48 Hours in Adelaide: the essential 2-day itinerary

Adelaide is awesome. While to some it may seem laid back and unassuming, Adelaide is packed with things to do (many of them free), with vibrant festivals, fantastic museums and galleries, live music, great beaches and nature, and a food and wine scene rivalling the world’s big hitters. We’ve done our best to put the best Adelaide has to offer into one concise 2-day itinerary, so pack a bag, block out a weekend and get ready for 48 hours in the City of Churches!

Day 1

Morning

Adelaide Central Market | Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

There’s no better place to kick off your first day in Adelaide than the city’s ground zero for foodies. Located not far from YHA Adelaide Central, Adelaide Central Market is a world-famous indoor bazaar, offering everything from farm-fresh South Australian produce to piping hot food from a myriad of global cuisines. Don’t let the rather dim lighting fool you, this place will dazzle you with flavours. Open Tues-Sat; hours vary.

With your appetite sated (for now), walk or jump on a tram up towards Rundle Mall. Wander along this famous outdoor shopping street, checking out the outdoor sculptures and street performers, and stopping in at the beautiful Victorian-era Adelaide Arcade.

Rundle Mall | Image: Dale Chihuly, Glacier Ice and Lapis Chandelier, Adelaide Botanic Garden © 2024 Chihuly Studio

After working your way along the latter part of Rundle St, turn left and across the road to check out the tranquil Adelaide Botanic Garden. Highlights here include the gorgeous 150-year-old Palm House with its collection of rare Madagascan plants, and the more modern all-glass Bicentennial Conservatory – the largest structure of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

WAZA-certified Adelaide Zoo is just across the park if you’re an animal enthusiast, but there’ll be another opportunity to get your zoo fix later, so instead head back along leafy North Terrace and take in the many memorials, cultural institutions and architectural landmarks of this famous boulevard.

Afternoon

Stop in at Rundle Mall/Rundle St for lunch – there are countless options here – or wander back towards Chinatown for something delicious on a budget. After your meal, you have a few options for the afternoon ahead...

Henley Beach Jetty | Image: Nathan Godwin

Feel like stretching your legs? Hire a bike or e-bike and ride to Henley Beach along the River Torrens Linear Park (this takes about an hour and a half at most). Adelaide has gorgeous beaches that are just as good as anything you’ll find on the east coast, and Henley Beach is just one of them.

For something educational and slower paced, take your pick of the nearby Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum (both are free to enter). You can easily spend an entire afternoon browsing either of their fascinating collections.

Adelaide Oval | Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

Alternatively, if you can line up some tickets, tap into South Aussie culture with an event at Adelaide Oval. This is one of the best sporting grounds in the country, and is perched just over the river from the CBD in a picturesque bit of parkland. If you haven’t managed to time it right for a big cricket or footy (AFL) game, there are tours of the stadium available. On a warm sunny day, it’s even nice to just wander around the Adelaide Riverbank precinct and hang out by the water

Evening

If you took a bike to Henley Beach, ride a bit further down the coast to Glenelg Beach for dinner. This is Adelaide’s most famous (and touristy) coastal locale, with an Instagram-famous jetty and lots of food options in the square just back from the beach. There’s a lively atmosphere here in the evening, especially when the ferris wheel is running, and there are some great gelato places nearby for after dinner.

Peel Street | Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

For those who stayed in Central Adelaide, this is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the city’s fantastic culinary delights. Adelaide’s foodie scene is genuinely world-class and punches well above its weight, even if you're on a budget. The city has everything from ‘hatted’ restaurants, to avant-garde fusion spots, to international hidden gems, to unpretentious pubs with seriously scrumptious menus.

Check out some of the restaurants around Rundle St and nearby laneways and then kick on to a bar (the Leigh and Peel St area is great). Alternatively, check out the famous Grace Emily or Exeter pus for hearty vibes, food and live music.

Day 2

All day

Rise and shine! It’s your second day in Adelaide, and you’re going on an adventure. Grab brekky at a local café, or whip up something quick in the guest kitchen if you’re staying YHA Adelaide Central, and then get ready to choose your big day trip.

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden | Image: South Australian Tourism Commission

Option 1

Need a nature fix? Explore the Adelaide Hills – ideal place for fresh air, bracing walks and cosy towns, and all easily accessed via a short bus ride from the city (the 864 or Mount Lofty Explorer).

Start with a walk or hike around Cleland Conservation Park or Mount Lofty for sweeping views over Adelaide, or head to the nearby Mount Lofty Botanic Garden for a more leisurely stroll among native plants. Grab lunch in picturesque Stirling or Aldgate, and if you’re tempted by a local pinot noir or sauvignon blanc, there are plenty of cellar doors in the area (though we have a dedicated day trip option for wine-afficionados below). 

Option 2

For many, no trip to Adelaide is complete without diving into its world-renowned wine regions and cellar doors. While the Adelaide Hills have plenty to offer for oenophiles, our local YHA team recommend the McLaren Vale for an unforgettable experience.

Just 40 minutes south of the city, the McLaren Vale is famous for bold shiraz, punchy reds and its Mediterranean-esque charm. A wine tour is the way to go, taking you to a bunch of cellar doors _ trying everything from grenache to fiano – and being treated to a long lunch among the vines, all without worrying about driving.

The vibe in these parts is relaxed and a bit arty, with standout spots like d’Arenberg’s wacky Cube, the rustic, art-filled Samuel’s Gorge or Down The Rabbit Hole (where you can enjoy a tasting inside a chic double decker bus). Whether you’re into experimental drops or classic reds, the McLaren Vale has you well covered.

Option 3

If you interested in animals, conservation or have children in tow, Adelaide has another great option for a full day outing. One of the region's more unique attractions, Monarto Safari Park is located around an hour's drive east from the city proper. This WAZA-certified zoo is run by the same people behind Adelaide Zoo, but has a distinctly different flavour – think African savannah transplanted onto the sprawling South Australian scrubland.

Perfect if you have kids, Monarto Safari Park's expansive layout and meticulous approach to conservation allow it to house threatened species that are uncommon to see in captivity, and in quite large number. Popular residents include cheetah, hyena, lions, hippos and half a dozen white rhinoceros, to name but a few. 

If you have acccess to a car and you're out all day at the zoo, catch the iconic sunset at Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills on the way home. Alternatively, LinkSA offers daily bus services direct to the zoo. 

Evening

Back in town for your last night, you've hopefully still got something left in the tank. 

After something lively? Catch a comedy show at Rhino Room, or head to Crown & Anchor, The Jade or Grace Emily (if you missed out last night) for a live gig. These are often free or very affordable, the vibe is sociable and with a drink in hand, there are few more 'Adelaide' ways to spend an evening.

A more laid back option for your last evening would be a casual drink in a laneway bar or beer garden – West Oak and Belgian Beer Café are both affordable options with a relaxed vibe. If you're hungry on the move, it's easy to grab or a slice of pizza or kebab from one of the many late-night eateries around Hindley St.