Adelaide | The 20 minute city

The wide sweeping streets, city squares and lush green boundaries make Adelaide an enchanting city to explore. But that's not nearly all there is to it. The city has a hedonistic vein, which boasts a number of world-renowned major events in the arts, gastronomy and sports. Check out the varied cuisines, free-flowing wines while enjoying the healthy live music culture and bar scene. During the innovative Adelaide Fringe Festival, the artistic flair of this historically progressive, yet still conservative, city truly emerges.

What to do?

Adelaidians love to put the rather patronising moniker of 'the city of churches' into perspective by pointing out that pubs and clubs far outnumber churches. However, among the most impressive churches are the 1838 Holy Trinity Church, the first Anglican church in the state and the oldest surviving church in Adelaide; the 1869-76 St Peter's Cathedral; and the 1856 St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Satisfy both obvious and obscure culinary cravings at the 250-odd stalls in Adelaide's superb Central Market. A gluten-free snag from the Gourmet Sausage Shop, a sliver of English Stilton from the Smelly Cheese Shop, a tub of blueberry yoghurt from the Yoghurt Shop - you name it, it's all here. Make sure you go there hungry.

Meander, jog or chew through your trashy airport novel in these lush city-fringe gardens. Highlights include a restored 1877 palm house, the waterlily pavilion (housing the gigantic Victoria amazonica) and the fabulous steel-and-glass arc of the Bicentennial Conservatory, which recreates a tropical rainforest.

Tandanya National Aboriginal Culture Institute offers an insight into the culture of the local Kaurna people, whose territory extends south to Cape Jervis and north to Port Wakefield. Inside the cultural institute there are interactive displays on living with the land, as well as galleries, gifts and a cafe. There are didgeridoo or Torres Strait Islander cultural performances, free tours, plus Indigenous short-film and documentary screenings in the theatre.

Only decommissioned as a jail in 1988, the HM Adelaide Gaol Historic Site has a grim vibe, but its displays of homemade bongs, weapons and escape devices are amazing. Commentary tapes are available for self-guided tours; guided tours are offered on Sundays, at 11am, noon and 1pm. Ghost tours by appointment.

Take a trip to Adelaide Hills and hop on a wine tour to the Barossa Valley, Claire Valley, McLaren Vale as well as some of the newer wineries. Check out the German village of Hahndrof and picturesque views of Mount Lofty Summit.

Check out the native wildlife on Kangaroo Island, Australia's third largest island just 105 kilometres outside Adelaide. As Australia's third biggest island, Kangaroo Island is mostly native vegetation and a quarter of it is conserved in National Parks, Conservation Parks, and five Wilderness Protection Areas. The main protected areas are Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Conservation Park, Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Protection Area, Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area and Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area. The Island has abundant native wildlife.

Where to stay?

The Intercontinental, www.icadelaide.com.au, is the only accommodation in Adelaide that has views straight out over the soporific Torrens River and the green tinge of parkland that surrounds it. Needless to say, a river-view room here is an absolute must.

Be sure to check for special deals at the boutique Sebel Playford Hotel, which has opulent, luxurious rooms, an Art Nouveau feel, and it is right at home in this part of the city, opposite the Convention Centre and City Casino.

The Richmond Hotel, www.hotelrichmond.com.au, in a grand 1920s building in the middle of Rundle Mall has mod-minimalist rooms with king-sized beds, marble bathrooms and American oak and Italian furnishings. Rates include breakfast, movies, papers and gym passes for great value for money.

Where to eat?

Experience the good life at The Good Life. At this brilliant organic pizzeria above the Jetty Rd tram-scape, thin crusts are stacked with tasty toppings like free-range roast duck, Spencer Gulf 'monster' prawns and spicy Angaston salami.

The cafe-gallery, Café Zest, fills a tiny crack between buildings, but its laid-back vibe and brilliant breakfasts more than compensate for any shortcomings in size. Baguettes and bagels are crammed with creative combos, or banish your hangover with some "Hells Eggs" - two potted eggs with tomato, capsicum and rosemary salsa, topped with grilled cheese and Tabasco sauce. Great coffee, arty staff, and vegetarian specials too.

Kwik Stix will satisfy your Asian cravings (including Malaysian, Vietnamese and Japanese) at very affordable prices. It includes wok tossed, chargrilled and sizzling dishes such as Vietnamese lemongrass prawns. The little ones won't be disappointed either with their fabulous kid's menu.

How to get there?

Emirates offer daily services between Malta and Adelaide with a convenient stopover in Dubai. Flights departing from Malta on 23 May and returning on 6 June were priced at €1518.91 including tax at the time of going to print. Total flying time is approximately 22 hours.