Trying to plan a short trip for my partner and I.
We both in our late 20s and can’t decide if Adelaide or Melbourne would be a better choice,
Main things we are interested are:
Shopping, find good deals
Food, trying new types of Cuisines
Absorbing the local culture
Staying safe and generally having a good time.
We both from Brisbane, and have recently visited Sydney which was quite fun.
Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Shopping - Melbourne and Adelaide are the same because both have access to OzBargain, the only place to shop.
Adelaide's local culture is heaps good.
Food - Yanni's Yiros on Hindley Street if it is still there. It's like a Greek meat platter compressed into a Yiros for ~$10.
Beer - Wheatsheaf. 5 minutes out of CBD. International craft brews on tap. Usually a dozen or more varieties and constantly changing offering.
Water - stick to beer.
Melbourne has the Australian open. things … No idea why anyone would holiday in Melbourne TBH.
…that's a crazy statement from you lol…have you been to Melb? I'm not saying Adelaide is no good but Melb is definitely worth a visit. I dare to say most people visit Melb before Adelaide..
I am there every winter/miserable weekend. (Better places to be on a nice day).
I've been to many cities and whilst there are unique things about Melbourne, it's not that special. It's just another mixed transport based, grid layout, service industry centric city.
In terms of naturey stuff, it's a long way to travel before you get to decent places like mount dandy (boring if you compare to blue mountains) or high country.
We have the great ocean road but most of those rock formations are severely eroded and nowhere near as picturesque as 20 years ago.
Whilst the city itself is very second rate, Adelaide has some amazing beaches coastal towns just an hour from the city. (Not Glenelg).
I suspect most people think of Melbourne before Adelaide because more people live in Melbourne hence more relatable people.
@[Deactivated]: Come to Melbourne and go out to our restaurants. The cafe culture is first rate, particularly if you are into brunch. The great ocean road is worth the drive and we have some good winery restaurants to visit. Healesville sanctuary has a good collection of native animals. At the moment the Escher exhibition at the NGV is terrific. We also have the Comedy and Food festivals coming up. I’ve had some pretty bleak weather in London and New York, as well. Adelaide tends to have more hot days than Melbourne. Melbourne isn’t Paris or Rome but it’s pretty good.
@try2bhelpful: I live part time in Melbourne.
I've done all those things including the current exhibition in the NGV.
It's not a terrible place, don't get me wrong, but if I am after a getaway, Melbourne doesn't fit the bill.
@[Deactivated]: I live full time in Melbourne. I do agree that it would not be my first preference as a holiday destination but, if you just want to kick back, eat good food, have the option of all night places on the weekend and have some nice places to wander close to the city then Melbourne is a good choice. If you want world class art galleries, museums etc then I don’t think anywhere in Australia really stacks up. For natural beauty Sydney is, probably a better bet.
Local culture: City is shut at 5 pm; it is then vacant and gloomy
I disagree. Maybe for weekdays, suburbs and a decade ago, but the city (on certain popular streets) are pretty busy during weekends, from day to late night.
Brisbane has Uniqlo, unless every Uniqlo store is different, does OP really need to visit Uniqlo in another state?
I think we might go to Melbourne this trip, and go to Adelaide next time for a more relaxed escape to the country trip.
Having been to both, unless you wanted a slower pace of life, go Melbourne. Adelaide's nice, but yes, there's no Uniqlo there.
I love Adelaide, but based on your list, Melbourne is the one for you.
Easter in Melbourne coincides with the last few days of the Melb Comedy Festival. Up to you if that is an attraction or not.
Thanks for this! I'm in Melbourne twice during April
Easy for you - Melbourne. Adelaide is like a country town in comparison
Disclaimer: I live in Melbourne
Due to all the fear mongering by the media, my partner is being convinced that Melbourne is unsafe.
She has been told that we should avoid using public transit at night, and gang violence is quite common.
As someone who lives in Melbourne do you find it particularly unsafe?
That is a complete right wing media beatup. The talk that people are scared to go out of their houses due to gangs roaming the streets is a complete joke
Official Crime figures in Melbourne are falling
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-20/victoria-crime-rate-d…
Every city in the world has areas you should avoid late at night
If you're a wine fan, Adelaide is the easy choice. The wineries are the best in Australia and the food in Adelaide is genuinely good. But if you're okay with navigating Melbourne, honestly it's an amazing city and probably the better choice overall, especially for shopping.
Maybe do Melbourne this trip and Adelaide next time?
South Australia has some amazing wines, as does Victoria.
Either way, OP would need some transport to get to the best areas (e.g. McLaren Vale, Barossa, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, etc.).
Have looked at bus tours in Adelaide which stop at a couple of wineries, as most wineries are quite far from the CBD.
Might be a great option as I dont really wish to hire a car, and fight over who has to be the designated driver haha.
Of course, plenty of similar tours leave from Melbourne CBD as well.
I personally think Adelaide is better, because there aren’t as many people there. But from what you’ve listed, you would probably have more fun in Melbourne.
It, probably, depends on the time of year. Melbourne is about to start the Comedy Festival and Good Food and Wine Festival. Autumn is also a good time to just wander around Melbourne because of the weather.
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2019
http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI55…
They don't overlap but it depends on how long you are here; or you could pick one or the other.
The Art Gallery in Victoria is not world class, but it is interesting and we currently have the Escher exhibition on which is really superb.
If you rent a car there are some good beaches down the coast, wineries, etc.
and, you can drink our water straight out of the tap :)
Whatever you choose have a great trip.
The Art Gallery in Victoria is not world class, but it is interesting and we currently have the Escher exhibition on which is really superb
Better than NSW's; I've been to the NGV more than I have the AGNSW and part of it is because it's more public transport friendly
Completely agree with the Public Transport angle. The tram stop is right out the front and it is a short walk from the where the free CBD tram area is if you don't want to stump up for a ticket. Most of the gallery is free, apart from the special exhibitions and the Escher exhibit was $28, cheaper with Amex, and that is really great value.
Adelaide
Shopping: does not even have Uniqlo
Food: loads of Asian food but other than that different cuisines are few and far between; no Mad Mex and many other fast food chain; you may want to take a Barossa valley wine tour at an exuberant price
Local culture: City is shut at 5 pm; it is then vacant and gloomy
Staying safe: used to be called murder capital of the world for good reasons although nowadays you would be just fine
Melbourne would be excellent for a couple in late 20s. Food, shopping, culture, etc.
Source: lived in Adelaide for 8 years