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Things
to See and Do
ADELAIDE BOTANIC GARDENS:
Begun in
1855 these spacious gardens off North Terrace have extensive lawns, rare sub-tropical
and Mediterranean plant displays and prolific flowers. There is a Rainforest Conservatory
adjacent to the gardens and you can see the oldest glasshouse in an Australian
Botanic Gardens. Located in North Tce. Ph: (08) 8228 2311
THE JAM FACTORY
is a craft centre displaying works by South Australian artists. Located at the
corner of North Terrace and Morphett St It is open Mon. to Fri. from 9am. to 5.30pm.
and at weekends and on public holidays from 10am. to 5pm. Admission is free.
THE
ADELAIDE ZOO
In shady parklands, a few minutes walk from Adelaide's city
centre is one of Australia's most historic and interesting Zoos. Offering much
more than a traditional children's outing, Adelaide Zoo is fascinating, beautiful
and full of interest. The Zoo is a place for everybody to learn about the world's
rare and endangered mammals, birds and reptiles, and to take a closer look at
some of Australia's own native animals. There are over 1300 species of exotic
ands native mammals, birds and reptiles on display. The Zoo is constantly changing
and recent developments include ' The Lyrebird Family Restaurant', a licensed
facility offering a wide variety of mouthwatering meals. The Zoo is open 365 days
of the year from 9.30pm. - 5pm. and during January and February is open until
8pm. on certain evenings, enabling visitors to enjoy the Zoo at a very special
time of the day. Discount fees are available after 4.00pm. During October the
Zoo celebrates 'National Zoo Month - Zootober' when many special events are staged
in the Zoo grounds. The main entrance to the Zoo is on Frome Road and is accessible
from the city by bus, car or a pleasant journey on the 'Popeye' Ferry along the
River Torrens from Elder Park. For more information on the ferry telephone 8295
4747. An excellent selection of quality gifts and souvenirs is available from
the Zoo Shop. Feeding Times Seals; 11.45am and 3.45pm daily. Big Cats; 3.15pm
Tues.,Thurs.,Sat.,Sun.,and Public Holidays. Penguins; 2.45pm daily. Pelicans;
2.30pm daily. Phone enquiries 8267 3255.
ADELAIDE CASINO
The
Adelaide Casino is in the old 1920's railway terminal on North Terrace. Magnificently
restored and furnished it is Australia's most elegant gambling house and attracts
millions each year. There are several gaming rooms, a keno room, many fine restaurants
and bars, and every facility you could imagine or want. there is also a Bureau
de Change for international travellers, although identification will be required.
the casino is open from 10am. to 4am. Saturday to Thursday; 10am to 6am friday
and Saturday, and it is closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. games include Roulette,
Baccarat, Two-Up, Craps and Black-jack. Poker machines are also available.
MORTLOCK
LIBRARY North Tce. Adelaide. Ph: 08 8207 7200 This wonderful library of South
Australian history is part of the State Library of South Australia and includes
documents, newspapers and photographs dating back to the early settlement of Adelaide.
All newspapers and other material is on microfilm and you can search through these
for the item or document you are looking for and then request the original. Photographs
and copies of most material is available for a small fee. The library is open
Mon. Tues. Wed. and Fri. from 9.30am to 8pm. Thurs. 9am. to 5pm. and weekends
from noon to 5pm.
THE OLD ADELAIDE GAOL: Opened in 1841 and decommissioned
in 1988, it was designed by the first Colonial Architect George Strickland Kingston,
it was used to incarcerate both remand and sentenced prisoners. Located in Gaol
Rd. off Port road it is now open on Sundays from 11am. to 3.30pm. for inspection
and evidence of their occupation can be seen in the individual graffiti on the
walls, and the various documentation in display areas. A fee is charged and enquiries
can be made on (08) 8231 4062.
PARLIAMENT
HOUSE: North Terrace This imposing building at the corner of North Terrace and
King William St., opposite Government House, was built of Kapunda marble on granite
in two stages, 50 years apart. Public galleries are open when the House of Assembly
or Legislative Council are in session. Enquiries (08) 8237 9100
ADELAIDE
FESTIVAL CENTRE: King William Rd. The centre is home to the State Theatre
Company and utilizes several theatres to hold plays, entertainment, opera and
other artistic performances. Set on 1.2 hectares in Elder Park between North Terrace
and the Torrens River it was built between 1970 and 1977. markets are held in
the plaza on Sundays and there is extensive car parking beneath the complex. Enquiries
on (08) 8216 8600
STATE
LIBRARY OF S.A.: North Terrace. The State Library of South Australia is part
of the magnificent North terrace Precinct which is regarded as one of the finest
streets in the world. The library is open to the public and houses an extensive
range of books available for loan. The Mortlock Library will also be found in
the building and daily newspapers are available for perusal.
MONTEFIORE
HILL AND LIGHT'S VISION Morphett St. North Adelaide. Montefiore Hill provides
an excellent vantage point to look over the City of Adelaide. Near its apex, in
a small park, is a Statue of Colonel William Light, who designed Adelaide as a
squae mile of north south, east-west streets including a central park and surrounded
by parklands. His design is recognised as one of the most practical and beautiful
in the world and the spot from where you can view this panorama and observe his
statue with outstretched arm is known as Light's Vision.
"POPEYE" and
River Torrens Cruises
Elder Park. Ph: (08) 8203 7777 or 8295 4747 Few children
born in Adelaide have not taken a ride on "Popeye", the passenger launch which
leaves a small wharf in Elder Park for a 35 minute cruise up the Torrens River
to the Zoological Gardens and back to the weir which maintains Lake Torrens. It
is a delightful trip for all the family and a fee is charged for the cruise. Paddle
boats are available for hire on the river. The River Torrens Linear Walk is a
pathway along the river edge for joggers and cyclists reaching from the sea at
West Beach to the Adelaide Hills.
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN THEATRE MUSEUM: Southern
Plaza Basement, Festival Centre. Ph: (08) 8216 8767 A collection of over 40,000
bits and pieces relating to the Performing Arts in South Australia ranging from
circus and vaudeville to opera, ballet and drama.
S.A. POLICE MUSEUM: Kintore
Ave. Ph: 08 8274 8597 Located in the old mounted police barracks (1851) with the
police armoury next door, it has displays relating to the enforcement of laws
and police practices over the years. It is open at weekends and on public holidays
from 1pm. to 5pm. and is closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
BEACHES:
Adelaide is rich in safe family beaches with sandy coastline stretching north
and south along its entire western perimeter. The most popular swimming beaches
are Glenelg, West Beach, Henley Beach, Brighton, Seacliff, Semaphore and Grange.
The main reason these beaches are popular is because they are in close proximity
to transport terminals and easily reached. the truth is you can reach Adelaide's
beaches from nearly anywhere along its western perimeter and enjoy the easy lifestyle
and wonderful golden sandy shoreline at any time. Because the coastline drops
gradually into the gulf, the shallow waters and sand bars provide safe isolated
pools for children to play in at low tide. there are jetties or piers at Semaphore,
Grange, Henley Beach, Glenelg, Brighton and Seacliff and fishing from these is
permitted although few catches of any significance are achieved these days. Crabs
are sometimes caught using nets, and mullett frequent the shallows at the turn
of the tide. The main varieties caught are small silver whiting, 'Tommy Ruffs',
gar fish and squid. the beaches in the southern suburbs at Christie's Beach and
Moama offer surfing, and there are some excellent spots for scuba diving off the
rocky coastline near Seacliff, on the Fleuriue Peninsula, and at Kangaroo Island.
MORIALTA
FALLS AND WATERFALL GULLY: Just east of Adelaide, in the foothills, are several
State Reserves featuring beautiful bush-land walks and several waterfalls. Among
these is the waterfall Gully State Reserve which includes Morialta Falls. Near
Belair, the Belair National Park was hundreds of hectares of natural bushland
interspersed with tennis courts, ovals, barbecues and all facilities for the family
to enjoy. There is also an 18 hole public golf course adjacent. |
