Art and Culture

Adelaide is proud of its reputation for arts and culture. Set in an area of spectacular natural beauty and blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, its residents enjoy the good life. On even-numbered years it stages one of the world's premier arts festivals - the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts and Adelaide Fringe Festival - which attracts thousands of Australian and international performers. The global sounds of the WOMADelaide world music festival can be heard every summer near the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

One of the country's most famous artists, Sir Hans Heysen, lived and painted here. His home and studio can be visited in the Adelaide Hills and are virtually as he left them. The Hahndorf Academy features local artists and artisans at work in a wide range of crafts. The Art Gallery of South Australia is renowned for its collection of Aboriginal works, Australian paintings from the 19th century and a collection of Rodins. Aboriginal culture is featured at Tandanya, Australias National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, owned and managed by Aboriginal people. It offers an insight into Australian Aboriginal culture through museum artefacts and contemporary exhibitions.

Stroll along North Terrace to see magnificent examples of 19th century architecture in the renovated railway station and casino complex, the past and present Houses of Parliament, Government House, the Art Gallery and Museum, Universities of Adelaide and South Australia and a museum dedicated to Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's most famous cricketer. The Adelaide Festival Centre features world-class productions throughout the year.

Compact and chic city style

Designed in 1836 on a square mile grid the city is compact and easy to walk around. High-rise buildings have been kept to a minimum and the wide streets, original stone colonial buildings, mansions and workers cottages remain a delight to see. The city precinct is surrounded by a vibrant green belt of parklands so close you can relax over a picnic on the lawns.

Unlike other Australian states, South Australia's citizens were not drawn from convicts but were attracted by the potential to build wealth in wool, copper and wheat. Along the North Terrace are the cultural icons of the South Australian Museum, Art Gallery, University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Casino in the beautifully refurbished 1920s railway station.

Rundle Mall provides an eclectic variety of shops including department stores, boutiques, specialty shops and malls spreading like octopus tentacles. Famous home-grown retailers found here include Jurlique skincare, RM Williams Bush Outfitters and Haigh's Chocolates. In Rundle Street many shops and restaurants display the work of local artists providing a rare opportunity to purchase a unique South Australian memento. The 125-year-old Adelaide Central Market provides a noisy, colourful, aromatic and lively meeting place for visitors and citizens alike. This is multicultural Australia at its best with some 48 cultures bartering and selling produce in friendly rivalry. Accommodation is plentiful in a wide range of international and boutique hotels just a few steps away from all the above.

Dining and delicacies

Blessed with a great climate and good soil South Australia is home to some of the freshest food and finest wines in the country. About 70 per cent of Australia's export wines come from wineries at Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek and others. Try them all at the National Wine Centre of Australia in the heart of the city.

These famous winegrowing areas are also renowned for their restaurants and an interesting alternative to city dining. Adelaide has a reputation for innovative and affordable cuisine which, when combined with the local wines, is a memorable experience. Famous eat streets include O'Connell and Gouger streets, Norwood Parade and Rundle Street East or the 'East End'. For a leisurely meal by the sea try one of the popular cafes or restaurants at Henley Square (where the Oscar-winning movie Shine was filmed) or Glenelg, or stay close to the city centre for Asian fare in the food halls at the Adelaide Central Market. For an indulgent meal head for Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant (home of Grange wine), Bridgewater Mill, Jarmers, Alphutte or The Grange - winner of the Remy Martin, Gourmet Traveller, Restaurant of the Year Award and home to the city's acclaimed master chef, Cheong Liew.

While in South Australia try naturally-brewed Coopers ales and beers and the hugely successful Two Dogs Alcoholic Lemonade, the world's first alcoholic lemonade, invented by a local resident with too many lemons and since purchased by the French firm Pernod Ricard. Sweeten the palate with Haigh's Chocolates made by the last chocolate maker in Australia to still import cocoa beans and roast them to control flavour and texture - choose from hand-dipped soft centres or double dark and chewy.

Market magic

Start the day with breakfast at the Adelaide Central Market. Eat homemade muesli with stewed rhubarb and yoghurt washed down with a giant latte to the cacophony of sounds and aromas of this lively marketplace.

The locals shop here and visitors come to gaze in wonder. Nearly 50 nationalities spruik their specialities in what must be one of the most multicultural meeting places in the country. Fishmongers, greengrocers, fruiterers and butchers compete with a brigade of buskers. Then head for galleries like JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design, Metal and Stone and Gray Street Workshop. Metal and Stone specialise in silver and jewels as well as the exquisite and original spectacle frames made by Peter Coombe. Commission something to suit your personality. The JamFactory and the Gray Street Workshop artists and craftspeople produce an eclectic range of goods in leather, jewels, metal, glassware and all sorts of functional pieces.

Outside the city in the Adelaide Hills small farmers gather at the weekend markets at Uraidla, Littlehampton, Mylor, Meadows and Macclesfield and the organic market at Stirling to delight the senses with fresh seasonal produce (honey, herbs, strawberries, apples etc) home-made cakes and preserves. On Saturday morning, head to eclectic farmers markets in Willunga on the Fleurieu Peninsula or Angaston in Barossa for a celebration of regional produce, cuisine and coffee.