Adelaide, SA - My Student Guide

City Info

City of Adelaide, SA

Capital of South Australia, fifth largest city in Australia. Adelaide was first established in 1836. It is named after Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.

Location

Adelaide is located on the eastern shores of Gulf St Vincent, north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, between Gulf St Vincent and the low lying Mount Lofty Rangers.

Adelaide, SA CBD

The CBD consists out of two parts, the city "square mile" and the Adelaide Parklands.

Seasons

Winter
Jun to Aug
8°C - 16°C

Spring
Sep to Nov
8°C - 21°C

Summer
Dec to Feb
16°C - 28°C

Autumn
Mar to May
12°C - 22°C

Time

Central Daylight Time: GMT +9.30 hours Daylight Saving Time (DST): GMT + 10.30 hours DST starts Oct DST ends on early April.

No Smoking

Smoking is not allowed at beaches, sporting statium near childrens playgrounds, restaurants, bars,clubs and at the workplace. Smoking is prohibited in all Public transport including train platforms etc.

Post Office

Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
*Some Open Saturday: 9:00 am – 12 noon

Population

1.3 million people

Money

Notes or Bills
$5, $10, $20, $50, $100

Coins
5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2 (odd cents rounded to the nearest 5¢)

Education providers

CRICOS registered institutions for international students: 2 Public Universities, 2 University English Centres

Electricity

240/250volts/50Hz

Weather

Mediterranean Climate

Shopping

Mon – Wed: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thu (suburbs) & Fri (CBD): 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Banks

Mon – Thu: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fridays: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Some bank branches open Saturday morning 9:30 am – 12 noon

Explore

Adelaide is South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital. Its ring of parkland on the River Torrens is home to renowned museums such as the Art Gallery of South Australia, displaying expansive collections including noted Indigenous art, and the South Australian Museum, devoted to natural history. The city’s Adelaide Festival is an annual international arts gathering with spin-offs including fringe and film events.

Adelaide is known for its many sporting events, including Australian Rules football, motor sports and tennis. Adelaide Oval stadium has hosted cricket matches since 1871. At the city’s heart is Victoria Square and vibrant, 19th-century Central Market, specialising in produce. The Glenelg beach neighbourhood on Holdfast Bay has native dolphin and seal populations, plus cycling trails. Adelaide is also a popular base for exploring Barossa and Clare Valley wine country, the Adelaide Hills, where the Mt. Lofty Summit overlooks the coast, and Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and beaches.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:

Art Gallery of South Australia
South Australian Museum
Adelaide Oval
Migration Museum
Cleland Conservation Park
Adelaide Zoo

Weekly markets selling quality fashion, art, handcrafts, fresh produce, etc.

(Courtesy of Wikipedia & Google)

EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLE IN ADELAIDE

Transport

Adelaide Airport

http://www.adelaideairport.com.au
http://www.adelaideairport.com.au/parking-transport/transport-options/
C 15 Kms approx. to CBD
Approx. 20 minutes to CBD

Getting around

It is important to learn about all the public transport modes around Adelaide including the bus, train, tram and taxi. The cheapest and more convenient way to go around is get a Metro Card which you can use on trains, trams and buses see www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Tickets/Metrocard. You can also purchase a ticket when boarding the bus or a train/tram ticket from railway stations. The closer your destination, the cheaper the fare is.

Useful tips

Students doing VET (Vocational programs) and Higher Education (University courses) can obtain discount in public transport. See www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Tickets/Concession-Cards#student .If you are entitled to Student discount, carry your student ID card with you at all times.
If you are travelling late at night on weekends, find out if there is a night route that goes near your destination as some routes are not scheduled on weekends.
Disabled and elderly people as well as pregnant women have priority seating.
Do not eat, drink or smoke in public transport or in taxis.
Always make sure that you have your Metro Card topped up.

Forms of transport

For the bus, and train/tram the fare you pay for the trip depends on how far you travel (zones) and also the time of the day. Metropolitan fares apply to all areas within Adelaide, and are defined within Zones. Always keep a bus/train time table in your wallet see www.adelaidemetro.com.au. Or alternatively go to https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Timetables-Maps/Mobile-Apps to download the App. Remember that times for the above services change on weekends and designated holidays.

WALKING

is a healthy alternative for transport. When crossing a street, wait for the green pedestrian icon. Do not walk or run over a red pedestrian light.

RIDE A BIKE

To cycle you must wear a helmet at all times and follow the road rules.

BUSES

Make sure you hail the bus so the driver stops to pick you up! Always touch on at the beginning of the trip and then off at the end of trip before you leave the bus.

TRAINS

Each train line has a distinctive colour in the map and on the screens at the station to help you find your way easily.

RIDING A MOTORCYCLE

Always wear a helmet. It is now required by law to have a special motorcycle license for models of a certain size. Check this website http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/drivers-and-licences

DRIVING

We drive on the left side of the road. To drive in Australia, you need an English translation of your driver’s license. If you are going to drink alcohol, do not drive. http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/drivers-and-licences

TAXIS

A safe mode of transportation in particular if you have been drinking after a party. You can pay the taxi fare with your credit card if you do not carry cash. Always ask for a receipt.

Hospitals

IMPORTANT NOTE:

International Students must go to Public Hospitals as their Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) does not cover expenses in private hospitals.

Seeking Medical Assistance

Carry your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card with you at all times.
When visting the doctor, you will need to pay for their services (some doctors may bulk bill at no cost to you).
Keep all receipts so you can obtain reimbursement later.
All medical emergencies are covered by your Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC).
If you are unable to attend classes due to being sick, you should obtain a medical certificate from your doctor.