Arrive in Adelaide—if flying, collect luggage and catch the Airport Shuttle or a 30-40 minute taxi into the CBD; if by train/bus, drop your bags at your hotel or a luggage locker and stretch your legs with a walk through Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga. Fuel up with a relaxed breakfast at Exchange Specialty Coffee or the popular Osteria Oggi on Peel St, then take a short orientation stroll up King William Street to glimpse the Parliament House and the leafy Rundle Mall precinct.
Spend the afternoon getting a first taste of Adelaide’s culture: visit the South Australian Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia on North Terrace, or choose the Adelaide Central Market for lively stalls, local produce and a light lunch—try a lane diner pie or fresh seafood. If time permits, walk through the adjacent Rundle Park/Romney Park and pop into the historic Adelaide Arcade for boutique shopping and a quick gelato.
As evening falls, enjoy a relaxed riverside dinner at one of the lively bank restaurants on Peel or Moseley Square—consider Sean's Kitchen or The Stag Hotel for local fare and pub atmosphere. Finish with a peaceful sunset stroll along the River Torrens Riverbank and, if you’re up for it, grab a drink at a rooftop bar such as 2KW or The Rooftop for skyline views before turning in early to rest for tomorrow’s North Terrace exploration.
Start the day with breakfast at the Adelaide Central Market—grab a strong coffee from Market Street and a freshly baked sourdough or gourmet pastry before heading to North Terrace. Wander the cultural boulevard visiting the South Australian Museum’s Aboriginal galleries and the Art Gallery of South Australia, taking time to linger over colonial and contemporary works and the striking Museum of Classical Antiquities collection.
After a light lunch at a North Terrace café (try The University of Adelaide’s Union or a sandwich from a nearby deli), stroll east into the Botanic Garden / Adelaide Botanic Garden and explore the Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory and tranquil Santos Museum of Economic Botany; consider a guided garden tour or a relaxed picnic on the lawns. If you still have energy, walk the Torrens River pathway back toward the city or pop into the Migration Museum for a snapshot of South Australia’s social history.
As evening falls, return to Rundle Street or Peel Street for dinner—choose a modern Australian bistro like Osteria Oggi or The Stag for a local meal—then take a gentle post-dinner walk through Rymill Park/Muni and along the River Torrens to enjoy the lit facades on North Terrace. Finish with a drink at 2KW Bar & Restaurant or a quiet nightcap at a CBD wine bar, reflecting on the day's cultural discoveries before bed.
Set out after breakfast in Adelaide for a scenic 1-1.5 hour drive or guided coach transfer to the Barossa, arriving mid-morning to begin at Seppeltsfield for a guided Centennial Cellar tour and a tasting of museum-release fortified wines—don’t miss the 100-year-old barrel tasting if available. Follow with a visit to Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop at Nuriootpa for a light tasting of pate, conserves and her signature recipes while enjoying views across the rolling vineyards.
Spend the afternoon meandering between iconic producers: book a seated tasting at Penfolds Magill (or Penfolds Barossa site if open) and then head to Jacob’s Creek or Yalumba for contrasting styles and vineyard walks; include a leisurely winery lunch at Hentley Farm or Appellation for seasonal, wine-paired dishes. If time allows, stop at local cellar doors such as Rockford or Pindarie for small-batch shiraz and regional conversation, and pop into Tanunda’s main street for a quick bakery treat or gelato.
Return to Adelaide in the early evening and freshen up before dinner in the CBD—consider a relaxed meal at Africola or The Stag to compare South Australian produce with your Barossa discoveries. If you’re still in the mood for wine, finish with a nightcap at a cosy Rundle Street wine bar or the Riverbank’s mellow atmosphere, reflecting on the day’s tastings and highlights from the valley.
Catch the tram from the Adelaide CBD to Glenelg for a breezy 30-40 minute ride and start with breakfast at The Moseley Bakery or The Jetty for fresh pastries and coffee overlooking the sand. After fueling up, stroll the Glenelg Jetty and Glenelg Foreshore, dip your toes in the water or rent a stand-up paddleboard/kayak from a local operator for a gentle paddle along the shore before exploring the boutique shops on Jetty Road.
For lunch, enjoy seafood and local produce at The Moseley or Gaucho’s Bar & Grill, then head to the Bay Discovery Centre to learn a little local maritime history or hop on a dolphin-watching cruise from the marina if the season and tides allow. Alternatively, cycle the coastal path toward Brighton—stopping at the Brighton Jetty and the iconic baths—for a relaxed seaside ride and ice-cream break, returning to Glenelg mid-afternoon for people-watching on the foreshore.
As the sun sets, choose a waterfront dinner at The Moseley Hotel or d’Arry’s Verandah for relaxed, locally sourced dishes and a chilled atmosphere, then take a golden-hour walk along the beach or along the lit jetty. Finish the night with a casual drink at The Grand or a beachside gelato while reflecting on the trip so far and gearing up for tomorrow’s peaceful Adelaide Hills escape.
After breakfast in the CBD, drive or join a short guided tour into the Adelaide Hills; begin at Mount Lofty Summit for panoramic views across the city and Gulf St Vincent, then wander the pleasant paths of Cleland Conservation Park where you can spot kangaroos and visit the Cleland Wildlife Park for a close encounter with native animals. Pop into Stirling or Aldgate for a coffee at CIBO Espresso or Buds and Blossoms and browse boutique stores and antique shops along the main street.
Head to historic Hahndorf for a leisurely lunch—choose from German-inspired fare at the Hahndorf Inn or modern produce at The Haus, then explore artisan galleries, the Hahndorf Academy and local providores selling cheeses, chutneys and handmade chocolates. If time allows, stop at nearby Shaw + Smith or The Lane Vineyard for a late-afternoon tasting among rolling vines, or visit Beerenberg Farm in nearby McLaren Vale (season permitting) for jam tastings and a farm-shop treat before returning toward Adelaide to collect luggage.
Make your way back to the CBD or Adelaide Airport depending on your departure—enjoy a final early dinner near the airport at the airport precinct or a relaxed riverside meal at The Stag or Osteria Oggi if your flight is later, savouring South Australian produce one last time. Allow extra time for airport check-in and security, and finish with a quiet coffee or glass of local wine as you reflect on five days of Adelaide discoveries before boarding your return flight to Melbourne.