Adelaide and Surrounds

Fronting Gulf Saint Vincent to the west, the coastal city of Adelaide is the capital of South Australia. The entire area, which includes the Central Business District and suburbs, is nestled just north of the Fleurieu Peninsula. With an estimated population of over 1.2 million residents, the metropolis and its surrounds is the most populous in the state, as well as the fifth-largest in Australia.

The founding of Adelaide and its surrounds has an interesting story. Established in December 1836, the region was originally planned to be a freely-settled British province. One of its founding fathers, William Light (a British Military officer and the first Surveyor-General of the Colony of South Australia), designed the city with the River Torrens' proximity in mind. The locale was named in honour of Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV and queen consort of the United Kingdom and Hanover.

Adelaide is the seat of the Government of South Australia, making it one of the most important cities in the state. With an area of 1,826.9 square kilometres, the region encompasses 18 Local Government Areas, with the City of Adelaide LGA at its centre. The metropolis and its surrounding suburbs are governed by a duly elected Lord Mayor, which is an office established in 1919.

Thanks to its wide variety of attractions, tourism is a thriving industry in Adelaide and its surrounds. As such, there is much for locals and visitors alike to appreciate in the region:

A good way to enjoy the picture-perfect locations of Adelaide and its surrounds is by taking sight-seeing tours of the region. One might begin with some of the area's open spaces, such as the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Hills, Aldinga Beach, Black Hill Conservation Park, Bonython Park, Breakout Creek Wetlands, Brownhill Creek Recreation Park, Carrick Hill, Cleland Conservation Park, Cleland Wildlife Park, Kangaroo Island, Maslin Beach, Morialta Conservation Park, Thorndon Park, and Warrawong Sanctuary.

Alternatively, one might prefer a more cultural and historical experience of Adelaide and its surrounds. As such, sites relevant to the region's culture and history are worth the visit, like the Adelaide Gaol, Art Gallery of South Australia, Ayers Historic House, Light's Vision, Migration Museum, National Railway Museum, National Wine Centre of Australia, Penfolds Magill Winery, Port Adelaide Nautical Museum, and South Australian Maritime Museum.