Adelaide

Airport transfer to the CBD(20 minutes)

Adelaide Airport (ADL) is only ~7km from the city. Metered taxi ~$25-30 AUD, or the JetBus J1/J2 ~$4.20. Rideshare pickup is signed at the terminal.

Hotel check-in (CBD or North Terrace)(30 minutes)

Base yourself near Rundle Mall or North Terrace so the free City Connector bus (98A/98C, 99A/99C) and free CBD tram are on your doorstep.

Rundle Mall & the Mall's Balls(1 hour)

Adelaide's pedestrian shopping heart. Snap the iconic 'Mall's Balls' (Spheres) sculpture and the bronze pigs (A Day Out) outside the arcade.

Sunset drinks on a laneway(1.5 hours)

Ease into Adelaide's bar scene at Clever Little Tailor on Peel St — a tiny wine-and-whisky den. Nearby Leigh St has more if you want to hop.

Dinner at Africola(1.5 hours)

Duncan Welgemoed's fire-driven South African feast on East Terrace — bold, veg-forward, fun. ~$70-90pp; book ahead. Or keep it casual on Gouger St's Chinatown for under $20.

Breakfast at Adelaide Central Market(1 hour)

Open Tue-Sat (closed Sun-Mon). Coffee at Lucia's (trading since 1957), a cannoli, then browse Smelly Cheese Co. and Barossa Fine Foods. Go before 9AM Saturday to beat the rush.

Art Gallery of South Australia(2 hours)

One of the country's finest collections — Australian, Aboriginal and European art. Free general entry (special shows ticketed). Open daily ~10AM-5PM.

South Australian Museum & State Library(1.5 hours)

Free. The SA Museum's Aboriginal Cultures Gallery is world-significant; the Mortlock Wing of the State Library next door is one of the world's most beautiful reading rooms.

Adelaide Botanic Garden(1.5 hours)

Free 51-hectare gardens off North Terrace. See the Victorian Palm House and the giant glass Bicentennial Conservatory. Open daily from ~7:15AM.

Dinner at Peel St restaurant(1.5 hours)

Peel St bistro does share-plates with global flavours (~$60pp). Finish with a cocktail at Maybe Mae, a hidden speakeasy off Leigh St — look for the unmarked door.

Riverbank walk to Adelaide Oval(45 minutes)

Stroll the Torrens footbridge from the Festival Plaza across to the Oval — free and scenic, with paddle boats on the river below.

Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour(1.5 hours)

Heritage cricket-and-footy ground with the historic scoreboard and Bradman Collection. Guided tours ~$26. Book ahead as tours don't run on major match days.

Adelaide Oval RoofClimb(2 hours)

The showpiece: harness up and walk the arched roofline 50m above the pitch for panoramic city and hills views. ~$109; a twilight climb is spectacular. Pre-book.

Lunch in North Adelaide(1 hour)

Wander up to O'Connell St or Melbourne St in North Adelaide for a pub lunch — the Kentish or the historic Wellington Hotel.

Evening at a Leigh Street bar(2 hours)

Back in the CBD, grab dinner then a nightcap at the Gin Palace on Peel St, an art-deco basement with 350+ gins.

Cleland Wildlife Park(2.5 hours)

Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies roaming free; for an extra fee you can hold a koala (limited daily sessions — book on arrival). Entry ~$28 adults. Open ~9:30AM-5PM.

Mount Lofty Summit(45 minutes)

A short drive up to the 727m summit for the classic panorama over Adelaide to the sea. Free lookout; there's a café for a coffee.

Lunch & stroll in Hahndorf(1.5 hours)

Australia's oldest surviving German settlement (1839). Bratwurst and beer at the Hahndorf Inn, or German cake at Otto's Bakery. Free to wander the main street.

Cellar door at Hahndorf Hill or Bird in Hand(1.5 hours)

Sample cool-climate Adelaide Hills wines. Hahndorf Hill's 'ChocoVino' chocolate-and-wine pairing is a fun twist (~$45). Tastings ~$10-15.

Return to the CBD for dinner(1 hour)

~30 min drive back. Keep it relaxed with a bowl of laksa or dumplings on Gouger St, or pizza in the West End.

Tram to Glenelg(30 minutes)

Board the tram in the CBD (free within the city zone; ~$4.20 out to the coast). It runs down Jetty Rd right to the beachfront at Moseley Square.

Glenelg Beach & Jetty(2 hours)

Golden sand and the long jetty at Holdfast Bay. Swim between the flags where patrolled. Slip-slop-slap: the UV is extreme even on mild days.

Lunch on Jetty Road(1 hour)

Fish and chips by the water, or a long lunch at the Moseley or the Jetty Bar & Grill overlooking the square.

Dolphin & swim cruise (optional)(2 hours)

Temptation Sailing runs dolphin-watching cruises from Glenelg Marina; you can even swim with wild dolphins in season (~$99 watch / ~$150 swim). Book ahead.

Sunset gelato & tram home(1 hour)

Glenelg faces west, so the sunset over the gulf is the payoff. Grab a gelato, then ride the tram back into the city lit up at dusk.

Guided Barossa wine tour pickup(1 hour)

Small-group day tours from Adelaide run ~$150-190 including cellar doors and lunch. Or self-drive (~1 hr) with a nominated driver.

Seppeltsfield Estate(1.5 hours)

Iconic bluestone winery famed for its Centenary Collection — taste a fortified tawny from your actual birth year (~$99 for that experience; standard tastings less). The palm-lined avenue is a photo stop.

Lunch at a Barossa cellar door(1.5 hours)

Long lunch at Hentley Farm or the Kitchen Door at Penfolds — regional produce with estate wines. Book ahead (~$80-120pp).

Penfolds Barossa Valley(1.5 hours)

Home of Grange. Do a Make-Your-Own-Blend session (~$75) or a heritage tasting. Australia's most famous label.

Maggie Beer's Farm Shop(45 minutes)

Stop at the celebrated cook's farm shop for verjuice, pâté and ice cream tastings before the drive back (~1 hr) to Adelaide.

Breakfast & market souvenirs(1 hour)

If it's Tue-Sat, do a final loop of Adelaide Central Market for Barossa olive oil, Coonawarra wine or Haigh's chocolates (Australia's oldest chocolate maker, founded in Adelaide 1915).

Coffee on The Parade, Norwood (optional)(45 minutes)

If time allows, a quick City Connector/rideshare to Argo on the Parade for one of Adelaide's best coffees.

Hotel checkout(30 minutes)

Most CBD hotels check out by 10-11AM; store bags at reception if your flight is later.

Transfer to Adelaide Airport (ADL)(20 minutes)

Allow ~20 min by taxi/rideshare from the CBD (~$25-30), plus the standard 90 min-2 hr check-in buffer. Domestic and international share one compact terminal.

Airport transfer to the CBD(20 minutes)

Adelaide Airport (ADL) is only ~7km from the city. Metered taxi ~$25-30 AUD, or the JetBus J1/J2 ~$4.20. Rideshare pickup is signed at the terminal.

Hotel check-in (CBD or North Terrace)(30 minutes)

Base yourself near Rundle Mall or North Terrace so the free City Connector bus (98A/98C, 99A/99C) and free CBD tram are on your doorstep.

Rundle Mall & the Mall's Balls(1 hour)

Adelaide's pedestrian shopping heart. Snap the iconic 'Mall's Balls' (Spheres) sculpture and the bronze pigs (A Day Out) outside the arcade.

Sunset drinks on a laneway(1.5 hours)

Ease into Adelaide's bar scene at Clever Little Tailor on Peel St — a tiny wine-and-whisky den. Nearby Leigh St has more if you want to hop.

Dinner at Africola(1.5 hours)

Duncan Welgemoed's fire-driven South African feast on East Terrace — bold, veg-forward, fun. ~$70-90pp; book ahead. Or keep it casual on Gouger St's Chinatown for under $20.

Breakfast at Adelaide Central Market(1 hour)

Open Tue-Sat (closed Sun-Mon). Coffee at Lucia's (trading since 1957), a cannoli, then browse Smelly Cheese Co. and Barossa Fine Foods. Go before 9AM Saturday to beat the rush.

Art Gallery of South Australia(2 hours)

One of the country's finest collections — Australian, Aboriginal and European art. Free general entry (special shows ticketed). Open daily ~10AM-5PM.

South Australian Museum & State Library(1.5 hours)

Free. The SA Museum's Aboriginal Cultures Gallery is world-significant; the Mortlock Wing of the State Library next door is one of the world's most beautiful reading rooms.

Adelaide Botanic Garden(1.5 hours)

Free 51-hectare gardens off North Terrace. See the Victorian Palm House and the giant glass Bicentennial Conservatory. Open daily from ~7:15AM.

Dinner on Peel Street(1.5 hours)

Peel St bistro does share-plates with global flavours (~$60pp). Finish with a cocktail at Maybe Mae, a hidden speakeasy off Leigh St — look for the unmarked door.

Riverbank walk to Adelaide Oval(45 minutes)

Stroll the Torrens footbridge from the Festival Plaza across to the Oval — free and scenic, with paddle boats on the river below.

Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour(1.5 hours)

Heritage cricket-and-footy ground with the historic scoreboard and Bradman Collection. Guided tours ~$26. Book ahead as tours don't run on major match days.

Adelaide Oval RoofClimb(2 hours)

The showpiece: harness up and walk the arched roofline 50m above the pitch for panoramic city and hills views. ~$109; a twilight climb is spectacular. Pre-book.

Lunch in North Adelaide(1 hour)

Wander up to O'Connell St or Melbourne St in North Adelaide for a pub lunch — the Kentish or the historic Wellington Hotel.

Evening at the Gin Palace(2 hours)

Back in the CBD, dinner then a nightcap at the Gin Palace on Peel St, an art-deco basement with 350+ gins.

Cleland Wildlife Park(2.5 hours)

Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies roaming free; for an extra fee you can hold a koala (limited daily sessions — book on arrival). Entry ~$28 adults. Open ~9:30AM-5PM.

Mount Lofty Summit(45 minutes)

A short drive up to the 727m summit for the classic panorama over Adelaide to the sea. Free lookout; there's a café for a coffee.

Lunch & stroll in Hahndorf(1.5 hours)

Australia's oldest surviving German settlement (1839). Bratwurst and beer at the Hahndorf Inn, or German cake at Otto's Bakery. Free to wander the main street.

Cellar door at Hahndorf Hill or Bird in Hand(1.5 hours)

Sample cool-climate Adelaide Hills wines. Hahndorf Hill's 'ChocoVino' chocolate-and-wine pairing is a fun twist (~$45). Tastings ~$10-15.

Return to the CBD for dinner(1 hour)

~30 min drive back. Keep it relaxed with a bowl of laksa or dumplings on Gouger St, or pizza in the West End.

Tram to Glenelg(30 minutes)

Board the tram in the CBD (free within the city zone; ~$4.20 out to the coast). It runs down Jetty Rd right to the beachfront at Moseley Square.

Glenelg Beach & Jetty(2 hours)

Golden sand and the long jetty at Holdfast Bay. Swim between the flags where patrolled. Slip-slop-slap: the UV is extreme even on mild days.

Lunch on Jetty Road(1 hour)

Fish and chips by the water, or a long lunch at the Moseley or the Jetty Bar & Grill overlooking the square.

The Beachouse or Bay Discovery Centre(1.5 hours)

Old-school seaside fun at The Beachouse arcade and mini-golf, or the free Bay Discovery Centre for Glenelg's colonial history in the town hall.

Sunset gelato & tram home(1 hour)

Glenelg faces west, so the sunset over the gulf is the payoff. Grab a gelato, then ride the tram back into the city.

Guided Barossa wine tour pickup(1 hour)

Small-group day tours from Adelaide run ~$150-190 including cellar doors and lunch. Or self-drive (~1 hr) with a nominated driver.

Seppeltsfield Estate(1.5 hours)

Iconic bluestone winery famed for its Centenary Collection — taste a fortified tawny from your actual birth year (~$99 for that experience; standard tastings less). The palm-lined avenue is a photo stop.

Lunch at Hentley Farm or Kitchen Door(1.5 hours)

Long lunch pairing regional produce with estate wines. Book ahead (~$80-120pp).

Penfolds Barossa Valley(1.5 hours)

Home of Grange. Do a Make-Your-Own-Blend session (~$75) or a heritage tasting. Australia's most famous label.

Maggie Beer's Farm Shop(45 minutes)

Stop at the celebrated cook's farm shop for verjuice, pâté and ice cream tastings before the drive back (~1 hr) to Adelaide.

Slow breakfast on Ebenezer Place(1.5 hours)

Coffee and eggs in the East End's prettiest laneway; browse the boutiques along Vardon Ave and around Rundle St.

Walk the Park Lands & River Torrens Linear Trail(2 hours)

Adelaide is ringed by continuous parklands. Rent a Bikeway bike or just stroll the Torrens from Elder Park; hire a paddle boat if the weather's fine.

Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre (optional)(45 minutes)

Free tastings and a peek at Australia's oldest family chocolate maker (est. Adelaide 1915), near the Central Market/Victoria Square.

Adelaide Zoo or Himeji Garden(1.5 hours)

See the giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo (~$45) by the river, or unwind free at the tranquil Himeji Japanese Garden in the south parklands.

Casual dinner in Chinatown(1.5 hours)

Gouger St and Moonta St — dumplings, hotpot or pho for under ~$25. Right beside the Central Market.

Drive to McLaren Vale(45 minutes)

~40 min south of the CBD via the Southern Expressway, past the sea at Hallett Cove. Guided tours also run ~$150.

d'Arenberg Cube(2 hours)

The surreal 5-storey Rubik's-cube cellar door. Do the tasting plus the 'Alternate Realities Museum' (~$15) — think melting-clock Dali rooms — with valley views up top.

Lunch at d'Arry's Verandah(1.5 hours)

The d'Arenberg restaurant beside the Cube — refined regional dining with the estate's wines (~$90pp for the set menu). Book ahead.

Cellar door at Wirra Wirra or Coriole(1.5 hours)

Historic ironstone cellar doors. Coriole is known for Sangiovese and estate olive oil; taste and grab a bottle for later (tastings ~$10-15).

Return via the coast (optional)(1 hour)

Detour to Port Willunga's cliff-backed beach and the Star of Greece café for a sunset drink before the drive back to Adelaide.

Henley Beach & Henley Square(2 hours)

A relaxed local beach with a lively square of cafés opening onto the sand. Reach it by bus from the city (~$4.20) or a short drive/rideshare.

Lunch at Henley Square(1 hour)

Seafood and wood-fired pizza with a sea view at Estia or Ganache. Watch the pelicans on the jetty.

Semaphore foreshore & jetty(1.5 hours)

Nostalgic seaside strip further north — a long jetty, a vintage carousel and a mini steam railway in summer. Ice cream on the esplanade.

Explore Port Adelaide history(2 hours)

Nearby Port Adelaide is the state's maritime heart — the SA Maritime Museum (~$16), the National Railway Museum, weekend Fisherman's Wharf Market, and heritage pubs like the British.

Dinner back in the city(1.5 hours)

Return to the CBD (~25 min) for a relaxed dinner — try Osteria Oggi's pasta on Pirie St.

Central Market food tour & cooking class(3.5 hours)

Book a Market to Plate or Sprout Cooking School session — shop the stalls with a chef, then cook and eat a multi-course lunch (~$150-190). Tue-Sat only.

Alternatively: Penfolds Make-Your-Own-Blend(1.5 hours)

If you'd rather blend than cook, the Penfolds Magill Estate cellar door is just 8km from the CBD — blend and bottle your own Shiraz/Cabernet/Grenache (~$75).

Free afternoon in the East End(2 hours)

Browse boutiques on Rundle St, coffee at Exchange Specialty Coffee, or a wander through the parklands. Deliberately unstructured.

Dinner at Magill Estate (optional)(2 hours)

If you did the blending, stay for degustation at the acclaimed Magill Estate Restaurant overlooking the original Grange vineyard (~$185pp). Book well ahead.

Drive to Clare Valley(1.75 hours)

~1.5-2 hrs north of Adelaide, Australia's Riesling heartland. Cool, scenic and far less crowded than the Barossa.

Cycle a stretch of the Riesling Trail(2 hours)

Hire a bike in Auburn or Clare and pedal the flat, former-railway trail between cellar doors (~$35/day hire). Pippy the trail is well signposted.

Tasting at Sevenhill or Skillogalee(1.5 hours)

Sevenhill Cellars is SA's oldest winery (1851), still run by Jesuits — taste in the historic crypt cellar. Skillogalee does a lovely garden lunch.

Lunch among the vines(1.5 hours)

Long lunch at Skillogalee or Paulett Wines' Bush DeVine café with valley views (~$60-90pp).

Drive back to Adelaide(1.75 hours)

Return to the CBD in the late afternoon; keep dinner simple after the drive.

Tram to Glenelg(30 minutes)

Ride the tram down to Moseley Square (~$4.20). Aim for a morning cruise slot when the water is calmest.

Dolphin-watch or swim-with-dolphins cruise(3.5 hours)

Temptation Sailing's catamaran heads out from Glenelg Marina to find wild bottlenose dolphins; snorkel with them in season (~$99 watch / ~$150 swim, wetsuit provided). Book ahead.

Lunch at the marina or Jetty Road(1 hour)

Casual seafood at the Marina Pier, or back toward the square for the town's cafés.

Beach time or Glenelg foreshore stroll(1.5 hours)

Nothing scheduled — swim, read on the sand, or walk the coast path toward Brighton. A restful afternoon.

Sunset dinner by the sea(1.5 hours)

Stay for a west-facing sunset dinner before the tram back — or ride in and eat in the city.

Weekend market browse(2 hours)

If it's a weekend: the Adelaide Farmers Market (Sun, Wayville), the Gilles St Market (fashion) or the Willunga Farmers Market. Central Market runs Tue-Sat.

Catch whatever's on(3 hours)

Adelaide is a festival city — in Mad March it's Fringe, Festival and WOMADelaide; other seasons bring cricket/AFL at the Oval, gigs, and pop-ups. Check Adelaide Fringe / the Adelaide Oval calendar.

Revisit a favourite(2 hours)

Return to the spot you liked best — another North Terrace museum, a Hills cellar door, or the beach — at your own pace.

Farewell dinner(2 hours)

Splash out on your last night: degustation at Restaurant Botanic in the Botanic Garden, or a lively feast back at Africola. Book ahead.

Breakfast & market souvenirs(1 hour)

If it's Tue-Sat, a final loop of Adelaide Central Market for Barossa olive oil, Coonawarra wine or Haigh's chocolates to take home.

Coffee on The Parade, Norwood (optional)(45 minutes)

If time allows, a quick rideshare to Argo on the Parade for one of Adelaide's best coffees.

Hotel checkout(30 minutes)

Most CBD hotels check out by 10-11AM; store bags at reception if your flight is later.

Transfer to Adelaide Airport (ADL)(20 minutes)

Allow ~20 min by taxi/rideshare from the CBD (~$25-30), plus the standard 90 min-2 hr check-in buffer. Domestic and international share one compact terminal.

Airport transfer to the CBD(20 minutes)

Adelaide Airport (ADL) is only ~7km from the city. Metered taxi ~$25-30 AUD, or the JetBus J1/J2 ~$4.20. Rideshare pickup is signed at the terminal.

Hotel check-in (CBD or North Terrace)(30 minutes)

Base yourself near Rundle Mall or North Terrace so the free City Connector bus (98A/98C, 99A/99C) and free CBD tram are on your doorstep.

Rundle Mall & the Mall's Balls(1 hour)

Adelaide's pedestrian shopping heart. Snap the iconic 'Mall's Balls' (Spheres) sculpture and the bronze pigs (A Day Out) outside the arcade.

Sunset drinks on a laneway(1.5 hours)

Ease into Adelaide's bar scene at Clever Little Tailor on Peel St — a tiny wine-and-whisky den. Nearby Leigh St has more if you want to hop.

Dinner at Africola(1.5 hours)

Duncan Welgemoed's fire-driven South African feast on East Terrace — bold, veg-forward, fun. ~$70-90pp; book ahead. Or keep it casual on Gouger St's Chinatown for under $20.

Breakfast at Adelaide Central Market(1 hour)

Open Tue-Sat (closed Sun-Mon). Coffee at Lucia's (trading since 1957), a cannoli, then browse Smelly Cheese Co. and Barossa Fine Foods. Go before 9AM Saturday to beat the rush.

Art Gallery of South Australia(2 hours)

One of the country's finest collections — Australian, Aboriginal and European art. Free general entry (special shows ticketed). Open daily ~10AM-5PM.

South Australian Museum & State Library(1.5 hours)

Free. The SA Museum's Aboriginal Cultures Gallery is world-significant; the Mortlock Wing of the State Library next door is one of the world's most beautiful reading rooms.

Adelaide Botanic Garden(1.5 hours)

Free 51-hectare gardens off North Terrace. See the Victorian Palm House and the giant glass Bicentennial Conservatory. Open daily from ~7:15AM.

Dinner on Peel Street(1.5 hours)

Peel St bistro does share-plates with global flavours (~$60pp). Finish with a cocktail at Maybe Mae, a hidden speakeasy off Leigh St — look for the unmarked door.

Riverbank walk to Adelaide Oval(45 minutes)

Stroll the Torrens footbridge from the Festival Plaza across to the Oval — free and scenic, with paddle boats on the river below.

Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour(1.5 hours)

Heritage cricket-and-footy ground with the historic scoreboard and Bradman Collection. Guided tours ~$26. Book ahead as tours don't run on major match days.

Adelaide Oval RoofClimb(2 hours)

The showpiece: harness up and walk the arched roofline 50m above the pitch for panoramic city and hills views. ~$109; a twilight climb is spectacular. Pre-book.

Lunch in North Adelaide(1 hour)

Wander up to O'Connell St or Melbourne St in North Adelaide for a pub lunch — the Kentish or the historic Wellington Hotel.

Evening at the Gin Palace(2 hours)

Back in the CBD, dinner then a nightcap at the Gin Palace on Peel St, an art-deco basement with 350+ gins.

Cleland Wildlife Park(2.5 hours)

Hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies roaming free; for an extra fee you can hold a koala (limited daily sessions — book on arrival). Entry ~$28 adults. Open ~9:30AM-5PM.

Mount Lofty Summit(45 minutes)

A short drive up to the 727m summit for the classic panorama over Adelaide to the sea. Free lookout; there's a café for a coffee.

Lunch & stroll in Hahndorf(1.5 hours)

Australia's oldest surviving German settlement (1839). Bratwurst and beer at the Hahndorf Inn, or German cake at Otto's Bakery. Free to wander the main street.

Cellar door at Hahndorf Hill or Bird in Hand(1.5 hours)

Sample cool-climate Adelaide Hills wines. Hahndorf Hill's 'ChocoVino' chocolate-and-wine pairing is a fun twist (~$45). Tastings ~$10-15.

Return to the CBD for dinner(1 hour)

~30 min drive back. Keep it relaxed with a bowl of laksa or dumplings on Gouger St, or pizza in the West End.

Slow breakfast on Ebenezer Place(1.5 hours)

Coffee and eggs in the East End's prettiest laneway; browse the boutiques along Vardon Ave and around Rundle St.

Walk the Park Lands & Torrens Linear Trail(2 hours)

Adelaide is ringed by continuous parklands. Rent a Bikeway bike or stroll the Torrens from Elder Park; hire a paddle boat if the weather's fine.

Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre(45 minutes)

Free tastings and a peek at Australia's oldest family chocolate maker (est. Adelaide 1915), near the Central Market/Victoria Square.

Adelaide Zoo or Himeji Garden(1.5 hours)

See the giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo (~$45) by the river, or unwind free at the tranquil Himeji Japanese Garden in the south parklands.

Casual dinner in Chinatown(1.5 hours)

Gouger St and Moonta St — dumplings, hotpot or pho for under ~$25. Right beside the Central Market.

Tram to Glenelg(30 minutes)

Board the tram in the CBD (free within the city zone; ~$4.20 out to the coast). It runs down Jetty Rd right to the beachfront at Moseley Square.

Swim-with-dolphins cruise (optional)(3.5 hours)

Temptation Sailing's catamaran heads out from Glenelg Marina to find wild bottlenose dolphins; snorkel with them in season (~$99 watch / ~$150 swim, wetsuit provided). Book ahead.

Glenelg Beach & Jetty(1.5 hours)

Golden sand and the long jetty at Holdfast Bay. Swim between the flags where patrolled. Slip-slop-slap — the UV is extreme even on mild days.

Lunch on Jetty Road(1 hour)

Fish and chips by the water, or a long lunch at the Moseley or the Jetty Bar & Grill overlooking the square.

Sunset gelato & tram home(1 hour)

Glenelg faces west, so the sunset over the gulf is the payoff. Grab a gelato, then ride the tram back into the city lit up at dusk.

Guided Barossa wine tour pickup(1 hour)

Small-group day tours from Adelaide run ~$150-190 including cellar doors and lunch. Or self-drive (~1 hr) with a nominated driver.

Seppeltsfield Estate(1.5 hours)

Iconic bluestone winery famed for its Centenary Collection — taste a fortified tawny from your actual birth year (~$99 for that experience; standard tastings less). The palm-lined avenue is a photo stop.

Lunch at Hentley Farm or Kitchen Door(1.5 hours)

Long lunch pairing regional produce with estate wines. Book ahead (~$80-120pp).

Penfolds Barossa Valley(1.5 hours)

Home of Grange. Do a Make-Your-Own-Blend session (~$75) or a heritage tasting. Australia's most famous label.

Maggie Beer's Farm Shop(45 minutes)

Stop at the celebrated cook's farm shop for verjuice, pâté and ice cream tastings before the drive back (~1 hr) to Adelaide.

Drive to McLaren Vale(45 minutes)

~40 min south of the CBD via the Southern Expressway, past the sea at Hallett Cove. Guided tours also run ~$150.

d'Arenberg Cube(2 hours)

The surreal 5-storey Rubik's-cube cellar door. Do the tasting plus the 'Alternate Realities Museum' (~$15) — think melting-clock Dali rooms — with valley views up top.

Lunch at d'Arry's Verandah(1.5 hours)

The d'Arenberg restaurant beside the Cube — refined regional dining with the estate's wines (~$90pp for the set menu). Book ahead.

Cellar door at Wirra Wirra or Coriole(1.5 hours)

Historic ironstone cellar doors. Coriole is known for Sangiovese and estate olive oil; taste and grab a bottle for later (tastings ~$10-15).

Return via Port Willunga(1 hour)

Detour to Port Willunga's cliff-backed beach and the Star of Greece café for a sunset drink before the drive back to Adelaide.

Drive to Victor Harbor(1.25 hours)

~1.5 hrs from Adelaide through the southern Fleurieu. Stop at Mount Compass or a Fleurieu cheese/berry farm en route.

Horse-drawn tram to Granite Island(1 hour)

Ride the century-old Clydesdale-drawn tram across the wooden causeway (~$10 return), then walk the granite-boulder loop trail around the island (~35 min).

Lunch on the Victor Harbor foreshore(1 hour)

Seafood and a pint at the Original Victor Harbor Hotel, or a bakery lunch overlooking Encounter Bay.

Whale-watching or the SA Whale Centre(1.5 hours)

From June-Oct, southern right whales calve in Encounter Bay — spot them from the cliffs. Year-round, the SA Whale Centre tells the story (~$12).

Encounter Bikeway or drive to Port Elliot(1.5 hours)

Cycle a stretch of the coastal Encounter Bikeway, or drive to pretty Port Elliot for Horseshoe Bay and a scoop from a local ice creamery before heading back.

Central Market food tour & cooking class(3.5 hours)

Book a Market to Plate or Sprout Cooking School session — shop the stalls with a chef, then cook and eat a multi-course lunch (~$150-190). Tue-Sat only.

Free afternoon in the East End(2 hours)

Browse boutiques on Rundle St, coffee at Exchange Specialty Coffee, or a wander through the parklands. Deliberately unstructured.

Pack for Kangaroo Island(30 minutes)

You'll be away 3 days/2 nights. Pack a small bag; most CBD hotels will store your main luggage while you're gone.

Early dinner near your hotel(1.5 hours)

Keep it simple — an early ferry means an early start tomorrow. Osteria Oggi (pasta) or a Gouger St dumpling house.

Drive to Cape Jervis & SeaLink ferry(3 hours)

~1.75 hr drive south to Cape Jervis, then the 45-min SeaLink ferry to Penneshaw (~$98 return passenger; more with a car — book ahead, sailings fill). A guided coach tour is an easier alternative.

Seal Bay Conservation Park(1.5 hours)

Take the guided beach walk among a wild Australian sea-lion colony resting on the sand (~$40). One of the only places on earth you can do this.

Lunch at Vivonne Bay or Kingscote(1 hour)

Grab a bite en route — the Vivonne Bay General Store's famous whiting burger, or a café in Kingscote, the island's main town.

Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery or Clifford's Honey Farm(1 hour)

Quirky island producers — SA's last eucalyptus-oil distillery, and Ligurian honey ice cream from the world's only pure-bred Ligurian bee sanctuary.

Check in & island dinner(1.5 hours)

Overnight near American River or Kingscote. Dinner might be local marron (freshwater crayfish) or King George whiting; stargaze — KI has almost no light pollution.

Drive to Flinders Chase National Park(1.5 hours)

Cross to the far west of the island. Park entry ~$13pp. Roads are long and roos/wildlife cross often — drive slowly, especially at dawn/dusk.

Remarkable Rocks(1 hour)

Wind-sculpted granite boulders balanced on a dome above the Southern Ocean — the island's signature photo. Go early for soft light and few people.

Admirals Arch & the fur-seal colony(1 hour)

A boardwalk to a natural rock arch draped in stalactites, with hundreds of New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks below.

Picnic lunch & wildlife spotting(1.5 hours)

Picnic in the park; watch for koalas in the manna gums, echidnas, and Cape Barren geese. Bring your own food — options out here are limited.

Little Sahara or Kelly Hill Caves(1.5 hours)

Sandboard the white dunes of Little Sahara (board hire ~$45), or tour the underground limestone Kelly Hill Caves (~$25). Then back to your lodging for dinner.

Kingscote foreshore & pelican feeding(1 hour)

A relaxed wander in Kingscote; the daily pelican feed on the wharf is a local institution. Grab a coffee and a KI-made treat.

False Cape or Dudley Peninsula cellar door(1.5 hours)

A last tasting of cool-climate island wine on the Dudley Peninsula before the ferry, or fresh oysters if the timing suits.

SeaLink ferry Penneshaw to Cape Jervis(45 minutes)

The 45-min crossing back to the mainland. Watch for dolphins alongside the boat.

Drive back to Adelaide(1.75 hours)

~1.75 hr drive north up the Fleurieu to the CBD. Reclaim your stored luggage and settle back in.

Relaxed dinner in the city(1.5 hours)

Nothing ambitious after the transit day — a laneway wine bar or your favourite Central Market-adjacent spot.

Long brunch on The Parade, Norwood(1.5 hours)

Rideshare or City Connector to Norwood for a coffee at Argo on the Parade (one of Adelaide's best) and a leisurely brunch.

Spa, pool or reading in the parklands(2.5 hours)

Genuinely unstructured — a hotel spa, a swim, or a book under the Moreton Bay figs in the parklands. Recover for the second half.

Optional: Adelaide Central Market top-up(1 hour)

If Tue-Sat, restock snacks and pick up cheese and wine for the upcoming Clare Valley overnight.

Easy dinner nearby(1.5 hours)

Keep it local and low-key — a neighbourhood pub or a bowl of pasta. Early night; you drive north tomorrow.

Drive to the Clare Valley(1.75 hours)

~1.5-2 hrs north of Adelaide. Cool, green and far less crowded than the Barossa. Check into a heritage cottage or B&B in Clare or Auburn.

Hire bikes & ride the Riesling Trail(3 hours)

Hire in Auburn or Clare (~$35/day) and pedal the flat former-railway trail linking cellar doors. Ride the section that suits you — it's ~35km end to end, well signposted.

Cellar-door tastings by bike(2 hours)

Pull in at Sevenhill Cellars — SA's oldest winery (1851), still run by Jesuits, taste in the historic crypt cellar — and Pikes or Mr Mick along the trail (tastings ~$10-15).

Long lunch at Skillogalee(1.5 hours)

Garden lunch among the vines at Skillogalee, or Paulett Wines' Bush DeVine café with valley views (~$60-90pp).

Dinner & stargazing in Clare(1.5 hours)

Dinner at a Clare pub or your B&B; the rural sky is brilliant at night. A slow country evening.

Country breakfast(1 hour)

Cooked breakfast at your cottage or a bakery in Auburn (birthplace of poet C.J. Dennis). No rush.

Final cellar door or olive grove(1.5 hours)

A last tasting at Jim Barry or Kilikanoon, or olive oil at a local grove. Buy a case to ship home if you've fallen for the Riesling.

Drive back via Auburn & Mintaro(2 hours)

Detour through historic Mintaro (a near-intact 1850s stone village) and the Martindale Hall mansion en route south — a scenic, low-traffic drive.

Arrive Adelaide, relaxed evening(1.5 hours)

Back in the CBD by late afternoon. Repack for the Flinders Ranges outback trip; early dinner and an early night.

Drive north to the Southern Flinders(3 hours)

Head up through the Clare Valley and Port Augusta — the edge of the outback. Fuel up and stock water and snacks; services thin out beyond here.

Lunch & stop at Quorn or Melrose(1.5 hours)

Historic Quorn (of Pichi Richi steam-railway fame) or Melrose, SA's oldest Flinders town under Mount Remarkable — a country-pub lunch.

Continue to Wilpena / Hawker(2 hours)

Drive on to Hawker and Wilpena Pound Resort. Watch for emus, kangaroos and wedge-tailed eagles; avoid driving after dusk when wildlife is active.

Check in at Wilpena Pound Resort(45 minutes)

The gateway to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park (park entry ~$13/vehicle). Options range from resort rooms to powered campsites.

Sunset & outback stargazing(1.5 hours)

The ranges glow red at sunset. After dark, the Milky Way is astonishing — one of the darkest skies in Australia. Dinner at the resort's Bunyeroo restaurant.

Scenic flight over Wilpena Pound (optional)(45 minutes)

A dawn light-aircraft flight reveals the full 80km² natural basin of the Pound from above — unforgettable (~$180). Book the day before; best in morning light.

Walk to Wangara Lookout(2.5 hours)

An easy-to-moderate hike from the resort (or shuttle to the trailhead) via the old Hills Homestead to lookouts over the Pound floor. Carry plenty of water; start early to beat the heat.

Ikara Cultural Walk / Adnyamathanha experience(1.5 hours)

Learn the Dreaming story of Ikara ('meeting place') from Adnyamathanha guides — the Pound's serpents. Check availability at the resort visitor centre.

Wildlife & photography drive(2 hours)

Drive the Bunyeroo-Brachina Gorge geological loop at golden hour for yellow-footed rock-wallabies, emus and euros, and 600-million-year-old rock layers. A dream for photographers.

Dinner under the stars(1.5 hours)

Dinner at the resort; another night of extraordinary stargazing before the drive back tomorrow.

Early start from Wilpena(30 minutes)

Check out early and fuel up. Grab a coffee and a last look at the ranges before pointing south.

Drive south with a stop at Port Germein or Clare(4 hours)

Break the ~5 hr drive — a stretch of the legs at Port Germein's long jetty, or a final Clare Valley coffee/lunch en route.

Arrive Adelaide & settle in(1 hour)

Reach the CBD by mid-late afternoon. Return the hire car if you're done with it, or keep it for tomorrow.

Easy dinner in the city(1.5 hours)

Nothing demanding after the outback drive — a laneway bar and a simple plate. Rest up.

Weekend market or Central Market browse(2 hours)

If it's a weekend: the Adelaide Farmers Market (Sun, Wayville) or the Willunga Farmers Market. Otherwise a final Central Market (Tue-Sat) run for gifts.

Catch whatever's on(3 hours)

Adelaide is a festival city — in Mad March it's Fringe, Festival and WOMADelaide; other seasons bring cricket/AFL at the Oval, gigs and pop-ups. Check the Adelaide Fringe / Adelaide Oval calendars.

Revisit a favourite(2 hours)

Return to the spot you liked best — a North Terrace museum, a Hills cellar door, or the beach — entirely at your own pace.

Farewell dinner(2 hours)

Splash out on your last night: degustation at Restaurant Botanic in the Botanic Garden, or a lively feast back at Africola. Book ahead.

Breakfast & final souvenirs(1 hour)

If it's Tue-Sat, one last loop of Adelaide Central Market for Barossa olive oil, Clare Riesling or Haigh's chocolates to take home.

Last coffee & a parkland stroll(45 minutes)

A final flat white in the East End and a short walk through the parklands to say goodbye to the city.

Hotel checkout(30 minutes)

Most CBD hotels check out by 10-11AM; store bags at reception if your flight is later.

Transfer to Adelaide Airport (ADL)(20 minutes)

Allow ~20 min by taxi/rideshare from the CBD (~$25-30), plus the standard 90 min-2 hr check-in buffer. Domestic and international share one compact terminal.