Location of Adelaide 

Adelaide is located on the Adelaide Plains north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, between the Gulf of St Vincent in the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges in the east. Its metropolitan area extends 20 km (12 mi) from the coast to the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges and 96 km (60 mi) from Gawler in the north to Sellicks Beach in the south.

History of Adelaide

Named in honour of Queen Adelaide, the city was founded in 1836 as the capital for Australia’s only freely-settled British province.   Colonel William Light, one of Adelaide’s founding fathers, designed the city centre and chose its location near the River Torrens. Light’s design, now listed as a national heritage, set the city centre in a grid layout known as “Light’s Vision, ” interspaced by wide boulevards, large public squares, and parklands.

Early colonial Adelaide was shaped by the diversity and wealth of its free settlers, in contrast to the convict history of other Australian cities. Until the post-war era, it was Australia’s third most populated city. It has been noted for its leading examples of religious freedom and progressive political reforms and became known as the “City of Churches” due to its diversity of faiths. 

Adelaide Today

Today, Adelaide is known for its many festivals and sporting events, food and wine, coastline and hills, and significant defence and manufacturing sectors. Its quality of life has consistently ranked highly in various measures throughout the 21st century, and at one point, it was named Australia’s most liveable city.  

Adelaide is the government and commercial centre of South Australia. Many government and financial institutions are located in the city centre, along the cultural boulevards of North Terrace and King William Street.