Grandpa’s Guide to Driving in Adelaide

Why, hello everyone! I just came home from hearing mass. It’s truly a rejuvenating experience, hearing the Word of the Lord. Got me thinking about how much space religion takes up in our lives. How important is the Vatican for Rome, for example.

In Australia, I know just the place that’s keen on religion and that’s no other than the city of Adelaide. Adelaide, crowned the capital of South Australia is the fifth-biggest city in Australia. It’s fondly known as “The City of Churches”. Scour its streets and you’ll soon find out why. Adelaide’s like a suburbia of churches!

Though the churches still stand, Adelaide has caught on with the rest of the world and gained a liberal attitude. Nowadays, Adelaide is commended for its many festivals and sporting events, its food and wine, it culture, long beaches and its wide defence and manufacturing sectors. It even ranks highly as a livable city, earning a spot in the Top 10 in The Economist's World's Most Livable Cities index.

Now that you know what wonderful world awaits you, it’s time to arrange for your car rental. Yes, your car rental. Do you want to spend thirty precious minutes waiting on a train station or a bus stop? No? Me neither. Do yourself a favour and visit this site http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au to bag yourself a pretty sweet car rental deal. Reasonable prices, stylish cars, comfort and all the perks of being in total control of your vacation vehicle. You can’t ask for more, really.

With your car rental you can start cruising around Adelaide like you own the place. Be sure to visit the places I’m going to mention because, mate, they’re the cream of the crop.

1. Art Gallery of South Australia

To kick things off, you better come on over to the Art Gallery of South Australia. Get to view one of Australia’s best art collections under the roof of Adelaide’s loveliest historic buildings. Found between the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide, the gallery has been a critical cultural focus ever since it was put up in 1881. Here you’ll find vast collections of Australian, Asian and European art.

2. Himeji Garden

Your next stop would be Adelaide’s Himeji Garden in South Terrace where you’ll find Japanese religious artifacts that successfully recall the majesty of nature. The Garden fuses together two classic styles. First, the ‘senzui’ (lake and mountain garden), where water and the imagination combine to give one a magical sense of vastness and grandeur. And secondly, the contrast comes with ‘kare senzui’ (dry garden), that’s composed of rocks and sand that still resemble the presence of water, even of the sea itself.

The garden is open all week, from 8am to 5.30pm so feel free to come in during those times to get a taste of the serenity that is Himeji Garden.

3. Victoria Square Fountain

Your final stop would be Victoria Square Fountain. You can find this in the northern half of Victoria Square between Flinders-Franklin Streets and Wakefield-Grote Streets. This fountain was set up to honour the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1963. Come and see this sculptural wonder of unpolished Angaston marble. Look on with wonder at the brilliance of John Dowie, master sculptor of the fountain.

Well, that’s all for Adelaide, everyone. I’ve given you more than enough reasons to pack up and get your cheeky little bum to these lovely parts of Australia. Hope the weather’s well on your visit. Do enjoy!

- Grandpa Benjamin