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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2014 44 TRAVEL The 20-minute city Adelaide With a population of over one million, Adelaide is known as the 20-minute city. The airport is just 7km away and Adelaide Hills and the beaches are no more than half an hour away, making it Australia's most liveable city. The wide sweeping streets, city squares and lush green boundaries make Adelaide an enchanting city to explore. But that's not nearly all there is to it. The city has a hedon- istic vein, which boasts a number of world-renowned major events in the arts, gastronomy and sports. Check out the varied cuisines and free-flowing wines while enjoying the healthy live music culture and bar scene. During the innovative Adelaide Fringe Festival, the artis- tic flair of this historically progres- sive, yet still conservative, city truly emerges. What to do? Adelaidians love to put the rather patronising moniker of 'the city of churches' into perspective by point- ing out that pubs and clubs far out- number churches. However, among the most impressive churches are the 1838 Holy Trinity Church, the first Anglican Church in the state and the oldest surviving church in Adelaide; the 1869-76 St Peter's Cathedral; and the 1856 St Francis Xavier Cathedral. Satisfy both obvious and obscure culinary cravings at the 250-odd stalls in Adelaide's superb Central Market. A gluten-free snag from the Gourmet Sausage Shop, a sliver of English Stilton from the Smelly Cheese Shop, a tub of blueberry yo- ghurt from the Yoghurt Shop – you name it, it's all here. Make sure you go there hungry. Meander, jog or chew through your trashy airport novel in these lush city-fringe gardens. Highlights include a restored 1877 palm house, the water lily pavilion (housing the gigantic Victoria amazonica) and the fabulous steel-and-glass arc of the Bicentennial Conservatory, which recreates a tropical rainfor- est. Tandanya National Aboriginal Culture Institute offers an insight into the culture of the local Kau- rna people, whose territory extends south to Cape Jervis and north to Port Wakefield. Inside the cultural institute, there are interactive dis- plays on living with the land, as well as galleries, gifts and a cafe. There are didgeridoo or Torres Strait Is- lander cultural performances, free tours, plus Indigenous short-film and documentary screenings in the theatre. Only decommissioned as a jail in 1988, the HM Adelaide Gaol His- toric Site has a grim vibe, but its displays of homemade bongs, weap- ons and escape devices are amazing. Commentary tapes are available for self-guided tours; guided tours are offered on Sundays, at 11am, noon and 1pm. Ghost tours by appoint- ment. Take a trip to Adelaide Hills and hop on a wine tour to the Barossa Valley, Claire Valley, McLaren Vale as well as some of the newer winer- ies. Check out the German village of Hahndrof and picturesque views of Mount Lofty Summit. Check out the native wildlife on Kangaroo Island, Australia's third largest island just 105 kilometres outside Adelaide. Kangaroo Island is mostly native vegetation and a quarter of it is conserved in National Parks, Conservation Parks, and five Wilderness Protection Areas. The main protected areas are Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Con- servation Park, Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Protection Area, Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area and Ravine des Casoars Wil- derness Protection Area. The Island has abundant native wildlife. Where to stay? The Intercontinental, www.icad- elaide.com.au, is the only accom- modation in Adelaide that has views straight out over the soporific Tor- rens River and the green tinge of parkland that surrounds it. Need- less to say, a river-view room here is an absolute must. Be sure to check for special deals at the boutique Sebel Playford Ho- tel, which has opulent, luxurious rooms, an Art Nouveau feel, and it is right at home in this part of the city, opposite the Convention Centre and City Casino. The Richmond Hotel, www.ho- telrichmond.com.au, in a grand 1920s building in the middle of Rundle Mall has mod-minimalist rooms with king-sized beds, marble bathrooms and American oak and Italian furnishings. Rates include breakfast, movies, papers and gym passes for great value for money. Where to eat? Experience the good life at The Good Life. At this brilliant organic pizzeria above the Jetty Rd tram- scape, thin crusts are stacked with tasty toppings like free-range roast duck, Spencer Gulf 'monster' prawns and spicy Angaston salami. The cafe-gallery, Café Zest, fills a tiny crack between buildings, but its laid-back vibe and brilliant break- fasts more than compensate for any shortcomings in size. Baguettes and bagels are crammed with creative combos, or banish your hangover with some "Hells Eggs" – two pot- ted eggs with tomato, capsicum and rosemary salsa, topped with grilled cheese and Tabasco sauce. Great coffee, arty staff, and vegetarian specials too. Kwik Stix will satisfy your Asian cravings (including Malaysian, Viet- namese and Japanese) at very afford- able prices. It includes wok tossed, chargrilled and sizzling dishes such as Vietnamese lemongrass prawns. The little ones won't be disappoint- ed either with their fabulous kid's menu. : Known as Australia's most liveable city, Adelaide is not only beautiful but has some of the best bars and night life in the country – Satisfy every culinary craving at the 250 stalls that make up Adelaide Central Market Barossa Valley – Tour the vineyards of the Barossa Valley in Adelaide Hills Kangaroo Island is mostly native vegetation and a quarter of it is conserved in National Parks