Bad weather has settled in over the last couple of days since we have been in Adelaide. This followed a couple of very pleasant days in the Barossa. It was the weekend of the Barossa Gourmet Festival and there were people everywhere. We restricted ourselves to visits to only a couple of wineries and resisted the temptation to purchase any of the overpriced offerings. Our gourmet experience was restricted to an authentic Wurst roll with all the trimmings at the German Wurst Deli in Tanunda. Like most of the rest of the country, the Barossa is at its peak, dressed in rich winter green.
Adelaide is the smallest of the mainland capital cities and the only one that was planned from the outset. Broad streets, fantastic parklands and well-preserved 19th century public buildings make Adelaide easily the most attractive of the capitals. With the cool, glum, steely grey weather and bare, deciduous trees, the city has a European feel. The Central Market adds significantly to this ‘vibe’. A lively mix of fruit and vegetable stalls and incredible, European-style deli goods mix with Asian markets and several food courts and all without a chain food outlet in sight!
The last remaining tramline in the city, the Glenelg Line, has recently been upgraded with extended track and new, ultra-modern rolling stock. The city stations at the beginning of the line are free and very well-patronised. We took a ride down to Glenelg Beach, only to be greeted by driving rain and an Arctic wind. A quick cup of coffee was all we managed before jumping back on a heated tram for the trip back to the city.
Adelaide has a strong national reputation as a cultural centre and it is well-deserved. The Art Gallery and Museum punch well above their weight and leave Brisbane’s in the shade.
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