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ADELAIDE
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CITY OVERVIEW
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Adelaide is famous for being the quaintest of the
Australian capital cities. The 'city of churches' is surrounded by parkland
and open space and its streets are largely tree-lined and spacious. Adelaide has the amenity of a big
city but the feel of a country town. Proof of this amenity is the fact that Adelaide has more restaurants per
head than any other major city in Australia.
The section of the
City Centre that attracts most visitors is the Rundle Mall. The Mall and Rundle Street further east are home to
many of Adelaide's best pubs, shops, bars and cafes. The next
block north is North Terrace, which is also home to most of Adelaide's cutural
buildings, including Government House, the Art Gallery, the Museum and Adelaide University.
One of the great
characteristics of Adelaide is the Adelaide Parklands - a huge expanse of
open space that rings the City Centre grid. It provides a great buffer between
residences and businesses in the City Centre. Within the Parklands are the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the Adelaide Zoo, as
well as many of Adelaides sporting venues like
Adelaide Oval, Memorial Drive Tennis Centre and Victoria Park Racecourse.
There are also some
great areas outside the City. Glenelg is where Adelaide was orginally
settled and is now a seaside resort that contains many nice bars, cafes,
amusements and the obligatory pier. It is accessible to Adelaide by the unique Glenelg tram. North Adelaide and Unley
also have some of the nicest and trendiest shops in Adelaide.
Some of the nicest
small towns surrounding Adelaide are contained in the nearby
Adelaide Hills (between 20-40km to the east) and the Barossa Valley wine producing area (up to
70km to the north). In the Hills, check out Hahndorf,
a unique German settlement town that has preserved many of its original German
style buildings. In the Barossa, check out all the wineries that surround Nuriootpa and the nearby small village of Angaston.
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GETTING THERE
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Adelaide International Airport
is located only 6km west of the City Centre and is accessible to the Centre by
the Skylink Airport Shuttle or the plentiful supply
of taxis.
Adelaide has an extensive public
transport called Adelaide Metro. It consists of a network of trains, buses, the O-Bahn busway and a tram to Glenelg.
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AFL
ADELAIDE CROWS
AAMI STADIUM
Ticket information through
AFL
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After
many years of negotiation, the Adelaide Crows
finally began playing in the AFL competition in 1991 – nearly a decade later
than the non-AFL states of NSW and Queensland.
There was much expectation that the Crows would find instant success and they
did - it only took two years after they entered for the Crows to make the semi
finals in 1993. However, their was great
disappointment as it was followed up with no semi final appearances between
1994 and 1996. The arrival of Malcolm Blight changed things and Adelaide
became the first interstate team to win back-to-back premierships in 1997 and
1998 – the 1997 win being remarkable for the fact that they had to win 4
consecutive finals matches to win the flag – a feat they repeated the
following year. Adelaide continue to be one of the best teams in the competition -
making the semi finals every year since 2001.
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AFL
PORT ADELAIDE POWER
AAMI STADIUM
Ticket information through
AFL
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A great rivalry has
developed between the South Australian Football league backed Port Adelaide and the Crows. The Crows believe they
are the team the rest of SA can support whereas Port pride themselves on their
successful and dominant history in the SA League – where they won a mammoth 34
premierships up until their entry into the AFL in 1997. Port Adelaide also only took two years to
reach their first finals series and have made it every year since. In
2002-2003, Port won back-to-back minor premierships and finally cracked the
big one in 2004.
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CRICKET
SOUTH AUSTRALIA REDBACKS
ADELAIDE OVAL
Ticket information through
SA Cricket Association
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The South
Australia Redbacks
were one of only three states that began playing domestic state cricket in Australia
1892-93. They actually beat Victoria and NSW to claim the Sheffield Shield the
following year but since then they have struggled to keep pace with both those
states. They have only won the competition 13 times – the last one being in
1995/96 - and have been overtaken by Western
Australia in competitions won. It doesn’t get
much better in the one-day competition – they have only one two titles in
1983/84 and 1986/87.
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A-League
ADELAIDE UNITED
HINDMARSH STADIUM
Ticket
information through Adelaide United
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Adelaide United are the new Adelaide
team in the new A-League, replacing the Adelaide Force. The previous Adelaide
NSL versions have been one of the most consistent in the compeititon
since their inception in 1995 – having made the semi-finals every year until
they finally missed out by one position in 2000/2001. Unfortunately, not only
have they not been able to convert this into premiership success, but they
have yet to play in an NSL final.
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NBL
ADELAIDE 36'ERS
DISTINCTIVE HOMES DOME
Ticket information
through Adelaide 36'ers
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The
Adelaide 36ers took their name from the year that the City of Adelaide was founded – 1836. The ‘Sixers’ are one of the most successful teams in NBL
history (with the Perth Wildcats). They have won the title four times since
their inception in 1983 - three of those coming since 1998. Amazingly, they have only missed out on the
playoffs three times. The ‘Sixers’ pride themselves
on being the most successful sporting team in South Australia.
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WNBL
ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
DISTINCTIVE HOMES DOME
Ticket information
through Adelaide Lightning
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The
Adelaide Lightning are also one of the most
successful teams in WNBA history. Adelaide’s representation into the
National League was whittled down to one in 1993, after being represented by Noarlunga City, West Adelaide and North Adelaide at various stages. In 1990
North became the first Adelaide team to win a championship.
The Lightning’s inaugural year saw them reach the playoffs and then the golden
era of the Lightning began when they went on to win 4 out of the next 5 championships.
Adelaide have made the
playoffs nearly every year since 1998 but have not been able to replicate
their success of the mid 90’s in this time.
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ANL
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS
WAYVILLE SPORTS CENTRE
Ticket information
through Adelaide Thunderbirds
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2003 will see the Adelaide Thunderbirds become the sole Adelaide team in the national
competition after the Ravens were replaced by an AIS team. The Thunderbirds
have been the most consistent team in the competition, having finished all
five seasons no lower than second place after the home and away matches and
winning two championships (1998 and1999). They were once again runners-up to
the Melbourne Phoenix in 2002.
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AAMI STADIUM
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AAMI
Stadium (formerly
Football Park) has hosted the AFL Crows and Power since
their respective entries into the League. It is also the home of the SAFL
Grand Final. Built in 1974, the all-seated Stadium is located off West Lakes Boulevard in West Lakes, some 8km north-west of the
City Centre. The Stadium has a capacity of approximately 50,000.
Adelaide Metro provides a
Footy Express Bus service from several locations over Adelaide, including Currie Street in the City.
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ADELAIDE OVAL
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Adelaide Oval is rated as one of
the prettiest and historical cricket grounds in the world – dating back to
1871 - and is also famed for its huge but traditional manual scoreboard. The
Oval hosts the SA Redbacks as well as international
test matches and one-day cricket matches. It also hosted NRL matches when the
now defunct Adelaide Rams were in the competition in 1997-1998, as well as
hosting Rugby Union internationals. Adelaide Oval is located off War
Memorial Drive in North
Adelaide, which is just to the north of the
City Centre (about 600 metres). It has a capacity of
25,000.
Adelaide Oval is within
walking distance of the City Centre – just walk north along King William Street over the Torrens River and then walk to the west
through the Parkland to the ground.
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HINDMARSH STADIUM
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Hindmarsh Stadium hosts the NSL Force and has been the home of soccer in South Australia for several decades. A
major renovation in 2000 has made the Stadium an all-seated 15,000 capacity.
The Stadium is located off Manton Street, Hindmarsh,
which is only 3km north-west of the City Centre.
From the Adelaide Railway
Station terminal on North Terrace, you can take the Outer Harbour and Glanville line one stop
to Bowden Station. Exit the southern side and walk west along Gibson Street, then walk north along Port Road to Crawford Lane and then walk west along it
until you reach the Stadium. There are also several bus routes that leave from
North Terrace that go through the suburb of Hindmarsh.
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DISTINCTIVE HOMES DOME
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The Distinctive Homes Dome formerly the Clipsal Powerhouse) hosts the 36’ers and the Lightning and
is located at 44A Crittenden Road, Findon,
which is some 4km north west of the City Centre. The
Dome has a capacity of over 8,000.
From the City (North Terrace),
you can take Bus Routes 111,112,113 or 118 that goes along Grange Road. Get off at the
intersection at Crittenden Road and walk north along it
towards the Dome.
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WAYVILLE SPORTS CENTRE
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The
Wayville Sports Centre, traditional
home of the Norwood basketball club, became the new - albeit smaller - home of
the Adelaide Lightning in 2002. The 'Lighthouse' - as it is also known - is
located at 146 Rose Terrace, Wayville, which is just
south of the Adelaide Parklands, some 1.5km from the City Centre.
If it is too far
too walk from the City Centre or you don't facny
walking through the Parklands at night, you can take the Glenelg
tram and get off at the Greenhill Road intersection and walk 1
block south to Rose Terrace. Just walk west along Rose Terrace until you reach
the Stadium.
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GOLF
JACOBS CREEK CLASSIC, KOOYONGA GOLF CLUB
Even and Ticket Information at www.pgatour.com.au
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The Jacobs Creek Classic, held in mid February at
the Kooyonga Golf Club, replaced the South
Australian Open as the major golf tournament that passes through South
Australia each year. This tournament is now affiliated with the second tier US
Buy.com tour. The Kooyonga Golf Club is located off
Henley Beach Road in Lockleys, some 5km to the west of the City Centre. From
the City Centre (Currie Street), take Bus Routes 122, 123, 124, 130, 132, 134,
137 and 137F (some of these are only weekend services) that goes along Henley
Beach Road – get off at the Willingale Avenue stop,
which is located adjacent to the golf course.
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TENNIS
AAPT CHAMPIONSHIPS, MEMORIAL DRIVE
Event and Ticket information at
www.atptennis.com/en/
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The AAPT Championships are held at Memorial Drive
Tennis Club in early January. Memorial Drive has been the long-time tennis
capital of South Australia – regularly hosting Davis Cup championship matches.
It has been the regular host what of was once the South Australian Open and
the Australian Hardcourt Championships. It is
located just south of the Adelaide Oval in North Adelaide – thereby making it
an easy a walk from the City Centre. Follow the same walking directions as
described above for Adelaide Oval - the Tennis Club is directly south of the
Adelaide Oval on the banks of the River.
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HORSE RACING
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
Tickets available at course
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Cheltenham Park Racecourse is located off Cheltenham Parade in Woodville,
which is some 10km north-west of the City Centre. From the City you can take
the Outer Harbour Rail Line to the Cheltenham
Racecourse Station (on race days) located adjacent to the Racecourse entrance.
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HORSE RACING
MORPHETTVILLE RACECOURSE
Tickets available at course
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Morphettville Racecourse is the home of the Adelaide Cup and Goodwood Handicap in May and is located off Anzac Highway
in Morphetville, which is some 8km south-west of the
City Centre. From the Victoria Square Tram Terminal in the City, take the Glenelg Tram that stops at the Morphetville
Racecourse entrance on race days only.
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HORSE RACING
VICTORIA PARK RACECOURSE
Tickets available at course
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Victoria Park Racecourse is the former home of Motor Racing’s Formula One
Grand Prix and is located off Fullarton Road in the
eastern section of Adelaide’s City Centre – part of the Adelaide City
Parklands. As such, the Racecourse is walkable from
the City Centre - just walk east along Wakefield Road until you reach the
course entrance off Dequetteville Terrace.
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MOTOR RACING
V8 CLIPSAL 500, ADELAIDE STREET CIRCUIT
Event and Ticket information at www.v8supercar.com.au
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The V8 Clipsal 500 is held in the Adelaide Parklands (Victoria Park
Racecourse) in mid-March and has replaced the Australian Formula One Grand
Prix as the premier race meeting in Adelaide. Directions to the Clipsal 500 are the same as above for Victoria Park
Racecourse.
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ATHLETICS
TELSTRA A-SERIES, SANTOS STADIUM
Ticket information to come
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Santos Stadium hosts the Telstra A-Series in early February. It is now the
home of athletics in South Australia and has a capacity of around 6,000. It is
located in Mile End next to ETSA Park.
Follow the same directions
as above for ETSA Park.
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