Adelaide at festival time

See and Do

Adelaide Festival in 2012 has a programme to have the eastern states seething with envy. The greatest film composer of the 20th century, Ennio Morricone, will conduct the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in Elder Park, playing immortal themes from The Good the Bad and The Ugly, The Mission and The Untouchables. Jane Birkin sings the songs of Serge Gainsbourg; Jonathan Pryce stars in Pinter’s The Caretaker; and Isabelle Huppert stars in an avant-garde take on Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar. Meanwhile Kate Grenville, Alan Hollinghurst and Jo Nesbo are among the guests of Writers’ Week (Mar 3-8). Mar 2-18.

The Adelaide Fringe boasts a record 923 events including comedy, theatre, cabaret, concerts, circus, dance and films. Time Out comedy favourites David O’Doherty, Judith Lucy and Deanne Smith are just the tiny tip of a very big iceberg. Feb 24-Mar 18. World music showcase WOMADelaide once again takes over Botanic Park. Highlights include Chic, Gurrumul, Pajama Club, Eddi Reader, Bonobo and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Mar 9-12.

Eat and Drink

Kick your morning off at Coffee Branch. This narrow café serves some of the best coffee in town, plus they stock the beautiful pastries from local pop-up bakery From Scratch. 32 Leigh St, Adelaide 5000 (0451 661 980). If you aren’t ready to go head to head with the hordes of nine-fivers queuing up for their morning jumpstart then Paddy’s Lantern is a quieter breakfast spot. Housed in an old warehouse space, it’s got plenty of room for sitting and relaxing over the house muesli and tangy Gippsland yoghurt and a rousing cup of joe. 219 Gilbert St, Adelaide 5000 (0402 586 245).

Go on a world tour at the Adelaide Central Markets. Laksa House dishes up piping hot bowls of spicy noodle soup or plates of fried noodles with egg and prawns in generous portions. Shop 1, Market Plaza Food Court, Central Markets, Adelaide 5000 (08 8410 7099). Or for something from the opposite end of the culinary spectrum pull up a chair at Lucia’s Pizzeria and Spaghetti Bar. If it’s a Friday, order the huge slabs of lasagne or on any other day the pesto pasta is just what you need to revive your spirits after a hectic morning’s shopping. Shop 1 & 2 Western Mall, Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide 5000 (08 8231 2303).

While away the afternoon at Grace the Establishment with a jug of Aperol Spritz. The bar snacks are top notch, or for a little bit of everything try the tasting menu. With seven courses it spans the whole menu, starting with the kingfish ceviche with blood orange and finishing off with the mini Wagyu cheeseburger. You also get two desserts: mini doughnut holes with aerated chocolate and a Kool Aid Popsicle and sherbet. 127 The Parade, Norwood 5067 (08 8333 1007). Tue-Sun noon-2am.

Stay

Located on King William Street, the Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury is a Time Out favourite thanks to its fantastic location, brilliant courtyard bar and indoor swimming pool. The rooms at the property are as grand as the façade thanks to its rich history as a former government building. The courtyard bar will also help get your night started, especially if it’s a pint or two of Coopers Pale Ale. 2 Flinders St, Adelaide 5000 (08 8112 0000).

Get there

Qantas and Virgin Australia fly several times daily from Melbourne to Adelaide. Both offer convenient schedules and if you’re happy to fly mid-morning, you’ll get great value airfares on either airline.

Book a hotel in Melbourne with Time Out