|
Post by chech on Jul 30, 2015 12:07:54 GMT
I have two days in Adelaide. One is completely taken up with the included trip to Kangaroo Island and the other is free. As it looks, the free day might be filled with #2, but flight times mean I may be able to do #1 and/or #3 (if I arrive early from Hobart, I might be able to do the City Highlights for example). Are they all good excursions? 1. Adelaide City Highlights Approximate value: $66 AUD per person (Duration: 3 hours) South Australia's capital Adelaide is a cosmopolitan city with a blend of European and modern architecture, offering a wealth of experiences including great food and wine, arts and culture, and world-class sporting events. This tour is an ideal introduction to see the best of Adelaide and learn more about its history on a friendly and relaxed tour. Stop and visit St. Peters Cathedral or the newly developed Adelaide Oval then travel through the city's east on the way to Haigh's Chocolates for a factory tour and tasting. Ohhh...chocolate! 2. River Murray Cruise Approximate value: $148 AUD per person (Duration: 8 hours) Relax while taking a lunch-time cruise along the historic Murray River. Gain an insight into this unique river system with its magnificent landscapes and spectacular cliffs. Then travel alongside the Murray River in your coach, taking in the spectacular views and stopping regularly for great photo opportunities. Visit the Big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory in Gumeracha after your relaxing journey through the Adelaide Hills. 3. Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf Approximate value: $70 AUD per person (Duration: 4 hours) The Adelaide Hills are home to the Mount Lofty Ranges, dotted with unique and historic villages, cellar doors and spectacular landscapes; this tour will give you a taste of the region. Continue to Hahndorf, Adelaide's oldest German settlement and spend the afternoon exploring before enjoying your choice of either afternoon tea or German beer tasting.
|
|
|
Post by tassiedevil on Jul 30, 2015 23:32:49 GMT
It was a long time ago when I last went to Adelaide, so trying hard to remember for you.
There are no direct flights to Adelaide from Hobart so you will have to connect through Melbourne so I wouldn't think you would arrive too early in the day in Adelaide.
If you have been to Germany I would give number 3 a miss. The Adelaide Hills are nice but if you are doing number 2 then you see them anyway. I can remember enjoying the Big Rocking Horse and the wooden toy factory. You can climb to the top of the Rocking Horse, for a few dollars of course.
thetoyfactory.com.au/
As you might have been able to guess from my other posts, the Haigh's Chocolate Factory sells number 1 to me!
|
|
|
Post by Oz-T on Jul 30, 2015 23:37:41 GMT
Adelaide is a nice place, but it isn't the tourist drawcard of some other cities. It doesn't have a harbour to match Sydney. It isn't as old as Hobart and Sydney. It was never a penal settlement like Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart so its history doesn't resonate with being founded on harshness, adventure and insurrection. And it never had the piles of money flowing into it as Melbourne did with the goldrush of the 1850s. So in comparison, it's a bit plain, but quite nice.
I know you're not into wine, but Adelaide is a superb place to visit wineries in the south at McLaren Vale, or to the east at Barossa Valley. Further afield is the Clare Valley to the north. All produce magnificent wines, so wine tastings tend to be part of many tours around Adelaide.
1. Adelaide City Highlights Approximate value: $66 AUD per person (Duration: 3 hours)
This would be a nice sort of way to get an overview of Adelaide without paying too much.
2. River Murray Cruise Approximate value: $148 AUD per person (Duration: 8 hours)
The Murray is Australia's largest river and an important one at that. Many rivers, stretching thousands of kilometres from Queensland and NSW are tributaries to the Murray. Some parts became major inland ports. such as Echuca and Mildura in Victoria, where paddlesteamers remind you of how things looked on the Mississippi. It's a bit of a coach drive from Adelaide to the Murray and I doubt you'll see a paddlesteamer in that area. The river itself won't look like the Danube or the Nile - it's big and wide and muddy-looking, not blue. River gum trees line its banks and the water flow is very slow unless there have been heavy rains upstream, especially in the Alps. It sounds like a nice, relaxing river cruise, but don't expect anything spectacular. There are no crocodiles, but you might see some pelicans and other birds.
The Big Rocking Horse is really just an attraction for kids. We took our kids there when they were young and took photos of them on this giant structure. Other than the novelty value, there's not much there for adults. The Adelaide Hills can be pretty.
3. Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf Approximate value: $70 AUD per person (Duration: 4 hours)
This could be a pleasant excursion. I've visited and stayed at Hahndorf a few times; sadly, it was a bit 'run down' the last time I was there many years ago. Again, if wine and beer aren't to your liking, some of the stops for tastings won't appeal to you.
|
|
|
Post by chech on Jul 30, 2015 23:40:01 GMT
Very cool...and with #2 being 8 hours long, it should occupy the full free day. And if they got us on a really early flight out from Hobart (6 am one via Melbourne), we could get to Adelaide in time to do the city tour optional that afternoon since it's only three hours long. And after that, I imagine I'll just want to sleep...
|
|
|
Post by chech on Jul 30, 2015 23:44:26 GMT
Adelaide is a nice place, but it isn't the tourist drawcard of some other cities. It doesn't have a harbour to match Sydney. It isn't as old as Hobart and Sydney. It was never a penal settlement like Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart so its history doesn't resonate with being founded on harshness, adventure and insurrection. And it never had the piles of money flowing into it as Melbourne did with the goldrush of the 1850s. So in comparison, it's a bit plain, but quite nice. I know you're not into wine, but Adelaide is a superb place to visit wineries in the south at McLaren Vale, or to the east at Barossa Valley. Further afield is the Clare Valley to the north. All produce magnificent wines, so wine tastings tend to be part of many tours around Adelaide. 1. Adelaide City Highlights Approximate value: $66 AUD per person (Duration: 3 hours)
This would be a nice sort of way to get an overview of Adelaide without paying too much. 2. River Murray Cruise Approximate value: $148 AUD per person (Duration: 8 hours)
The Murray is Australia's largest river and an important one at that. Many rivers, stretching thousands of kilometres from Queensland and NSW are tributaries to the Murray. Some parts became major inland ports. such as Echuca and Mildura in Victoria, where paddlesteamers remind you of how things looked on the Mississippi. It's a bit of a coach drive from Adelaide to the Murray and I doubt you'll see a paddlesteamer in that area. The river itself won't look like the Danube or the Nile - it's big and wide and muddy-looking, not blue. River gum trees line its banks and the water flow is very slow unless there have been heavy rains upstream, especially in the Alps. It sounds like a nice, relaxing river cruise, but don't expect anything spectacular. There are no crocodiles, but you might see some pelicans and other birds. The Big Rocking Horse is really just an attraction for kids. We took our kids there when they were young and took photos of them on this giant structure. Other than the novelty value, there's not much there for adults. The Adelaide Hills can be pretty. 3. Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf Approximate value: $70 AUD per person (Duration: 4 hours)
This could be a pleasant excursion. I've visited and stayed at Hahndorf a few times; sadly, it was a bit 'run down' the last time I was there many years ago. Again, if wine and beer aren't to your liking, some of the stops for tastings won't appeal to you. I'd pay to climb the horse! LOL
|
|
|
Post by tassiedevil on Jul 30, 2015 23:46:50 GMT
Living in Hobart I know exactly what that 6am flight to Melbourne is like! I last did it 3 weeks ago. Actually if you fly Qantas, they now leave before 6am!
|
|
|
Post by chech on Jul 30, 2015 23:55:33 GMT
Ugh! I can foresee a 2 am wakeup call! Maybe they'll have mercy and put us on the 9:40 Qantas flight.
|
|
|
Post by tassiedevil on Jul 31, 2015 0:00:49 GMT
Hopefully they have the attitude 'It's Hobart'. I got up at 4:20am for my 5:50am flight 3 weeks ago, admittedly I'm about 10-15 minutes closer to the airport than the Wrest Point Casino. Don't expect much at the Hobart airport, it is a rather small airport.
|
|
|
Post by chech on Jul 31, 2015 0:29:11 GMT
LOL!
|
|
|
Post by solaria on Jul 31, 2015 2:43:36 GMT
going as a visitor to Australia I can say that my two favourite places are Melbourne abd Adelaide. Spent 9 days there a few years ago and loved the rocking horse and toystore. its for kids of all ages 1 - 99. We liked Hansdorf so much we went twice. Also of interest is an Ikea store near the airport. I wanted to leave for the airport early on our way home so I could check it out but other half said no! Afraid he would have to pay overwieight charges?! Friends bought back 2 easy chairs when they went.
|
|
|
Post by Oz-T on Jul 31, 2015 3:33:26 GMT
.... Also of interest is an Ikea store near the airport. ... It wasn't a straightforward meeting the last time I visited Ikea's head office....
|
|