Bonython Hall is a gothic revival style building situated on the North Terrace in the Cty of…read moreAdelaide. The building was constructed in the late 1800's to serve as the "Great Hall" of the University of Adelaide. Both the architecture and function of the hall were modeled on the Tudor Gothic style Great Halls of Oxford and Cambridge. The Hall is these days largely reserved for ceremonial purposes such as graduations and the like, and is of some attraction to newcomers to the city. In reality, however, Bonython Hall is a bit of a farce. Miniature in comparison with "Great Halls" upon which it is modeled, the the purpose of its construction was so as to prevent the running of highway through the centre of the university. Its architectural stylings were chosen out of its time to provide a false historicity to the university and in the opinion of many experts, the concrete monstosity that is the napier building is of greater architectural significace as an example of contemporary 1950's architecture. Not only this, but the entire exterior of the building is a facade in the gothic style, laid upon a structure buit with materials contemporary to the time of its construction, namely brick and concrete. Despite this I still think its a pretty building. We don't have much else like it around town and tickets to Europe are quite expensive. So enjoy what you've got I say.

Yes, you will have a "you're a wizard, Harry" moment in here. Spectacularly old world in its…read morearchitectural stylings, Bonython Hall is a one-off in Adelaide and a simply lovely place to visit. I worked at the Uni a few years back and as part of this I attended graduations and reunions held in the big ol' Hall on North Terrace. They were pretty magical. The huge pipe organ playing, the deafening sound of hundreds of feet, the proud parents and giddy be-gowned grads. The reunions were especially heart warming, with oldies who had studied at the University of Adelaide 50 years back re-visiting the Hall and re-enacting their graduation ceremony in the very place it was first held. This sense of continuous history is a great thing for a University and its students...and a far cry from the off-campus graduation ceremony I had at the Festival Theatre after finishing my degrees at UniSA (not that I'm bagging out my alma mater). There is a bit of a lean to the floor and it can get quite slippery: my advice to grads, maybe opt for the sensible flats and keep the heels for later! Yep I'm nothing if not practical, peeps.

I know, another review for a Queen Victoria Square. But every major city down under has that…read moretribute. Adelaide's Victoria Square is a bit different. This one represents the link between Victoria Square and the local Aboriginal people. The location in the center of town was once the place for Aboriginal ceremonies and dances, called Tarndanyangaa. During WW II several tribes came together transforming the square as a place for Aboriginal cultural activities again. 1971, Victoria Square was the unveiling site for the Australian Aboriginal Flag. Which flies in Reconciliation Plaza in the Square. Victoria Square continues to be that gathering spot for social, political, and historical matters. As the time I visited- it was hosting the Christmas Market. The over the top lighted tree, carolers, and market vendors. A beautiful park in the city to take in the history, statues, fountain and green grass lawn on a warm December day. Or any day.

This is one of six squares designed by the founder of Adelaide, Colonel William Light, who was…read moreSurveyor-General at the time, in his 1837 plan of the City of Adelaide which spanned the River Torrens Valley, comprising the city center of Adelaide. The square was named in 1837 after Princess Victoria, then heir presumptive of the British throne. In 2003, it was assigned a second name, Tarntanyangga, in the Kaurna language of the original inhabitants, as part of the Adelaide City Council's dual naming initiative. This busy square has a large 3 rivers fountain and many statues. Located in the center of the square is a statue honouring Queen Victoria from a model by Birch, unveiled in 1894. at the northern end of the square, The State Survey Mark commemorates the first peg for the survey of the City by Colonel Light in 1837. The east-west road connecting Grote & Wakefield Streets was named Reconciliation Plaza in 2013. The plaza hosts two flagpoles flying the Australian National Flag and the Aboriginal Flag, which has flown permanently in the square since 2002.

The Kaurna name for Brougham Gardens is 'Tandotittingga' after a native flower. There's a nice…read morestory behind this name: the tandottingga flowers on the shortest day of the year, a sign of hope for those in the Women's and Children's Hospital next door. The parklands are made up of 29 individual parks. This is park 29. A bit of an oddity as you wouldn't expect this small (3.5 hectors) park surrounded by road to be part of the parklands. Perhaps because it's 'triangular' it can't be a 'Square?' But it's hip to be... triangular! For those biking or walking along O'Connell Street, turn here and walk through the gardens if you want to access the city along Frome Road. It's a highlight of that journey, but a bitch of a hill on the way back. The crest of the hill is within the park and here views of the lofty ranges begin to open up. Well-maintained and lit at night, Brougham Gardens generally feels pretty safe at all times. But do take care if you're walking by yourself at night! Lastly, some pronunciation tips on the Kaurna name (copied from a sign in the park): "*The initial T is pronounced with the tongue between the teeth *a is pronounced as in 'father' *i is pronounced as in 'bit' *stress the first syllable" ...it's a mouth full

Yet another of the lovely parks that Adelaide is lucky to have…read more I've walked my dog here a couple of times on weekdays, but I don't know what it would be like at night. There's another park not so far away from here that apparently is pretty notorious at night, but lovely during the day, so while my first impression is that this place is probably okay at night, I don't think I'd ever want to put that impression to the test. It is a nice spot to stretch the legs, though.

Mitcham Cultural Village is a part of the Mitcham City Council and is an interactive community…read morecentre. Located at the fringe of Adelaide's beautiful foothills sits this old heritage Institute building which has been transformed into a venue for hire. It is comprised of three sections which are the main hall, an East Wing and a Meeting Room and caters for meetings, birthday parties, quiz nights and the like. They also have arts and crafts tutition classes where anyone can book to learn various skills and is a great way of meeting others with similar interests. The main hall contains the Coordinators office who is more than happy to take you on a tour of the facilities and answering any questions you may have about the centre and your requirements. There is an open space which has art and craft displays and exhibitions, adding interest and colour to the new foyer. Mitcham Cultural Villages hosts a art and craft market biannually and is a great place to go and buy original handmade items as gifts.

Alexandra Avenue and Prescott Terrace are two beautiful tree lined streets in the eastern suburbs…read moreof Adelaide. Each possesses a wide grassy median strip, which act as small parks, complete with benches and rotundas. Large English Elms run down the centre of each avenue, planted as a memorial to those who fought and died during WWI. Each elm is equipped with a small plaque commemorating the name and regiment of a fallen soldier. The outer foot paths are lined with Oak trees which were planted subsequent to the Elms. Both the Elms and the Oaks which line these streets are heritage listed. At the intersection of the two avenues lies a memorial statue depicting a falling soldier. It is a very powerful and expressive statue in cast bronze. On Anzac day commemorative wreaths as traditionally placed at the foot of the statue.

Well, this is basically where it all happens when you happen to be in Glenelg, but then again it…read moredoes happen to be where the tram terminates, and it is also the place where the pier terminates as well, so it does provide a pretty decent access to the beach. Actually, these days, now that the developers have got their ugly claws into the foreshore, this is probably the best access to the beach. However, considering the popularity of the place, and the ease of access, this place certainly gets really, really packed at times, especially on New Years Eve. Yeah, it is actually the most touristy part of Adelaide, despite the fact that the beach is sort of, kinda, the worst in the city. Then again, if you love crowds, then this is certainly the place to be.

I was here yesterday and I was a little shocked at what some of the girls were wearing, or not…read morewearing rather. It was like a competition for who could wear the shortest shorts and keep a straight face whilst doing it, which must be a hard task with the seat of their shorts wedged that far up their ass. There is a fountain in the middle where jets of water shoot up from the ground, a lot of children like to run around through this weird sprinkler system, its quite adorable. I saw a drunken man stumbling in there a while back though, it seems he had had one too many at the Dublin...that's not a shower, sir. Fun for the kids, great for a drink and the girls actually ask you to stare at their rear asset.

Hindmarsh Town Hall (which now houses the Education Development Centre) is one of my favourite…read morebuildings in Adelaide. Situated on Port Rd, the hall was built in 1860, and then refaced in 1936 when a cinema was added. SImilarly to many old cinemas, it was done in the Art Deco style - one of the most enduring architectural styles of the 20th Century (or at least I think so!). It has been maintained quite well - the pared back vertical patterns and iron-wrought windows still look beautiful. Art Deco originated in France in the 1920's, but took off around the world - embraced by entrepreneurs who wanted to appear modern and at the forefront of the cinematic era.

Inside the grounds of Sacred Heart College at Somerton you'll find Paringa Hall, a lovingly cared…read morefor, former private home now under the auspices of the College. Paringa Hall was the home of former pastoralist James Cudmore. He named it after one of his sheep stations in the Riverland and there are references to his profession all over the house with ornate carved sheep's heads on display. Not only did Cudmore have plenty of sheep but he obviously needed a big house because he and his wife Margaret had nine children before they moved into Paringa Hall ... and then another four during the time they lived there! Built in 1882 and designed by the prestigious Edmund Wright (who also built the Adelaide Town Hall, GPO and Brougham Place Uniting Church), Paringa Hall is the kind of house that speaks of great wealth. It is classical and ornate and has a three story central tower and matching bay windows at either end of the house. The interior is as ornate and showy as the exterior and there are seven bedrooms and twelve fireplaces inside. Sadly, the Cudmore's lost all their money through drought and hard times on the land but they managed to remain in the house until both James and Margaret died in 1912. In 1914 the Marist Brothers bought Paringa Hall as part of their proposed college on the site. The Hall is used regularly as part of school life but it is open for tours on Sundays and Wednesdays (by appointment). If you're interested in seeing inside you should contact the school directly.