How to enjoy Adelaide sights for free

The historic and booming South Australian capital is a destination that rewards leisurely exploration - and it can be done for free. 

Whether you are walking along the banks of the River Torrens or strolling around one of Adelaide’s many parks and squares, the city has a lot to offer.

There’s a beguiling mix of old, new and green, easily traversed because of the city’s grid system. Getting around is easy thanks to the city’s compact layout. Most of the main attractions in the CBD are within easy walking distance.

And if you don’t feel like walking there is an excellent public transport system including trains, trams and buses. The free Adelaide City Connector bus travels to many popular destinations and attractions.

Among them: Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Festival Plaza, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Zoo, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the National Wine Centre, Rundle Mall and the temptations of Adelaide Central Market.

Trams run all the way to Glenelg Beach, while you can catch a bus to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills.

Adelaide is full of wine bars and restaurants: Africola, Arkhe, Soi 38 and Madame Hanoi are all reliably good.

For nightlife, Peel Street and Leigh Street are home to plenty of bars and pubs.

My recent stay was at slick and modern Eos by SkyCity – part of the casino complex.

There are 120 well-appointed 120 rooms suites here; very comfortable. As a collab with Adelaide's art and design community, the complex has 900 commissioned artworks on display.

BODHI Spa at Eos, a heated outdoor swimming pool, spa pool and expansive leisure deck are all on site, and the breakfasts at ITL are excellent.

Wine lovers can check out Penfolds’ historic Magill Estate in the suburbs, or head to the Adelaide Hills, with several wineries and cellar doors within a few kilometres. 

Hahndorf, originally settled by Lutheran migrants from Prussia in 1839, is Australia's oldest German settlement.

The main street of Hahndorf is lined with elm and plane trees and many original brick and timber cottages remain intact. The town is dotted with restaurants, cafes and providores.

For those who have wined and dined enough, the National Motor Museum is at Birdwood, while Mount Lofty is home to the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and the Mount Lofty Summit, which offers stunning views to Adelaide and beyond.

Check out www.skycityadelaide.com.au and www.cityofadelaide.com.au

Combining bikes and boats is growing in popularity

Tours that combine biking and barging are all the rage, tourism operator UTracks reports.

Bike and boat holidays aim to combine the comfort of river and canal cruising with the freedom to explore well beyond the riverbanks.

And Europe’s waterways, from the flats of the Netherlands to France, Germany and the along the Danube, enable small vessels to glide into lesser-known ports while cruisers spend days cycling through river towns, vineyards and picturesque landscapes.

The Mediterranean, particularly along the coasts of Greece and Croatia, offer similar experiences at sea.

Guests can cycle village lanes, and rural backroads before heading back to their ship for dinner.

A range of routes are available and for the less energetic (raises hand), electric bikes are available for a supplement.    

https://www.utracks.com/bike-boat-information

Hiking in the shadows of active volcanoes

New Zealand is one of the world's best destinations for lovers of walking.

Great Walks of New Zealand has just announced two new self-guided hiking trips exploring the dramatic Tongariro National Park.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing Self-Guided Hike and the Tongariro Northern Circuit Self-Guided Hike traverse the heart of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO dual World Heritage area celebrated for its spiritual significance, cultural heritage and volcanoes.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing Self-Guided Hike is a three-day experience structured around a 19km day trek that is widely regarded as New Zealand’s best - and among the top 10 single-day treks in the world.Hikers are surrounded by three active volcanic mountains: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu.

Despite their active status, these volcanoes have proven safe and popular during the summer months, with the last eruptions occurring in 1996 and 1975.

For those seeking a more testing expedition, the Tongariro Northern Circuit Self-Guided Hike is a five-day trip encompassing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, along with two additional trekking days.

“We are thrilled to introduce these two self-guided hikes to our portfolio, showcasing the incredible natural wonder that is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing," says Natalie Tambolash, general manager of Great Walks of New Zealand.

"Both trips offer a challenging yet rewarding adventure through a unique and unpredictable alpine environment. From crystal blue waters to ancient volcanoes, these journeys promise adventure, diversity and once-in-a-lifetime scenery.

"Whether they are a first-time visitor to the Tongariro region or a seasoned regular, these journeys offer visitors the chance to experience the true natural and rugged beauty that defines New Zealand.”

Both hiking options are offered as daily departures until April 30.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing Self-Guided Hike is priced from $450 NZD per person and the Tongariro Northern Circuit Self-Guided Hike from $890 NZD per person.

All About Great Walks of New Zealand.

Exploring Tasmania's wilder side

From remote hiking trails to absurdly picturesque waterfalls, Australia's island state of Tasmania has plenty to please anyone who wants to get off the beaten track.

If you are more a tent person than a luxury resort person; a picnic personality rather than a fine dining fan, the a new book from Woodslane Press might be right up your alley.

Written by Gillian Souter, Discovering Natural Tasmania is a really nifty guide for anyone looking to take some roads, tracks or mountain trails less travelled on the Apple Isle.

While Tasmania may be well known for its gourmet restaurants and fine cool-climate wines, many visitors come simply to get away from it all.

Tasmania really is an outdoor lover's paradise - over half of island consists of national parks, reserves and state forests.

These abound with walks and treks, sights of interest, lookouts, activities, wildlife encounters, adventures, beaches and remote places to stay.

I live in Tasmania and made a whole lot of discoveries about places that I had either not heard or, or added to my "to do" list.

The book is well set out, illustrated with over 200 full-colour photographs and dozens of detailed maps.

Discovering Natural Tasmania by Gillian Souter is published byWoodslane Press and is available at bookstores and online. RRP: $34.99

Enjoy Tasmania's east coast on a stylish mini cruise

Fancy exploring the east coast of Tasmania in style? 

Tasmanian Boat Charters have just launched a East Coast Expedition Cruise to start operation in October. 

The five-day voyage is the first of its kind for the region; on board the custom-built 20-metre Odalisque, which can explore small coves bigger ships cannot reach. 

The new cruise departs from Hobart’s waterfront and hits all the east coast icons and a number of secret spots.

Guests are invited to enjoy this journey at their own pace; they can opt to stay aboard their floating home or venture out for tender excursions, bushwalks and shore explorations. 

The cruise will visit Port Arthur Historic Site, dramatic Cape Hauy, Maria Island and its wildlife wildlife, and the famed arc of Wineglass Bay. 

Each cruise will have an expert skipper and guides, while a chef will prepare meals of the finest Tasmanian produce, paired with East Coast wines and local brews. The menu is designed to celebrate regional fare, and connect guests with winemakers, producers and growers dotted along the coastline.

“As a lover of fresh, sustainable dining, I can't wait to use locally supplied and foraged ingredients from our beautiful island state, says chef Courtney Drew. So think fresh seafood and artisan cheeses 

With capacity limited to just six guests (10 via a private charter), the skipper is able to shape the cruise to meet guests' interests. 

Though weather might dictate some decisions, the proposed five-day itinerary is set to include Port Arthur access, cruising below the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest sea cliffs, a Cape Hauy bushwalk, Maria Island on-foot exploration and highlights of the Freycinet Peninsula including Schouten Island, Wineglass Bay and a three-hour kayaking experience. 

What’s more, with three departure dates set for October, it’s an ideal time to observe the southern migration of Humpback and Southern Right Whales.

Having established a strong reputation through their Port Davey Expedition Cruises in the far south west, the team are excited to invite guests east. 

Come 2022, Tasmanian Boat Charters will offer their Port Davey trips from January until May, including a specialist photography cruise in April. And a new, locally-built tender vessel will soon join the fleet. 

 

For more information see www.tasmanianboatcharters.com.au