Living in Adelaide

Getting around Adelaide is easy with our comprehensive public transport system: train, tram, bus, O-Bahn and taxi.

The Adelaide Metro web site will give you all the information you need on timetables, tickets and travel times.

Your University Senior College student card will entitle you to a concession fare on public transport in Adelaide. However, you will have to pay full fare until you receive your student card, which will be issued after enrolment. You need to purchase a ticket to travel on public transport with the exception of the free buses.

Free transport services in Adelaide

• City Connector Buses. The 98A, 98C, 99A and 99C buses operate as two loops servicing the inner city loop and North Adelaide. They are available every 30 minutes on weekdays, and major points of the city.
• City tram. The Free City tram takes you between the South Terrace tram stop and the Entertainment Centre.
• Jetty Road Glenelg tram. The Free Jetty Road Glenelg tram takes you between the Brighton Road tram stop and Moseley Square.

Read more about Free and special services offered by Adelaide Metro.

Taxis and Uber

Also known as cabs, taxi services operate all over Adelaide and are available 24 hours per day. They are all metered; fares are automatically calculated by computer and displayed on a small screen near the driver. Although taxis are convenient to use they can be expensive.

• Taxi company phone numbers are:
• Suburban - 13 10 08
• Adelaide Independent - 13 22 11
• Yellow Cabs - 13 22 27
• Smart Car (Chauffeur driven) - 1300 130 020

Uber is also available in Adelaide.

Cycling in Adelaide

Adelaide, the home of the Town Down Under international bicycle race, is surrounded by good bicycle tracks. The South Australian Government has cycling maps, trip planners, off-road bike tracks and cycling trails.

Trains, planes and buses

Adelaide is served by commercial airlines and long-distance coach transport and trains. Schedules for services are widely available.

Not all of your time in Australia should be spent studying. The daily newspaper in Adelaide, The Advertiser, along with the weekend paper, Sunday Mail, are excellent sources of information about what events and activities are happening, what movies are showing and what concerts and plays are on.

Sport

Australians are great sport lovers, both as participants and spectators. Cricket, netball and Australian Rules Football (often called 'footy') are the most popular sports in Adelaide. But a wide range of other sports are also played, including basketball, badminton and soccer.

Water sports are popular in Australia because of our warm climate and huge expanse of coastline. The suburban beaches around Adelaide are clean, safe and very popular with swimmers, sailors and surfers.

Movies and television

Going to the movies is a popular pastime amongst young Australians. There are several cinema complexes in the city, and a number in the suburbs as well. As a student you are entitled to a concession rate at cinemas.

Your television options range from free-to-air channels through to Netflix or Amazon Prime. There is plenty to watch on television if you’d prefer to stay in.

The arts

Adelaide has a renowned reputation for creative arts - drama, opera, ballet, modern dance, visual art and music. Some popular arts events include:

Some popular arts events include:
Adelaide Festival - an international arts festival held yearly
Fringe Festival - held yearly
Womadelaide - a festival of world music and dance which is held yearly

Along North Terrace and very close to University Senior College are the Art Gallery of South Australia, Migration Museum, South Australian Museum and the State Library, all of which are worth a visit. Tandanya Aboriginal Centre on Grenfell Street in the city has indigenous Australian arts and crafts on display, and there are many small art and craft galleries in the city, suburbs, and in particular, the beautiful Adelaide Hills area.

The city also features the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Opera, Theatre and Dance Companies, and enjoys regular visits from major interstate and international artistic groups.

Eating out

Adelaide has a national reputation for great food, and every culture of the world is represented in the restaurants, cafes and snack bars of the city. There is an option for your price range and your palate – and we would encourage you to try something new!

There are also many options to order food to be delivered by companies such as UberEATS and Menulog.

A word about the water - it is perfectly safe to drink tap water in Adelaide. We suggest, however, that you be careful with adjustment to water and food in the first few weeks after your arrival.

Holidays and travel

There will be a number of weeks during the year when you do not have classes. There are many beautiful places in South Australia to visit and you should consider taking advantage of the travel discounts and travel activities available to students. The Flinders Ranges, River Murray towns, Kangaroo Island and the many beaches along the South Australian Coast are popular holiday destinations. Words on Wheel is South Australian company that provides tours around the state for International Students.