Adelaide, the capital of the state of South Australia, is most accurately described as a city within a park. It was carefully planned to be a city of broad streets logically laid out and surrounded by a green cushion of parkland set against the rolling hills of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Colonel William Light designed the city in 1837, and his vision has resulted in a city that is free of traffic jams and ideal for walking. Throughout the Adelaide there are sports fields, a top-class golf course, walking and cycling tracks and beautiful gardens. Beyond the inner city, residential neighborhoods share space with protected natural bushland. These natural spaces bordering the sea, the foothills, and the rivers protect the environment while providing unique recreational opportunities.
In the heart of Adelaide and out into the suburbs, the River Torrens stretches for miles. Sealed cycling paths and hiking trails follow its course through gardens, parks, and natural bush. Throughout the year, activities abound. Just 15 minutes from the city, the white sand beaches and clear waters of Gulf St. Vincent provide endless hours of entertainment for those who love swimming, fishing, and watching cliffs that glow with the setting sun.
