We hit the big city of Adelaide after a five hour drive from Arno Bay. We drove through Port Augusta (southern gateway to the Outback and Coober Pedy opal mine country, skirting the edge of the Flinders Ranges) which was a strange place, through more endless wheatfields and then into Adelaide!
Our campsite was only 6km from the city centre so pretty handy. We hit the city over two days.
DAY 1:
We spent the first day spent getting some retail therapy or rather aimlessly wandering along the main street called Rundle Mall looking at the tasteless Christmas decorations in 28C degree heat! Madness! Its only just over a month away – crikey its come round quickly!
Letter to Santa!
Bronze Pig on Rundle Mall (a kind lady took this photo for us)
Reflection from stainless steel bean ( yes its Adelaide not Chicago!)
We then took a look at an area called Melbourne Street further out which was renowned for its historic mews houses. These properties were built around 1876 – 1879 as part of the Chichester Gardens Estate owned by George Stevenson who led the earliest types of housing development during the process of settlement in Adelaide.
Most these had been beautifully restored and now expensive residential properties with well maintained streets.
Melbourne Street area of Adelaide
Example of the semi detached 1876 houses
1876 Mews cottages
DAY 2:
On our second day we got some plant therapy by visiting the city Botanical Gardens which were right in the heart of the city next to the Torrens River, the National Wine Centre and the Adelaide Zoo. These gardens (like all the main Australian cities) are very extensive and well laid out. Many of the trees are over 100 years old planted by the early settlers with a mix of old historic building and contemporary new pavilions. A beautiful setting by the river and a great place for a lunchtime escape for city dwellers!
Waterlily Pavilion
The South Australia Garden
Glass sculpture at the Rainforest Pavilion ( who's that!)
Rainforest Pavilion
Smell those roses!
Green wall at entrance to Adelaide Zoo
After a few pleasurable hours at the Botanical Gardens we investigated the National Wine Centre, a new piece of architecture next door to the gardens. The wine exhibition was informative albeit only one room but the main use of this building was for conferences and offices. It described all the famous areas across Australia for wine growing such as Barossa Valley (Wolf Blass, Jacobs Creek), Clare, Margaret River, Hunter Valley, Coonawara,Victoria etc There was quite an impressive cellar of course but for looking at only unless you are in the know ( which of course we were’nt!).
Entrance ramp to the National Wine Centre
Wine cellar and a half!
Wine map of Oz!
