Adelaide 500
The sound of revving motors and the smell of burning rubber returned to the parklands of Adelaide for the first time since 2020. I felt the atmosphere growing with the noise of suped-up motors as I walked east down down Rundle St toward the old grand prix track. Memories came back of watching F1 cars at Stag corner as I passed the pubs and cafes on East Terrace.
I was early on Thursday morning so it was quick and painless to get in, I headed east along the north side of Bartells Road until I found a good spot to watch from and settled back. I had forgotten just how loud these racing car engines were and was quickly reminded as my body rattled with the noise. There were plenty of great spots to stand and watch things on the track but you won't see much from a chair. There are a few small stands provided for General Admission which provided views but no cover. I found a few small stands in the shade of the trees on Dequetiville Terrace which were quite comfortable.
There was more than just cars on the track, there were a few things on the oval and near the old racing grandstand to check out. Merchandise, cars, rides and other things were available to browse or buy and a concert was taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. As I was only there Thursday when there was no concert I was unable to let loose to some great line-ups.
The Adelaide 500 or Velo 500 as it's known now is something that can be enjoyed by everyone, you don't have to be a car racing nut or even care about cars to have a good time, I don't and I did.
HOT TIPS: Get there early to check out all the spots to watch from, be prepared to walk a lot (wear comfortable walking shoes.)
DON'T FORGET: Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses, Ear-plugs, Camera.
WHEN: December
WHERE: Adelaide East Parklands
COST: $35 and up (Adult)
I was early on Thursday morning so it was quick and painless to get in, I headed east along the north side of Bartells Road until I found a good spot to watch from and settled back. I had forgotten just how loud these racing car engines were and was quickly reminded as my body rattled with the noise. There were plenty of great spots to stand and watch things on the track but you won't see much from a chair. There are a few small stands provided for General Admission which provided views but no cover. I found a few small stands in the shade of the trees on Dequetiville Terrace which were quite comfortable.
There was more than just cars on the track, there were a few things on the oval and near the old racing grandstand to check out. Merchandise, cars, rides and other things were available to browse or buy and a concert was taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. As I was only there Thursday when there was no concert I was unable to let loose to some great line-ups.
The Adelaide 500 or Velo 500 as it's known now is something that can be enjoyed by everyone, you don't have to be a car racing nut or even care about cars to have a good time, I don't and I did.
HOT TIPS: Get there early to check out all the spots to watch from, be prepared to walk a lot (wear comfortable walking shoes.)
DON'T FORGET: Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses, Ear-plugs, Camera.
WHEN: December
WHERE: Adelaide East Parklands
COST: $35 and up (Adult)
Port Adelaide Ship Graveyard
Just off Torrens Island you will find The Port Adelaide Ship Graveyard, this area is best accessible from the water. You can bring your own kayak or boat or join the Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours to check out some maritime history and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. You will need either a bit of experience or to go with somebody familiar with the water to make sure you are safe. Cruising through these waters makes you forget you're in a city with only a glimpse of a Northern Expressway bridge on the horizon.
The water is very clean here, the only maritime traffic being recreational boats and lots of kayaks. Checking tides, winds and weather forecasts will ensure you have a comfortable time as well as following all the safety regulations. It is possible to view the shipwrecks from the shore, you need to park near the power station and walk down along the bridge. If you are going on foot, I recommend doing it at low tide in old shoes.
The Shipwreck Graveyard gives you a feel for South Australian history, there are some interesting stories here including the only fully intact iron hull sailing vessel in the world. The opportunities for photographs here are great with lots of wildlife as well as historic shipwrecks, it is common to encounter dolphins here so have your cameras ready.
HOT TIP; Make safety number one, take a camera, this area makes for great drone footage for experienced operators, salmon trout for fishos.
DON'T FORGET; Hardy shoes you can get wet, safety gear, tell somebody when you expect to get back.
WHEN: Anytime (warmer months are better)
WHERE: Torrens Island, Garden Island.
COST: Free or $50+ if you need a kayak or tour
The water is very clean here, the only maritime traffic being recreational boats and lots of kayaks. Checking tides, winds and weather forecasts will ensure you have a comfortable time as well as following all the safety regulations. It is possible to view the shipwrecks from the shore, you need to park near the power station and walk down along the bridge. If you are going on foot, I recommend doing it at low tide in old shoes.
The Shipwreck Graveyard gives you a feel for South Australian history, there are some interesting stories here including the only fully intact iron hull sailing vessel in the world. The opportunities for photographs here are great with lots of wildlife as well as historic shipwrecks, it is common to encounter dolphins here so have your cameras ready.
HOT TIP; Make safety number one, take a camera, this area makes for great drone footage for experienced operators, salmon trout for fishos.
DON'T FORGET; Hardy shoes you can get wet, safety gear, tell somebody when you expect to get back.
WHEN: Anytime (warmer months are better)
WHERE: Torrens Island, Garden Island.
COST: Free or $50+ if you need a kayak or tour
Royal Adelaide Show
The Royal Adelaide Show returned after shutting down in 2020. All of the show standards were back including rides, showbags, displays and fireworks. Now held for just over a week and taking in fathers day this year, the smell of cinnamon donuts came back to Wayville Showgrounds.
Going to the Adelaide show is more than a day out for many Adelaide families, it's a tradition. There is a massive variety of things to see and do in the spectacular showgrounds from art to food and everything in between Make sure you catch a rest and watch some of the various entertainment around the showgrounds with bands, dancers, acrobats, pigs and so much more. The Yellow brick Road is another tradition carried out by many families, apart from a big bag full of groceries to carry around you will learn about Adelaide's local produce.
The Royal Adelaide Show is more than rides and showbags, there is something to appeal to everyone. Public transport is the best way to get to and from the grounds to avoid the expensive (and annoying) parking dilemmas. If you haven't visited The Show for many years you will still find many familiar things (except the chair lift unfortunately.) The main arena is a great place to get a break during the day and the entertainment gets more exciting as the day goes on. Don't miss the grand parade.
HOT TIP: Get there early, plan and budget your day, get public transport to avoid expensive parking and buy your showbags on the way out so you don't have to carry them all day. Lockers are available for a fee.
DON'T FORGET: Sunscreen, lots of money, walking shoes.
WHEN: Sometime in September
WHERE: Wayville Showgrounds
COST: $30+ (Adult)
Going to the Adelaide show is more than a day out for many Adelaide families, it's a tradition. There is a massive variety of things to see and do in the spectacular showgrounds from art to food and everything in between Make sure you catch a rest and watch some of the various entertainment around the showgrounds with bands, dancers, acrobats, pigs and so much more. The Yellow brick Road is another tradition carried out by many families, apart from a big bag full of groceries to carry around you will learn about Adelaide's local produce.
The Royal Adelaide Show is more than rides and showbags, there is something to appeal to everyone. Public transport is the best way to get to and from the grounds to avoid the expensive (and annoying) parking dilemmas. If you haven't visited The Show for many years you will still find many familiar things (except the chair lift unfortunately.) The main arena is a great place to get a break during the day and the entertainment gets more exciting as the day goes on. Don't miss the grand parade.
HOT TIP: Get there early, plan and budget your day, get public transport to avoid expensive parking and buy your showbags on the way out so you don't have to carry them all day. Lockers are available for a fee.
DON'T FORGET: Sunscreen, lots of money, walking shoes.
WHEN: Sometime in September
WHERE: Wayville Showgrounds
COST: $30+ (Adult)
Salisbury Christmas Pageant
It's that time of the year when the Christmas spirits are high and there are quite a few pageants to choose from. The northern suburb of Salisbury hosts one of these parades along the local shopping street. Many families turn out to wave to the floats, laugh at the clowns and welcome Santa to Parabanks shopping centre. There are plenty of places to get a good view along John Street with the main crowd being near the old library whee the Mayor watches from.
The pageant starts with a traditional town crier declaring the event underway as the floats, bands, clowns and local businesses head down John Street. You will see all the local sports teams represented and some local businesses. The parade has plenty to see and will a take an hour or two to pass you by. As with every pageant Santa comes in last to tell you when it's all over so don't forget to wave.
It can get crowded along the street so wait until it's finished before you do your shopping, there is plenty of free parking at Parabanks especially on the western side. If you live in Salisbury and want to get involved in next years pageant you can contact the council on 0414 813 202. Check closer to December for the official date.
HOT TIP; Get there early to get a good spot in the shade / shelter, bring your own food and drinks.
DON'T FORGET; Chairs, camera.
WHEN: December
WHERE: John St, Salisbury
COST: Free
The pageant starts with a traditional town crier declaring the event underway as the floats, bands, clowns and local businesses head down John Street. You will see all the local sports teams represented and some local businesses. The parade has plenty to see and will a take an hour or two to pass you by. As with every pageant Santa comes in last to tell you when it's all over so don't forget to wave.
It can get crowded along the street so wait until it's finished before you do your shopping, there is plenty of free parking at Parabanks especially on the western side. If you live in Salisbury and want to get involved in next years pageant you can contact the council on 0414 813 202. Check closer to December for the official date.
HOT TIP; Get there early to get a good spot in the shade / shelter, bring your own food and drinks.
DON'T FORGET; Chairs, camera.
WHEN: December
WHERE: John St, Salisbury
COST: Free
Adelaide Central Markets
Between Gouger Street and Grote Street just behind the Hilton Hotel in the city, you will find the Adelaide Central Markets. The markets are open from Tuesday to Saturday and have a range of food, gifts, souvenirs and other services available. It gets crowded on Friday nights and Saturday mornings and parking is available at a cost.
You will find some Adelaide icons in the markets including some famous butchers and seafood shops, there is plenty to see and smell here if you don't want to buy anything. There are a few places to get coffee and a few places to sit and rest, if it's not too busy. This market is undercover (in a big room) and there is a pub in the middle of it all.
You can find a few bargains if you look around but you need to remember this is a market aimed at tourists so there will be a few things that seem a bit expensive. The aisles are quite narrow so be careful not to walk into anybody while you're browsing. There is a really good food court on the south west corner with a wide range to satisfy the most hungry shopper.
HOT TIP; Look around for the best price before you buy anything, avoid really busy times
DON'T FORGET; Money, re-usable bags.
WHERE: Between Gouger St and Grote St
WHEN: Tuesday to Saturday
COST: Free entry
You will find some Adelaide icons in the markets including some famous butchers and seafood shops, there is plenty to see and smell here if you don't want to buy anything. There are a few places to get coffee and a few places to sit and rest, if it's not too busy. This market is undercover (in a big room) and there is a pub in the middle of it all.
You can find a few bargains if you look around but you need to remember this is a market aimed at tourists so there will be a few things that seem a bit expensive. The aisles are quite narrow so be careful not to walk into anybody while you're browsing. There is a really good food court on the south west corner with a wide range to satisfy the most hungry shopper.
HOT TIP; Look around for the best price before you buy anything, avoid really busy times
DON'T FORGET; Money, re-usable bags.
WHERE: Between Gouger St and Grote St
WHEN: Tuesday to Saturday
COST: Free entry
Parafield Markets
Held every Saturday morning behind Roulette's Tavern at Parafield Airport, the Parafield Markets has a good range of cheap, fresh, local produce with less hassle of the bigger markets. You will find mostly fruit and veg, coffee, souvenirs, seafood, pet stalls and more as you walk around this spread out market. There is lots of room in the wide isles so pushing a trolley around is only difficult where the ground gets a bit bumpy.
Parking is available nice and close to the markets which you can get into from any direction, there are places to sit within the market and other interesting shops to visit once you're done with fruit and veg. A hot windy day can make for a dusty and uncomfortable experience here so check the weather forecast before you head over. There are a couple of places to get good food in the north west corner of the market and this is where you will find your essential morning coffee.
Getting to this market early is a good idea as it shares the carpark with a lot of shops and there are always planes coming in and out of the airport if you need something else to look at. This market isn't an overly busy one but as with all markets it's best to get there early. You will need some cash as not all the stalls have Eftpos available. Make sure to shop around for the best price and support local businesses.
HOT TIP; Go Early for bargains and a good park.
DON"T FORGET; Re-usable bags, cash.
WHEN:Every Saturday 8am - 1pm
WHERE: North east of Parafield Airport, just off Main North Rd
COST:Free Entry
Parking is available nice and close to the markets which you can get into from any direction, there are places to sit within the market and other interesting shops to visit once you're done with fruit and veg. A hot windy day can make for a dusty and uncomfortable experience here so check the weather forecast before you head over. There are a couple of places to get good food in the north west corner of the market and this is where you will find your essential morning coffee.
Getting to this market early is a good idea as it shares the carpark with a lot of shops and there are always planes coming in and out of the airport if you need something else to look at. This market isn't an overly busy one but as with all markets it's best to get there early. You will need some cash as not all the stalls have Eftpos available. Make sure to shop around for the best price and support local businesses.
HOT TIP; Go Early for bargains and a good park.
DON"T FORGET; Re-usable bags, cash.
WHEN:Every Saturday 8am - 1pm
WHERE: North east of Parafield Airport, just off Main North Rd
COST:Free Entry