Pacific Center - Migration Services
ADELAIDE

ADELAIDE OVERVIEW:

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is a civilised and calm city, that is home to around one million people. It is divided into two parts, Adelaide and North Adelaide, separated by Torrens River. A diverse range of landscapes surround the city, including green parkland, the Mount Lofty Ranges and coastal beaches.


Referred to as the wine and festival capital of Australia, Adelaide is a great place to experience the culture and convenience of a nice sized city without many of the frustrations of a larger city. Adelaide is surrounded by parklands, together with a range of historic buildings, wide streets, various street cafes and restaurants and shops of all descriptions. Walking is a popular way to enjoy the city with several short walks enabling you to enjoy much of the city.


Adelaide is home to the the Clipsal 500 Adelaide V8 race, and the international music festival WOMADelaide. For those into Arts or Festivals, The Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts is very popular amongst festival goers and is consider to be one of the most innovative arts festivals in the world.

Adelaide's city centre has been well planned and is made up of a grid of streets and various squares. Being only one mile square makes it extremely accessible. The main street (King William Street) runs directly from north to south of the city through Victoria Square, which is at the heart of the city.


Finding somewhere to stay in Adelaide is a breeze. Hostels are plentiful, as are apartments, motels, hotels and several bed and breakfasts. International and domestic flights arrive at Adelaide Airport, which is a 15-minute drive from the city centre or 25 minutes via public bus. There is also a door-to-door shuttle service from the airport to city hotels.


Consistently ranked as one of the top ten most liveable cities in the world, Adelaide is a popular destination for international students in Australia. This is because the city offers a balanced lifestyle with world-class education institutions and thriving local economy.


Adelaide is the gateway to world-famous places such as Kangaroo Island and the best wine regions in Australia including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley. Local attractions in Adelaide include the National Wine Centre, Adelaide Central Market, North Terrace, the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and much more.

Adelaide is a small city, but did you know it only takes 20 minutes to get to any point in the city? Nicknamed the 20-minute city, Adelaide is one of the easiest cities to venture around. Test out the theory for yourself, trust us, everything really is only 20 minutes away!


Adelaide is the only capital city in Australia that was not settled by convicts, which has made the locals extremely smug. Established in 1836, the city was a planned capital for free British settlers. A majority of the people had no criminal history, the city was thought to have little crime compared to other areas. As a result, no prison was built for some time. Criminals took advantage of this decreased law enforcement and a prison was added soon after.


Throughout history, Adelaide has been at the centre of forward thinking. It was the first city to give women access to vote, recognise Indigenous land rights, as well as criminalise sexual and racial discrimination. Adelaide is the opal capital of Australia, famous both locally and internationally for the best-selling opals available. Lighten your wallets as you shop around to find the best-priced opal for you!

ADELAIDE WEATHER:

Adelaide experiences mild winters and a warm, dry summer. It has an average maximum temperature of 29°C (84.2°F) in summer and 15 - 16°C (59 - 60.8°F) in winter.

During summer, average temperatures range from 16.7 - 28.6°C (62 - 83.5°F) and rainfall is sparse. Occasionally temperatures can soar to 40°C (104°F). Adelaide enjoys the lowest humidity of any Australian city.

In autumn, the weather is pleasant with average temperatures between 12.7 - 22.7°C (55 - 73°F) and very little rainfall. The city and countryside take on a red, orange and golden hue.

In winter, average temperatures drop to between 8 - 16°C (46.5 - 60.8°F), and frosts are common in the nearby Adelaide Hills. June is the wettest month, averaging around 80 mm (3.1 inches), however Adelaide is the driest of all the Australian capitals.

Spring sees weather warm up with average temperatures between 11.8 - 22°C (53.2 - 71.6°F). Rainfall is low but evenings can be quite brisk as temperatures drop quickly.

Daylight saving begins at 2am, Central Standard Time, on the first Sunday in October and ends at 3am Central Daylight Saving Time on the first Sunday in April. During this time Adelaide moves to Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), UTC +10.5.

December experiences the longest hours of daylight with sunrise at approximately 6am and sunset at 8:30pm. June has the least hours of daylight with sunrise at approximately 7:20am and sunset at 5:15pm.

In summer the average sea temperature ranges from 19.7 - 21.2°C (67.5 - 70.1°F). Summer brings pleasant temperatures, which can remain high even at night. Pack light clothing such as shorts and t-shirts, and don't forget to bring your swimmers!

Snow in Adelaide is rare. Occasionally parts of South Australia receive a light dusting of snow, including Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills. Mornings and evenings can be brisk so make sure to pack a thick, warm jacket. Wear layers that can be worn as needed.

Visitors to Adelaide should look out for the UV index in local weather reports, which describes the daily solar UV radiation intensity. Protect yourself from sunburn by using SPF30+ sunscreen, which is readily available throughout Australia at supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies, and wearing sun-smart clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.

ADELAIDE COST OF LIVING:

Adelaide is the perfect place to live and explore on a student budget. Adelaide is the one of the most affordable capital cities in terms of living costs, with rent around 49% lower than Sydney. Rent prices vary, but on average you can expect to spend between $170-510 per week for a room in a share house. Rent in Adelaide is, on average, 49.89% lower than in Sydney.

Adelaide is up to 14% more affordable to live in than other major Australian cities, and has the lowest average rent in the country. With lower rent, food and public transport costs than most major Australian cities, you'll be able to afford more of the wonderful lifestyle that Australia has to offer.

The city’s train network is called the Adelaide Metro. Residents are encouraged to purchase a MetroCard for all of their travel purposes. Because you’re a tertiary student, you are entitled to a 50% discounted fare, so make sure you take advantage! Purchase a 28-day MetroCard pass for only $50. This is a major saving and means you rarely need to worry about topping up your card’s balance any time you want to travel on a train, tram or bus.

On average, a breakfast at a cafe in Adelaide is going to cost you $15, but be sure to budget a bit extra if you’d like to add a coffee or freshly blended juice. Australia is famous around the world for its coffee and fresh fruit and vegetables, so you can expect to get a high-quality beverage for the price you pay. For lunch, you will likely have to spend around $16, but keep an eye out for meal deals – eateries around the city will usually offer a discounted lunch with extras such as drinks. Dinner might be slightly more expensive at around $25 per meal.

Here are some other prices for you to compare:

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course75.00 A$
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)8.00 A$
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)3.47 A$
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)2.56 A$
Local Cheese (1kg)9.95 A$
Eggs (regular) (12)4.22 A$
Potato (1kg)2.82 A$


One-way Ticket (Local Transport)4.00 A$
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)209.29 A$
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult56.68 A$
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)95.19 A$
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat15.00 A$

ADELAIDE LIFESTYLE:

On one hand, Adelaide has all the benefits of a thriving city. On the other, it can be refreshingly laid-back, quiet and relaxed. So, once you’re done sightseeing, partying or working, you’ll always be able to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the city to focus more on your studies. This makes Adelaide a fantastic place for dedicating time to study and increasing your productivity.

In the heart of Adelaide’s CBD lie many of South Australia’s major arts and cultural institutions, and the majority of them are free to visit! Some of these include the State Library of South Australia, the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Adelaide Festival Centre and Adelaide Zoo. What could be better than taking an afternoon study break at the zoo?

Adelaide’s food and drink scene is one of the best in Australia. Be adventurous and go hunting for Adelaide’s hippest hidden laneway and rooftop bars.

If you’re after some incredible fresh produce and a huge range of international cuisine, make sure to check out Adelaide Central Market.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to weekend getaways, with lots of great trips just a short distance from the city. You can explore wine regions like the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley, head to the Adelaide Hills and check out the area’s quaint villages, hop over to Kangaroo Island, or see some of the most stunning natural wonders Australia has to offer.

Adelaide offers balance. It’s a city famous for colourful and diverse communities, beautiful rural landscapes, historic sandstone cityscapes, thriving local industries, bustling businesses, low unemployment rates and a healthy economy. It’s at once an exciting and relaxed city that celebrates diversity, opportunity and education.

You’ll find lots of Australia’s top educational institutions in Adelaide, including universities, private colleges, and culinary and hospitality schools.

There’s ample opportunity to participate in internships and find part-time employment whilst studying in Adelaide. After graduation, you can join one of Adelaide’s many major thriving industries. These include food and wine, bioscience, health, agriculture, information and communications technology, defence, tourism and the arts.

ADELAIDE TRANSPORT:

Almost all of Adelaide’s education providers have their campuses within the park-bounds of the city’s CBD. That means public transport access is very easy. For campuses outside of the city limits, there are usually frequent buses provided for students.

The city’s train network is called the Adelaide Metro. Residents are encouraged to purchase a MetroCard for all of their travel purposes. Because you’re a tertiary student, you are entitled to a 50% discounted fare, so make sure you take advantage!

Purchase a 28-day MetroCard pass for only $50. This is a major saving and means you rarely need to worry about topping up your card’s balance any time you want to travel on a train, tram or bus. Just ensure you carry your student ID with you in case ticket inspectors want to inquire. Also, make sure to get your MetroCard protected so that if you misplace it, you won’t lose any of the credit you’ve purchased.

Luckily for Adelaide residents, the city has after-midnight bus services on almost every bus route to and from the city.

So, no matter where you live, you can still enjoy a night out at your favourite bar or a late-night study session. Taxis and Uber services are also available with the touch of your phone screen, with prices varying depending on where you live.

Adelaide’s rail network is a great way to visit attractions outside of the city. From Adelaide Railway Station, you can catch the Outer Harbor line train to reach destinations such as historic Port Adelaide and the beachside suburb of Semaphore. Trains depart every 20-30 minutes throughout the day.

Adelaide has a useful tram service that operates through the city centre and inner suburbs. It’s most convenient for travel within the city and reaching the popular coastal suburb of Glenelg. The service runs every 10-15 minutes from around 7am to midnight. The tram is free to use in Adelaide city centre between Entertainment Centre Station and South Terrace Station. It links with popular bus routes, and passes major attractions such as Rundle Mall, Adelaide Central Market, and West End.

Adelaide has a free City Connector bus service in the city centre. There are multiple bus loops including the 98A/98C loop and the 99A/99C loop which operate in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions and depart every 15-30 minutes, seven days a week. These buses are particularly useful for travel between Adelaide’s downtown hotels and attractions such as the South Australian Museum, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide Oval, and North Adelaide.

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