There is a certain kind of traveler who discovers Adelaide and immediately wonders why it took them so long to get there.

Adelaide is certainly not the most famous Australian city but we were pleasantly surprised and inspired.

It’s a city that doesn’t shout for your attention. It earns it slowly, through stunning coastline, extraordinary food and wine, world-class cultural institutions, and a pace of life that feels genuinely civilized.

It’s bordered by golden beaches to the west and the rolling vine-covered Adelaide Hills to the east, with a beautifully planned city center sitting in between.

Australia gets a great deal of attention for Sydney and Melbourne, and rightfully so. But travelers who venture to Adelaide tend to leave with a quiet suspicion that they may have just found the best-kept secret on the continent.

The aboriginal Kaurna people were the first to inhabit the area. History says that the people lived there for millennia. Sadly, the last known speaker of the language died in 1929 so it’s been some time since their words were heard.

The original English settlement was made up of free settlers looking for freedom religious persecution in 1836. Despite the good intentions, the early periods were a struggle but eventually the mid 19th century saw some expansion. There was a depression in the 1890’s and War I made the beginning of the 20th Century a struggle but after the war things really improved.

Adelaide has recently been enjoying a strong state led investment in infrastructure after the 1990s and early 2000s stagnation. Overall, we felt excited to be there. You could tell the people were proud and knew they were investing in their city. Not all large places have that type of united culture. We thought it could be their unique history setting them apart from other Australian cities that led to the feel.

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and is home to approximately 1.4 million people, making it Australia's fifth-largest city.

As noted it above, it was founded entirely by free settlers rather than convicts and the only Australian colony to do so - a fact locals are quietly proud of and one that shaped the city's independent, open-minded character from the very beginning.

The city was designed in 1836 by Colonel William Light, who laid out a grid of wide streets surrounded by a continuous belt of parklands. That thoughtful design still defines Adelaide today and makes it one of the most walkable and livable cities in the Southern Hemisphere.

The climate is Mediterranean, meaning hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The best time to visit is generally spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, the gardens are beautiful, and the wine regions are at their most magical.

It moves at a pace that allows you to actually enjoy where you are. The food scene is sophisticated without being pretentious. The wine is among the best in the world. The wildlife is extraordinary. The people are genuinely welcoming in a way that feels effortless rather than performed.

There is also something deeply inspiring about Adelaide's relationship with nature. The city sits at the edge of wilderness. Within an hour, you can be standing in ancient bushland, swimming in the Southern Ocean, tasting a Shiraz in the Barossa Valley, or watching a sea lion sleep on a beach on Kangaroo Island.

It is the kind of city that makes you want to stay longer than you planned and return to someday.

Catch an Adelaide Crows AFL Game

If you are visiting between March and September, getting yourself to a Crows game at Adelaide Oval is an experience that belongs on every traveler's list.

Australian Rules Football is unlike any sport you have ever watched, fast, physical, skillful, and played with an intensity that fills every corner of the ground.

Adelaide Oval itself is one of the most beautiful sporting venues in the world, set against the backdrop of the city's hills with the River Torrens running alongside it.

The atmosphere on game day is electric. The crowd is passionate, the scarves are red and blue, and the roar when the Crows kick a goal is something you feel in your chest. Even if you do not fully understand the rules on your first visit, you will be completely caught up in the energy within minutes.

Arrive early to walk across the roof of the stadium on the famous RoofClimb Adelaide Oval experience, which offers sweeping views over the city and surrounding parklands.

Visit the Adelaide Zoo and Meet the Giant Pandas

Adelaide Zoo is one of the oldest and most beloved zoos in Australia, and it holds a distinction that makes it genuinely unique. It is home to Wang Wang and Fu Ni, two giant pandas and the only giant pandas living in the Southern Hemisphere.

Watching these remarkable animals in person is one of those experiences that reminds you just how extraordinary the natural world truly is. The zoo also houses hundreds of other native and exotic species.

The zoo is just a short walk from the city center, making it an easy and rewarding half-day stop.

Explore the Adelaide Central Market

The Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest and most celebrated fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, and spending a morning wandering its stalls is one of the great simple pleasures this city offers.

The market has been operating since 1869 and today houses more than 70 stalls selling everything from handmade pasta and artisan cheeses to fresh seafood, exotic spices, local honey, and South Australian wines. The energy is warm, the smells are intoxicating, and the produce is extraordinary.

Go hungry. Graze your way through and let the vendors guide you. You will leave with a full stomach, a bag of treats, and a much better understanding of why South Australians are so proud of their food culture.

Wander the Barossa Valley

About an hour's drive north of Adelaide sits one of the most celebrated wine regions on earth. The Barossa Valley is the home of Australian Shiraz, and its combination of rich red soils, warm days, cool nights, and generational winemaking knowledge produces wines of remarkable depth and character.

The valley is dotted with historic cellar doors, stone cottages, artisan food producers, and restaurants that make exceptional use of local ingredients. A drive through the Barossa feels like traveling through a landscape that has found its purpose and is entirely at peace with it.

Penfolds, one of Australia's most iconic wineries, calls the Barossa home and offers cellar door experiences ranging from casual tastings to immersive blending sessions where you craft your own bottle to take home.

Henschke, Seppeltsfield, and Yalumba are also essential stops, each with their own distinct character and history. Seppeltsfield in particular is worth the visit for its extraordinary 100 Year Old Para Tawny program, where visitors can taste a fortified wine from their birth year.

Plan to spend a full day here at minimum.

Take a Day Trip to Hahndorf

Just 28 kilometers from Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills sits Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia and one of the most charming day trip destinations in the country.

Founded by Lutheran settlers in 1839, Hahndorf has preserved its heritage beautifully. The main street is lined with historic buildings housing boutique shops, art galleries, bakeries serving traditional German breads and pastries, and restaurants offering hearty European fare alongside excellent local wines.

The surrounding Adelaide Hills countryside is green, rolling, and dotted with orchards and vineyards that produce some of South Australia's finest cool-climate wines. A visit in autumn, when the leaves turn golden and the air carries a crispness is particularly magical.

Journey to Kangaroo Island

If there is one experience in South Australia that travelers describe as life-changing, it is Kangaroo Island.

Located just off the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula and accessible by a short flight from Adelaide or a ferry from Cape Jervis, Kangaroo Island is one of Australia's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. It is the third-largest island in Australia and home to an extraordinary concentration of native animals living largely undisturbed by human development.

Here you can watch Australian sea lions laze on white sand beaches at Seal Bay, observe little penguins returning to their burrows at dusk, spot koalas sleeping in the treetops, and of course encounter the kangaroos and wallabies that give the island its name. The wildlife is remarkably approachable and the experience of being among these animals in their natural habitat is genuinely moving.

Flinders Chase National Park in the island's west protects ancient wilderness and is home to the Remarkable Rocks, a collection of granite boulders perched dramatically on a coastal headland that look as though they were placed there by an artist with an extraordinary imagination.

Kangaroo Island also produces exceptional honey, wool, olive oil, and dairy, and its small but growing food and wine scene is well worth exploring during your stay.

Plan at least two nights on the island. One day is simply not enough.

Refer a friend using your referral link at the bottom of this email so they can see it too. In addition, you’ll get a copy of our “Wonders of the World” eBook if it’s your first referral.

Adelaide Airport is located just seven kilometers from the city center, making it one of the most conveniently situated airports in Australia. It receives direct international flights from several Asian hubs including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Doha, with connections from major cities around the world.

From within Australia, direct flights operate from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and other major cities, with flight times ranging from one to three hours depending on your origin.

Adelaide is a wonderfully manageable city to get around. The city center is compact and very walkable, and a free tram service runs through the heart of the city and down to the beach at Glenelg, which is a genuinely useful and pleasant way to move around.

Renting a car is strongly recommended if you plan to explore the wine regions, the Adelaide Hills, or venture to Cape Jervis for the Kangaroo Island ferry. Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road though.

Rideshare services operate throughout the city and surrounds, and taxis are readily available near the airport, hotels, and major attractions.

Eos by SkyCity - 10 unique bars and restaurants, located in the central business district

Sofitel Adelaide - luxury hotel, rooms have floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Adelaide cityscape, hills, and ocean

Sequoia Lodge - adults only, vineyard, wine tasting rooms, full breakfast included

Mount Lofty House and Estate Adelaide Hills Adult Retreat - adults only, full service spa, breakfast included

Adelaide takes its food as seriously as it takes its wine, and the two are deeply intertwined throughout the city's dining culture.

Start any morning at one of the city's exceptional coffee shops. South Australians have extraordinarily high standards when it comes to coffee. Abbots and Kinney in the city center and Kaf Coffee in North Adelaide are both worth seeking out.

Seafood is a highlight of any visit to Adelaide. The Spencer Gulf prawns are among the finest in the world, and fresh oysters from the Eyre Peninsula are served at restaurants across the city.

And of course, no visit to South Australia is complete without sitting down to a proper Barossa Shiraz alongside a meal built around local produce. The combination is one of the great pleasures of travel in this part of the world.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The city center is very walkable, and many of the best experiences including wine trails, national parks, and coastal walks require footwear you can trust for a full day of exploring.

Even in summer, evenings can cool down considerably, and the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island can be noticeably cooler than the city. A light jacket or merino layer is a smart addition regardless of when you visit.

Sun protection is non-negotiable in South Australia. The UV index can be extreme even on mild days, so high-SPF sunscreen, a good hat, and quality sunglasses should all be near the top of your packing list.

If you plan to visit Kangaroo Island, pack sturdy shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain, a windproof layer for the coastal headlands, and a good camera.

Smart casual clothing will serve you well for Adelaide's restaurant and bar scene.

If you enjoy wine, you’ll definitely want to pack these wine bottle protectors to bring home a few bottles!

It’s been about a year and a half of what we call “PI” for short. Thank you for your continued support.

With that being said, we thought we’d add a little more context to why we do what we do. We’re currently abroad but recorded this video before we left.

Back in April, “PI” published an edition about San Cristobal de las Casas. We told you about the indigenous Mayan community we served and how their language, Tzotzil, doesn’t have a word for love. What we didn’t tell you was everthing else.

This is the most personal thing we’ve shared since starting Passport Inspiration.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Adelaide. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob