ELLE Escapes: Adelaide

September 3, 2022

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Booking a vacation is extremely personal. Are you in search of some R&R on a white sandy beach? Searching for a spiritual journey to attach with nature? Possibly the present lull in your life has woke up a newfound appetite for adventure. Or possibly you only wish to get as distant as possible from…wherever you might be. While most destinations are famous for fulfilling one experience, there’s one place that ticks all of the boxes: Australia. Concurrently considered one of the biggest countries and the smallest continents on the map, Oz is a broad landscape wealthy with culture and variety. Wherever you go, you’ll discover a few of nature’s finest work: the Great Barrier Reef, the Uluru Rock, and, after all, the Hemsworth brothers (if you happen to’re very, very lucky).

While most individuals fly straight to Sydney and back, if you happen to actually need to make a journey Down Under, South Australia is the place to go, specifically Adelaide. For the unfamiliar, the coastal city is a veritable homage to the straightforward Aussie lifestyle. Famously often known as the 20-minute city, Adelaide offers every part at your fingertips. Head to the beach with a bestseller within the morning, then dine at a swanky Chef’s Hat restaurant at sunset. Sip a few of the country’s finest wine harvested right within the Barossa Valley, or throw back a pint (or jug) at a music festival. Hug a koala! Hike within the hills! Board a ferry to Kangaroo Island! You’ll be able to do all of it here, and make just a few friends along the best way.

The kindness that permeates this destination is palpable. It shows in Adelaide’s sustainably sourced foods, the preservation of its proud Aboriginal heritage, and the extensive conservation efforts after the devastating 2020 wildfires. Adelaide’s Carbon Neutral Motion and Green City Program also rank the town as probably the most eco-friendly in all of Australia. Visit here if you happen to’re in search of connection, to purpose or yourself. Long after you’ve left, Adelaide will stick with you, in one of the best ways possible. Considering it’s such a protracted flight, you higher make it count. Here’s where to eat, drink, shop, etc.

Leah Romero

Cleland Wildlife Park

Brett Sheriden

Australia is home to a whole lot of unique species that you just won’t find anywhere else on the planet, but you’ll get the possibility to satisfy a few of them IRL at Cleland Wildlife Park. A fast walk from the town center, you might be transported right into the bush. Imagine taking a path lined with Eucalyptus trees and hearing a cacophony of magpies, parrots, and honeyeaters. Take a stroll with the wallabies and gaze into the dear eyes of a potoroo. Cleland also offers unforgettable up-close interactions with its animals; here, you may hand-feed a kangaroo or melt into the nice and cozy embrace of a koala, if you happen to so desire. As a component of the Bushfire Recovery Program, Cleland rescued 28 of the marsupials from Kangaroo Island and relocated them to a non-public enclosure.

Kangaroo Island

Morgan Sette

You’ll be able to’t visit Adelaide without taking a day trip to Kangaroo Island. Whether you arrive via plane or ferry, in lower than an hour, you’ll arrive in paradise. There’s something otherworldly about standing on the sting of the Remarkable Rocks, searching into the expansive ocean and realizing that the subsequent closest landmass is Antarctica. The locals are quick to share their wild backyard with echidnas, kangaroos, goannas, and seals, but you may also find protected luxury resorts, fantastic dining, and wine tours. Kate Sumner, chef and owner of Kangaroo Island Source, will even provide a non-public dining experience right within the comfort of your individual home.

If you’ve got a little bit an excessive amount of fun on the vineyard, book a room at Hamilton House right on Emu Bay, which can have you inquiring about local real estate listings and contemplating never leaving. For an interactive nature tour, hop on an e-bike with the family-owned Exceptional Kangaroo Island tour group. Your local guide will take you along private trails through scenic forests, paddocks, and farmland, stopping along the solution to indicate the local wildlife, each exotic and familiar (think: sheep and cows).

Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

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Situated on Kaurna land is Tandanya, the oldest Aboriginal-owned arts center in Adelaide. Fun fact: its name originates from the Kaurna word meaning “Land of the Red Kangaroo,” and it functions as an area support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through visual and performing arts. Make sure that to pay a visit to the gift shop before you allow for authentic goods like handwoven baskets, paintings, carved boomerangs, and opulent textiles.

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Restaurant Botanic

Jonathan van der Knaap

Nestled contained in the scenic Adelaide Botanic Garden is Restaurant Botanic, where you may sit down for an ultra-extravagant four-hour, 20-course gourmet tasting menu curated with ingredients plucked on the premises by chef Justin James. Each dish is museum-worthy; wattleseeds and native thyme mix with Coffin Bay oysters, kangaroo tails, and smoked boab, garnished with the perfect-looking bunya bunya branch. A feast for the eyes and the stomach.

Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant

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There are countless reasons to go to the Adelaide Hills: the jaw-dropping view from Mount Lofty, the pinot noir, the climbing trails, and Hardy’s. Once you are trying the roasted pumpkin agnolotti, which can have you wiping your plate clean with warm bread sopping in sauce, you’ll know why chef Jin Choi has earned Hardy’s a remarkable three hats. The toughest decision will probably be selecting which dish to eat for every course. From the marron to the aged duck and wagyu brisket to the salted coconut sorbet, you actually can’t lose. And you may all the time come back.

Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room

Jonathan van der Knaap

Searching for an area spot in Adelaide’s West End? Enterprise no further than Fugazzi, a Latest York-inspired Italian bar and dining room. Newly opened by MasterChef’s Laura Sharrad, the swanky modern restaurant oozes charm and class, and earned a stamp of approval from this Latest York author. Fugazzi is where you go to bask in a girls’ night out, have a good time a promotion, or wander off within the dreamy accent of your hot Aussie date. Will you fall in love? Yes, no less than with the whipped ricotta and honey.

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Leah Romero

Penfolds Magill Estate

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As considered one of the world’s few urban vineyards, Penfolds Magill Estate has a formidable 175-year history of winemaking, thanks largely to its founder, Mary Penfold. By the point she retired in 1884, Penfold’s was already producing one-third of South Australia’s wines. Today, the property has a heritage listing in Australia. Take a historical tour through the unique vintage cellars and sample its award-winning grange, or sip a shiraz while soaking in a sunset view of the vineyard. It doesn’t get a lot better than this.

Grunthal Brew

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There’s little doubt that Aussies love a very good beer. For that and more, pay a visit to Grunthal Brew, a microbrewery specializing in craft beer and cider. This local gem is the right spot to grab a pint and a pizza. When you can’t resolve which ale perfectly pairs with a slice of calabrese honey chili salami, go for the beer paddle and take a look at all of them. Just make sure that you’ve got a ride home first.

Arkhé

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True to its name, Arkhé is a primal experience. The open fire concept helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jake Kellie boasts incredible food, from grilled octopus to smoked tartare and a few of the very best sirloin you’ve ever tasted. Grab a cocktail to get your inner hearth glowing. And if you happen to don’t drink, the mocktails also deliver on deliciousness.

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Sequoia Lodge

Julian Cebo

The most recent addition to the Mount Lofty Estate, Sequoia Lodge is the peak of luxury. Each suite encompasses a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Piccadilly Valley, a glamorous sunken lounge with a hearth, and a spa-worthy bathroom. I dare you to not spend your entire stay in the bathtub with the complimentary gourmet cheese plate. Frankly, if it wasn’t for the artesian hot springs, the Heysen climbing trail, and the Champagne Bar, I’d never leave the room. You’ll be able to even start your day with sunrise yoga and end it with stargazing. Treat yourself, you deserve all of it.

Eos by SkyCity

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Right in the center of the town sits the cosmopolitan Eos by SkyCity hotel, making it the right place to remain if you would like to be inside walking distance of literally all of the landmarks. Walk along the River Torrens, or climb atop the Adelaide Oval Stadium. You’ll be able to spend an art-filled afternoon at the various museums, take an eco caddy tour through the local parks, or shop for souvenirs at Rundle Mall. After a protracted day of sightseeing, retreat back to your opulent suite with a spectacular backdrop of charming Adelaide.

Sofitel Adelaide

SARAH-JANE VAN STADEN

Combining French elegance with Australian charm, Sofitel is Adelaide’s first internationally recognized five-star hotel. From the moment you might be greeted within the lobby to the spacious rooms and fantastic dining at Garçon Bleu, the Sofitel is a master class in exceptional hospitality.