Once considered a sleepy city, Adelaide is now an energetic hub for food, art, music, and festivals. With a collection of hidden laneways and a growing list of thrilling new places to visit and things to do, there’s no shortage of fun to be had while staying in Adelaide for work or a holiday.
Car Hire and Rental does the legwork to provide a simple process that lets you quickly find and compare pricing from all the major car rental brands in Adelaide, the surrounding suburbs, and Adelaide Airport. You’ll find it quick and easy to find and book the best prices for hiring a car in Adelaide with brands you know and trust.
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Booking car rental in Adelaide with Car Hire and Rental is an absolute breeze, with all of Australia’s most renowned and trusted rental brands to select from. These include Avis, Budget, Dollar, Europcar, Firefly, Hertz, Keddy, and Thrifty, providing you with the widest possible choice. All you need to do is choose the vehicle that best suits your needs from the extensive coverage of quality rides.
One-way car hire from Adelaide is also available along the following routes.
- Adelaide to Melbourne
- Adelaide to Perth
- Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
Sometimes, there are also car relocation deals available.
Driving around the city and taking road trips from Adelaide in a dependable car will transform your trip, especially when time is of the essence. With years of experience, we know how to get the best when hiring a car in Adelaide and elsewhere in South Australia.
If you need help with your selection and booking, you can contact our Reservations team for help via phone, online chat, or email.
What vehicles can you hire from Adelaide?
Depots offer a range of different vehicles including:
- SUVs
- Minivans
- Vans
- Small cars
Why Book Your Next Car Rental in Adelaide Through Car Hire and Rental?
- Choice – the most comprehensive available range of Rental brands and vehicles
- Price – our system finds and displays the lowest rental rates
- Impartial – we offer an objective, unbiased, free comparison and booking service.
- Trust – We only partner with Australia’s top rental brands.
- Experience – We’ve been helping travelers find the best rental deals since we started this business.
A Guide to Adelaide
Rolling hills, a fresh country atmosphere, ocean breezes, and hot beaches. Adelaide refuses to be overlooked as a secondary player to Australia’s big capitals, despite being the fifth-biggest city with 1.3 million inhabitants.
What instantly jumps to mind with Adelaide is its natural country charm and how it isn’t impacted by the hustle and bustle that usually comes with the package served by Australia’s other capital cities. There’s a distinct sense of space, warmth with its people, great beach culture, splendid wine country, and shopping and dining experiences that rival the nation’s best. Throw into the mix an array of festivals and an obsession with sports, and it’s easy to understand why a southern Australian experience is as good as any other location on the continent.
Adelaide’s climate is Mediterranean, meaning the weather is clear and sunny most of the year with a short, mild winter. The city’s breathtaking coastline stretches for 32 kilometers and showcases beautiful sandy beaches and stylish seaside fringes like the Semaphore and Glenelg.
Where to Stay in Adelaide
There are many places to stay in Adelaide, some of which are family-friendly accommodations within the CBD and other parts of the city. Here are a few popular areas to help you choose:
Adelaide Hills
Gain access to some of Australia’s top wineries. With its dizzying collection of wines, Adelaide has evolved into one of the top cities to enjoy a variety of vino.
Situated just a short 30-minute drive from the CBD, Adelaide Hills is a wonderful area to stay in and explore and is home to some of South Australia’s best wineries and dining. You’ll find several bed & breakfasts, luxury hotels, cosy cottages, boutique hotels, a notable mansion, and even a castle.
A bed & breakfast is a solid option here, as it gives a homey feel that attracts many visitors. Markets thrive in Adelaide Hills, and the people are hospitable. With so many options that cater to all budgets, you won’t be left without a place to stay.
Barossa Valley
Situated 60 km northeast of Adelaide City, Barossa is another favorite region with a laid-back town vibe famous for its wine made from the vineyards that line its landscape.
Several accommodations are available to you in Barossa, like romantic cottages, family villas, B&Bs, and caravan parks. There are six caravan parks you could stay in around this area if you’re planning on hiring a campervan in Adelaide.
Adelaide CBD
Known as a ‘20 minute city’ due to the brief time it takes to drive to most attractions, Adelaide CBD is easy to get around and explore. It’s formed like a grid, making it easy to access entertainment, shopping, and dining. From 5-star boutique hotels to indulge your every need to budget-friendly motels, Adelaide delivers accommodations to suit various travelers’ budgets.
Glenelg
With hidden gems, family-friendly attractions, and an idyllic beach, Glenelg is a magical holiday spot only 20 minutes from the CBD and five minutes from Adelaide Airport. This town has many accommodation options, including self-contained apartments, motels, beach hotels, and caravan parks.
Things to Do in Adelaide
Journey through lush greenery, discover unique animals, and view stunning coastlines, all within easy reach of the city. Here are some of the things we urge you to do while in Adelaide:
Adelaide Oval
One of the most incredible things to do in Adelaide is to visit the Adelaide Oval, a historic sporting and entertainment venue in the city’s center.
The Oval has a capacity of 53,000 and has hosted numerous sporting events like Ashes cricket, AFL footy, and A-league soccer. In addition to sports, it holds countless other entertainment events each year.
Take a roof climb tour and catch epic panoramic views from the best seats in the stadium at a magnificent 50 meters above the green playing field. You can also experience a match with the roar of the spectators under your feet. This vantage point enables you to see St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Hills towards the east, and the dense trees of Glenelg toward the west.
Central Market
For more than 148 years, the Adelaide Central Market has been a famous center for food and culture. More than 8.5 million people visit yearly to buy fresh goods and eat multicultural cuisines.
An incredible number of more than 70 traders operate under its roof, providing patrons with fresh produce, specialty food, and other goods. Fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat and poultry, all types of cheeses, and more can be purchased from friendly and very helpful sellers.
For the sweet tooth, bakeries and patisseries peddle freshly baked goods like muffins, croissants, and a mixture of whole loaves.
Adelaide Zoo
Another fantastic attraction to visit when in the capital of South Australia is Adelaide Zoo. It’s the only metropolitan zoo in Australia that is a non-profit entity and is a haven for more than 3,000 animals and 250 species of mammals, fish, reptiles, and birds.
Opened in 1883, the zoo has since fascinated and educated hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Beautiful Beaches
Not everybody knows that the City of Churches is home to beautiful Australian beaches. Take a quick drive out of Adelaide to immerse in some of the area’s best beaches and discover many sea animals in the crystal-clear aqua waters.
Glenelg Beach is a well-known metropolitan beach. It is accessible, safe, and highly suggested for beach sports like cricket and volleyball. The place also has green areas for picnicking, too. Street parking is available just off Brighton Road, perfect for your car hire.
Similar to Glenelg, albeit not as recognized as Melbourne’s, Brighton Beach has its own jetty road and relaxed vibes. Fish and chips shops are plentiful, with crowds coming in, especially during the warmer months. People also go fishing there during the weekend. Sunsets can be witnessed from the jetty, and the view of the horizon is truly remarkable. The beach is just a 10-minute drive from Glenelg, and you can park around the jetty road.
The third one on the list is Henley Beach. It’s a dynamic stretch of seafood restaurants with amazing views of the St. Vincent Gulf. Spots for lying on the sandy beach are aplenty as the shoreline expands far into the distance. Relax, sip coffee while you’re there, and enjoy all the views and sounds.
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
You’ll find the Adelaide Botanic Garden right in the city’s heart. It’s a marvelous garden filled with myriad beautiful plants from around Australia and encircles 50 hectares of green parks. Spend your time exploring the gorgeous grounds of the gardens and wander around, taking in the magnificence mother nature has to offer.
Where to Eat in Adelaide
Filling your tummy with food in Adelaide is serious business and serious fun. The city is packed with a bustling hub of bars, and the food scene is a haven for foodies. Its unique plethora of food and drink can’t be missed, and whatever cuisine you desire comes with an appetite.
UR Caffe
UR Caffe has been operating since 2011. It is owned by a couple who came to Adelaide to live their dream of becoming cafe owners and showcasing the best coffee and delicious food in town.
The coffee and food are two reasons people keep returning for more. Some patrons also enjoy the cafe’s atmosphere, as it is set in a small pocket on Melbourne Street in North Adelaide. Here, you can relax and bask in the sunlight with your cup of joe.
Peel Street
Peel Street Restaurant is located on Peel Street. Chefs Jordan and Martin tailored a scrumptious menu that is split into small and large plates of Middle Eastern or Asian-inspired dishes. Indeed, you can taste a little bit of everything. You can eat here during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it is open every day except Sunday.
Café Troppo
A famous local hang-out is Café Troppo, which serves seasonal food and excellent coffee. The café’s ethos focuses on delivering superb food grounded in sustainability. They try to utilize local produce whenever possible in line with its eco-spirit.
As for the coffee, it is organically produced, fair trade, and ethically sourced. Additionally, they offer a variety of hand-blended teas.
Orana
Restaurant Orana is a perfect choice if you’re seeking something fancy. It’s a 25-seat restaurant in the CBD serving upscale contemporary Australian cuisine focused on indigenous ingredients and the aboriginal philosophy of recuperation and giving more than taking.
Headed and owned by chef Jock Zonfrillo, Orana has been crowned the 2018 Australian Restaurant of the Year at the Gourmet Traveller’s annual awards and was acknowledged twice by The Advertiser as Restaurant of the Year.
Magill Estate Restaurant
Another top restaurant is Magill Estate Restaurant, situated on Penfold Road in Magill. After it went on an 18-month renovation in 2015, the kitchen and interior made a new, brave statement to reflect its unique style and feel. Its custom-made Blackwood dining tables and soft lighting produce an incredible atmosphere and highlight the beautiful surroundings of vineyards and distant waters.
Scott Huggins, whose global career spans more than 17 years, heads the kitchen with his tremendous culinary knowledge and inventive spirit. His passion for designing and producing elegant dishes with the freshest ingredients has made Magill Estate one of the finest restaurants in Australia.
Driving Tips to Help You With Your Adelaide Car Hire
Arranging car hire in Adelaide is a fantastic way to explore the city and surroundings. Ensure you’re licensed and alert, and learn the road rules before heading off!
Here are a few driving tips to help you with your road trip to Adelaide:
- As with most Australian states, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in South Australia. Some rental operators will add a young driver’s surcharge for those between 21 and 25, so take a good look at the prices when you are comparing and contact our Reservations team if you are unsure.
- If you’re traveling from overseas, make sure your license has been translated into English so there’s no doubt about the validity of your qualification.
- As with most popular Australian locations, Adelaide’s peak periods are over Christmas and summer, especially when the Tour Down Under is running (January). School holidays and Easter are also busy, so booking in advance will help give you a better price and a wider choice.
- Adelaide is Australia’s fifth largest city. Hence, you can still get pretty busy during peak times. If you’ve got somewhere to be in a hurry, avoid early mornings (6-8 am) and early evenings (5-7 pm).
- If you’re an Aussie or have taken other car rental trips in Australia, you might expect to see toll roads during your trip to Adelaide. Well, you’re lucky because you’ve chosen a part of the country with none! Enjoy it while you can.
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