How to chuck a U-ey out of Adelaide for some awesome experiences
Adelaide - South Australia
Things to do in and around Adelaide
A cosmopolitan coastal city is always worth exploring. The mere process of driving through it to catch a glimpse of unusual or different sights is fun. Throw in some outings in nature and I am happy. So that’s what we did.
We chucked a uey as the Aussies say! Make a U-turn, that is. Leaving the city, we roamed further than its peripheral areas to explore outside of Adelaide and have some fair dinkum Australian experiences.
Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia
In 2010 we visited Sydney in New South Wales for a month. We had seen some of Sydney’s best spots and made wonderful memories.
Considering that we travelled halfway around the world to see family down under, how could we not visit friends in South Australia for a few days, especially because we had not seen them for years.
After much chatting and catching up they asked us what we wanted to see around Adelaide. Not having a clue, we left the choices up to them.
‘Have you seen a koala yet?’ The answer was no. Although our road trip to Depot Beach gave us some close encounters with kangaroos, a possum and some birds, we had yet to see this particular marsupial. Low and behold, there was one having a snooze way up high in a tree next to their house. Too far away to take a decent photo. We needed to remedy that!
Our aim was to spend time with our friends, but who would protest if they offered to show us parts of Adelaide?
I was fascinated by beautiful stone buildings and surprised by some contrasting contemporary architecture.
These are a few of our awesome experiences outside Adelaide
Hanging out at Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German settlement
Meeting Australia’s cutest wildlife
Spending a day at a peninsula, visiting an island without using a boat and hunting for penguins
Found the best spot for a panoramic view of Adelaide
Hanging out at Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German settlement
A strong German heritage was visible when we strolled through Hahndorf. On the Mount Barker Road just half an hour outside Adelaide, the German-style pubs, galleries and shops enticed us with something for everyone. There is a guided walk and a migration museum to explore and find out more about the establishment of this beautiful town.
Meeting Australia’s cutest wildlife
Who would not want to cuddle a koala? Getting up close and personal with a few of Australia’s cutest is quite cool. Especially when they are ethical about the encounters.
Usually I am not keen to interact with wild animals, not because I do not like them. On the contrary, I adore them but I only find it acceptable if the welfare of the animal is taken into consideration. I am a firm believer that wild animals should be free. However I do feel it is necessary for some animals that cannot survive in the wild on their own to be used to educate people whilst being cared for.
It also is a good opportunity to see the animals that would not normally show themselves in their own turf.
We were fortunate to hold a koala but with strict instructions if the handlers in any way felt that the koala was getting stressed they would cut short the interaction.
There were also so many of Australia’s finest wildlife that we saw.
Four animal sanctuaries or parks to choose from:
Gorge Wildlife Park - https://gorgewildlifepark.com.au/
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary - www.warrawongws.com.au
Cleland Wildlife Park - https://www.clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/Home
Adelaide Zoo - https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/
Click on each image to enlarge
Spending a day at a peninsula, visiting an island without using a boat and hunting for penguins
Victor Harbor is a beautiful seaside town on the Fleurieu Peninsula just over an hour from Adelaide. We spent the day having a picnic on the wide, sandy arc of Encounter Bay.
It was not necessary to use a boat to get to Granite Island. We walked the 600 metres across the causeway. We could have been totally lazy and taken a Clydesdale horse-drawn tram.
The resident little penguins were shy and did not show themselves. Instead we enjoyed the view. Although we only walked a short section of it, the 1.9km loop of Kaiki Trail would take you right around the island.
Accommodation in Adelaide
Found the best spot for a panoramic view of Adelaide
Mount Lofty Ranges are in the Adelaide Hills, which will take a quick 20 minutes to drive from the city. Mount Lofty Summit is Adelaide’s highest summit. It offers a spectacular panoramic view over Adelaide. On a clear day you would be able to see as far as Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula.
There is a popular walk from the summit to Waterfall Gully. We did not venture down but it joins the Heysen Trail. One could also stroll along a walking trail through native bush and trees to Cleland Wildlife Park.
The few days of sightseeing we had just scraped the surface of what one can see or do in or around Adelaide.
Standing in certain spots an element such as lichen on a familiar shaped rock reminds me so much of home. Then I see something that confirms I am standing on foreign soil.
One thing I know for sure, I would happily explore more of the area.
Quick Links:
Victor Harbor, Fleurieu Peninsula
Granite Island Recreation Park
Kangaroo Island Tours Australia
Related blog posts:
First visit to Sydney - memories from down under
Depot Beach, hidden gem on the South Coast of New South Wales
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Looking for travel inspiration when you visit the land down under? Or are you wanting an insight into some of the Australian culture? Think of Australia and you think of beaches, barbies and beers, right? A relaxed lifestyle thrown in with no worries. There’s that but there is more.