24 Hours In . . . Adelaide

Sun Herald

Sunday December 9, 2007

Kristie Kellahan

Gourmet fresh-food markets, late-night cocktails and a thriving arts scene have made this city of churches a must-visit.

ANDREW McEVOY is a passionate South Australian - and not just because he is paid to be one. As chief executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission it is his job to drum up business for the state, but moving to Adelaide from Sydney was a choice he and his family made willingly. He says Adelaide is one of the world's most liveable cities.

06:00

McEvoy likes to get up early for a bike ride. Adelaide is home to the Tour Down Under in January each year - the world's first UCI ProTour cycling event outside Europe - and South Australians have taken to it with enthusiasm. "With a Mediterranean climate and consistent weather, riding along the beach from Glenelg to Semaphore or into the Adelaide Hills and back is a great way to get the blood pumping," he says. The next tour is in January.

07:30

Time for breakfast - you've earned it. "Chianti Classico is my choice," McEvoy says. "Named this year as Australia's best breakfast, it will be hard to go wrong." He says the best thing on the menu is the eggs Florentine with bechamel sauce, wilted spinach and parmesan.

09:00

"If it is Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you absolutely have to do the Central Market," he says. "It is Australia's best year-round food market and a great place to bump into friends while stocking up the shopping baskets."

10:00

McEvoy says North Terrace has some of the best cultural institutions in Australia. He likes to spend time in the State Library and indulges his love of cricket by poring over the Bradman Collection. The Art Gallery of South Australia has been noted for acquiring incredible works from each era in Australian art. The South Australian Museum also gets his stamp of approval.

"My favourite thing to do is discover Australia as it originally was with a walk through the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, an interactive display of art and artefacts from 308 indigenous nations. Unrivalled in Australia."

12:30

Time for lunch. "I once read there are more restaurants per capita in Adelaide than anywhere else in Australia," McEvoy says. "It meant nothing to me, as I figured you only need one great place for lunch."

He takes visitors to Jolleys Boathouse, where the views over the Torrens River are amazing and the elegant menu features local seafood.

14:00

After lunch McEvoy suggests strolling along the Torrens to end up in Adelaide's Botanic Gardens. "I would have a quick rest under the garden's magnificent trees and take in the amazing ponds of lotus and waterlilies," he says. The stroll through the gardens would end up at the National Wine Centre, a temple to the sensory adventure that is Australian wine. Take the Wine Discovery Journey and admire the centre's vineyard in the heart of Adelaide.

15:30

Call in to the JamFactory, a brilliant craft and design centre where inspiring ideas come to life. The JamFactory has specialist studios, exhibition space and a shopfront, allowing emerging designers and artists to make a name for themselves. It is in the West End, a 20-minute stroll from the Botanic Gardens.

17:00

It's wine o'clock: South Australia is called the "wine state" for a reason. "One of my favourite watering holes is The Apothecary 1878 in the West End's Hindley Street," McEvoy says. "The name comes from the 125-year-old antique pharmacy cabinets which grace the front bar." Settle in for a glass of wine and delicious tapas such as white gazpacho with salad of smoked trout, avocado and chervil.

19:00

"For an unforgettable dinner in a glamorous environment I would go to Magill Estate, the Penfolds-owned restaurant in the Adelaide foothills, but only eight kilometres from Adelaide GPO," he says. "Jerome Tremoulet's food is simply mind-blowing. He waves his magical French wand over the fresh produce he sources locally."

The restaurant is set in the vineyard where Max Schubert created his first vintage of Grange Hermitage and has the most incredible views over the city towards the ocean.

22:00

There are a couple of new bars around town, and McEvoy says the Promethean brings a whole new level of cool to Adelaide's live music scene. Bar Cuba at the Union Hotel in Waymouth Street is one of Adelaide's new "ubercool" bars with a smart dress code and stylish drinks menu. For legendary cocktails check out Mesa Lunga on the corner of Morphett and Gouger streets.

24:00

Get your beauty sleep in one of Adelaide's fine boutique hotels - so you can wake up for that early morning ride.

© 2007 Sun Herald

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