Adelaide, Australia

Key Highlights

Hotels	160
Total Sleeping Rooms	32,300
Average Hotel Room Rate	AUD $245
Average Daily Meal Cost	AUD $169
Average Weekly Car Rental	AUD $418

Adelaide, Australia Meeting Planning Overview

A picturesque setting along the banks of the River Torrens and next to the Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide's compact downtown area, vibrant cultural scene, spacious parklands and beautiful climate make it a superb location for meetings and events. Consistently ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities, it is also one of the most affordable. On top of Australia's already noted value-for-money reputation, Adelaide's food, accommodation and transport costs are often lower than other Australian capitals such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Topping off the list of advantages is accessibility. Welcoming guests, the Adelaide Airport boasts Australia's most advanced airport terminal thanks to its new AU$220 million international facility. Once inside the city, the free City Loop Bus ferries visitors quickly to most popular downtown attractions, while the railway network and O'Bahn Busway, the longest guided busway in the world, stretch even further.

With its many meeting-friendly benefits and two spacious event venues, it's no surprise that Adelaide has earned the reputation as Australia's Festival City. Located on the banks of the River Torrens, the Adelaide Convention Centre consistently ranks among the world's top such facilities. A massive 2001 upgrade of the centre increased its total area by 110 percent. Now, the centre's 10,450 square meters of pillar-less exhibition floor space can accommodate up to 6,500 banquet guests. The Plenary Hall, 14 meeting rooms and expansive atrium and foyer areas overlooking the water round out the centre's unparalleled spaces.

Nearby, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre is also a prime events venue. Its magnificent arena, the main venue in the complex, covers 2,680 square meters and can cater for 450 to 1,000 guests. The centre's Alchemy space features warm tones, floor-to-ceiling windows and space for 400 guests, while the modern Rubikon room boasts state-of-the-art technology. Also featuring corporate and club suite opportunities, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre ramps up the excitement for any event, having been the host to top-name performers such as Rihanna, Stevie Wonder and Michael Bubl.

Equally as exciting as both spacious event facilities is Adelaide's impressive range of unique venues. Transport guests to the time when the swashbuckling English ruled the seas as they sip champagne at the HMS Buffalo Restaurant. A landmark establishment, this exact replica of Governor Hindmarsh's 1836 vessel offers spaces for up to 100 guests in its main and private cabins.

The city's heritage also lives on at Adelaide Town Hall, whose grand interior features six venues for private events for 18 to 1,100 people. Or, add some zest to events at the SKYCITY casino in Adelaide. With ornate ceilings and a private bar, the casino's bar injects the perfect touch of class to any meeting.

Manufacturing and defense technology are among the top contributors to Adelaide's economy. Tourism and wine production are also key economic contributors, with South Australia producing 50 percent of Australia's domestic wine and 65 percent of its national wine exports. Adelaide is home to the South Australian brewery Coopers, retailer Harris Carfe, Argo Investments Limited and Santos, Australia's largest oil company. The University of Adelaide and Flinders University are among the higher education campuses in Adelaide.

About Adelaide, Australia / Additional Info

Blessed with a Mediterranean climate and completely surrounded by parkland, the city of Adelaide happily showers residents and visitors alike with pure sunshine and clean air. Established in 1826, the city was planned by Colonel William Light. Aiming to create a truly open city with religious freedom, political progressivism and civil liberties, Colonel Light's one-mile square grid design was brimming with wide boulevards, grand civic buildings and large public squares. As his pice de rsistance, Colonel Light surrounded the whole city with a circle of lush parklands almost three times the total area of Central Park in New York City.

Though the city has grown since its early days, it remains an easily-navigable metropolitan filled with beautiful heritage buildings, cafes, museums and, true to Colonel Light's design, vast green spaces. Over 1.1 million people reside in this picturesque city along the banks of the River Torrens and between the Gulf St. Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges. With a temperate Mediterranean climate, Adelaide is the driest capital city in the country.

The city's amenable climate and dazzling landscape present the perfect setting to enjoy its parklands, walking trails, picnic areas and national parks that wait at every turn. Float gently down the River Torrens on a gondola, catch a free vintage tram to the local seaside town of Glenelg or explore Australia's famous natural bush terrain in Belair National Park. The popular Adelaide Botanic Garden is home to native and exotic plant collections such as palms, cycads and bromeliads, while Adelaide Zoo lets guests explore both native flora and fauna. Here, visitors mingle with Tasmanian devils, Malayan sun bears and Sumatran tigers, among other species.

Occupying a central position between the major wine producing areas of McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Clare Valley, Adelaide's outdoors are often best explored with a glass of wine. Sample the world-renowned Magill Estate Shiraz at the PENFOLDS McGill Estate, which offers tours of its lush vineyard, vintage cellar and restored Penfold family cottage. Journey to five top wineries in the Barossa Valley on the Barossa Valley Supreme Tour, which stops at Wolf Blass, the Barossa Valley Estate and Langmeil are one of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in the world. Oenophiles can easily enjoy the flavors of South Australia's best varietals in the city as well. At the National Wine Center, guests discover a wine tasting gallery and interactive exhibits that detail winemaking from start to finish.

Not all of Adelaide can be witnessed outdoors. Ripe with culture and history, the city is home to a wealth of museums and attractions that showcase its rich heritage. Explore the world's largest collection of indigenous Australian artifacts at the South Australian Museum. The Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute uses art, dance presentations and traditional didgeridoo performances to showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. At the Adelaide Gaol, guests can step back in time to the life of criminals in the early colony, touring the cell blocks, exercise yards and more.

With its proud heritage and stunning landscape, Adelaide was once described by The New Yorker as "possibly the last well-planned and contented metropolis on Earth." After just one visit, it's not hard to see why.

Adelaide, Australia Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Cen. Australia Time (ACT)
Convention Center(s):

Adelaide Convention Centre

Hotel at Convention Center? No

Airport(s):

Adelaide Airport

Destination Type(s):

Beach Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
304
Population
1,203,873
Restaurants
149
Country Code
61
Sales Tax
10.00%
Currency
Australian Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10%
Electricity
240V / 50Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Adelaide, Australia

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Los Angeles, CA	N/A	n/a	16 hr 50 min	AUD $1,599+
Elizabeth, SA	27 km	44 min	n/a	N/A
Gawler, SA	41 km	1 hr 4 min	n/a	N/A
Murray Bridge, SA	75 km	1 hr 3 min	n/a	N/A
Canberra, ACT	1,159 km	5+ hrs	1 hr 35 min	AUD $247+
Sydney, NSW	1,375 km	5+ hrs	1 hr 55 min	AUD $315+

Adelaide, Australia Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°C)	27	27	25	22	18	16	15	15	17	21	23	25
Avg. Low (°C)	15	15	14	11	9	7	6	7	8	10	12	14
Rec. High (°C)	43	42	40	36	29	25	26	27	33	37	41	41
Rec. Low (°C)	7	8	4	3	-	-2	-1	-	1	3	4	6
Rainfall (cm)	1.0	1.0	2.0	3.0	5.0	5.0	6.0	5.0	4.0	6.0	2.0	2.0

Adelaide has a temperate climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The city is the driest of all Australian capital cities, with infrequent summer rainfall averaging 20 millimeters during January and February. Summer months with no rain at all are common. During the winter, rainfall is more prevalent; June is the wettest month of the year with an average of 80 millimeters of precipitation.

Summer temperatures average 29°C. The average winter temperature is 16°C. Early spring and late autumn, which run September to November and March to May, are the best times to visit Adelaide.

Meeting Planning in Adelaide, Australia

Adelaide Convention Centre

With a prime location next to the River Torrens in the heart of Adelaide's cultural complex, the Adelaide Convention Centre consistently ranks among the world's top such facilities. This world-class space, easily accessible by foot, car and public transportation from many of the city's 10,000 downtown hotel rooms, can accommodate and manage events of up to 6,500 people. The centre's convenient location also places it only 10 minutes from Adelaide Airport and close to numerous cafes, bars and restaurants.

In 2001, a massive renovation expanded the total area of the centre by 110 percent. Today, it offers 10,450 square meters of pillar-less exhibition floor space. The main Plenary Hall can seat up to 3,500 people as a whole, but is also divisible into five exhibit halls with theater-style seating. The centre also boasts eight reception foyers, three offices for event organizers, and 14 meeting rooms that range in size to hold 10 to 200 people. Its exhibit halls and conference and banquet areas are all linked by an expansive atrium and foyer areas that offer unparalleled views of the River Torrens and Adelaide Parklands

Amenities at the centre include on-site audio-visual services, state-of-the-art telecommunications capabilities, on-site parking for 1,250 vehicles, and three drive-in loading areas. In addition to on-site catering, the centre's Regattas Bistro on the Riverbank Level serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Striving to accommodate the increasing need for environmentally-friendly options, the Adelaide Convention Centre offers a series of Go for Green events packages and carbon emission offset options.

View Profile Request Quote

Adelaide, Australia Meeting Venue Spotlight

Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Corner Port Rd and Adam St
Adelaide, Australia
Total Meeting Space Sq Mtr - 4,000

View Profile Request Quote

Adelaide, Australia Airport Information

Adelaide Airport (ADL)

Approximate taxi fare: $11 AUD

Adelaide Airport's gleaming new AU$220 million international facility is Australia's most advanced airport terminal. With 6.3 million passenger movements in 2007, Adelaide Airport is Australia's fifth busiest. Well-equipped to handle crowds, the airport's new terminal is capable of processing 3,000 passengers per hour. The airport itself can handle 27 aircraft at any one time, including the new Airbus A380.

With a total floor span of 3,400 square meters, the retail mall at Terminal 1 makes shopping and dining in the airport a leisure activity in its own right. Quality shopping includes a great selection of South Australian brands as well as some of Australia's most iconic stores including Purely Australian, Purely Merino and Ripcurl. The spacious and comfortable lounge offers a range of cafes and bars, including 1862 Bar, Coopers Ale House and Caf Terra Rosa, which offers a sumptuous coffee and cake selection. A first for any Australian airport, free wireless Internet is also available throughout T1.

Only a 10-minute drive from downtown, the airport offers short-term and long-term parking. The Skylink Airport Shuttle, located in the valet area on the ground level, and the Adelaide Airport Flyer offer service to many major hotels and attractions in downtown Adelaide.

Airline carriers serving Adelaide Airport

Air New Zealand
Air South Regional
Cathay Pacific
Malaysia Airlines

National Jet Systems
Qantas Regional Express
Sharp Airlines
Singapore Airlines

Tiger Airways Australia
Virgin Blue

Adelaide, Australia Train Information

Keswick Rail Terminal

The Keswick Rail Terminal, about five minutes from downtown, serves the three interstate train lines arriving to and departing from Adelaide. The Indian Pacific line runs between Perth and Sydney; the Overland line runs between Adelaide and Melbourne; and the Ghan line crosses the nation from Adelaide to Darwin.

Adelaide, Australia Public Transportation

Adelaide Metro

Though train, bus and tram services are managed by different companies, together they are known as the Adelaide Metro. Transportation options decline at 6 PM and do not operate at all after midnight, save for a special "After Midnight" bus. This bus runs on the half hour and hour Friday and Saturday after midnight.

Operating with a unified ticketing system called the Metroticket, the Adelaide Metro offers single trip tickets, valid for two hours, that allow the passenger to move freely around the transport network. Two-section tickets are the most commonly used. Two-section tickets are valid for about three kilometers of travel, or about one railway station on the train network. Two-section tickets are AU$2.50. Zone tickets for AU$4.20 and day tickets for AU$8 are also available.

Metropolitan Railway

Adelaide is the last mainland capital without an electric train network, though its trains are known to suffer fewer delays that many of its counterparts. Six train lines service the Adelaide area: the Gawler Train, Noarlunga Train, Tonsley Train, Outer Harbor Train, Grange Train and Belair Train. A fairly regular service is available to most suburbs. Trains run from around 5 AM to midnight.

Buses

A free Connector City Loop Bus service runs daily and stops at many of Adelaide's cultural and commercial centers including Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide Zoo, Victoria Square, King William Street and North Terrace. The bus runs Monday through Friday every 15 minutes from 7:40 AM to 6 PM; Friday every 30 minutes from 6 to 9:20 PM; Saturday every 30 minutes from 8 AM to 5 PM; and Sunday and public holidays every 30 minutes from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Two other free buses (the 99B and 99C) operate on loops within the central zone for shorter journeys. These operate every five minutes during working hours. Other buses service the suburbs and operate on the standard zone ticketing system.

The O'Bahn Busway is the longest guided bus way in the world. Buses travel up to 100 kilometers per hour along the 12-kilometer track to the Modbury Interchange and the Tea Tree Plaza, an undercover shopping mall. Bus numbers 540 to 545 depart Currie and Grenfell streets every 15 minutes. The total route duration is about 23 minutes.

Adelaide-Glenelg Tram

The historic Glenelg Tram runs from North Terrace to this popular seaside town on the sandy shores of Holdfast Bat every 15 minutes. Fare is free.

Rental Cars

Rental car companies Avis, Budget, Europcar, Action Car Hire and Thrifty operate at Adelaide Airport. Rental car counters can be found on the ground floor next to baggage claim.

Taxis

Adelaide has a well-maintained taxi service with hubs at prominent city locations such as King William Street and Adelaide Sky City Casino. Fares start at AU$3.10 and increase at a rate of AU$1.85 per kilometer. Taxi fares to the airport carry an AU$2 added cost. Guests should expect a taxi fare of around AU$10 to AU$15 from downtown to the airport.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Los Angeles, CA	N/A	n/a	16 hr 50 min	AUD $1,599+
Elizabeth, SA	27 km	44 min	n/a	N/A
Gawler, SA	41 km	1 hr 4 min	n/a	N/A
Murray Bridge, SA	75 km	1 hr 3 min	n/a	N/A
Canberra, ACT	1,159 km	5+ hrs	1 hr 35 min	AUD $247+
Sydney, NSW	1,375 km	5+ hrs	1 hr 55 min	AUD $315+