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Food & Drink
The local delicacies are mainly German food in the Barossa region and, on the coast, crabs, whiting, crayfish and other seafood. Kangaroo steak is a speciality of the region and can be ordered in many Australian restaurants. Adelaide has a wide range of restaurants and cafes specialising in international cuisine, including US, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Lebanese, Malaysian, Mexican, Mongolian and Vietnamese. Many of these offer alfresco dining. There are many excellent seafood restaurants.
There are many wine and food festivals throughout the region where local wines and beers can be tasted. One of these is the Barossa Vintage Festival, reminiscent in many ways of German beer festivals in Europe. There is also a brewery in Adelaide supplying stout and lagers, although whether in Adelaide itself, the hills or the outback, the pub experience should not be missed. South Australia contains one of the most important valley regions producing wines; from the reds of Coonawarra to the Rieslings of the Eden Valley. Although specialising in table wines, the state is noted for its sparkling reds and whites.

Nightlife
Adelaide has an extraordinary nightlife scene. The Adelaide Casino, once a grand Victorian railway station is now a haven for baccarat and roulette players amid its magnificent Corinthian columns (Mon-Fri 1000-0400 and continuously at weekends and on public holidays). There is also a concentration of nightclubs and discos on Hindley Street in the heart of the city, opposite Rundle Mall. Large crowds also flock to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the pubs and cafes in Rundle Street.

Shopping
Excellent quality wines are available from the Barossa Valley, which attracts 60 per cent of Australia’s wine-tasting tourists. Adelaide is a city which concentrates on culture, and is full of antique shops, art galleries and stores which sell Australia’s finest opals, handmade chocolates and stockman’s hats. Opening hours are the same as for the rest of Australia. There are also some street markets in Adelaide, the Central market being located adjacent to Victoria Square. This market, made up of 550 stalls, sells all kinds of produce including fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, meat, spices and other exotic delights.

Special Events
South Australia lives up to its name of the Festival State with a huge variety of festivals and special events taking place throughout the State all year round. For a full list of special events contact the South Australian Tourism Commission (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in South Australia in 2005:
Jan 3-9 Australian Hardcourt Championships. Jan 14-16 Australian Open Road Championships (cycling). Jan 18-23 Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under (cycling). Feb Jacob's Creek Open (golf). Feb 18-Mar 3 Adelaide Film Festival. Mar Clipsal 500 Adelaide (V8 touring cars). Mar 4-6 Womadelaide (world music festival), Adelaide. Mar 26-28 Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival (equestrian). Apr 30-Jun 11 The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive. May Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend. Jun 10-25 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Jul 7-10 Festival of Ideas. Sep 2-10 Royal Adelaide Show. Sep 25-Oct 2 World Solar Challenge, racing by solar-powered vehicles from Darwin to Adelaide. Oct 7-16 Australian Master Games. Oct 21-30 Tasting Australia. Nov 4-27 FEAST 2005: Adelaide Lesbian & Gay Cultural Festival.