Port Review: Adelaide, Australia

Wide streets, plenty of parks and gardens, elegant architecture, and a very relaxed atmosphere make Adelaide an absolute delight to explore for cruise guests. 

The Facts

Location: South Australia.

Currency: Australian dollar.

Docking/anchoring: Most ships dock at Outer Harbour which is a 30-45 minute drive from the city centre. 

Transport: Most cruise lines will offer a shuttle service to the CBD. There are limited taxis at the port.

Overview

While exploring Adelaide, at times it’s hard to believe you’re actually in a capital city, but South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital has undergone a renaissance in recent years, and is bursting with culture, flavours, events and entertainment. Options for visitors include soaking up the sun at a metropolitan beach, exploring a lineup of attractions from historic buildings to the botanic gardens, and dipping into the restaurant and bar scene. But Adelaide is also a gateway to some of Australia’s top wine country, with world famous wineries on its doorstep.  

Don’t Miss 

North Terrace is home to some of Adelaide’s most important architecture. Lining this wide street are original Edwardian and Victorian buildings including Parliament House, the South Australia Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia. 

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is located on the city fringe, and one of the many quiet and peaceful retreats that can be found within easy walking distance of the CBD. Free guided walks depart from the tourist information kiosk at 10.30am. 

Glenelg is one of the city’s famous beach side suburbs, as well as a quintessential Adelaide experience, which you can reach by riding on one of the traditional trams from the city centre. 

Best Photo Op

The Torrens River runs through the heart of Adelaide and you can get a great snap of the city skyline with the city’s famous black swans on the water from the Adelaide Oval side of the river. 

Shopping

Rundle Mall is the shopping heart of Adelaide and has more than 600 retail stores including major department stores, boutique shops and specialty stores. The streets that run off the mall are also lined with a wide variety of stores.

Food And Drink

The Central Market on Rundle Street has around 250 stalls selling all manner of edible goodies and it’s become a real foodie’s hangout for locals and tourists with some great local cheeses and wines, gourmet meats, Asian takeaway stands, great coffee and fruit and vegetables in a fun and unpretentious atmosphere. The Exeter on Rundle Street is regarded as one of the best pubs in Adelaide with an eclectic mix of punters. 

Pick of the Excursions 

Thanks to European settlement and its Mediterranean climate, South Australia is famous for its wine, and a tour of the nearby Barossa Valley is a great way to experience some of Australia’s world famous producers such as Jacob’s Creek. Most tours will naturally include a drive through the picturesque countryside and add in structured wine tastings at a few vineyards.

Located 13 km off the South Australian coast, Kangaroo Island offers a great opportunity to experience Australia’s wildlife in a truly unique setting with some wonderful landscapes. Because it’s an island, it’s avoided the problems associated with settlement and feral animal species and here you can spot kangaroos (of course), koalas, cockatoos, lorikeets, seals and sea lions in their natural habitat.