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South Australia · Adelaide & the Hills

Adelaide & the Adelaide Hills

An elegant capital ringed by parklands, and a cool-climate range of vineyards and villages half an hour up the freeway — the natural start to any SA trip.

City markets & festivalsHills ~30 minVillage HahndorfBase for the state
The Capital & Its Hills

Adelaide & the Adelaide Hills

South Australia’s capital is an elegant, easygoing city ringed by parklands and set between the hills and the sea — a place of markets, museums, festivals and food. Just half an hour up the freeway, the cool-climate Adelaide Hills deliver vineyards, Mount Lofty views, koalas at Cleland and the German village of Hahndorf. Together they make the natural start to any South Australian trip. This is the overview — our detailed Adelaide guide has the full story.

The Essentials

City & Hills Highlights

🍅 Food

The Central Market

One of the Southern Hemisphere’s great produce markets, at the heart of a genuine food city.

🏛 Culture

North Terrace

A cultural boulevard of free museums and galleries, leading to the Botanic Garden.

⛰ The Hills

Mount Lofty & Hahndorf

Summit views, Cleland wildlife and Australia’s oldest German town, 30 minutes from the city.

🏖 Seaside

Glenelg

The heritage tram runs from the city to a sandy beach and a buzzy foreshore.

Good to Know

Adelaide & the Hills — FAQ

What is there to do in Adelaide?

Graze the Central Market, explore the free North Terrace museums, catch cricket or the RoofClimb at Adelaide Oval, tram to Glenelg and dine in the laneway small bars. For the full picture, see our detailed Adelaide travel guide.

How far are the Adelaide Hills from the city?

About 30 minutes by road — a cool-climate escape of vineyards, Mount Lofty views, Cleland wildlife and Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German town.

Is Adelaide a good base for South Australia?

Ideal — it’s central to the Barossa, McLaren Vale, the Fleurieu and the Hills, and the gateway to Kangaroo Island and the outback.

How long should I spend in Adelaide?

Two to three days for the city, plus a day or more for the Adelaide Hills and wine-country day trips.

South Australia, Planned Around You

Adelaide, the wine country, Kangaroo Island and the outback — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.

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