Adelaide: A Slow Day of Favourites
We only had one full day in Adelaide this time, so we did what any sensible travellers would do! We crammed in all our favourite things at a pace that still felt nice and relaxed.
Cameron had a spring in his step the moment we hit North Terrace. First stop: the South Australian Museum, where the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition was on display. There’s something grounding about standing in front of images that capture moments we’d never see otherwise. Everything from Arctic stillness to tiny creatures we’d probably step over in real life.
Meanwhile, Neil opted for a different kind of pilgrimage: the Adelaide Central Market. He returned later with tales of pastries, cheeses and other treats he claimed were “research.”
Next for Cameron was the Art Gallery of South Australia, which always feels like slipping into familiar shoes. This time, Tarnanthi’s ten-year exhibition was filling the rooms with colour, texture and stories that deserved every quiet minute we spent there. Adelaide’s art scene has a way of stopping you mid-stride.
Wandering next door to the Mortlock Wing of the State Library, where he claimed the title of “library tragic.” With its dark timber balconies and rows of old volumes, it’s the kind of room that whispers rather than speaks. A quick pause, a deep breath, and suddenly the city feels more spacious.
The Botanic Gardens rounded out Cameron’s cultural loop, with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition appearing inside the Bicentennial Conservatory, surrounded by warm, humid air and dense greenery, giving flashbacks to our time up north!
It wasn’t a long day in Adelaide, but it was a good one, full of the places that always make us smile. Sometimes the familiar stops are the ones that feel the most like home.
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Adelaide
South Australia’s capital blends history, gardens, galleries and good food into an easy-to-navigate city. The cultural strip along North Terrace is one of the best in the country, and everything is surprisingly walkable.
How to Get There
Adelaide is accessible via fully sealed highways from every direction, with plenty of parking near the Botanic Gardens and around the CBD. North Terrace is best explored on foot.
What to See / Tours / Activities
What we did:
Visited the South Australian Museum for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Explored the Art Gallery of South Australia during its Tarnanthi 10-year showcase.
Wandered the Mortlock Wing of the State Library.
Strolled through the Botanic Gardens and the Bicentennial Conservatory exhibition.
Sent Neil off to the Central Market for “essential tasting duties.”
Rundle Mall for shops and street performances.
Other highlights nearby:
Adelaide Oval tours and the Riverbank precinct.
Migration Museum and UniSA’s Samstag Museum of Art.
The Adelaide Zoo and Botanic Park precinct.
Tram trip to Glenelg for a beach sunset.
When to Visit
Spring and autumn are ideal, with mild days perfect for walking the city loop. Summer can be hot, and winter brings cosy indoor days across the museums and galleries.
Final Thoughts
Even with only one day up our sleeves, Adelaide gave us everything we needed — art, nature, stories, food and that gentle city hum that never feels rushed. We’ll be back with more time next round.
What’s Nearby
The Adelaide Hills sit just half an hour away, packed with wineries, towns and forest trails. We continued our run through South Australia with beach stays, wine country wanders and more culture than expected.
Fast Facts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Distance: Walkable city centre; 30 minutes from the Adelaide Hills
Traditional Owners: Kaurna People
Access: Fully sealed; easy city public transport
Facilities: Museums, galleries, markets, parks, cafes, shops
Walking Track: Botanic Gardens, city loop trails
Dog Friendly: Not inside buildings; some outdoor dining areas allow dogs
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn
If you enjoy these slow-city days mixed with a little road dust, jump onto our Top Secret Travel Dispatches. It’s where the behind-the-scenes stories live…the ones that don’t always make the main page.
Other updates you may like…
With just one day in Adelaide, we crammed in all our favourites! Art, museums, botanic gardens and a market dash. North Terrace delivered its usual magic, reminding us why this city always feels good to return to.