Adelaide Guide » More About Adelaide: Overview

Overview

Tucked along Australia's southern shore, the gracious city of Adelaide was established in 1836. Settled first by the aboriginal Kaurna tribe who later fell victim to European maladies, Adelaide is one of the few Australian cities not originally settled by displaced convicts. Instead, free British settlers colonized the area and were soon followed by waves of Lutherans seeking to escape religious intolerance back home. These days, visitors and diversity are still welcomed, and the city that once housed so many churches now shelters terrific cafes and a host of cultural institutions. Navigating the city is easy for newcomers, especially given the foresight of its planner, Colonel William Light. He laid out Adelaide (named for William IV's wife) on a grid system so that it's open, friendly and complemented by the River Torrens, which flows through its midst. The presence of the river, the sea and the hills surrounding the city imbues its citizens with an adventuresome, outdoorsy spirit, and most folks revel in the parklands and greenspace that characterize this part of South Australia. That's not to say that Adelaide itself isn't attractive; in fact, Rundle Street offers a host of restaurants, Hindley Street welcomes club-goers, and Rundle Mall appeals to all who seek terrific shopping. Plus, such fantastic attractions as the Adelaide Festival of Arts, the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the wine country of the Barossa Valley, the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Central Market, and Tandanya Aboriginal Cultural Institute ensure a wealth of opportunity and entertainment, no matter your desires.