by James Lush
Worldly tourists and regular visitors to Adelaide will recognize it easily as the wine capital of Australia. But there is so much more in Adelaide than just fine wine, as this list of recommended tours will show.
There are so many tours available in Adelaide, befitting every type of tourist’s interest, timetable and budget. The varied offerings are diverse and exciting. And, yes, if they do have one thing in common, it’s that there is always a nice chilled glass of wine as part of the tour.
First time visitors will enjoy the free 99B and 99C buses, offering an interesting look at the city and the opportunity to get to know it better. You’ll see all the shopping and entertainment options available, and get to look at some of Adelaide’s impressive architecture.
For those who love history, the Cultural Heritage Guided Walk may be of interest. You’ll hear about the city’s history and important figures, including its founding father, explorers, pioneers and politicians.
Adelaide Private Tours can provide you with a unique look at everyday Adelaide life. This tour includes a trip to local rural villages, dinner with a family in the area, and meetings with area artists.
If you’d prefer to find out about two of Adelaide’s most famous attributes – churches and drinking places, consider the Pubs and Pulpits tour.
Nature lovers will enjoy Guided Bird Walks and the free guided walks in the Botanic Gardens. You’ll travel up and down the Torrens River, getting a chance to see all the fascinating plants and animals native to the area.
There’s other wildlife to see, too. Sign up with Premier Stateliner for the Victor Harbor and Cockle Train Tour to see Victor Harbor, Middleton, Port Elliot, Goolwa, and more. There’s whale watching and surfing, or you can take a Little Penguin Colony tour to the nearby Granite Island. There, you’ll see hundreds of Little Penguins walk on the beach as the sun goes below the horizon.
But if wine tasting is really your thing, there are dozens of organized and guided tours that will guide you merrily along Adelaide’s five world-famous wine regions – the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and the Coonawarra – which are all known for producing multi-award-winning wines.
Dozens of tours are also available for visiting wine tasting locations, as well as stopping for grape varieties and delicious food. You’ll see Lutheran Churches and old towns founded by settlers of German heritage. Take tours with Gray Line, Busway Travel Service and Adelaide Sightseeing. You won’t want to miss A Taste of Southern Australia – a tour that offers private, luxurious introductions to some of the best food and wine the state can offer.
If you’re searching for the perfect weekend, a good choice would be Coonawarra, where many of Adelaide’s classic red wines are produced. Coonawarra also hosts the Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park, an impressive venue that is listed on the World Heritage list.
If you’d like to see McLaren Vale, a food and wine tour is available. See the home of forty eight fantastic wineries, and the most amazing beaches in the state.