Think You Know Adelaide? Welcome To Radelaide!
So you believed Melbourne had a lot going for it? Less assuming little sister Adelaide packs a lot of punch for its population size of only 1.2 million. What does it have instead of frustrating weather? Festivals and wine. And a whole lot more besides. Here are 8 reasons why Adelaide is an oft-overlooked gem and why the locals are happy to keep it that way.
A is for the Arts
Ask any Adelaidean for their favourite time of year and your answer will be two simple words - “Mad March”. Autumn sees such a high density of festivals, it can be hard to get your head around them all. Ever since Don Dunstan’s second term in office as South Australian Premier in the 70s, when state government funding for the arts skyrocketed, Adelaide has enjoyed its reputation as a haven for all artistic types.The Fringe Festival has eclipsed its parent, the famous Adelaide Festival of Arts, to become the second biggest of its kind in the world. The Clipsal, WOMADelaide, Writers’ Week - there’s something for everyone in Mad March! And that’s not even mentioning what’s going on during the rest of the year - Come Out, Feast, the Festival of Ideas, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, OzAsia. Melbourne Fringe ain’t got nothing on us yet.
D is for Design
One thing you’ll notice about the CBD after a few too many jugs at Adelaidean institutions The Austral and The Exeter - it’s surprisingly easy to navigate. Thanks go to first surveyor-general Colonel William Light, who had a soft spot for the symmetry of Sicilian city Catania and wanted to replicate it Down Under. With the help of designs from George Strickland Kingston, the city was meticulously laid out as an almost perfect grid of squares and parklands.This grid design was chosen to prevent population growth from altering the city centre too heavily - and to help tipsy people to find their ways home safely for generations to come (citation needed). Cheers, Bill.
E is for European
Yep, South Australians love to remind the rest of the country that they’re the only state not settled by convicts. And Adelaideans take it one step further, by speaking an Aussie dialect with a distinctive British twang - the “Queen’s English” they call it. Seriously though, the city’s history as a planned colony for free immigrants meant that the area saw a lot of immigration from skilled tradespeople from throughout Europe. Prussian lutherans fleeing religious persecution chose Adelaide as their go-to city - and luckily for us, they brought over bucketloads of vine cuttings which eventually became the Barossa Valley. Oh, and a few churches. You can even visit the German tourist village of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills for a beer and some winning wurst.
L is for Location
Speaking of nice daytrips, Adelaide has a few up its sleeve. Nestled within close distance to a pretty diverse range of landscapes and attractions, the city is only a stone’s throw from great wine regions like the Barossa and Clare Valleys and McLaren Vale. Kangaroo Island, the Mt Lofty Ranges, the Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas - all at your doorstep. Plus, if you can’t make it out of the city, there’s always the Central Market in Chinatown for snaffling fresh produce from right around the state.
A is for An Easy Tram Ride To The Beach
Adelaide lies in the driest state of the driest continent in the world - so it’s a good thing there’s always a beach nearby. Just hop on the direct tram line from the CBD to the popular swimming beach Glenelg to enjoy the sunshine. The line dates back to 1873 so there’s the added bonus of soaking up a bit of Victorian class on your journey. All the way up the coast you can find a range of beaches for swimming, fishing and surfing and they’re not wildy windy or home to too many nasty creatures. Winning!
I is for Interesting Landmarks
Which other city can boast such iconic genitalia? Pedestrian strip Rundle Mall is home to the affectionately nicknamed Mall’s Balls, a favourite meeting place since 1977. The city is strangely fond of strange statues. Along the mall, bronze pigs Horatio and Truffles forage for food in public bins. In 2013, an extensive social media campaign got an enormous metal cockroach to move in after the owners of his home paddock were selling their land and planning to dump the popular insect for scrap metal. On Hindmarsh Square, a busy central intersection, a playground has been erected to resemble a typical Aussie backyard, full of fishbones, old thongs and rubbish. Atmospheric, no?
D is for Driving
In contrast to other major cities, rush hour in Adelaide consists pretty much exclusively of radio shows describing it. With no toll roads and parking costs generally kept at a humane level, there’s not a lot to complain about when it comes to the daily commute. Besides, there’s always the free city buses and the free city tram to get you where you need to go. The free city bus is often packed in summer, but that may just be because the excellent air-conditioning offers a way to escape the powerful South Australian heat.
E is for Endangered Species
How can we describe Adelaide without an honourable mention going to the city’s most famous residents? Giant pandas Wang Wang and Funi have been on loan to Adelaide Zoo as part of a breeding program since 2009. After much anticipation, an opening ceremony led by South Australian senator Penny Wong and an $8 million enclosure complete with refrigerated rocks, the pair have spectacularly failed at producing any offspring. Sadly, in spite of staff’s best efforts, Wang Wang has so far been unable to live up to his name - for that matter, neither has Funi, whose Chinese name translates unfortunetly as “lucky girl”. But they’re still hobbling happily along with a good ole underdog spirit which makes the city proud.
Because that’s Adelaide - a city doesn’t take itself too seriously, a city which has taken a chill pill and the back seat, happily hobbling forward as the underdog of Australian capitals. Sure Melbourne’s got the bars - but Adelaide’s got the swag.
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