Dave is Adelaide born but has travelled much of Australia and Europe. He enjoys travel and the outdoors, and loves good food and wine.
He is assisted in many of his reviews by two clever canines.
The stark beauty of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia distracts the casual visitor from the realities of its ha... [more]
Pekina is a small town in the Mid North region of South Australia near the Flinders Ranges. It was carved out of lan... [more]
The Peterborough to Quorn railway line opened in 1882 as a narrow gauge connection through the upper Mid North of So... [more]
South Australia's Yorke Peninsula is a popular holiday destination and rightly so. Its pristine waters are perfect f... [more]
People seem to have a consuming interest in ghost towns in Australia. I'm not sure whether it's the stark images of ... [more]
Prospect Hill is a small village in the Battunga country, about 5km from Meadows in South Australia. Historically Pr... [more]
Kapunda is a South Australian town on the fringe of the Barossa Valley with a rich history of mining and agriculture... [more]
Cuba is an exotic destination and there are many conflicting stories of the do's and don'ts of visiting Cuba. After ... [more]
There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting high, and I get a buzz from getting as high as I can occasionally.... [more]
At the start of World War 2 the war must have seemed quite remote to the people of South Australia. The conflict was... [more]
There are many awesome Adelaide places where you can find relics of South Australia's achievements in history. Many ... [more]
As we walk about Adelaide streets, there are plenty of things to attract our attention. Road and pedestrian traffic,... [more]
South Australia produces some of the best food and wine in Australia. Our organically grown fruit and vegetables... [more]
The State Library SA has an immense wealth of information about the history of South Australia in its collection. Im... [more]
Adelaide loves a good party, and wherever you find competition and racing you can usually find a party. Think Oa... [more]
Glenside Hospital in Adelaide's leafy eastern suburbs is outwardly a place of tranquility. Built in 1870 and ori... [more]
Ghost Towns in Australia are mostly found in the outback. Think old South Australian railway towns like Farina and B... [more]
The seaside suburb of St Kilda is perhaps best known for its hugely popular St Kilda Adventure Playground, which att... [more]
In less than two hundred years of European settlement, South Australia has grown from a small colony of reed and... [more]
The Wild at Hart farmers market is the newest of Port Adelaide's Markets. It's located near historic Harts Mill, one o... [more]
Some people in Adelaide have an almost fanatical interest in underground tunnels, secret bunkers and hidden air raid... [more]
As you pass through the northern suburbs of Adelaide on Churchill Road, it's hard to miss a huge place in Kilburn with... [more]
Our readers always love to hear about free things to do in Adelaide, and we do our best to unearth the latest and best... [more]
South Australian defence
As early as 1878 the prosperous colony of South Australia was feeling the need to defend i... [more]
Imagine a world without TV and mobile phones. A time when access to radio and newspapers was limited. The spread of ... [more]
The phrase Adelaide's Best Kept Secret gets bandied around far too often. And ironically, a place that trumpets this... [more]
The last fifty years have seen treatment of people with mental illness improve dramatically in Adelaide. No longer a... [more]
For nearly ten years until 2012 the Jade Monkey was an intimate live music venue in Adelaide, one of an increasingly... [more]
When my dog died two years ago I spent a lot of time checking the RSPCA and Animal Welfare websites for a suitable r... [more]
Mount George Conservation Park is perhaps one of the less accessible parks in Adelaide's metropolitan area, but it r... [more]
Port Adelaide is one of South Australia's oldest settled areas, and its unique architectural heritage reflects its... [more]
At the end of the Second World War Australia had a great fear of invasion, and a prominent politician of the time co... [more]
Dry Creek Linear Park is a secluded nature corridor running alongside the Dry Creek wetlands, between Walkleys Road ... [more]
The State heritage listed Glenthorne Farm is a huge open space south of Adelaide between Main South Road and the... [more]
Mutton Cove is an isolated and desolate area on the tip of the LeFevre Peninsula just 23 kilometres north west of Ad... [more]
Australia is currently being invaded by a small fleet of Dutch tall ships - large masted sailing vessels from bygone... [more]
Adelaide has a wide range of cafes and restaurants where you can find cuisines from all around the world, and so... [more]
As Adelaide's rivers and creeks meander from the hills down to the sea, they undergo a transformation along the ... [more]
Arthur's Seat is one of several historic properties built in the Mount Lofty and Stirling area of the Adelaide Hills... [more]
Bowden and Brompton were once counted among the least desirable suburbs in Adelaide. They are now undergoing mas... [more]
Few people walking about Adelaide city would be aware of the darker side of its past. The CBD today is largely saf... [more]
The Sir Thomas Playford ETSA Museum is all about the story of electricity in South Australia.
The Electricity Tru... [more]
Glenside Hospital was once the main centre for treatment of mental illness and psychiatric disorders by SA Health.
... [more]
Puzzle Park was an extremely popular Adelaide amusement park in the later years of the last century. On its better d... [more]
Adelaide is an attractive city when compared to many others around the world.
It is spacious, the road syste... [more]
Fort Glanville is a coastal fort built to defend South Australia from invasion in the 19th century. Rumours were fly... [more]
One hundred and thirty years ago the people of SA were rather concerned. Their new colony was just 50 years old,... [more]
Behind the colourful and welcoming facade of Le Cornu's Keswick showroom lies an interesting story.
From the ... [more]
Getting there
Writing an article for Weekend Notes takes me to some unusual places for my research, and so it was... [more]
If we are honest to ourselves, many of us would acknowledge that we have a prurient interest in prisons, psychia... [more]
Adelaide has a wealth of housing styles, from your bog standard post war austerity homes of the fifties through ... [more]
I think this question will bring quite a variety of responses.
For many people a haunted location is the ult... [more]
Not long after South Australia was settled by Europeans it became clear that there was a need to segregate seriously... [more]
I have been an occasional visitor to Stirling over many years, popping in sometimes to graze on a gourmet pie bought... [more]
Woorabinda is a scenic nature reserve and wetlands located in Stirling in the Adelaide Hills. The area is rich with ... [more]
Most Adelaide residents would be completely unaware that Adelaide had a huge and well developed public transport sys... [more]
When it comes to lunch it can be a struggle deciding where to eat in Adelaide.
A food truck craze has hit to... [more]
On my recent trip to the little known Gilbert Valley of South Australia I visited disused railway stations at Riverton a... [more]
Ask someone where tourists should go in SA and the usual responses would almost certainly include the Barossa Va... [more]
The Semaphore area is one of the oldest in Adelaide, being settled in the early 1850's. It was originally calle... [more]
Coffee drinking as a social pastime has become extraordinarily popular in recent years. It is a catalyst for communicati... [more]
The Pancake Kitchen
Most people in Adelaide would only have heard of Gilbert Place through the well known Pancake... [more]
Urrbrae House Historic Precinct at Urrbrae is a great place to spend a day, with a range of things to do which will ... [more]
I've become increasingly supportive of street art recently.
Not the self indulgent monochromatic tags that ap... [more]
Few people in Adelaide have ever heard of the City Steam Biscuit Factory.
But if it had never been built, Adelai... [more]
Urban Exploration (UE) is an activity where people explore unusual or interesting places in the city. Traditiona... [more]
Tennyson Dunes at West Lakes are the largest surviving natural dune system remaining in metropolitan Adelaide. T... [more]
Few people in Adelaide would be aware that the city has had a public transport network for around 130 years. The fir... [more]
London is an exciting place, but at times it can be a drag. Sprinting through crowded tube stations when you're late... [more]
There are few places near London where a quick one hour train trip can take you to two castles, a 500 year old fort,... [more]
There can never be enough free things to do, and school holidays brings its own challenges of how to keep kids happi... [more]
The Mars Bar is not only Adelaide's only gay and lesbian nightclub, it's an Adelaide icon! It has been operating co... [more]
Backpackers and other budget conscious travellers to London have long complained that London is expensive. There seems... [more]
Adelaide's South West corner has long been a popular residential area, with its attractive row houses and fewer large ... [more]
So you have the burning urge to spend? You know what you want, but the price isn't quite right. Or you just want to ... [more]
Is your dog digging holes all over your back yard? Is it uncontrollable when you take it for a walk? Have you recent... [more]
If you're in the CBD with a few minutes to spare, you can make some surprising discoveries only a short distan... [more]
The Adelaide Hills south of Adelaide attracted European settlers from the early days of the colony. Good water supplie... [more]
Cemeteries in Adelaide may be unusual places to take a walk, but the West Terrace cemetery is a tranquil haven to escape... [more]
City workers and students have debated long and hotly about where to go for a cheap meal in the Adelaide square mile.
... [more]
About thirty minutes south of Adelaide is a hidden piece of South Australia's history with a touching story - one of SA'... [more]
The town of Hawker in South Australia's mid-north region was established in 1880 and named after a member of parliam... [more]
Adelaide to Quorn
The Flinders Ranges in South Australia are beautiful all year round, but it's in spring when most... [more]
With climate change becoming a looming issue in our daily lives, many of us are doing what we can to reduce emission... [more]
The historic ketch Falie is South Australia's only remaining original cargo ketch. Built in 1919 this old girl spent... [more]
For many years workers at Stella Creek cherry orchard have enjoyed the two weeks in spring when the orchards come al... [more]
This year is the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Friends of Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, a small group w... [more]
As the rate of social and technological change becomes faster, nostalgia and an interest in history are not just for... [more]
South Australia's History Festival is back for another year, bringing a program of fun and adventure as we explore b... [more]
The 1960s saw the city of Adelaide go through significant changes. The magnificent Jubilee Exhibition Building on No... [more]
The City of Mitcham is the second oldest council area in South Australia after the City of Adelaide. In 1853, there ... [more]
Gilles at the Grounds March 17, April 14
It's no secret that Gilles at the Grounds is one of the most popular marke... [more]
Many people in Adelaide have a curious passion for underground places. Long forgotten basements, secret wartime shel... [more]
South Australia's Yorke Peninsula is full of exciting things to do for visitors, and thousands of us head there on h... [more]
New Year's Eve is one of the most anticipated events of the year, a time to party, celebrate our connections to fami... [more]
Highlights of What's On in Adelaide in December
Christmas is coming and there's no escaping it. For families with k... [more]
The giant Christmas tree is ready to light up the City of Adelaide at the community heart of the city, Victoria Squa... [more]
Gilles at the Grounds: The Bazaar December 1-2
The Christmas season brings a proliferation of markets to help you f... [more]
We just love our South Australian wines, and in particular, I get very excited about small boutique wineries. The pl... [more]
The Red Umbrella Market is a popular craft market held regularly at the Cumberland Park Community Centre south of Adelai... [more]
Government House in Adelaide is a grand residence well suited for its vice regal occupant. The house is magnificent ... [more]
It's so relaxing watching movies outdoors as the sun sets and even better when there's great food and a beautiful lo... [more]
Christmas carols are a wonderful way to get into the spirit of Christmas, and what better way to do it than with loc... [more]
People in Adelaide love their heritage buildings - sometimes without even realising that they are heritage places. M... [more]
Mannum is a friendly country town on the River Murray, a popular holiday destination for many South Australians who ... [more]
The Alliance Française French Market is a hugely popular annual market in Adelaide. Held in the Unley Soldiers' Memo... [more]
The Adelaide Shorebird and Dolphin Festival is held throughout November in 2018 and takes pride of place with the Ad... [more]
Everyone is invited to dance the night away to classic rock and pop at Concert at the Cove. It's the City of Marion'... [more]
Andrew Baines is an internationally recognised Adelaide artist who is renown for his surreal paintings and quirky ph... [more]
Our feathered friend the duck holds a great appeal for mankind, even for motorists who risk their lives to avoid a l... [more]
Wakefield Press is a leading independent publishing company based in Adelaide. Their list of book titles is strongly... [more]
Highlights of What's On in Adelaide in November
November is the beginning of the end of the year. The Christmas dec... [more]
The Adelaide showground is always buzzing with action, and there's no better time to find fun things to do than in s... [more]
On November 11 2018, we celebrate a truly momentous occasion, the centenary of the first Armistice Day. This very sp... [more]
The Feast Festival is a gay and lesbian institution in South Australia, running for more than 20 years in Adelaide a... [more]
The Adelaide Parklands have sometimes come under criticism in the past for being under utilised. It's a silly commen... [more]
There has always been a close relationship between art, artists and nature. The Nurturing Art and Nature Workshop is... [more]
Highlights of What's On in Adelaide in October
The October school holidays are here again, and families with childr... [more]
Eighty Eight O'Connell Street in North Adelaide was once the home to Le Cornu's furniture store. It was a memorable ... [more]
Museums in the Port brings a weekend of discounted and free entry to all museums in Port Adelaide. The South Austral... [more]
Whether you have children or a dog, they always appreciate visiting new places. As it happens, so do I. After hearin... [more]
The Nature Play Festival is an annual festival for children and their families which celebrates and encourages play ... [more]
If there's one time of the year that is perfect for enjoying the outdoors, it is right now. Warmer weather has broug... [more]
The Adelaide Town Hall Open Day is a rare chance to discover first-hand the history of this grand building, and an o... [more]
The Unmasked African Festival is a free event organised by the African Communities Council of South Australia who re... [more]
Highlights of What's On in Adelaide in September
September is the time for the Royal Adelaide Show, when kids in A... [more]
The Henley Square precinct is a popular place to meet friends for a meal or a drink, a place to maintain social conn... [more]
The Adelaide Steampunk Festival is back again for 2018, a celebration of nineteenth-century science fiction at the N... [more]
Cobham is Born
Joseph Bell was an early English settler in South Australia, arriving via Tasmania in 1837. After wo... [more]
My companion and I were feeling hungry, but not ready for a full three-course meal after indulging in a late lunch. ... [more]
An arboretum is a botanical garden that is devoted exclusively to trees, and most arboreta are botanical gardens con... [more]
Moving to a new country is never an easy thing to do, and especially not if you are forced through your social, fina... [more]
The Fleurieu Peninsula and its coastline is renown for beautiful scenery and producing great food and wines. Every v... [more]
What exactly is citizen science? One wordy definition is "the collection and analysis of data relating to the natura... [more]
As spring draws near trees and plants are coming into bloom and native animals are starting to become more active. N... [more]
The National Trust of South Australia is best known for its heritage buildings and museums, such as Ayers House Muse... [more]
Highlights of What's On in Adelaide in August
August is the month when art blossoms in Adelaide as the Sala Festiva... [more]
It might be cold outside in Adelaide right now, but this year's oranges are hanging ripe in our gardens and in the R... [more]
August is National Family History Month, an Australia wide initiative that aims to promote and help genealogists and... [more]
Kids in Adelaide love the Children's Storybook Trail at Carrick Hill in Springfield. This colourful free trail meand... [more]
Walk a Mile in My Boots is an annual charity event run by the Hutt Street Centre to help them support homeless pe... [more]