Become an Adelaide City Explorer

Become an Adelaide City Explorer

Post
Subscribe

Posted 2015-04-19 by Dave Walshfollow


Adelaide is full of amazing stories and places, but occasionally they can be hard to find. People who don't know any better sometimes say that Adelaide is boring - and they are wrong.

Adelaide City Explorer is a joint initiative of National Trust SA and the City of Adelaide. It aims to show you the hidden secrets of Adelaide, where to find interesting things from the history of Adelaide, and some of the best buildings in the city.

You can access the information on Adelaide City Explorer's website from a computer, or even easier is to download an app for your smartphone. Either way you can choose to follow one of around 20 themed walking trails with original photos and text explaining the history of Adelaide.



I went to the launch event for the newest of the walking trails - Heritage Reborn, led by architect and City of Adelaide councillor Sandy Wilkinson. We followed the Heritage Reborn trail with Sandy providing some insightful additional commentary based on his personal and professional experience.

Our tour visited many heritage buildings that have been fully or partly preserved, enhancing the city streetscape while preserving some amazing craftsmanship from the past. Electra House is a fantastic example of built heritage that has been sensitively restored, bringing an impressive aura of elegance and refinement to its visitors. Once a run down preserve for urban explorers and a former Fringe venue, Electra House has now become a much sought after and upmarket place to eat and socialise in Adelaide.



Another spectacular success in reusing built heritage in Adelaide is the former Bank of NSW building, now the bustling Jamie's Italian restaurant. The former banking chamber exudes a sense of power and confidence, creating a glamorous atmosphere for Jamie's Italian restaurant customers.

The Mayfair Hotel Adelaide was once known as the Colonial Mutual Life building. It was the grand home to an insurance company which wanted to impress customers with its affluence and sound financial position. Now Mayfair Hotel Adelaide is much sought after for premium quality accommodation - it's quite unique and not a generically styled hotel that looks the same as others in a chain.



Why not take the Heritage Reborn walking trail yourself? You can add your comments, or even suggest other examples of built heritage that should be included.

There are many other walking trails to explore in the Adelaide City Explorer app. One of my favourites explores the key places in Adelaide connected with the Somerton Man mystery .

Discover Mary McKillop's Adelaide , find Deco Delights in Adelaide's built heritage, or head to the South West corner which hides its secrets well.

Adelaide was once known as the City of Churches, although by the 20th century people were already tired of that label. Until twenty years ago it would more appropriately have been called the City of Pubs , and Adelaide City Explorer explains why.

So after you have indulged at Jamie's Italian or Electra House, why not burn off some excess calories and take a guided walk? It's another of the fun things to do in Adelaide - and completely free.

#tourist_sites
#tourist_attractions
#things_to_see
#south_australia
#near_adelaide
#long_weekend
#learn_something
#history
#guides
#fun_things_to_do
#fun_for_children
#free
#family_attractions
#family
#child_friendly
#attractions
#adelaide_city
%wnadelaide
134526 - 2023-06-13 10:44:34

Tags

Free
Outdoor
Festivals
Music
Markets
Nightlife
Family_friendly
Fundraisers
Food_drink
Community
Arts_culture
Random
Educational
Shopping_markets
Theatre_shows
Copyright 2022 OatLabs ABN 18113479226