Study abroad in Adelaide

When the early colonists arrived and began building Adelaide they used stone. They wanted to build a solid, dignified city, a civilised and calm place, with a manner no other state capital in the country could match. Ask anyone from another Australian city what they know about Adelaide and they'll probably tell you it's the 'city of churches'. Nowadays, however, it's much more than just its beautiful stone structures.

The traditional owners of the Adelaide area are the Kaurna people, whose territory extends south towards Cape Jervis and north towards Port Wakefield. Early European colonists ('free settlers') began to arrive in 1836, creating a lush, European-style capital, while successive waves of settlers have added to the cosmopolitan mix.

Adelaide is just a cycle away from native bushland hiking in the Mt Lofty Ranges and a tram ride from long stretches of sand on which to sunbathe around Glenelg. The city makes an excellent base for trips into the nearby wine regions, surf lessons on the Fleurieu Peninsula and hikes through the wildlife lair of Kangaroo Island.

Adelaide's compact city centre is laid out on an orderly grid bordered by North, East, South and West Tces. King William St is the main thoroughfare dissecting the city and most cross streets change their name here. Victoria Sq, the city's geographical centre, has bus stops and the Glenelg tram terminus. Franklin St, which runs off the square, has Adelaide's central bus station. Rundle St, lined with cafes, restaurants, bookshops, retro clothing stores and independent cinemas, is the social centre for all ages. Heading west, the street becomes Rundle Mall, the main shopping strip.

Adelaide's Weather

Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cool winters, with most rain falling between May and August. The city can get very hot in summer, and if you don't have access to a pool or air conditioner you'll probably find it unpleasant. Spring and autumn are generally the most pleasant times, with winter getting a bit cold and wet.

Cultural Overview

You only need to scratch the surface of the quiet achiever of Australian cities to tap into its pleasure-seeking culture. Adelaide boasts world-renowned major events, spanning the cultured and intellectual, artistic and gastronomic, petrol-burning and sports crazed. A vibrant student population ensures there's plenty to do for those on a budget, including dining out. The local spirit flows from varied cuisines and magnificent wines through to the healthy live music and bar scene and numerous events that celebrate a thriving arts community. During the innovative Adelaide Fringe Festival (see 'Adelaide Events'), the artistic flair of this historically progressive, yet still conservative, city truly emerges.

Don’t Miss...

Join a free guided tour of the superb Art Gallery of South Australia followed by a self-guided public artworks walk around the city (maps available at the visitor information centre).
Art Gallery of South Australia:  North Tce, City Centre.  Phone:  08 8207 7000  Website:  www.artgallery.sa.gov.au
Visitor Information Centre:  18 King William St

Explore the many attractive gardens right on the edge of the city centre, such as the splendid Adelaide Botanic Garden, where you can see possums emerging from trees at night, and the peaceful Japanese Himeji Gardens (South Tce).
Adelaide Botanic Garden:  Rymill Park (East Parklands).  Website:  www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au

Take a vintage tram from Victoria Sq in the city centre to relaxed, seaside Glenelg for a swim, a stroll along the lovely promenade, lunch along the bustling café strip, finishing up with a mountain of ice cream.
Glenelg:  Website:  www.glenelgsa.com.au

Enjoy wine tasting and great city views at Penfolds Magill Estate Winery, about 8km from the city centre. Why not indulge at the gourmet restaurant while you're there?
Penfolds Magill Estate Winery:  78 Penfolds Rd, Magill.  Phone:  08 8301 5569

Take in a show at the fabulous Weimar Room, an über-cool European-style cabaret venue where you can see a wide range of shows including flamenco, tango, theatre sports, jazz, big bands and cabaret acts.
Weimar Room:  27 Hindley St, City Centre.  Phone:  08 8410 4700

Eat & Be Merry At...

Dining out in Adelaide sits high on the social agenda – aided by low prices and high standards. Food lovers flock to Gouger St in the city centre, where you can sample food from every continent, try the Central Market's delights, and get some of the best Chinese food around in Chinatown. Rundle St, with its lively Italian and Thai outdoor cafes and restaurants, is a great place for people watching, or relax at the quiet cluster of good restaurants on nearby Hindmarsh Sq. Across the river in North Adelaide, Melbourne and O'Connell Sts have a good offering, including Italian bistros, gourmet food suppliers and cool pubs with great food and live music. For a true Adelaide experience, head for a bar and order a schooner (half-pint) or pint of the local brew – Coopers – or a glass of one of SA's impressive wines.

Get breakfast on the go at Adelaide's wonderful Central Market – don't miss the Providore and a sample from the Yoghurt Company.
Central Market:  cnr Gouger & Grote Sts, City Centre.

Book ahead for both Good Life pizzerias. Expect sensational organic pizzas with thin crusts piled with tasty toppings such as spicy garlic-and-venison mettwurst (German sausage) with kalamata and green split olives...yum.
Good Life:  170 Hutt St, City Centre.  Phone:  08 8223 2618. or
Good Life:  Level 1, cnr Jetty Rd & Moseley St, Glenelg.  Phone:  08 8376 5900

Uncover a culinary gem at Ying Chow Chinese Restaurant where the cuisine is styled from the Guangzhou region and the flavours are delightful. Try Eshan chicken or aniseed tea duck.
Ying Chow Chinese Restaurant:  114 Gouger St.  Phone:  08 8211 7998

Make your way to the suburb of Henley (take bus Nos 130 to 137 from Grenfell and Currie Sts, City Centre) for a beer and meal at the best pub on the coast, the Ramsgate Hotel.
Ramsgate Hotel:  328 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach.  Phone:  08 8356 5411

Find a room for every mood at Archer, a great place for a drink – there's the light-hearted front bar (with sports screen), fireside lounge with Chesterfield sofas, snooker room and upbeat music room with DJs on weekends.
Archer:  47 O'Connell St, North Adelaide.  Phone:  08 8361 9300

Adelaide Events

Adelaide is Australia's festival epicentre with a continuous high-quality stream of fantastic international and local events. These attract performers and audiences from around the world, particularly the Glenelg Jazz Festival (October) and the Adelaide Festival of Arts (see following). Here's a selection of what's on offer:

Adelaide Festival of Arts – This fantastic celebration of the arts occurs in March on even-numbered years, showcasing international and Australian dance, drama, opera and theatre.
Adelaide Festival of Arts:  Website:  www.adelaidefestival.com.au

Adelaide Fringe – Also in March on even-numbered years, this world-renowned independent arts festival is second only to Edinburgh Fringe.
Adelaide Fringe:  Website:  www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Womadelaide – To balance things up, Womadelaide is held in March on odd-numbered years. It's one of the world's best live music events with more than 400 musicians and performers from around the globe.
Womadelaide:  Website:  www.womadelaide.com.au

Feast Festival – This three-week lesbian and gay cultural festival with a carnival, theatre performances, talks and dances is held in October.
Feast Festival:  Website:  www.feast.org.au

Credit Union Christmas Pageant – An Adelaide institution for more than 70 years, this event sees floats, bands and marching troupes take over the city streets for a day in November.
Credit Union Christmas PageantWebsite:  www.cupageant.com.au

Source: studyinaustralia.gov.au