Stretching from the beautiful sunny shores to the stunning foothills, Adelaide is one of the major cities in Australia – a place that is vibrant and bursting to the brim with culture, events, food, and entertainment. This cosmopolitan city is the capital of the state of Southern Australia and is home to a melting pot of people of all sorts backgrounds.
Adelaide is a great place for travelers who wish to get the full taste of the arts and culture of Australia. Being known as a major creative hub, the city hosts numerous art festivals, holiday celebrations, international fairs, markets, and so many more events throughout the year. So much so, that the city has even come to be known as “The Festival City”.
Image Credit: Joey Csunyo on Unsplash
If you love exploring metropolitan cities, be it architecture, entertainment, arts, gastronomy, or the general vibe of it all – Adelaide is a great place for you to visit. But that's not to say Adelaide has nothing to offer to those that love the outdoors and nature. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, Adelaide is a great beach destination. And if you feel like “the hills are calling”, head to Adelaide’s hill to enjoy the cooler climate, cozy cottages, markets with the freshest produce, and scenic drives through the countryside.
Exploring the city and all its charm – from old colonial style architecture, trendy cafes, and restaurants that line picturesque streets to museums, beaches, events, exhibitions, and so much more – Adelaide is certainly a place that is worth the visit on a trip to Australia.
As mentioned, Adelaide welcomes all kinds of visitors and offers a taste of all different kinds of experiences. But, of course, it's mainly known for its arts and culture, with a side of food, shopping, and history thrown in there. Here are some of the most popular attractions in Adelaide that you should put on your list of places to visit on your vacation in Australia.
Standing at the center of Adelaide's downtown, Rundle Mall is a pedestrian street mall that has been in operation since 1976. It is the heart of everything retail and shopping in the city. Regardless of what kind of shopper you are, whether your heart gets pumping at the sight of bargain deals or you love the luxury of high-end retail therapy, you'll feel right at home at Rundle Mall. Basically, it's your one-stop shop for everything ranging from groceries to clothing.
You can also stroll along the streets, stop and give some buskers your audience, or get a bite to eat at some of the chic cafes and restaurants. Getting to and from Rundle Mall is a breeze as there are several buses operating throughout the day.
Address: Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
The Adelaide Oval, located in the parklands between the city center and North Adelaide, is a sports ground that is mainly utilized for cricket and Australian football. It is the headquarters of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA), and is known as one of the most beautiful and well-constructed test cricket grounds in the world. Other sports matches held here include rugby, tennis, and soccer. The grounds have also hosted several concerts.
Address: War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia.
Contact: +61 8 8211 1100
Located in the north-east corner of the Adelaide City Center, The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a 130-acre public garden in the Adelaide Park Lands. The gardens comprise of different themed areas such as First Creek Wetland, Gardens of Health, International Rose Garden, Australian Native Garden, Dahlia Garden, and more.
The Palm House is a Victorian glasshouse imported from Berlin in 1875, and the Santos Museum of Economic Botany does important work in collecting and analyzing all the different uses of plants. A stroll through the Adelaide Botanic Gardens is sure to be relaxing and fascinating at the same time, and you're sure to learn a whole lot through the visit!
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
Contact: +61 8 8222 9311
Opening Times: Mon-Fri – 7:15 am, Weekends/Public Holidays – 9:00 am (closing times vary throughout the year).
This gourmet shopping center has been in business since it opened its doors in 1869, and is one of Australia's largest sources for fresh produce. It is home to about 80 or so retail vendors offering all different kind of food-related items from all around the world. Whatever your heart desire – fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, bread, spices – you'll find it here. There are also several cafes and eateries where you can have some amazing food.
One of the best things to do is have a stroll down Adelaide Central Market, stopping at shops that catch your eye, and check out all the different kinds of gourmet ingredients that you can pick up. If you're a foodie, there's no way your holiday in Adelaide would be complete without a trip to the gastronomic hub of the city. Of course, you'll end up leaving with heavy bags and a light wallet, but that's just a given!
Address: (Located in Central Market Arcade) 44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
Opening Times: Tues – Thurs 9 am – 5:30 pm, Fri 7 am– 9 pm, Sat 7 am– 3 am, (Closed on Sunday/Monday)
Contact: +61 8 8203 7494
Image Credit: SA History Hub
Victoria Square is a public square located in the center of the city, neighbored by many public institutions like the Supreme Court of South Australia, Adelaide General Post Office, etc. It is also known as Tarntanyangga (translating to “red kangaroo dreaming”), named so because the square was previously the central camp for the dundagunya tribe people, who named it Tandanya or Tarntanya.
Today, the square is a large grassy open area with fountains, gardens, park benches, and plenty of shady trees. It's a great place to spend some time relaxing with friends and family, have a picnic, or just play some football.
All of these attractions are situated in the Adelaide City Center, close to the Rundle Mall area, so it would be most efficient to book a hotel for your stay around the same place. If you aren't sure of where to stay in Adelaide, check our website for suggestions on Halal-friendly hotels.
Address: Grote St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
Opening Times: 24 hours, 7 days of the week.
Contact: +61 8 8203 7203
It is pretty easy to get around the city of Adelaide, thanks to the various facilities and amenities that are available. With well-constructed pedestrian ways, walking is always a good option for when the distance is short enough. If you're traveling farther, you always have the option to book a cab.
There are several ride-hailing apps you can download. Of course Uber is one of the most popular options, but other services that are available include Taxify, GoCatch, and GoGet. Another rideshare app, Shebah, is now available in Adelaide and the best option for women traveling solo or by themselves with children. This company focus on women's safety, employing only women drivers and catering only to women and children (you can even request a vehicle with a car seat for kids).
Public transport is another option that is very reliable. Adelaide has a great variety of public transport including buses, trains, and the tram. You can pick up a visitors metro card that'll give you unlimited travel for 3 days. Trams operate within the city center and the suburbs, but trains are probably your best choice in the case of longer travel to places outside the city.
Image Credit: Wikiwand
There is also a free City Connector bus service in Adelaide that runs on a loop throughout the week that'll be most useful for travel within Adelaide's downtown area. Furthermore, almost all public transport is designed to cater to differently-abled persons as well.
Of course, as Muslims, another major concern we have when we travel is to find places where we can pray. If you're looking for where to pray in Adelaide, fret not, because there are several places where you can do so. Here are some of the mosques and prayer places in Adelaide:
Address: 28/20 Little Gilbert St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
Contact: +61 8 8231 6443
Address: 596 Torrens Rd, Woodville North SA 5012, Australia.
Contact: +61 8 8268 1944
Address: 27 Langford St, Pooraka SA 5095, Australia.
Contact: +61 468 923 440
Address: Union House, Victoria Drive, Adelaide, South Australia 5005.
Contact: +61 8 8313 5240
Address: Adelaide: 372 Sturt Road, Clovelly Park, South Australia.
Address: 216 Days Road, Adelaide, South Australia.
Address: 403 Grange Road, Shop 3, Seaton, South Australia.
Address: 253 Diagonal Road, Warradale, South Australia.
Address: 68 Hindley Street, Adelaide, South Australia.
If you are wondering where to eat on your Muslim-friendly trip to Adelaide, there's no need to worry as there are many restaurants that serve Halal and Muslim-friendly food. Here's a list of some of the best Halal-friendly restaurants in Adelaide:
A good no-nonsense eatery with affordable Western-type fare that tastes really good. Burgers, pizza, hot dogs – whatever your heart yearns for.
Cuisine: Italian, Fast Food, Pizza.
Address: 26 Bank St, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
Opening Hours: Sun - Thurs 11:00 am - 11 pm, Fri 11:00 am - 4:00 am, Sat 11:00 am - 5:00 am
Price/Price Range: Low – Moderate
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: Website: http://www.australiaspizzahouse.com
Experience all the vibrancy of Indian food culture in an open dining room with beautiful décor and even better food at this award-winning Indian restaurant in Adelaide.
Cuisine: Indian
Address: 170 0’Connell Street North Adelaide, SA 5006.
Opening Hours: Sun - Thurs 12 - 3 pm, 5 - 10:30 pm, Fri - Sat 12 - 3 pm, 5 - 11 pm
Price/Price Range: Moderate-High
Reservation: Recommended
Contact: 8267 3820
Website: http://www.beyondindia.net.au/
A convenient and super affordable stopover for whenever you feel that pang of hunger. The place is best known for its gourmet burgers. They also have gluten-free options as well. Don't forget to get that extra side of fries!
Cuisine: Fast Food, American.
Address: 110 O'Connell St, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia.
Opening Hours: Sun-Mon 11:30 am - 9:30 pm, Tue 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Wed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm, Thu - Sat 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Price/Price Range: Low
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: +61 8 8267 2612
Website: http://www.burgeritadelaide.com.au
Image Credit: Broadsheet Adelaide
A restaurant that has been around for a long time, serving good quality Middle Eastern food. The red fiberglass booths and orange tables are an eclectic feature that has been around since the opening of the restaurant.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Lebanese, Vegetarian-Friendly
Address: 131B Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Opening Hours: Tues - Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm, Sun 4:00 pm - 10 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Price/Price Range: Low
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: +61 8 8212 6185
Website: http://jerusalemrestaurant.com.au/
If you're looking for Halal restaurants in Adelaide that specialize in Asian fare (mainly Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai), then the Knoodle Junction is a great option that is very budget-friendly.
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Fast Food
Address: 21 Pulteney St, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 10 am - 7:30 pm, Fri 10 am - 5 pm, (Closed on Sat and Sun)
Price/Price Range: Low
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: +61 8 8223 5759
Website: http://rundlemall.com/business-directory/knoodle-junction/
The international chain and its world-famous peri-peri chicken need no introduction, and the good news is that they serve Halal food in their Adelaide store!
Cuisine: Portuguese, Fast Food
Address: 33 King William St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
Opening Hours: 11 am - 10 pm daily
Price/Price Range: Moderate
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: +61 1300 626 367
Website: https://www.nandos.com.au/eat/restaurants
Another great option for an Asian meal is Pondok Daun. It is one of the best budget-friendly Halal restaurants in Adelaide, with a great reputation all around for their service and quality of food. Try their Indonesian fare like the Rendang.
Cuisine: Asian, Indonesian
Address: 94 Currie St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11 am - 8:30 pm (Closed on Sundays)
Price/Price Range: Low
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: +61 8 8212 1449
Website: http://pondokdaun.cafeleader.com
If you're craving some Halal Mexican food in Adelaide, Salsa's is one of your best options. They also have gluten-free options.
Cuisine: Mexican, Fast Food
Address: Rundle Place 77-91 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
Opening Hours: 11 am - 10 pm daily
Price/Price Range: Low – Moderate
Reservation: Not necessary
Contact: +61 8 8232 3971
Website: https://www.salsas.com.au
