Adelaide Airport is one of few that offers something for everyone as soon as you leave the terminal. If you want an urban experience, head east out of the car park towards the centre of the city. If you want to keep it rural, head south for any of the national parks. For dudes and dudettes looking for the beach - head west.
Why pick up a car rental at Adelaide Airport?
Australia is vast. Its landscape, climate and wildlife are diverse. Having the freedom to capture as much of that as possible makes Australia one of the best countries in the world to hire a car and go exploring.
That all important first mile - driving out of the airport:
Like us, Aussies drive on the left, so relax. Wide, well maintained roads make driving in Australia a breeze. Just watch out for the wildlife, kangaroos are large and bouncy, but their sandy colouring makes them difficult to spot in the outback.
"Sydney may have the Opera House and Melbourne is home to the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, but we've got a whole lot more to offer. There are plenty of green spaces, great food and wine, and an annual arts festival that could rival the Edinburgh Fringe."
While it's fair to say Sydney and Melbourne are a little more cosmopolitan, Adelaide isn't far behind the big two when it comes to cultural attractions. From galleries showcasing Aboriginal artefacts to world-class sports facilities, this coastal hub offers plenty of inspiration.
Long, lush beachfront areas are no doubt one of the reasons why Adelaide ranks in The Economist's top 10 most livable cities. Board shorts and barbecues are a way of life!
Adelaideans are a sporty bunch and the city has produced some of Australia's greatest athletes over the years - notable examples include cricket legends Ian Chappell and Jason Gillespie, US Open-champion Geoff Ogilvy and former world number-one tennis player, Lleyton Hewitt.
Adelaide has some great shopping facilities, but not if you're looking for thermal long johns and woolly hats. The temperature frequently hits 35°C in summer and winters are mild, although occasionally drizzly.
There are a huge number of restaurants in Adelaide and you'll find just about every cuisine under the sun here - from Japanese and South East Asian to European. But of course, being by the sea you'd be foolish not to sample some freshly caught fish.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, a recipient of the City Keys, ran his first newspaper in Adelaide in the 1950s.
The largest festive parade in the world takes place in Adelaide each year. During the Christmas Pageant, people line the streets to watch a procession of floats, bands and countless clowns, dancers and performers as they make their way through the city.
"Festivals and food. Arts and culture. Shopping and sports. This is Adelaide - the Australian city where there's always something on." - South Australia Tourist Commission
Once you've stretched your legs and picked up your luggage, turn around and the car hire desks are right behind you.
In a hot climate where you can spend days on the road, you can never have too many smellies. For a great range of fragrances, pop to any of the duty free stores on the first or second floor.
There are a number of cash machines located around the building as well as three Travelex stores for changing currency.
For local flavour, visit 'icons of South Australia'. You just can't pass through this Airport without trying a smorgasboard of some of their gourmet delicacies.
Border Control in Australia take quarantine very seriously. That harmless looking apple, egg and cress sandwich or puppy you popped in your bag at home will get you in a lot of trouble at the airport. Fill in your customs declaration honestly and ask about anything you're unsure about before trying to get through the airport.
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The City
Capital of Southern Australia, Adelaide has all that you'd expect from a world class city. It's a great place to refresh yourself from the flight and stock up on supplies for the open road. Pop to Central Market for tasty picnic foods, then head to the Botanic Garden to tuck in and watch the world go by.
Kangaroo Island
Drive across to Kangaroo Island from Cape Jervis on the Sealink ferry. Kangaroos are cute, bouncy, high in protein and low in fat - what's not to like? It's not surprising to see kangaroo on the menu, but check them out in their unspoilt habitat here. This island is a haven for wildlife.
Visit Flinders Chase National Park to spot koalas, birds and lizards to name a few, or head to Seal Bay for a sunset stroll among the colony.
West Beach
Wear your swimsuit on the plane and rub white sand between your toes within ten minutes of leaving the airport. Refresh yourself from the flight with a swim and snorkel in the Southern Ocean or grab a bite to eat at the beachside Zootz Kitchen Bar.
1. Botanic Gardens
Comprising three botanic gardens, each home to a huge variety of plants, shrubs and glorious green landscapes, they will undoubtedly be a trip highlight for any green-fingered tourist.
Try the car park on North Terrace between Frome and Pulteney Streets. Frome Street bisects the gardens and leads past Adelaide Zoo. It costs £5.50
2. South Australian Museum
Find out all about fascinating fossils and Aboriginal artefacts at the cultural heart of Adelaide, the South Australian Museum. The six floors of exhibits are housed in eye-pleasing historic buildings set amid lush gardens and lawns.
The nearest car park is on the corner of Rundle and Pulteney Streets; the museum is nearby on North Terrace. It costs £5.50
3. Port Adelaide
Adelaide's still-functional port is home to several points of interest, including the transport-themed South Australian Maritime Museum, the National Rail Museum and the Aviation Museum. On Sundays, the port stages a market selling everything from fish to furniture.
On-street parking spaces can be found on Nile, Mundy and Todd Streets, or try the car park at Fishermen's Wharf Market.
4. Jam Factory
Contrary to the name, Adelaide's Jam Factory isn't a place where strawberry preserves are put into jars. Rather it's an exhibition centre for local designers and craftsmen to showcase their work.
There is a car park on nearby Hindley Street. It costs £5
5. Central Market
If wonderfully smelly cheeses, fresh fish and colourful fruit are enough to get your taste buds in a tangle, head down to Adelaide's superb Central Market and fill your basket with pucker produce.
There is an on-site car park accessible from both Gouger and Grote Streets.
1. Coorong National Park
The lagoon ecosystem at Coorong is a sanctuary for thousands of animal and bird species, but the draw for many are the amazing beaches and potential for fishing - it's been a favoured spot for Aboriginal anglers for thousands of years.
Roughly 70 miles from Adelaide's city centre, follow the South Eastern Freeway towards Mount Barker and turn right at Strathalbyn Goolwa Road.
2. Naracoorte Caves National Park
The limestone caves at Naracoorte are home to thousands of bats - if you visit the park at night, you might be lucky enough to catch sight of the winged mammals in flight as they leave the caves.
Follow the South Eastern Freeway (merging with Dukes Highway) towards Keith and turn right at Riddoch Highway. The journey takes around four hours.
3. Murray River
The Murray River runs along the border of Victoria and New South Wales into South Australia, making it the largest flowing waterway in Australia. Take in the sights by paddling a canoe or opt for a more sedate cruise.
Follow the South Eastern Freeway and join Princes Highway, which leads to the Murray Bridge - an hour's journey from Adelaide.
4. Lake Torrens National Park
When this sprawling collection of lakes is dry, brilliant white salt flats stretch for literally miles, creating an out of this world spectacle.
Head north on Port Wakefield Road towards Port Pirie and merge with Highway 1, the journey should take around four hours.
" If you're from a big city like London or Paris, driving in Adelaide will be a piece of cake. Parking is easy - you only have to pay in the centre of town - and traffic isn't normally too bad, apart from during rush hours (8-9am and 5-6:30pm). Although we've got a Mediterranean climate, the heat doesn't go to our heads like in some places - drivers tend to be pretty well mannered and laid-back. One thing I would say is to watch your speed, especially in the centre - there are cameras all over the place and if you get caught going above 50km/hour you can get stung with a hefty fine." "
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