Travel City break: Adelaide
If it’s a city-break you’re after this February and March there’s only one place you need to be writes AMELIA SAW This February and March, need to be writes AMELIA SAW
OK, I’ll be honest: Adelaide has never been on my holiday hit list. As a little girl I I’d always thought it was a sleepy c city with lots of churches and n not much else going on. But boy w was I about to be proven wrong!
I timed my first trip to South A Australia’s capital to coincide with its famous festival season, during February and March. Adelaide Festival brings a thrilling line-up of international theatre, d dance and music acts to the city, while the Adelaide Fringe is a bit like its slightly offbeat, naughty little sister.
Walking through the city, I felt like Alice in Wonderland – there was a sense of magic in the air. Buildings were colourfully lit up and the streets peppered with art installations, openair performance spaces and pop-up bars. The atmosphere was electric.
I found a great spot for a preshow bevvy in The Garden of Unearthly Delights, a bar lit by fairy lights, specially erected for festival time.
After finishing a glass of wine or two I headed off to see Briefs, a risque all-male cabaret group who mix circus, burlesque and slapstick comedy. If a hilarious, wild performance by a bunch of men in spandex is your cup of tea, you’re in luck: the boys are back at this year’s Fringe with their new show Club Briefs.
Next morning I went to Abbots and Kinney on Pirie Street, to ease into the day with a creamy coffee and a Nutella doughnut that was so delicious, I had to sit on my hands to stop myself from ordering a second! Since I was in foodie territory, I saved some space to try French cheeses, Mediterranean olives, Italian meats and fresh seafood at the bustling, historic Adelaide Central Market, which has been running for almost 150 years.
Tempted to visit the stalls with the best samples twice over, I dragged myself away – I had an all-important wine tasting to get to!
Just a 15-minute cab ride from the CBD are the gorgeous vineyards of Penfolds Magill Estate, where I tried some of the finest reds and whites.
Afterwards, I treated myself to a long, late lunch at Magill Estate Restaurant, where the fine-dining tasting menu gets you eight mouth-watering courses plus matching wines. With its stunning views of the Adelaide Hills, it’s the perfect spot to while away the afternoon until sunset.
As my visit came to an end, I was sad to be going home. Not just because I had to leave this charming city, but because it took me so long to get here. Who knew the City of Churches had so much to offer?