Adelaide Cruises: Ports, Ships and Things to Do

At a glance

82 current cruises call at Adelaide, on 17 ships from 11 cruise lines. The lowest lead fare across those cruises is $412. The lines sailing the most of them are Princess Cruises (38), Seabourn (7) and Holland America Line (6).

Destination guide

Adelaide travel guide: Top things to see & do

Adelaide, with a population of 1.3 million, is the capital of the province of South Australia, with a population of 1.6 million covering an area slightly larger than Texas. That means lots of open space. So, enjoy Adelaide, but leave time to explore the gorgeous coastal areas and the South Australian Outback.

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Adelaide (pronounced ad-eh-laid) was founded in 1836 as the seat of government for the new South Australia colony. As it has aged, Adelaide has retained some small-town charm, . The River Torrens runs through town, and the city layout is very simple, so tourists can navigate easily. The people of Adelaide include recent migrants from Asia and Europe, giving the city a cosmopolitan feel. Past migrants brought the wines of their European homelands, making the nearby wineries a worthwhile stop.

Adelaide has more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Australia, so you won't be left wanting for variety when it's time for dinner. Visit the central market, pick up some fresh food and take it to the botanical gardens in the center of the city for a picnic lunch. Or take a short field trip to the Barossa Valley, but make sure you have a designated driver for the ride back. However you spend your time in Adelaide, you're sure to enjoy the Mediterranean climate and relaxed atmosphere.

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A footbridge across the Torrens River, with the Adelaide Oval stadium in the background, in South Australia. Hieu Doan / Creative Commons BY-SA

Local interests

The South Australia Tourism Commission will help get you started on your visit to Adelaide, with tons of free maps and brochures to guide your way. City tours are available by app Adelaide City Explorer or by guided tour Tourabout Adelaide.

Where to start?

The Migration Museum (82 Kintore Avenue, is often overlooked, but this small museum has some wonderful displays recounting the stories of Australia's original settlers. The Art Gallery of South Australia (North Terrace) is Adelaide's best art gallery, with a collection of Australian art. The South Australian Museum (North Terrace) has an Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, with a collection of Aboriginal tools and photographs. But for a more extensive selection of Aboriginal art and culture, visit Tandanya Aboriginal Cultural Institute (253 Grenfell Street). Try to be there at noon for the daily didgeridoo performance.

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens (North Terrace), the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens (Summit Rd or Piccadilly Rd, Crafers) and Wittunga Botanic Gardens (Shepherds Hill Road, Blackwood) offer a variety of opportunities to see local flora. Stay in the city, or explore beyond Adelaide's borders. The Adelaide Zoo (Frome Rd) is very walkable, and features 3,000 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

Activities

Beaches & outdoor activities

The best beaches in town can be found in the suburb of Glenelg, just a 25 minute tram ride from Adelaide. Go for a bike ride...bike routes traverse Adelaide and you can hire a bike for free, thanks to Adelaide Free Bike . The North Adelaide Golf Course offers two 18-hole golf courses, and rental clubs if you are traveling light.

Wine country

South Australia has three major wine zones, all a 60 to 90 minute drive from Adelaide:

The Barossa Zone is north-east of Adelaide, and is composed of two valleys, the Barossa Valley and the Eden Valley. Known for Shiraz, there are many wineries to choose for your tasting pleasure. If you are a fan of whites, the region also produces Chardonay, Rhiesling, and Semillon wines. Don't miss Seppeltsfield, which releases a hundred year old, single vintage wine each year.

The Fleurieu Zone is south of Adelaide, has a variety of regions, including Currency Creek, Kangaroo Island, and Southern Fleurieu. Try the Cabernets, Malbecs and Chardonnays as well as the Sauvignon Blanc. Don't miss Tapanappa Foggy Hill Pinot Noir.

The Mount Lofty Zone is immediately east of Adelaide, includes the Adelaide Hills and Plains. You've got to try Grange, Australia's most famous wine, at Penfold's Magill Estate Winery.

A stunning sunset at Noarlungha Pier in Adelaide, South Australia. Les Haines / Creative Commons BY

Other day trips

Although there is more than enough to do in Adelaide, South Australia's surrounding territories offer numerous options for the explorer. Kangaroo Island (the name says it all) is just a short (hop) ferry ride away from the suburb of Glenelg, which can reached by tram or bus.

Go for a hike! One of the most popular in the area is the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Hike. Or, try the Onkaparinga Gorge hike, where you can be wowed by the cliffs and take a dip in the watering hole.

Shopping

Adelaide has a great pedestrian-only area, the Rundle Mall (North Terrace at King William Street) is an outdoor mall filled with blocks of shops. Adelaide's Central Market (near Victoria Square) is a foodie's delight. Jetty Road in Glenelg is a more casual shopping area, close to the beach and filled with smaller shops and galleries.

Dining & nightlife

Adelaide has a sophisticated dining scene, owing largely to a diverse population coupled with the thriving local wine industry. Jolley's Boathouse Restaurant (Jolley's Lane, 08/8223-2891) has the river views and a great terrace; Australian cuisine is complemented by the relaxed setting. The Oxford (101 O'Connell St., 08/8267-2652) is another excellent Australian restaurant, with one of the largest wine lists in town. Peel Street (9 Peel Street) serves modern Australian food, with Asian and Middle Eastern flavors. Amalfi (29 Frome St) just off of popular Rundle Street, serves up authentic Italian pizza and pastas. If you're younger and looking to explore small out of the way restaurants on your own, try looking in West End Laneways - off Hindley Street. Can't choose? Contact Adelaide's Top Food & Wine Tours for details about small group local tours.

The Adelaide Festival Centre (King William Road, 08/8216-8600) is South Australia's principal performing arts venue, offering music, theater, and arts performances. If you're just looking for a fun, creative cocktails, try the Botanic Bar (North Terrace). The Pearl (149 Waymouth Street) is one of Adelaide's newest nightclubs, with weekend music provided by 3 DJs each night.

The Art Gallery of South Australia, part of the South Australian Museum on North Terrace in Adelaide. Kajinoz / Creative Commons BY-SA

When you arrive

Docking information

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Adelaide, under the auspices of Ports Corp South Australia. Trains and buses travel between the port and the center of town.

Getting around

Bus travel is the best way to get around Adelaide. Buy a Daytrip ticket at the Adelaide Metro Information Centre (08-8210-1000). The City Loop bus is a free service that circles around the city center. Most trains travel between Adelaide and other big cities and surrounding areas. Of course, taxis are everywhere. If you can't hail one, simply call Suburban Taxis (08-131-008).

Your take

Have you been to Adelaide or South Australia? Please share a story, tip or discovery. What was the highlight?

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Photos of Adelaide

The Torrens River flows through Adelaide, South Australia.
A stunning sunset at Noarlungha Pier in Adelaide, South Australia.
A neighborhood of Adelaide, South Australia.
A footbridge across the Torrens River, with the Adelaide Oval stadium in the background, in South Australia.
Elder Park Rotunda by the River Torrens in Adelaide, Australia, at night.
St Peter’s Cathedral is one of Adelaide’s iconic landmarks.
The corner of North Terrace and Pulteney Street, looking southwest from Bonython Hall in Adelaide, Australia.
Cleland Wildlife Park, outside of Adelaide, lets you visit some of Australia's local animals, including koalas.
Penfolds, near Adelaide, is a major wine producing region of Australia. Magill Estate Winery specializes in Shiraz and Grange.
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Victoria Square, Adelaide, Australia.
The Art Gallery of South Australia, part of the South Australian Museum on North Terrace in Adelaide, Australia.
Azaleas flowering in spring at Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens in Adelaide, Australia.
A cricket game between the Adelaide Strikers and the Sydney Six's at the Adelaide Oval, Australia.
Adelaide Arcade is a shopping arcade in the center of Adelaide, South Australia.
Parliament Building in Adelaide, South Australia.
The Hahndorf Inn in Hahndorf, a small town in the Adelaide Hills regions of South Australia.
Wineries in the Barossa Valley of Australia, near Adelaide, are know for Shiraz wines.
The Barossa Valley near Adelaide is home to many fine wineries, including Richmond Grove.
Hop to it! Head to Cleland Wildlife Park outside of Adelaide to encounter kangaroos and other critters.
Seppeltsfield, outside of Adelaide, is the only winery in the world to release a 100-year-old, single vintage wine every year.
Try a wine-tasting excursion while visiting Adelaide. Don't miss the Magill Estate Winery to sample a little Shiraz.
With a legacy dating back to 1851, Seppeltsfield is Australia's iconic wine estate.