5 days in Adelaide, Australia- 5/17- 5/21/2024
Day 2-Guided City Tour 5/18/24
We are meeting with our tour guide at Victoria square. The tour will take about 2.5 to 3 hours to learn about Adelaide's diverse culture and history and also visit all the major sights.
We met up with our tour guide on Victoria square and he is explaining the history of Adelaide.
Adelaide's unique urban layout is famously defined by a permanent green circumference. The city center itself is encased by the Adelaide Park Lands, a massive, continuous ring of parkland, forest, and open space that provides a clear, green boundary against the surrounding suburbs.
Don Dunstan, as Premier of South Australia from the late 1960s to 1979 (the "Dunstan Decade"), spearheaded a social and cultural revolution that fundamentally transformed Adelaide from a conservative, quiet city, often nicknamed the "City of Churches" into a much more vibrant and progressive hub. His transformation of Adelaide centered on progressive social reforms, a championing of the arts and culture, and urban revitalization. In essence, Dunstan used his political power and flamboyant style (famously wearing pink shorts in parliament) to break down social barriers, promote inclusivity, and invest heavily in the arts, creating a dynamic, forward-looking identity for Adelaide.
The Adelaide Town Hall is one of the city’s most elegant and historically important landmarks, a beautiful reminder of Adelaide’s early civic pride. It’s located on King William Street, right in the heart of downtown, just a short walk from Victoria Square.
The Town Hall was completed in 1866, making it one of the oldest surviving municipal buildings in South Australia. It was designed by architect Edmund Wright in the Italian Renaissance style, chosen to reflect confidence and prosperity in the young colony. The building is best known for its clock tower, called the Albert Tower, named after Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. It stands 144 feet tall and is a familiar feature of Adelaide’s skyline. The façade is made of freestone with detailed carvings, arched windows, and a grand central portico.
King Williams street in the fall is so pretty with all the fall colors.
Beehive corner in a landmark in Adelaide city center located on the north eastern corner of King Williams Street and Rundle Mall, making it a landmark both architecturally and commercially.
Haigh’s moved into this building in the early 1920s (the lease on the location being signed around 1922) and their store has operated from this location for almost a century. The building also connects the present city with its early 20th-century heritage, a family business founded in 1915 still operating at its historic home.
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The current “Beehive Corner” building was erected in 1895-1896 on the site of earlier structures. Its architecture is described as a Gothic Revival style, with a distinctive turret topped by a gilded beehive and a bee. The building’s name (“Beehive Corner”) originally related to a drapery store (“The Bee Hive”) on the site in the mid-19th century, and the new 1895 building retained the bee/beehive motif.
Haigh’s moved into this building in the early 1920s (the lease on the location being signed around 1922) and their store has operated from this location for almost a century.
Rundle Mall
is the largest pedestrian mall in the southern hemisptere.
This historic thoroughfare stretches
across the city centre, featuring over 1,000 retail outlets, three major
department stores, and numerous grand, historic arcades.
They have a Kmart in Adelaide. I also found out that while the
Australian chain was originally a joint venture with the U.S. owner, they are
now completely separate companies with different ownership, business models.
Kmart Australia
is owned by the Australian conglomerate
Wesfarmers
(which also owns Target Australia).
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The two bronze pigs: Truffles and Augusta are among Adelaide’s most beloved public sculptures and a favorite photo stop on Rundle Mall, the city’s main shopping street. The official title of the artwork is “A Day Out”, created by Marguerite Derricourt, a South African-born sculptor who moved to Australia. The bronze pigs were unveiled in 1999 as part of a project to add more art and life to Rundle Mall.
Truffles – the pig with its snout to the ground, “sniffing” for food.
Augusta – running amonk the mall.
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This is Oliver, the nosy pig standing over a trash can.
The pigs were inspired by the idea that Rundle Mall is a place where people “forage” for the best deals and treats, just like pigs hunting for truffles! Their playful poses and life-sized design invite people to interact, pat, and take photos with them.
The sculptures quickly became a symbol of Adelaide’s friendly and fun character, loved by locals and visitors alike.
The pigs scattered along Rundle Mall. They’re made of bronze, slightly polished by years of people touching them for luck and photos.
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We could not miss the occasion to take a picture with Oliver, the nosy pig.
Here you can see all the four pigs.
The Adelaide Arcade is one of the jewels of Rundle Mall, both for its history and its beautifully preserved architecture. Opened in 1885, the Adelaide Arcade is one of Australia’s oldest shopping arcades, built during a time when Adelaide was growing rapidly as a prosperous Victorian city. It was designed by architects Withall and Wells and constructed in just six months which was an impressive feat for the era.
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From the outside, the Adelaide Arcade façade is a stunning example of Victorian Italianate architecture, symmetrical, ornate, and detailed. It features arched windows, cast-iron balconies, and cream-colored stucco with decorative moldings. The central pediment above the main entrance carries the name “Adelaide Arcade” and is topped by a small cupola, a distinctive feature visible from the street.
The entrance is flanked by beautiful cast-iron lamps and balustrades, giving it a sense of old-world charm that stands out among the modern shops of Rundle Mall.
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The inside of the arcade is a beautiful, preserved example of 19th-century architecture. You'll notice the elegant tiled flooring (originally Carrera marble).
Walking inside the Adelaide Arcade, is a distinctly different experience from the main mall itself. It's like stepping back in time and offers a blend of history, unique retail, and architectural beauty.
Unlike the main Rundle Mall, which features many large chain stores, the arcades are generally home to eclectic, independent retailers and specialty shops. You'll find bespoke jewellers, artisan vendors, unique gift stores, and specialist services like hatters and tailors.
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The arcades have an upper balcony level with more shops, adding to the grandeur and making the walk more interesting as you look up and down the length of the building.
The atmosphere is generally quieter and more refined than the bustling Rundle Mall, making it a great place to slow down, window shop, or meet for a coffee.
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Right in front of the arcade’s entrance on Rundle Mall sits the Adelaide Arcade Fountain, an elegant cast-iron structure that adds to the historic atmosphere of the mall. The fountain was installed in the late 19th century and has been carefully restored over time. It features tiered basins with delicate detailing, topped by a small finial, and water gently flowing into the circular basin below.
Our tour guide also told us that when the Mall was official opened again on 1 September 1976 by Don Dunstan (the Premier of South Australia at the time), the fountain was filled with champagne donated by Hardy’s for the celebration.
The Mall’s Balls, officially called “The Spheres”, are one of Adelaide’s most recognizable landmarks and a favorite meeting spot right in the middle of Rundle Mall. It was commissioned in 1977 as part of a city art initiative and installed in 1977–78. The work consists of two large stainless-steel spheres, each about 2.15 meters in diameter, stacked perfectly on top of one another and standing about 4 meters tall in total.
It’s now a popular meeting point where locals often say “I’ll meet you at the Balls,” a phrase everyone in Adelaide instantly understands.
We are now standing on North Terrace, between King William Street and Kintore Avenue. The building to the right is the Parliament of South Australia, one of the oldest continuous democratic legislatures in the world. Construction began in 1874, but the full building wasn’t completed until 1939, more than 60 years later! The long delay was due to funding shortages and the enormous cost of its high-quality materials, including marble, granite, and sandstone.
Right in front of Parliament House (on the left in this picture), on the corner of North Terrace and King William Road, stands the South African War Memorial, commonly called the Boer War Memorial.
The building is a magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture, inspired by the classical temples of ancient Greece. The grand Corinthian columns on the façade, carved from Kapunda marble, give the building its stately and timeless look.
South Australia was a pioneer in democratic reform, it was the first place in the world to grant women the right to vote and to stand for Parliament (1894). Many historic decisions and debates that shaped modern Australia took place here, including reforms in education, labor rights, and social equality.
The South African War Memorial was erected in 1904 to honor the South Australian soldiers who fought and died in the Second Boer War (1899–1902) in South Africa.
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The memorial features a bronze equestrian statue of a mounted soldier, created by Adrian Jones, a British sculptor and former cavalry officer. The soldier is shown on horseback, looking ahead with calm determination, symbolizing courage and duty. The base is made from granite, with plaques listing the names of the fallen and inscriptions commemorating their service.
The National War Memorial located on the corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, directly opposite Government House is one of Adelaide’s most significant landmarks of remembrance.
The memorial was built to honor South Australians who served and died in World War I (1914–1918). The memorial is both architecturally striking and deeply symbolic in its design. The structure is built of granite and marble, forming a semi-circular wall around a tall central tower.
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The front façade faces North Terrace and features a powerful bronze sculpture by Rayner Hoff depicting the “Spirit of Duty” with a winged angel rising above fallen soldiers, symbolizing the triumph of spirit over death.
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The rear façade (facing Kintore Avenue) contains a fountain and pool, representing renewal and peace after conflict. The water flows continuously, symbolizing the eternal life of those remembered.
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On the side the “France – Belgium” plaque refers to the main battlefields where South Australian soldiers fought and fell during World War I. Most of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), including many men from South Australia, served on the Western Front, which stretched through northern France and Belgium (Flanders). The words “France” and “Belgium” honor those who fought in the Western Front campaigns (1916–1918), the most intense and deadly battles of World War I.
North Terrace is in one of the most beautiful and historic stretches of North Terrace, where nearly every building has a story to tell. Standing in front of the National War Memorial, looking across the street, we are seeing a remarkable mix of heritage architecture and cultural landmarks that frame Adelaide’s civic identity.
The red brick structure directly opposite the memorial, just across North Terrace, is part of the Government House grounds. Behind that wall sits Government House, the official residence of the Governor of South Australia. It’s the oldest public building in Adelaide, dating back to 1840, only a few years after the colony was founded. The red brick and stone wall with its decorative iron gates is one of the most recognizable features on North Terrace, it marks the edge of the Governor’s private gardens, which stretch back toward the River Torrens.
We passed by the South Australian Museum which was founded in 1856 and is one of Australia's oldest museums. We will come back on our own to visit the museum on another day.
The Art Gallery of South Australia, established in 1881, the gallery began with just a handful of European paintings and has since grown to hold over 47,000 works of art.
The building, completed in 1900, is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture with its grand colonnaded entrance. We will be back another day to visit the museum on our own.
For our last stop, our tour guide took us to the River Torrens is one of Adelaide’s most scenic and symbolic places, flowing right through the heart of the city.
The green bridge is part of the modern pedestrian network that links the Riverbank precinct, a vibrant area filled with parks, cultural buildings, and event spaces.
The bridge opened in 2014 as part of the redevelopment of the Riverbank precinct, and designed to make it easier for people to walk between the city and the oval, especially during events.
The River Torrens (known to the Kaurna people as Karrawirra Parri, meaning “river of the red gum forest”) has always been central to Adelaide’s layout and life. It was dammed in 1881 to create Torrens Lake, forming the peaceful waterway you see today.
This area is so peaceful!
Across the river you can see the Adelaide Oval’s white roof just beyond it. The riverbanks were landscaped into Elder Park and the Adelaide Festival Centre area, making it a favorite spot for walking, cycling, and picnics. It’s one of the best places to feel Adelaide’s blend of nature, culture, and modern design, a peaceful river scene framed by beautiful architecture and lively public spaces.
The River Torrens and Elder Park lawns are full of birdlife, especially around the water. The mix of species you’re seeing is very typical for this part of Adelaide.
The Australian white Ibis are the large white birds with long curved black bills and black head, often called “bin chickens” in Australia, though they’re quite graceful up close. They were originally wetland birds, but many have adapted to urban life, especially around parks and rivers.
The Black birds are Eurasian blackbirds, which were introduced from Europe in the 19th century. The silver and black birds are Magpie-lark, and they’re very common on lawns and open spaces, often walking briskly as they look for insects.
I have never seen a Black Swan before and
apparently they are native to Australia and holds deep cultural, ecological,
and symbolic importance. It’s instantly recognizable with its jet-black
feathers, bright red beak, and elegant white wingtips visible in flight. The
River Torrens is an urban sanctuary running through the heart of Adelaide, and
its calm waters and grassy banks provide a perfect habitat for black swans.
These swans feed mainly on aquatic plants, dipping their long
necks underwater to graze, and they often travel in pairs, as they mate for
life. They are also fully protected under Australian law, meaning it cannot be
hunted.
Gorgeous view of the city from the riverbank of the river Torrens.
The Adelaide Railway Station on North Terrace is one of Adelaide’s most beautiful and historically significant landmarks. It’s not only a key transport hub but also an architectural symbol of the city’s golden age. The current station was built to replace Adelaide’s original 1856 railway terminal, which had become too small and outdated as South Australia’s rail network expanded. Construction began in 1926, and the building officially opened in June 1928. It was one of the largest public works projects of its time and symbolized South Australia’s progress and prosperity during the interwar years.
The façade features massive sandstone walls, tall arched windows, and a central colonnade, giving it the grandeur of a civic palace rather than a typical station.
Inside, the main concourse is beautifully detailed, with high ceilings, marble columns, decorative plasterwork, and elegant light fittings.
When it opened, it included first-class lounges, dining rooms, and even barber shops, making it one of the most luxurious railway stations in Australia at the time.
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The station served as the gateway to South Australia, connecting Adelaide with the rest of the state and beyond.
Inside, you can still sense the station’s history, the grand arches, polished stone, and echoes of early 20th-century travelers bustling through.
NEXT... Dinner and Tina, the musical