Australia Day Long Weekend Itinerary

Whether the kids need entertaining these school holidays or you've got an extra day off work, make the most of the upcoming Australia Day Long Weekend and head into the city for an exciting staycation. Explore the best of the CBD and North Adelaide with this curated Experience Adelaide itinerary.

Head into the city at your leisure before checking into your hotel for an exciting Australia Day Long Weekend in the city.

Start the day with a traditional First Nations Smoking Ceremony led by Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna cultural leader Uncle Moogy Sumner, held at Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama from 7:00 am - 8:00 am. 

Eat: Lounders Boatshed Cafe

Follow with brekky at the renowned Lounders Boatshed Cafe along the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri. Open from 8:00 am on Friday, sit outside along the riverbank and bask in the shade of the gum trees as you enjoy a coffee and breakfast.

Eat: Peter Rabbit

Venture out to the West End for a delicious lunch at the charming Peter Rabbit on Hindley Street. Choose from a menu of hearty brunch and lunch dishes and bask in the cosy atmosphere of the garden.

Explore: Riverbank Precinct

After lunch, walk off those full bellies with a stroll along the riverbank. Have a go on the paddle boats, take a cruise aboard the iconic Popeye or simply enjoy the beautiful weather and let the kids tire themselves out in the Park Lands.

Drink: Sôl Rooftop

Start the night with a pre-dinner cocktail or two at one of the city’s most luxurious rooftop bars, Sôl Rooftop and enjoy 270-degree views from the city to the sea in the west and Adelaide hills in the east.

Eat: Fishbank Restaurant

Keep the treat-yo'self theme going with a decadent dinner at the award-winning Fishbank Restaurant. Be delighted by the freshest seafood and indulge in Coffin Bay and Sydney Rock oysters, caviar, southern rock lobster and more mouth watering dishes.

Celebrate: Aus Lights on the River

Be mesmerised by light and sound displays across city icons the rotunda in Elder Park and the Adelaide Festival Centre shells showcasing Australia's diverse flora and fauna through a stunning art installation.

Explore: BRKLYN - Rundle Street

Later on, head down to Rundle Street for a late-night tipple at BRKLYN. Modelled off a street in Brooklyn, New York, BRKLYN has become a favourite of locals and travellers alike with an extensive cocktail list, local beers on rotation, late night snacks and more. If you feel like continuing on, the East End boasts a range of late-night bars and nightclubs to keep you going well into the night.

Eat: Paddy Barry's

This morning, seize the day with a trip to the south-eastern corner of the city and grab brekky and a coffee at Paddy Barry’s on Gilles Street before heading further east.

Explore: Hutt Street & Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi

After a hearty breakfast, mosey on over to Hutt Street and peruse your way through boutiques and more cafes or visit Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi for a leisurely stroll among the trees. 

Eat: Lucia's Pizza and Spaghetti Bar

After plenty of morning exploring, satisfy your cravings at lunchtime (12:00 pm - 2:00 pm) at Lucia's Pizza and Spaghetti Bar and taste authentic Italian cuisine at the city's very first pizza bar. Some say the food is so good, you'll want to take some home, which you can at Lucia's Fine Foods next door! Pick up freshly made sauce and passata made from recipes by Lucia herself. 

Explore: Adelaide Central Market

Take your senses around the world at the Adelaide Central Market*, one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 70 traders under one roof.

*confirm trading hours with individual traders. 

Eat: Gin Long Canteen

Tonight, head north to prestigious and historic North Adelaide. Your first stop of the night will be Gin Long Canteen, a highly rated South East Asian-inspired eatery. Sharing is encouraged here so order a few plates for the table and taste a little bit of everything.

Drink: Pastel Wine Bar

Top off your delicious meal with a drink or two at Pastel Wine Bar across the street. This funky, disco bar is the perfect place to sip on carefully crafted cocktails or taste vibrant local wines. If you’re feeling even more indulgent, pair it with a sweet from the dessert menu and let the good vibes flow.

Explore: Memphis Slim's House of Blues

Experience what makes Adelaide the UNESCO City of Music with a live performance at Memphis Slim's House of Blues. Blue Katz band will be playing from 8:00 pm so get ready to get your groove on. 

Eat: Exchange Coffee

Wake up in the vibrant Eat End and stop in at Exchange Coffee. Take a seat outside along leafy Vardon Avenue and watch the world go by as you sip on sustainably sourced coffee accompanied by whichever brunch classic takes your fancy. 

Explore: Rundle Street and Rundle Mall

Make your way over to Rundle Street and into Rundle Mall where you can shop up a storm at Australian boutiques like Zimmermann and Viktoria & Woods, flagship favourites such as H&M and Uniqlo and more with over 700 stores in the Mall.

Eat: Hey Jupiter Brasserie Francaise

Don’t venture too far though because you’ll be back on Vardon Avenue in no time for lunch at French Brasserie Hey Jupiter. You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve just stepped straight into a Parisian Cafe for this is exactly the vibe of this old-timey establishment! Try French classics like Steak Minute, Ratatouille and Croque Monsieur.

Explore: North Terrace Cultural Precinct

Your next destination this afternoon is North Terrace, the city’s cultural precinct. Browse famed artworks at the Art Gallery of South Australia, learn more about South Australia’s rich indigenous and geological history at the South Australian Museum or stretch your legs in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

Eat: Press* Food & Wine

End your long weekend in the city with a bang at renowned restaurant Press* Food & Wine on Waymouth Street. Choose from a delectable range of Modern Australian cuisine inspired by flavours from around the world and pair it with your favourite glass of wine.

Drink: Hains & Co.

Finish with a last call at Hains & Co. This sailor-inspired venue is neatly tucked away in Gilbert Place and boasts an intimate setting while serving up delicious cocktails, an assortment of iconic gin, rum and whisky, and cigars. 

Put your feet up and call it a night at one of these hotels in the city.