Australia Part II – Adelaide and Barossa Valley

I thought it was about time to squeeze in an Australia post here. If you haven’t read the last one, you can find Australia Part I here.

After we left Sydney we went straight to Adelaide. The city itself reminded me of Sacramento and as I am not a big fan of Sacramento (no offense to anyone who lives there!) I have to say that I wasn’t a *huge* fan of the city. That *might* have been because it was literally 110 degrees Fahrenheit (no I’m not making that up) on one day and never dropped below 100 degrees the whole time we were there. It was pretty miserable. The actual city is very small and there’s not much to do there, but they did have some nice buildings (especially at the University) and the Botanical garden was neat – though not as nice as Sydney… also probably due to the heat! We only spent a day and a half there, though, as the other day in Barossa Valley (which was beautiful… more on that below) and the next day in Kangaroo Island (next post) which was really cool and made the whole trip to Adelaide more than worth it – really!

Even though Adelaide didn’t melt my heart – I promise you it did try! – I have to admit that parts of it were beautiful. I particularly liked their Performing Arts Center:

Adelaide Performing Arts Center

Adelaide Performing Arts Center

They also had these cute little outdoor cafes in cool older buildings:

Cafe in Adelaide

I did really like some of their architecture as well. This part of the street drew me in for some reason:

Street view

The University was very nice as well. And those purple flowering trees? Could one of you Aussie readers *please* tell me what they are? We saw them everywhere but just had no idea what to call them. I’d never before seen a tree with purple flowers and they were gorgeous!

University

We spent the rest of the day at the Botanic Gardens and these are my favorite shots from there:

Danger

So I guess I’m ignorant, but I’d never before actually SEEN the middle of a fern. I was amazed at how much it looked like a flower! So pretty!

Fern

Glass house

I thought this plant looked really soft from this particular angle:

Don't touch!

But it really really isn’t, LOL!

Don't touch!

This one just cracked me up… I guess Santa loves his salads! And since it is summer during Christmas there (and they were having a Christmas Pageant on the day we were there – in 110 degree weather… it was insane!) I guess Santa eats healthier stuff than Milk and Cookies up North! πŸ˜‰

Santa's garden!

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

I think this picture perfectly demonstrates Life and Death:

Dead and alive

Most of the plants were dying (it was SO hot there) and most of their water was dried up too. But there was signs of life here and there:

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

I feel in love with this sculptured fountain… it’s made out of sheets of glass!

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

And one more… a self portrait (of sorts):

Self Portrait

They also had a really neat area for Lilly Pads! I’d seen Lilly Pads before, but I guess never these kind! They are just so awesome check it out:

Lilly Pad

Can you tell that they have SPIKES on them? I’m not sure if a frog would like to land on one of these!

Adelaide Botanical Gardens

The next day we went to the Barossa Valley which is famous for its vineyards. We went to a wine tasting (which was very very good – the Shiraz is amazing – of course) and to look at the scenery. No pictures of the wine, though, as I was too busy drinking it! πŸ˜‰

Barrossa Valley

Barrossa Valley

Barrossa Valley

You won’t believe it (I know I didn’t) but the next picture is of this enormous tree that some guy *lived* in for 11 years (that’s right eleven YEARS) of his life during which time he married AND had two kids (or maybe three?) while saving money to build his house and move them in there. Honestly, how crazy is that?

Tree House

We also stopped by a small German village in the Barossa Valley. It’s called Handorf and it’s just so quaint and cute. It really does feel like a transported piece of Germany – well, except for the deadly heat and the Australians! πŸ˜‰

Handorf Village

Ice Cream Shop

How awesome is this? They had a PUPPET shop! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before in my life. Especially not one as cute as this!

Puppet store

Knife maker

Handorf Village

I love this mailbox!

Mail box

And just for my knitting friends, an Alpaca store! They raise Alpacas in this area and a lot of the stores were selling wool:

Alpaca Store

And I know what you’re thinking: who would need wool in a place this hot? I was wondering the same thing myself and must say that I think they’re nuts! Honestly it never gets below 60 or so there… but I guess to each their own! But even the thought of *touching* wool in that kind of hot weather (for my celsius friends it was *43* degrees at the time!) was sort of revolting, as sad as that sounds. I was thinking that they must not do much business in this weather and then I saw this sign which you all have to thank my husband for the picture of as he made me take it for you!

It was 43 degrees that day!

Now I’m just wondering how often they’re closed during the summer, LOL!

I will leave you all (and expect an awesome entry of Kangaroo Island next time!) with a picture of a wild Koala we saw when heading back into Adelaide. I did also see Kangaroos and Wallabies but never once got a good picture of one… koalas are easy as they rarely move! πŸ™‚

Koala bear in the wild

Oh and thank you to those of you who let me know that Australia has now overturned their no-knitting-needles allowed rule as of Christmas day! I can now travel to Australia again and bring my knitting with me on the plane (don’t know when that will be, but you know)!

25 thoughts on “Australia Part II – Adelaide and Barossa Valley

  1. Beautiful pictures! I’m living in Australia for a year, but right now I’m home for Christmas, so it’s good see pictures of the sunburnt country. I haven’t been to Adelaide, but I hope to go when I return at the end of the month!

    Thanks for sharing!

  2. What a lovely post , fabulous pictures. I have never been to Adelaide but I imagine it as a sleepy city surrounded by hills. Are those trees Jacaranda trees? They are lovely.

  3. Those are some amazing photos, they make me want to buy a plane ticket to anyplace right now. I understand exactly what you mean by wool making your skin crawl when its really hot. We had one of those summers where it would reach 90 degrees and 99% humidity (without raining mind you) wool was the last thing on my mind.

  4. Yes, they are Jacaranda trees. We are very proud of our spacious city full of avenues, and the surronding hills busy with vinyards but hot? no, this is just warm because there is still some moisture in the air. When this weather sets in for a week or three, well then it feels hot, especially when the temp stays above 36 Celcius all night πŸ™‚

  5. Hello, I stumbled upon your blog and boy I’m glad I did.

    I love your photos! and Adelaide is a beautiful place with great opportunities to explore the outer regions with all the farms and what-nots (I live in the city and appreciate any form of nature I can get whenever the chance arise!) I went there last year and it’s great to be reminded of the beauty. πŸ™‚ Next time you go there, try going in early May. Weather’s cooling.

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