Adelaide city and surrounds
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia is a vibrant, original and stylish city known as a leader in social and cultural change. It provides an affordable, dynamic and safe environment in which to live and study. The city has a diverse population of 1.2 million people.
New Yorker magazine once called Adelaide “the last well planned metropolis on earth”. The city centre was precisely planned on a square mile grid in 1836, with wide streets and central squares ringed by more than 900 hectares of lush parklands, constituting over 45% of the total city area. There are many restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings scattered throughout the city including the Torrens Building in Victoria Square, home of The Heinz School in Australia.
The city also offers an extensive public transportation system. Buses, trams and taxis offer access to all parts of the city, quickly and inexpensively.
Opposite the University is the famed Central Markets complex selling a diverse range of international foods. The city is home to three other large universities, numerous cultural venues, affordable restaurants, and a warm and mild climate. Traffic is rarely congested resulting in clean and clear air. Sandy beaches or the Adelaide Hills can both be reached by public transport within 30 minutes.
Climate
Adelaide has four seasons and its climate is often referred to as Mediterranean (warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters). Adelaide’s daytime maximum temperature averages 15 degrees Celsius in July (mid-winter) and 29 degrees Celsius in February (mid-summer).
| Season | Month | °C Average (during daylight hrs) | °F Average (during daylight hrs) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer |
December |
25 - 35 |
77 - 95 |
25 |
Autumn |
March |
18 - 25 |
64 - 77 |
25 |
Winter |
June |
10 - 15 |
50 - 59 |
70 |
Spring |
September |
18 - 25 |
64 - 77 |
50 |
Summer
- Mainly hot and dry (daytime maximum temperature will occasionally exceed 40°C)
- Outdoor activities are popular, particularly in the evening as temperatures cool down
Autumn
- Mainly dry with rainfall beginning to increase in May; evenings becoming cool
- Very comfortable season for outdoor activities
Winter
- Cool and wet (temperature will occasionally fall to freezing point at night but no snow)
Spring
- Mild – warm temperature with some rain (night temperatures may be cool - cold)
- Weather patterns can change frequently during this time of year however spring is a good time for outdoor activities
More detailed information can be found at the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology website.
What to see and do
When you're not studying, you'll find plenty to do. Adelaide hosts over 500 festivals annually. Two of the most popular are the Festival of Ideas and the Adelaide Festival of Arts (one of the three greatest arts festivals in the world). The city also offers a wide range of sports and recreational activities and a broad range of cultural opportunities, including museums, theater, music, dance and visual arts. Visit the official website of South Australia for a comprehensive listing of events and attractions.
The quality of life in Adelaide has been ranked among the top 30 cities in the world, but this does not mean that the city is expensive. In fact, the cost of living in Adelaide is lower than any other Australian mainland capital. For a detailed summary of living expenses refer to the Program Cost pages of the respective degree programs.
