley

Play mini golf at Holey Moley! Bring your friends and choose between 9-18 holes, each with a unique theme. No need to rely on nice weather to have a fun, competitive outing with friends.

Level 1/162/170 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000

I Don’t
Run Club

Join the I Don’t Run Club to get that dopamine hit you’ve been craving. The group gathers at the Adelaide University footbridge every Tuesday at 6:45pm and at Bloom Café every Saturday at 8:45am.

Check out their Instagram for latest meeting spots

Hello, have a question? Let’s chat.