North Terrace
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia
Grand 19th-century architecture laid out on a classically elegant street plan fringed with green parkland makes Adelaide perhaps Australia’s most beautiful city center—and North Terrace is at the heart of it. From galleries and museums to the state parliament, state library, and Adelaide University, the landmarks are all here.
The basics
To appreciate how surveyor William Light’s vision for Adelaide has shaped the city, it’s well worth joining a guided walking tour. Alternatively, discover North Terrace at your own pace by bus, tram, or even bicycle; or take in the sights alongside other area highlights on a bus tour with live commentary. Architectural gems include the Art Gallery of South Australia, Parliament House Adelaide, the South Australian Museum, Rundle Mall shopping street, and the Ayers House Museum. The Adelaide Botanic Garden and the National Wine Centre of Australia sit just off the east end of the terrace.
Things to know before you go
- North Terrace is a must for anyone with an interest in history, architecture, or museums.
- Adelaide can be extremely hot in summer and the sun is often fierce. Wear a hat and sunscreen and carry a refillable water bottle.
- Adelaide is an accessible city and most North Terrace attractions are wheelchair-accessible.
How to get there
Adelaide Railway Station is situated on the west-central North Terrace. The #98A and #98C free City Connector buses run in clockwise and anticlockwise loops around the city center, covering the eastern half of North Terrace, where the main attractions lie; the #99A and #99C extend the loops through parkland into North Adelaide.
When to get there
Climate change is intensifying the heat of South Australia’s summer, leading not only to temperatures as high as 116° F (46.6° C) but to bushfires that can blanket the city in smoke. Spring (September–November) and fall (March–May) are better times to visit.
Architectural Walks from North Terrace
Central North Terrace is a great starting point for an architectural walk. Strolling north, visit Elder Park, with its Victorian rotunda, then cross the river to admire Adelaide Oval and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Close the loop by heading southwest over the River Torrens Footbridge, and back to North Terrace. Alternatively, walk east and south through parkland to Adelaide Botanic Garden and the National Wine Centre of Australia—returning to North Terrace from the east.
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