Adelaide

Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia, located on the Adelaide Plains to the north of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Founded in 1836 and named after Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, the wife of King William IV, it was Australia’s first free settlement colony. The city's layout, known as "Light's Vision," was designed by one of the founding fathers of Adelaide, Colonel William Light. It features a grid pattern interspersed with wide boulevards and spacious public squares, all encircled by parklands.

Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by the Indigenous Kaurna people, part of the diverse Aboriginal tribes in South Australia. The city and its surrounding parklands were referred to as Tarntanya or Tandanya in the Kaurna language, which translates to 'male red kangaroo rock,' a name derived from a now-destroyed rock formation at the site.

In contrast to other Australian cities with convict histories, early colonial Adelaide was influenced by the wealth and diversity of its free settlers. It became known as the "City of Churches" due to its variety of faiths and was recognized for its progressive political reforms. Today, Adelaide is celebrated for its numerous festivals and sporting events, its culinary and wine culture, its coastal and hilly landscapes, as well as its substantial defense and manufacturing sectors, along with a burgeoning space industry, including the headquarters of the Australian Space Agency. At one point, Adelaide was hailed as Australia’s most liveable city and ranked third globally. In 2024, it was recognized by Architectural Digest as the most beautiful city in the world.