Adelaide is a city with a rich history and a promising future. The grid-like CBD was the first town planned in Australia for free settlers, and current residents can boast living in one of the top ten most liveable cities in the world. Popular festivals have drawn visitors to Adelaide for years, and the arts and café scenes are thriving. Surrounded by some of the country’s best wine regions, Adelaide has a lot to offer business and leisure travellers alike.
Business investment in Adelaide is on the rise, and the city was ranked as the most competitive place to do business within the Asia Pacific region in 2016. With greater investment in construction works strengthening South Australia’s economy, it’s a great time to be doing business in Adelaide.
If you’re meeting clients, attending a conference or setting up an office in the city, this is the guide for you.
Arriving at Adelaide Airport
Business in Adelaide is growing and Adelaide Airport is experiencing major upgrades to meet the increasing demand. But Adelaide Airport still has a laid-back feel, and its hassle-free attitude makes business travel a cinch. Getting from the airport to the city also couldn’t be easier. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Terminals
Adelaide Airport has one terminal for all international, interstate and regional flights. If you’ve flown domestically, you’ll arrive via Level 2 of the terminal. Make your way down to Ground Level to collect your bags and locate your transport. Get familiar with the Terminal and Grounds via these maps of Adelaide Airport before you travel.
Getting into the city
Travelling to the city from Adelaide Airport is easy. Located just 6km west of the CBD, you can catch a bus, taxi or use a rideshare service. Car hire is available from the airport, or you might prefer to use a private chauffeur service. Why not stretch your legs and ride a bike? Whatever your preference, read on to find out more.
Bus
The Adelaide Metro public transport system operates an express service, JetExpress, direct to the city, departing every 20 minutes. Not heading directly to the city? Jump on the JetBus, which services all stops to the city, as well as Glenelg and West Beach. The bus stop is located on the left side of the plaza when you exit the Terminal. If you have a metroCARD, the fare will set you back $3.70 during peak times, or $5.50 if you buy a metroticket from the bus driver.
Airport City Shuttle offers a bus service direct to your hotel for $10 each way and departs every half-hour during designated operating hours. Visit the Information and Tourism Bookings Booth on the Ground Floor of the Terminal to secure your seat on the next available service.
Taxi and rideshare
Catching a taxi or rideshare service from Adelaide Airport to the city is convenient. The taxi rank is located on the left side of the pedestrian plaza as you exit the Terminal on the Ground Floor. A fare to the city centre costs between $18 and $25 and travel takes an average of 15 minutes outside of peak times. Wheelchair accessible taxis and maxi-taxis are available.
If you book an Uber while waiting for your bags, head to the designated pick up area to the left of the short-term carpark building. Exit the Terminal, walk through the main pedestrian plaza and across the road at the lights.
Private car
Skip the queues by arranging a private chauffeur service. GPU will transport you in style to the city centre from around $72 one-way. Book online before you board your plane or ask your dedicated travel manager to arrange the service for you. Your transport will be waiting in the designated pick-up area near the taxi rank, to the left when you exit the Terminal.
Car hire
Are you interested in visiting Adelaide’s enticing coast or wine regions during your stay? Talk to your travel manager about your hire car needs and Corporate Traveller’s SmartDRIVE product. Once you arrive, head to the Ground Floor of the Terminal, next to the baggage claim, where you’ll find booths for Hertz, Avis and more. Pick up your ride from the ground level of the short-term car park and hit the road.
Bicycle
If you are a frequent visitor to Adelaide and travel light, you might like to maximise the opportunity to exercise by storing a bike at the airport’s secure facilities and riding the 6km to the city along designated bike paths. Storage facilities are located in the short-term carpark building and are easily accessed with the Adelaide Metro fare card. Plan your ride using this interactive Cycle Instead map.
Getting Around Adelaide
Maps of Adelaide
Adelaide’s striking grid system makes the city centre easy for all visitors to navigate. The latticework of streets falls within North, West, South and East Terraces and is nestled next to the River Torrens. Despite the grid design, the city is far from a concrete jungle, with the Adelaide Park Lands surrounding the CBD providing a stunning green backdrop to the historic city. Make time during your visit to explore the coastline to the west, Port Adelaide to the northwest, and wine country from the south to the east.
Get your bearings before you land by exploring the City of Adelaide maps, and download this city map as a handy reference.
Adelaide’s Public Transport
Adelaide’s public transport system includes buses, trains and trams, providing plenty of options to get you where you need to be. These options include fee-paying services to explore further afield and both paid and free services around the city centre. Use the Adelaide Metro Journey Planner to find the best option for you.
Adelaide Metro
The tap-on, tap-off ease of a metroCARD is ideal if your trips are regular or your stay is longer. Pick up a metroCARD from a visitor information centre, metroCARD agent, or some ticket vending machines. For a one-off journey, you can also purchase a metroticket, which may suit travellers not requiring much public transport. Find out more on the Adelaide Metro website.
Free Public Transport options
Adelaide has some free public transport options, including the world’s first electric solar bus, recharged using 100% solar energy, which runs along the Connector Bus service through the city. The free service runs on two loops: one circles in the inner city, and an extended loop services North Adelaide, connecting to popular attractions, shopping and dining attractions.
Jump on the free tram service running between South Terrace, the Entertainment Centre, Botanic Gardens, Festival Plaza and the Royal Adelaide Hospital at North Terrace. A free service also runs between Brighton Road and Moseley Square tram stops for easy exploration around popular Glenelg.
Find out more about free services and timetables at Adelaide Metro.
Best Adelaide Hotels for Business
Choosing the right accommodation to meet your travels needs is important. Adelaide has options to suit every traveller from five-star luxury to self-contained apartments. Read on for some of the most popular accommodation options available to travellers.
InterContinental Adelaide
Luxury and location make the InterContinental Adelaide a home-away-from-home. Situated on North Terrace, wake to stunning views of the River Torrens. All guests can access the fully-equipped onsite fitness centre and heated pool. The 5-star hotel makes keeping up with work commitments easy with a 24-hour business centre and attention to every detail will ensure a comfortable stay for all guests.
Hilton Adelaide
For a level of comfort you know and trust, you can’t go past Hilton Adelaide. The 4-star hotel will meet all your onsite needs and more with its extensive business centre and recreational facilities, including a jogging track. Overlooking Victoria Square in the city’s centre, Hilton Adelaide is in the heart of the action, surrounded by Adelaide’s entertainment, dining and shopping precincts, the perfect base for work and play.
iStay Precinct
For a homely feel, try iStay Precinct. If business is keeping you in Adelaide for a longer stay, this apartment option, offering extra space and a full kitchen, is ideal. The apartments are located close to all of the CBD’s key sites, yet just far enough from the hustle and bustle to relax. A pool and stunning city views will help you unwind after long work days.
Make the most of your Adelaide accommodation by booking with SmartSTAY and enjoy Corporate Traveller extras, including the all-important free WiFi and breakfast.
Adelaide Coworking Spaces
Knowing where to find suitable coworking spaces can be beneficial if you need to access business facilities for a few hours or need a more long-term but flexible option. Here are four of our top picks for coworking spaces in Adelaide, ranging from the vibrant to a more corporate atmosphere.
WOTSO WorkSpace Adelaide
A heritage-listed church on Flinders Street lends itself perfectly to WOTSO WorkSpace Adelaide. Drop in for the day and set up in the large open-plan coworking area, or make a hot desk or office your own for a longer period. The space has full office amenities, and parking and public transport are nearby. But the clincher for WOTSO? The roof-top terrace offers the ideal space to wind down at the end of the day.
Hub Adelaide
There’s a reason Hub Adelaide was voted Adelaide’s Best Coworking Space for 2018. The interiors are modern yet pay respect to the historic building, and the space offers all the amenities you’ll need to keep business ticking along. If you’re a member of Hub Australia and familiar with their coworking spaces in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, you’ll appreciate what it offers in Adelaide, especially ease of access and its central location on Peel Street.
Intersect
Beyond just a hot desk, Intersect offers a community of like-minded professionals who are ready to collaborate. Founded on flexibility and fun, this coworking space on Flinders Street in Adelaide’s CBD offers interactivity like no other, with members able to engage in a supportive referral network and joint marketing activities and events. Membership varies from ‘Corporate’ to ‘Virtual’, with an option to suit most needs.
Wilkin Group
A more traditional set-up, Wilkin Group provides professional office or desk space, meeting and conference room facilities for short or long-term requirements. If you’re in the city for a day, need to base a project team in the CBD for a long-term project, or would benefit from a virtual office in Adelaide, this home-grown success story may be your solution. Offices are situated in prime CBD locations across Adelaide, close to parking, transport, shopping and restaurants.
Best Adelaide Restaurants and Bars for Business
Adelaide is renowned for its local produce and wines, making it easy to impress your clients over a meal. From the upmarket to the casual, here are our top restaurants in Adelaide for business.
Restaurant Orana
If you have clients to impress, take them to Restaurant Orana. This fine-dining experience celebrates Indigenous ingredients by making them the hero of the tasting menus. Situated at the eastern end of the Rundle Street Mall, be sure to reserve your table in advance.
Coal Cellar + Grill at Hilton Adelaide
The restaurant, private dining rooms and lounge bar at the Coal Cellar + Grill at Hilton Adelaide offer an option for every occasion. The charcoal grill and extensive wine menus champion South Australian produce and an express menu makes this a great option for a lunch meeting.
Peel Street
Offering simple, fresh food made to share, Peel Street is an ideal option for a more casual meal. Their tasting menu is great for a group of eight or more, but smaller groups will equally enjoy the bustling atmosphere.
The Tasting Room
Sample the wines of the surrounding regions at The Tasting Room in the Rundle Street Mall. Enjoy the extensive cellar over lunch or dinner or book out the adjoining The Bailey Room for a larger group or function.
Best Wineries Near Adelaide
With almost 50% of Australia’s wine produced in South Australia, you don’t have to travel far from Adelaide to experience this booming industry. Here are some of our top choices all located a short drive from the city.
Penfolds Magill Estate, Adelaide
Sample the most celebrated wine in Australia straight from the Estate just 15-minutes from the CBD. Penfolds Magill Estate is nestled at the foothills of Adelaide. Explore the heritage-listed winery and enjoy a tasting of their most sought-after wines, including Penfolds Grange.
Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, Barossa
Just over an hour away in the Barossa is the award-winning Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre. Located in Australia’s best-known wine region, you can wander through the vineyard, enjoy wine tastings or cooking classes, and even create your own wine.
Wirra Wirra, McLaren Vale
For a more fun take on the wine-making business, visit Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale. Their sustainable practices earnt the winery a biodynamic certification. The onsite restaurant, wine tastings and corporate packages make this an excellent option for business just under an hour from Adelaide.
Plan for success
Make the most of your opportunity to work and do business in Adelaide by using the services of one of our dedicated travel managers who can help you plan your visit. A travel manager can help you maximise the time of your stay so that you can enjoy all that the Festival State has to offer.