LANGUAGE
English
CURRENCY
Australian Dollar
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to April
NEAREST RAILWAY STATION
Adelaide Railway Station
NEAREST AIRPORT
Adelaide Airport (ADL)
EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER
000
INTERNET ACCESS
No-one goes to internet cafes any more, do they? They’re very hard to find in Adelaide these days. At a pinch, try the free terminals at the State Library of South Australia.
Adelaide cafes and pubs have been slow to adopt free wi-fi for customers, though you can find it (you might have to ask). Most Adelaide accommodation has wi-fi these days, but again, the notion of ‘free’ has been slow to catch on (if it’s not totally free, you might still get a certain amount of data gratis, then pay-per-use after that). You can also hook up to the Adelaide City Council’s free wi-fi in the CBD and North Adelaide: see www.adelaidefreewifi.com.au for details. Beyond the city centre, if you’re travelling here from overseas, you might be better off buying a local SIM card with a data allowance you can top up, rather than relying on free access.
VISA
All visitors to Australia need a visa. Apply online through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
eVisitor (651)
Many European passport holders are eligible for a free eVisitor visa, allowing stays in Australia of up to three months within a 12-month period.
eVisitor visas must be applied for online. They are electronically stored and linked to individual passport numbers, so no stamp in your passport is required.
It’s advisable to apply at least 14 days prior to the proposed date of travel to Australia.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA; 601)
Passport holders from those European countries eligible for eVisitor visas, plus passport holders from Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the USA, can apply for either a visitor Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or business ETA.
ETAs are valid for 12 months, with stays of up to three months on each visit.
ETA visas cost $20.
Visitor (600)
Short-term Visitor visas have largely been replaced by the eVisitor and ETA visas. However, if you’re from a country not covered by either, or you want to stay longer than three months, you’ll need to apply for a Visitor visa.
Standard Visitor visas allow one entry for a stay of up to three, six or 12 months, and are valid for use within 12 months of issue.
Visitor visas cost from $130 to $1000.
HOTEL
Most of Adelaide’s top attractions are centered around North Terrace on the south bank of the River Torrens, and this is where you’ll find the best luxury and mid-range hotels. Budget accommodation typically tends to be a little farther out but still within easy reach of the prime sightseeing spots. You’ll also find some great affordable options around North Adelaide, near Adelaide Oval and the zoo.
LUXURY
Mayfair Hotel
The Playford – MGallery by Sofitel
InterContinental Adelaide
MID-RANGE
Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury
Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
Adabco Boutique Hotel
BUDGET
Ibis Adelaide
Majestic Minima Hotel
Princes Lodge Motel
COST OF LIVING
In comparison to most Australian major cities, Adelaide is a more affordable major city overall. Additionally, average weekly rental prices in Adelaide sit below the $218 global rent price average threshold, making Adelaide one of the cheapest cities not only nationally, but globally. Many local Adelaide cultural institutions – including the Art Gallery of South Australia, State Library of South Australia and Adelaide Botanic Gardens – also routinely offer free entry to partial exhibits, and are great places to relax or study.
