A city, country and safari getaway

Adelaide, the "20-minute city", offers many major attractions easily accessible by foot or road from the city

- Sarah Stanley

ADELAIDE, Australia — Ask a local what Adelaide is best known for and, chances are, he or she will mention its "20-minute city" reputation.

Thanks to the city's tidy grid layout and light traffic, most attractions are a short drive away. The airport, beach and picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region are all accessible in about 20 minutes by road. Within the city, many major attractions — the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Central Market and Adelaide Zoo — are close enough to reach on foot.

In recent years, Adelaide has sought to make the city more appealing to international travelers. It has held major global events, such as the LIV Golf tournament, for which it is Australia's exclusive host until 2031. In 2026, it will host the Australian Tourism Exchange — an international travel trade event expected to draw visitors from around the world.

With growing awareness of what the city has to offer, more Singaporeans are now visiting Adelaide, using it as a base to explore South Australia's small towns, wine valleys and wildlife attractions.

Based on the International Market Update 2024 by the South Australia Tourism Commission (SATC), Singapore is South Australia's most mature travel market comprising seasoned travelers who make travel plans independently and often — in Asia and its eighth-largest inbound market globally.

A spokesperson for SATC says: "The Singaporean market has become much more adventurous over the years. It was a market that used to keep to Adelaide city hotels as a base, with day trips into our regions. Now, we are seeing many more Singaporean travelers hire cars and have extended holidays in regional South Australia."

In June, I make my third visit to Adelaide in the past decade, finding that the city — more quaint and relaxed than bustling Melbourne and Sydney — has grown more vibrant over the years.