Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 10 . ADELAIDE & SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Adelaide & Womadelaide Festivals
Adelaide is home to Australia’s largest performing arts festival, the
Adelaide Festival, which takes place over 3 weeks in March during
even-numbered years. The festival includes literary and visual arts as
well as dance, opera, classical music, jazz, cabaret, and comedy. The
festival encompasses Writers’ Week and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
In February and March of odd-numbered years the 3-day Womadelaide
Festival of world music takes place. Crowds of 60,000 or more
turn up to watch Australian and international artists.
For more information on the Adelaide Festival check out the website
at www.adelaidefestival.org.au, and for the Adelaide Fringe Festival
visit www.adelaidefringe.com.au.
coach. From Perth to Adelaide it costs A$1,190 (US$773) for adults and A$809
(US$526) for children in first class; A$960 (US$624) for adults and A$576
(US$375) for children in an economy sleeper; and A$309 (US$200) for adults
and A$155 (US$100) for children in coach.
The other legendary Australian train is The Ghan, which runs from Adelaide
and up to Alice Springs weekly November through April and twice a week May
through October. Trip time from Alice Springs to Adelaide is 20 hours. From
Alice Springs to Adelaide and vice versa it costs A$850 (US$552) for adults and
A$578 (US$375) for children in first class; A$680 (US$442) for adults and
A$408 (US$265) for children in an economy sleeper; and A$215 (US$140) for
adults and A$105 (US$68) for children for an economy seat. The return
(round-trip) fare for the trains above works out to either twice the single (oneway)
fare, or just a few dollars cheaper. Full-time students with a recognized student
card from any institution travel for child prices on all trains.
The Overland operates four weekly services: a daylight service from Adelaide
to Melbourne and a return overnight service from Melbourne to Adelaide (trip
time: 12 hr.). From Melbourne to Adelaide ticket prices are A$175 (US$114)
for adults and A$139 (US$90) for children in first class, and A$59 (US$38) for
adults and A$42 (US$27) for children in an economy seat. It’s a little cheaper
from Adelaide to Melbourne, and there are good discounts for return fares.
By Bus Intercity coaches terminate at the central bus station, 101 Franklin St.
(& 08/8415 5533), near Morphett Street in the city center.
Adventurous types should consider traveling to Adelaide from Melbourne (or
vice versa) on the Wayward Bus, operated by the Wayward Bus Touring Company,
P.O. Box 7076, Adelaide, SA 5000 (& 1800/882 823 in Australia, or
08/8232 6646; www.waywardbus.com.au). These 21-seat buses make the trip in
3 1 ⁄2 days via the Great Ocean Road; the fare is A$310 (US$201) with backpacker’s
accommodations and around A$440 (US$286) with motel accommodations.
You spend around 3 hours a day on the bus, and the driver acts as your
guide. A picnic or cafe lunch each day and entry to national parks are included.
You can leave the trip and rejoin another later. Reservations are essential. Wayward
Bus also runs a 4-day trip from Alice Springs to Adelaide, via Coober Pedy
and the Flinders National Park (and vice versa) leaving twice weekly. This
includes 2 nights camping and 2 nights in a bunkhouse. The trip costs A$395