Car Rental Adelaide Airport

Your South Australian adventure starts the instant you arrive at Adelaide Airport, with the city centre just a short 15-minute drive away. You’ll love discovering the many facets of this cultural and cosmopolitan modern gem. Adelaide is many exciting cities in one…

The City of Churches moves at a slower pace, with graceful 19th century churches dotted everywhere you look. The Festival City knows how to put on a great show and invites you to celebrate arts, food and sport at internationally lauded events – with something for every taste and traveller – held throughout the year. The City of Parks is skirted by green spaces and built around the tranquil River Torrens, with a beautiful Botanic Garden to explore. The Creative City is vibrant and alive with design, shopping, eye-catching street art and secret laneways. The Gourmet City will impress you with its world-class food and wine culture and will take you on a tour of Australia’s premier wine regions. 

Adelaide will not only satisfy your taste buds, but it also offers opportunities to experience natural beauty spots and great destinations, all close by. Head east to the delightful Adelaide Hills with its unique German heritage; take in the famed Barossa Valley to the north; embrace the Mediterranean vibe of the southern Fleurieu peninsula; and don’t miss the wild and wonderful Kangaroo Island. Adelaide is the gateway to an array of truly memorable experiences, so easily accessible with your hire car.

Adelaide in a nutshell, all with comfort and ease, in your hire car

Before you embark on a day trip, stay close to the city and enjoy the highlights of Adelaide’s urban culture. Being both sophisticated and relaxed, you’ll be able to take it all in at your own pace.

A great place to start is the Adelaide Central Market, the largest undercover market in the southern hemisphere, and one of the oldest too – going strong for over 150 years and counting. This bustling fresh produce mecca is a local and visitor favourite, brimming with lively colour and fantastic fare.

The Art Gallery of South Australia in North Terrace has one of the biggest collections in Australia, with 45,000 artworks housed in a stately sandstone building. To see the best of indigenous art in the city centre, Tandanya has visual and performing arts programs, as well as live music.

As a dedicated shopping strip, Rundle Mall is where to head first to get your retail fix. From luxury to high street fashion, this pedestrian-only precinct has something for all styles and budgets. For a special touch of elegance, we recommend the Adelaide Arcade, opposite the fountain. Indulge yourself a little or a lot in timeless, heritage-listed surroundings, enjoying the attentive service and bespoke items.

For the sports fanatics, we recommend the iconic Adelaide Oval, where you’ll find behind-the-scenes tours and the Sir Donald Bradman Museum. You can even climb the roof and see an epic view of the city, sweeping across to the hills and coastline.

Whether it’s sunny or not, Glenelg Beach makes for a lovely trip. A popular playground with the boutiques, cafes and restaurants along Jetty Road exuding a beachy feel. Spend the day strolling at your leisure, but stay for the stunning sunsets.

Ensure you see the best destinations around Adelaide with your hire car 

For more chances to unwind and soak up some European flavour, the Adelaide Hills are a great getaway on the city’s doorstep. The charming artisanal village of Hahndorf has crafts, shopping, breweries and unique experiences all rolled into one. 

With your designated driver in tow, make your way to the nearby award-winning wine regions for tastings and culinary revelations. The Barossa Valley lies 80 kilometres from Adelaide, steeped in a rich 175-year history. Whet your palate on a whole range of mouth-watering experiences – from gourmet dining to regional pub tucker – with many stellar drops available from cellar doors. Arrive on a Saturday and you’ll be in time for the Farmers’ Markets at Angaston and Mt Pleasant.

Steer south from Adelaide and you’ll hit the Fleurieu Peninsula, a mere 40 kilometres away. Amongst the superb wines from the McLaren Vale region, you’ll also discover the beauty of the landscape and the lovely coastal towns along your drive. From farmlands to renowned wetlands, to white sands and whale spotting. Then, of course, there’s the vineyards, wonderful restaurants and seaside ambience. A landmark is the amazing d’Arenberg Cube – a striking piece of puzzle-inspired architecture that includes a ‘wine sensory room’ and art installations to immerse in.

Hop over to Kangaroo Island for an unforgettable wilderness experience. Swim with pods of wild dolphins. Frolic with the sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park. And cool down and have lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm. These and many more jewels of Adelaide and South Australia are waiting for you, in your hire car.