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Emotional Geographies conference

About Adelaide

Adelaide is a vibrant, affordable cultural capital with a warm climate, beautiful beaches and close proximity to four of Australia's premier wine growing regions. Adelaide is an elegant city featuring traditional stone architecture, wide parklands and a picturesque natural backdrop formed by the Adelaide Hills.

Adelaide is a lively, safe, compact and affordable city with a beautiful climate, so why not plan a holiday around the conference. Bring your partner or family, as there is plenty for them to do, too.

Climate

In April it is autumn in Adelaide and the weather is pleasant. The mean maximum temperature is 22.6°C, the mean overnight minimum is 12.4°C and rainfall is low.

Dining

Adelaide is home to a vast array of restaurants, including cuisines from around the world and many affordable options. Hindley St, next to the conference venue, is one of Adelaide's dining precincts. Conference delegates can also walk to Gouger St (for Asian cuisine and fish restaurants, among others) and Rundle St (for cafes, modern Australian and Asian cuisine). North Adelaide also features many cafes, pubs and restaurants.

The Adelaide Central Market is the largest fresh produce market in the southern hemisphere and one of Adelaide's most visited tourist attractions.

Useful links and information

Adelaide's population is about 1.2 million people. The time zone is UTC + 9.5 hours. (Adelaide uses daylight saving time until 4 April 2010, so until then it is UTC + 10.5.) Adelaide's domestic and international airport is 6 km west of the city centre. The currency is Australian dollars (currency converter).

Adelaide city attractions map
Adelaide Metro (public transport information)
Australia Online (see the a–z guide for information on electricity, tipping, etc)
South Australia (tourism information, what's on)
Adelaide eguide (tourism information)

Things to do in Adelaide

A walk along North Terrace will take you past Adelaide Casino, Parliament House, Government House, the State Library of South Australia, the South Australian Museum (don't miss the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery and the new South Australian Biodiversity Gallery) and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Further along North Terrace there is the National Wine Centre and the Botanic Gardens, including the Bicentennial Conservatory, the largest greenhouse in the southern hemisphere. Near the Botanic Gardens is Adelaide Zoo, featuring over 1800 exotic and native animals in a magnificent botanical setting. The zoo's latest attraction is a pair of giant pandas. You can catch the Popeye boat along the River Torrens from the Festival Centre to the zoo.

If you prefer to go shopping, wander along Rundle Mall, a short walk from North Terrace. Or catch a tram from outside the conference venue to the beachside suburb of Glenelg, where you can walk along the beach, go shopping, or try a local pizza or ice cream. If you prefer nightclubs then Hindley St is right behind the conference venue. There are plenty of pubs in Hindley St, King William Rd and Rundle St. Or you can watch a cricket match at Adelaide Oval, one of the world's most beautiful cricket ovals, or play golf just minutes from the conference venue.

We also recommend:
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
Haighs Chocolates Visitors Centre
Old Adelaide Gaol
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
Cleland Wildlife Park
Monarto Zoo

Events in Adelaide in March and April 2010

The world-renowned Adelaide Festival of Arts runs from 26 February to 14 March 2010. The Special Olympics Australia National Games for athletes with intellectual disabilities will be held at various venues around Adelaide on 19–24 April. In March and April 2010 Adelaide will also host a round of the V8 Supercar Championship, Womadelaide (a festival of world music), International Rugby Sevens and the Australian Dragon Boat Nationals. Truly something for everyone! Also consider:

Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, 18–31 March
MG Car Club National Meeting, Adelaide Shores, 1–6 April
Easter Craft and Gift Fair, Allan Scott Park, Morphettville, 2–5 April
Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, Oakbank Racecourse, 3–5 April
Kapunda Farm Fair, Kapunda, 16–17 April
Australian Ariel Register Rally and AGM, Mannum, 16–19 April

 

Things to do in South Australia

Kangaroo Island is one of the world's last great unspoiled island wildernesses. Australian nature and native wildlife abound, and many species of plant and animal that are found on Kangaroo Island are no longer seen on the Australian mainland. The coastline includes towering cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, battered rocks and quiet secluded inlets. There are excellent bush walking and fishing opportunities. Kangaroo Island is located 113 km southwest of Adelaide, and can be reached via the Kangaroo Island Sealink ferry.

The Barossa Valley is well known for its wine and produce. It is the country's best-known and most important wine region. A one-hour drive from Adelaide, the Barossa offers a fascinating heritage, a selection of dining experiences and over 50 wineries to visit. There are several coach and tour operators who operate daily and a wide range of accommodation options.

The McLaren Vale wine region is easy to explore in a day trip from Adelaide. While you are there why not visit the seaside holiday resort of Victor Harbor, home to southern right whales and little penguins.

You can take a cruise or hire a houseboat on the Murray River. The Murraylands are also an excellent place for playing sport, walking, bird watching, fishing, and of course eating and drinking.

The Flinders Ranges features beautiful gorges, fascinating geological features, charming towns and abundant wildlife from wedge-tailed eagles and emus to colourful parrots and kangaroos. Containing three national parks, the Flinders is one of South Australia's most beautiful regions and April is one of the best times of year to visit. You can also travel further north to the 'opal capital of the world' Coober Pedy and on to the famous landmarks of central Australia.
 

Photos: Festival Centre and River Torrens (from Wikipedia Commons), Art Gallery of South Australia (Wikipedia Commons), beach and jetty at Port Germain (photo by Sarah Donald) and sunset on the Murray River near Waikerie (photo by Sarah Donald). 
 

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