Gone are the days where Adelaide was overlooked as a holiday destination. With a bustling event scene, major festivals and exquisite food and wine, Adelaide is a must-visit city. Beyond the stellar dining, colourful murals, burgeoning film talent and nearby scenic hikes, Adelaide’s also a sporty city with a packed calendar of events. With its enviable accessibility as a 20-minute city you really can do it all, making it an ideal spot to spend a weekend.

Whether you missed out on Gather Round’s four-day footy festival this year and need to make up for it, or you’re just keen to explore, here’s our guide to spending a delicious, restful and sporty weekend in Adelaide, with some noteworthy dates to plan around.

Where to stay

Oval Hotel, just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, has views overlooking the River Torrens and Adelaide Parklands, and you can find it within Adelaide Oval. You won’t know you’re staying inside the stadium until you step outside on a game day and find yourself right among the action. To complement the hotel’s 138 modern rooms, studios and suites, the flagship restaurant, Bespoke Wine Bar & Kitchen, has a bird’s eye view of the turf while you enjoy your morning coffee or evening Martini. It’s not just a stadium hotel though – expect a luxe offering, whether you’re staying in for a game or heading out to explore the city.

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If you’re a footy fan making a special trip to barrack for your team in person, Oval Hotel’s all-inclusive Footy Package includes two premium undercover seats in the stadium’s Member’s Western Stand, a welcome drink on arrival at the hotel, breakfast for two to kickstart the next day, and valet parking if you’ve made the drive. Consider everything sorted in the one package.

Events to experience

This year has already seen Gather Round and P!nk bring huge crowds to Adelaide Oval (the singer called it “the most incredible venue I’ve ever seen”). As well as the AFL season, the Matildas will play China on Friday May 31 before heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics. The cricket season kicks off in November with the highly anticipated return of the Day Night Test where Adelaide faces off against India, starting Friday December 6. And that’s just what’s been announced – there are plenty more exciting events coming up just around the corner.

Elsewhere in the city, you’ve got LIV Golf (awarded the 2023 World’s Best Golf Event) kicking off Friday April 26 and Australia’s largest domestic motor sport event, Vailo Adelaide 500 on November 14 and 15. If you’re finding yourself in your run club era, it might be time to enter the Adelaide Marathon in August.

If wining and dining is more your sport, visit between May 3 and 12 to catch Tasting Australia, one of Australia’s best food and wine festivals. This year’s line-up features over 150 events and showcases the best of the state and its gun talent via masterclasses, degustations and exclusive kitchen takeovers.

Finally, make the trip in winter to catch Illuminate Adelaide from July 4 to 21. It transforms the city’s streets, hidden gems and cultural icons with installations, musical acts and multimedia displays from around the world. Or maybe you fancy eating raclette cheese in an igloo? From May 10 to June 9 you can enjoy a French fireside experience just minutes from the Oval Hotel.

Where to eat and drink

Outside of the events, there’s a huge range of food and drink spots that you’ll need to make time for.

Adelaide Central Market should be on every itinerary. The historic undercover market is home to more than 70 traders, including cafes and eateries. Outside the market, we can’t go past Abbots and Kinney on Pirie Street for its famous savouries and sweet pastries. It’s just a 20-minute stroll from Oval Hotel and also does breakfast and serves D’Angelo coffee. Try the Cinnabon Jovi, a knotted croissant with a cinnamon smear and salted vanilla glaze.

To kick off your evening, try Bespoke Wine Bar and Kitchen’s Bespoke Wine in Residence wine flight complete with local food pairings. A great way to experience the regions in the comfort of the hotel. Or perhaps an entree to a great night out.

Paper Tiger is a lively – still fairly new – Southeast Asian restaurant on Rundle Street. Malaysian chef Benjamin Liew (ex-Rockpool, Madame Hanoi) serves share plates such as green nam jim oysters in coconut cream with salmon roe, and Mayura Station Wagyu brisket in a master stock stew. For dessert order his coconut-shaped chocolate sphere filled with tropical jam and coconut mousse. Punctuate your meal with a bold cocktail or two, like a Pandan Whisky Sour or a Five-Spice Paloma.

And don’t think you’ll be retiring to your hotel room early. Walk 20 metres down the adjacent Frank’s Lane to Wax Bar. The intimate vinyl bar has DJs and disco balls spinning until 2am. And an 800-strong record collection. “Side one” of the drinks menu features classic cocktails. “Side two” is all about bonus specialty tracks like Lychee Long Islands and Tropical Caprioskas. Take to the dance floor, settle into one of the brown leather booths, or head to the balcony to people watch over Rundle Street.

This article is produced in partnership with Adelaide Oval.