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

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CHAPTER 10 . ADELAIDE & SOUTH AUSTRALIA
2 putting greens; half-size tennis court; small gym; bike rental; room service; laundry. In room: A/C, TV, kitchenette,
minibar, coffeemaker, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
If it’s within your budget, or you really want to treat yourself, head to the Bridgewater
Mill, Mt. Barker Road, Bridgewater (& 08/8339 3422). It’s set in an
impressive 1860s stone building with a terrace near a waterwheel, and serves some
of the best-regarded food in the country. Try the duck with braised sour cherries.
Mains cost A$31 (US$20) and a set three-course menu on Sunday is A$68
(US$44). It’s open for lunch Thursday through Monday. While you’re atop Mt.
Lofty walk past the cafe and have lunch at The Summit restaurant (& 08/8339
2600). Look for the kangaroo filet with chili, lemon grass, and coconut sauce, and
venison on rosemary polenta. Mains cost A$22 to A$26 (US$14–US$17). It’s
open for lunch Monday and Tuesday, and for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
OAKBANK: A DAY AT THE RACES
The Easter Oakbank Racing Carnival is part of the Australia-wide “picnic
races” that take place in small towns throughout the nation. The Oakbank horse
races attract crowds in excess of 110,000 a day over the long Easter weekend.
General admission is A$10 (US$6.50), plus another A$5 (US$3.25) for admission
to the grandstand. The Oakbank Racing Club (& 08/8212 6279) is just
off the main road; you can’t miss it.
MT. LOFTY: VIEWS & ’ROOS
Visitors make the pilgrimage to the top of the 690m (2,263-ft.) Mt. Lofty,
16km (10 miles) southeast of Adelaide, for the panoramic views over Adelaide,
the Adelaide plains, and the Mt. Lofty Ranges. There are several nice bushwalks
from the top. The Summit Café here sells good sandwiches and cakes, and
Devonshire tea for A$8 (US$5.20).
Almost at the top of Mt. Lofty, off Summit Road, is the Cleland Wildlife Park
(& 08/8339 2444). Here you’ll find all the usual Australian animals on offer—
including the largest male red kangaroo I’ve ever seen. Though the park is not as
good as similar wildlife parks in Australia, it does have a very good wetlands aviary.
One of the drawbacks of Cleland is that it’s got some unimaginative enclosures,
notably the one for the Tasmanian devils. The park is open daily from 9:30am to
4:30pm. Visitors can meet at the Tasmanian devil enclosure at 2pm and join the
animal feed run by following a tractor around the park as it drops off food.
Admission to Cleland is A$12 (US$7.80) for adults, A$8 (US$5.20) for children
3 to 14, and A$31 (US$20) for families. Koala holding is allowed during
the photo sessions held daily from 2 to 4pm daily (but not on very hot summer
days); on Sunday and public holidays there’s an additional session from 10am to
noon. The privilege will cost you A$12 (US$7.80) per photo. A kiosk and
restaurant are on the premises.
It’s a bit of a hassle getting to either place by public transport. To get to the Mt.
Lofty Lookout take bus no. 163 Monday through Friday, and no. 165 Saturday
and Sunday from Currie Street in the city. Ask the driver to drop you off at
“Crafters.” The trip takes 30 minutes. From there you’ll need to take a short taxi
ride to the top, so prearrange pick up with Tony’s Taxi’s at & 08/8388 5988.
To get to Cleland take bus no. 822 from Currie Street and get off at bus stop
19b. There are only two services daily, at 10am and noon, Monday through Friday.
Take the 10am bus and ask the bus driver for the exact return time. The trip
to Cleland takes 40 minutes.