Often overshadowed by its flashier cousins, Sydney and Melbourne, Adelaide has quietly evolved into one of Australia’s most compelling destinations. With its Mediterranean climate, world-class wine regions, vibrant arts scene and easy-going charm, the South Australian capital offers a rich tapestry of experiences, especially for travellers who appreciate a slower, more soulful pace.

Whether you’re a culture connoisseur, a nature lover, or a foodie on the hunt for your next obsession, Adelaide delivers. And in August, when cool southern winter temperatures peak at about 17°C, the city comes alive with festivals, cosy wine tastings and coastal walks.

Cluster of Culture

North Terrace is Adelaide’s cultural corridor, lined with grand 19th-century buildings and leafy promenades. Start at the Art Gallery of South Australia, home to one of the country’s finest collections of Australian, European and Asian art. Just next door is the South Australian Museum, where you can admire more than 30,000 Aboriginal artworks, artefacts and ceremonial items in the world’s largest collection.

Australia’s oldest First Nations-owned-and-run cultural venue, Tandanya, is only a 15-minute walk away. Showcasing the art and storytelling of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, it is named after the Kaurna people’s name for Adelaide – ‘the place of the red kangaroo’.

Strolling along North Terrace also means soaking in the city’s intellectual and architectural heritage through stops at the State Library, Parliament House and the University of Adelaide. If you’re lucky, you might catch a pop-up exhibition or performance on route.

Wicket Wonders

Even if you’re not a cricket fan, the Adelaide Oval is worth a visit. This iconic stadium blends historic architecture with modern design and hosts everything from Australian Football League matches to international concerts. Bordered by century-old Moreton Bay fig trees, the Northern Mound, with its heritage-listed manual scoreboard, is the place to be no matter the entertainment on view.

For a unique perspective, book a RoofClimb experience. You will be harnessed in and guided along the stadium’s rooftop for panoramic views of the city, the River Torrens and the distant Adelaide Hills. Sunset climbs are especially magical.

Coastal Cool

Hop on the vintage Glenelg tram from the city centre and in 30 minutes you will reach the beach. Glenelg is Adelaide’s most popular seaside suburb, with a lively esplanade, historic jetty, and plenty of cafés and boutiques.

For a quieter vibe, head to Henley Beach, where locals sip wine as the sun retreats and dine al fresco at spots like Seamore’s or Melt Henley. In August, beach life is brisk but beautiful – perfect for a windswept walk or a lively brunch with ocean views.

Port Adelaide is a historic harbour suburb with street art, maritime museums and dolphin-spotting cruises. Submerge yourself in the seafaring aspect of the city’s heritage by diving, snorkelling or kayaking among shipwrecks down the coast at Port Noarlunga or Rapid Bay.

Sipping Pretty

Adelaide is the gateway to three world-class wine regions, all within an hour’s drive. Tour companies offer day trips with tastings, gourmet lunches and scenic drives through rolling vineyards, or you go with the flow on your own. Barossa Valley, to the north, is known for its bold Shiraz and traditional cellar doors. Among more than 80 venues for tasting the acclaimed local pours, don’t miss Seppeltsfield, where you can sip your birth-year vintage straight from the barrel.

Explore Adelaide Hills on the way back, an area of cooler-climate wines, charming villages and forested landscapes. Stop by Hahndorf, founded in 1839 and Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, for strudel and schnitzel. South of the city, the coastal wine region of McLaren Vale beckons with a Mediterranean ambience. Visit d’Arenberg Cube, a surreal five-storey cellar door complete with Salvador Dali bronzes.

Nature’s Way

Adelaide is famously green, with more than 760 hectares of parklands encircling the city. The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a highlight, featuring themed gardens, a tropical rainforest conservatory, and the stunning Palm House, a Victorian-era glasshouse imported from Germany.

Nearby, the Himeji Garden – a gift from Adelaide’s Japanese sister city – is a tranquil spot for reflection. Or rent a bike and cruise along the River Torrens Linear Park Trail, which winds through the city and out to the coast.

Nature lovers will also want to hop over to Kangaroo Island. Just a short flight from Adelaide or a ferry ride from Cape Jervis, the island is a wildlife haven where kangaroos, koalas, sooty dunnarts and short-beaked echidnas roam free. Explore the otherworldly granite formations of Remarkable Rocks, walk among the sea lions at Seal Bay, and sample honey, gin and cheese from local producers. While it’s doable in a day, staying overnight lets you truly soak in the island’s magic.

Foodie Finds

No visit to Adelaide is complete without a wander through the Adelaide Central Market. One of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s a sensory overload in the best way. With more than 70 traders under one roof, you will find everything from artisan cheeses and organic veggies to handmade chocolates and multicultural street food.

Grab a coffee at Lucia’s, sample prize-winning kangaroo sausage from Barossa Fine Foods, or sit down for a steaming bowl of laksa at Asian Gourmet. The market is also a great place to chat with locals and get a feel for the city’s multicultural roots.

Adelaide’s food scene is having a moment. From hidden laneway bars to award-winning restaurants, there is something for every palate. Just south of North Terrace, Peel Street and Leigh Street buzz in the evenings with small bars and eateries. Try Shōbōsho for Japanese smokehouse fare or Africola over on East Terrace for bold South African flavours. Those favouring fine dining could head back to the Botanic Garden, where Restaurant Botanic’s modern, sustainable Australian fare has earned global plaudits.

Haigh’s Chocolates, a local institution since 1915, is the home of handcrafted treats and factory tours. Another hidden gem in this city of surprises is Adelaide Gaol, one of Australia’s oldest prisons, now a museum offering ghostly experiences.

Stay & Savour

Adelaide offers a wide range of accommodation, from boutique hotels to luxury stays. A first choice for five-star service and old-style glamour, the Mayfair Hotel opened in the heart of the city in 2015, occupying a grand neo-Romanesque heritage building dating back to the 1930s. Extensive interior renovation has resulted in 170 top-notch rooms decorated in handcrafted South Australian chic. The thoroughly modern EOS by SkyCity offers luxury with river views; its West Hollywood-esque hangout, Sol Rooftop, is a top spot for late-night cocktails and exquisite small plates. On the opposite bank of the Torrens is a temporary dwelling ideal for the well-heeled sports enthusiast. You will be right in the thick of the action at the Oval Hotel, built into the façade of the Adelaide Oval. For a change of scene from the cityscape, consider a vineyard stay in the Adelaide Hills or a beachside Airbnb in Glenelg.

Adelaide is compact and easy to navigate. The city centre is walkable, and public transport includes buses, trams and trains. The free City Connector bus loops around key attractions, and bike-share programmes are available for eco-friendly exploring. If you’re heading to the wine regions or Kangaroo Island, renting a car offers the most flexibility.

Winter Fun

Winter is festival season in Adelaide, and two major events light up the city. Large-scale projections, immersive installations and late-night performances turn the streets into a glowing playground during Illuminate Adelaide, a cutting-edge festival of light, music and technology held in July.

August welcomes the South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA), a month-long celebration of local visual artists, with exhibitions popping up in galleries, cafés, laneways and even laundromats. Both festivals are free and allow you to feel Adelaide’s creative pulse.

Adelaide is a city that doesn’t shout. Instead, it whispers, inviting you to slow down, look closer, and discover its layers. Whether you are seeking enlightenment in a glowing art installation, sipping Shiraz in the Barossa, or watching whales off the coast, Adelaide offers a rare blend of sophistication and soul. In August, when the air is cool and SALA is in full swing, it’s especially enchanting.