Adelaide is located on the Torrens River on the coastal plain between St Vincent Gulf and the Mount Lofty Ranges. It does not have the convict settlement history of most other Australian cities, and was founded on religious freedom and civil liberties. The cities oldest buildings are churches, including the Holy Trinity Anglican Church built in 1838 and the Quaker Meeting House in built in 1840.
It was founded in 1836 and named after Queen Adelaide, the consort of King William IV. Colonel William Light choose the location and designed the city as the only freely settled province in Australia. It is laid out in a grid pattern with wide streets and large public squares, and surrounded by a wide band of parkland. It is one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Facts About Adelaide
Adelaide is the fifth-largest city in Australia. It has a population of over 1.1 million which means that around 70% of the 1.6 million people in South Australia live there. The population is aging quite rapidly, with over a quarter of the population being 55 years old or more, and only 17.8% of the population being under 15 years old.
It is the driest of the Australian capital cities with a Mediterranean climate where rain falls mainly in the winter months of June to August. June has the highest average rainfall and frosts are rare. Adelaide had the first traffic-free shopping area in Australia when Rundle Street became Rundle Mall. It is well known as a centre for arts and culture, and the biennial Festival of Arts first held in 1960, attracts well-known international performers.
Adelaide Accommodation and Dining
Adelaide offers luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation within the square mile of the city. Most of the upper range hotels are situated on or near North Terrace where you can walk to the Adelaide Casino situated in the beautiful old Adelaide Railway Station which has been restored in an elegant style. The Adelaide Central YHA is on Waymouth Street.
There are plenty of restaurants and cafes covering all styles of cuisine. A large number of restaurants are BYO and in the city Gouger Street is one of the major restaurant strips, while Rundle Street has a variety of al fresco cafes and restaurants. North Adelaide also has an interesting range of eateries.
Things to Do in Adelaide
A walk along North Terrace takes you past many interesting places with beautiful architecture, including the South Australian Museum, the State Library, the Art Gallery, Ayers House and the University of Adelaide. Further along is the Royal Botanic Gardens with exotic plants in a 19th century glasshouse and a magnificent wisteria arch.
Stroll along the Torrens and see the Adelaide Festival Centre, visit the Adelaide Zoo, and take a tram to the beach at Glenelg. The Adelaide Hills have plenty of national park and reserves and there is a beautiful view over the city from the Mount Lofty lookout. About an hours drive away to the north are the wineries and vineyards of the famous Barossa Valley.
Australia's other capital cities are Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Darwin. Canberra is also the National capital.
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