Sliced into grassy chunks by King William Street and Grote Street, the ever-busy Victoria Square lies at the heart of Adelaide. In the center of the square, a statue of Queen Victoria casts an austere eye over the site's central fountain, built in 1963 to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's visit. The fountain symbolizes the three rivers from which Adelaide draws its water: Murray, Torrens, and Onkaparinga. The Reconciliation Plaza with Australian National Flag and Aboriginal Flag is another monument in the famous square. Dappled with administrative, corporate and commercial centers, the diamond shaped square of the city is indisputably its heartbeat. From luxury hotels to local markets, the square is abuzz with enthusiastic locals and tourists alike. Coming alive with thousand lights, the square is decorated with an 80 feet (24.5 meters) Christmas tree every year.
An awesome sight, the house of the South Australian Parliament was built in two stages-the western half which was finished in 1889 and the eastern half finished in 1936. The dark marble facade, with its ten tall columns, is a major feature of North Terrace. Visitors can take guided tours of the chambers, sit in on parliamentary debates. A virtual tour of both can be made via the Parliament's website.
Elegant heritage buildings house the state's premier information retrieval facility. Whether thumbing the pages of a manuscript, pawing over archives or surfing the net, the State Library can accommodate every need. Particular highlights include the Mortlock Library of South Australiana, which is located in the beautifully restored Jervois Wing and contains a wealth of information about the state. The Institute Building plays host to the Bradman Collection, a wonderful assortment of cricket items belonging to the greatest batsman of them all. Different sections of the library have different timing, kindly check the website for the same.
Perfect for a day out, the Adelaide Botanic Garden is a wonderful place for both a recreational and educational outing. The place is used by many organizations to host local events and private functions too. Inside the gardens are water sculptures, secluded garden spaces and plant conservatories. A great spot for family outings, learn about exotic species of plants and flowers.
The National Wine Centre of Australia is an architectural fantasy due to its oak barrel shape and design and the unique use of natural light, wood and metal. Situated on the periphery of the Botanical Gardens, this place is a wine lovers paradise. Take a tour of the entire complex and head to the cafe serving the finest wines and delicious meals. The Centre can be booked for events like conferences, wedding, and other social and corporate events. There is also an open terrace at the National Wine Centre where you can get a clear view of the Botanical Gardens and the Vineyard. Give your tasting buds a treat with some of the finest wines on display at the exhibition.
The Haigh's Chocolates (Visitor Centre) is your one-stop destination if you wish to enter the world of one of the most delectable chocolates in the country. Established by Alfred Haigh, the chocolate brand is one of the country's oldest and is prepared from high quality cocoa by expert professionals. At the Visitor Centre, one can avail a tour of the premises and understand the processes that leads to the manufacturing of the chocolate.
Glenelg Beach is located in the suburb of Glenelg just 12 kilometers (7.45 miles) from Adelaide. Find a quiet spot with a book, sit back and soak up the sun on the sandy white beach. The Beach House amusement park offers entertainment for children as well as adults. It's great for a dip in the sea and very safe since the Glenelg's Surf Life Save Club provides supervised swimming scope. The company of friendly dolphins is not unlikely while swimming as dolphin swim and/or watch is the biggest attraction of the beach. Apart from these relaxing activities, you can indulge yourself in some aquatic adventures like snorkeling, diving and water sports. The Jetty Road along the beach is lined with a variety of dining and shopping options. Year after year, the Glenelg Beach is regarded as one of the best holiday locations.