In the pre-COVID era, my best friend and I celebrated our 25th friend-versary. Being long-distance pals — I’m in Sydney, she’s in Perth — we decided the only fair thing to do was meet each other halfway for a girls weekend. Adelaide, it was.
Having done little research before I arrived, I didn’t have any expectations (a huge wrong move by me). Adelaide is a city bursting with creativity and so full of personality that we really wished we’d set a tighter schedule to fit in even more. We went to South Australia for the stunning wine regions, which did not disappoint, but equally fell in love with Adelaide’s bustling hospitality scene and gorgeous beaches. If you live in the Eastern states, watching the sunset over the Australian coast is a sight to behold.
My bestie and I are already planning another trip, this time to see Adelaide in its summer glory. I highly recommend you do the same – and pick one of these six events as the centrepiece of your itinerary.
WOMADelaide, March 5 — 8
Adelaide Fringe Festival, February 19 – March 21
View this post on Instagram
You’ve likely heard of the Adelaide Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere with pop-up events taking place across much of South Australia. Adelaide Fringe truly has something to surprise and delight anyone, from small solo acts to full-scale productions in the Spiegeltent spanning cabaret, theatre, comedy, circus, music, visual arts and more. The Garden Of Unearthly Delights is one of the must-visit elements of the festival, which has a rep for being Australia’s most vibrant and unrivalled dynamic outdoor events. Some of the highlights include a drag brunch party, a reclined Hot Dub experience, and a comedy gala, all taking place amidst the mysteriously lit, fantasy-like garden.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Located in McLaren Vale, Down The Rabbit Hole might not be a festival, but its regular live music showcases, gorg yet quirky atmosphere and unique wines are worth making a trip to SA for. After all, it is officially the Year of South Australian Wine, and considering SA is the wine capital of Australia, basing your trip around a particular winery is never a bad idea.
Tucked away in a picturesque, green valley, the winery features a re-vamped double-decker bus that you can sit in to sit back and indulge in a charcuterie board and a bottle of vino in. Friday Nights in the Cellar Door is their weekly live music event that’s timed perfectly as golden hour hits the rolling hills, while the restaurant offers abundant tasting menus that show off the flavours of the area.
