Hailed as the world’s prettiest cricket ground, the Adelaide Oval hosts interstate and international cricket matches in summer, plus national AFL and state football matches in winter. A wholesale redevelopment has boosted seating capacity to 53,000 – when they're all yelling, it's a serious home-town advantage! Guided 90-minute tours run on non-game days, departing from the Riverbank Stand (south entrance), off War Memorial Dr: call for bookings or book online.

A tourist sight or a shopping op? Either way, satisfy your deepest culinary cravings at the 250-odd stalls in superb Adelaide Central Market. A sliver of salami from the Mettwurst Shop, a crumb of English Stilton from the Smelly Cheese Shop, a tub of blueberry yoghurt from the Yoghurt Shop − you name it, it’s here. Good luck making it out without eating anything. Adelaide’s Chinatown is right next door. Adelaide's Top Food & Wine Tours offers guided tours.

Spend a few hushed hours in the vaulted, parquetry-floored gallery that represents the big names in Australian art. Permanent exhibitions include Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Asian, European and North American art (20 bronze Rodins!). Progressive visiting exhibitions occupy the basement. There are free guided tours (11am and 2pm daily) and lunchtime talks (12.30pm every day except Tuesday). There's a lovely cafe out the back too.

Dig into Australia’s natural history with the museum's special exhibits on whales and Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. Over two levels, the amazing Australian Aboriginal Cultures gallery is one of the largest collections of Aboriginal artefacts in the world. Elsewhere, the giant squid and the lion with the twitchy tail are definite highlights. Free one-hour tours depart at 11am. The cafe here is a handy spot for lunch/recaffeination.