When most people think of Australia, they think of that place down under known for its precocious kangaroos, cuddly koala bears, and friendly people with a quick and friendly ‘G’Day mate’.
Others will think of the awesomeness of the Great Barrier Reef or the natural wonders found in the Outback territory. Australia’s two largest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, may also come to mind.
There’s another part of Australia, in the mid-south region, offering a delicious foodie culture, cultural events and attractions, and one that is delightfully more tranquil and less manic.
This special place is South Australia’s Adelaide and an ideal way to take in all the bounty of this vibrant region is with a stay at the upscale Miller Apartments.
There are countless reasons to make Adelaide part of your itinerary with a visit to Australia. The region is Australia’s bread basket and produces some of the world’s finest wines, produce and artisan products. A day or two visiting the winery’s cellar doors is a must.
Beyond that, there are idyllic beaches, visits to animal parks for up close and personal visits with the kangaroos and other furry beasts. Back in town, Adelaide is an active city yet there isn’t the hustle and bustle that you’ll find elsewhere. It has a slower tempo where people seem to slow down a bit and enjoy life at an easier pace.
In the heart of the city’s central business district is where you’ll find the luxurious aparthotel. It’s located at the intersection of Hindley and King Williams, two of Adelaide’s main streets.
Hindley Street and the West End are where Adelaide heats up when the sun goes down, with rows of bar hopping pubs and night life as well as some excellent restaurants and eateries.
A stones throw from the hotel is Rundle Mall which is a walking street filled with all types of shops where guests will find everything from designer boutiques, to fine goods and tourist keepsakes. The aparthotel is in the perfect location to take in all that the city has to offer with many places you’ll want to visit within a short walk away.
Miller Apartments is an example of Adelaide’s fine Victorian era architecture found throughout the city. This well restored heritage building was formerly the Miller Anderson department store. The perfectly preserved exteriors and certain elements inside pay homage to that period, yet you’ll find the décor modern and contemporary with all the mod cons expected by today’s well-heeled traveller.
Through the doors you’ll find a staff of switched-on and friendly locals there to help you with suggestions on where to go and what to do as well as to offer any assistance to make your stay more comfortable.
The Miller Apartments Adelaide are 61 fully contained apartments with everything the self-sufficient traveller needs, whether staying for a few nights or a few weeks. They come in one, two, or three-room configurations with a separate living area with couch, 40’ LCD television, dining table and stylish furnishings.
The retro design is fresh with a pleasantly colourful décor of bright pillows and groovy rust orange patterned rugs and tasteful wall art. There’s a large kitchen with full size stove and refrigerator as well as all the plates and utensils one would require. There’s even a washer and dryer as well. The bedrooms are nicely furnished as well, with a bold colour palate and uber comfortable bed.
The fifth and highest level is where you’ll find the executive floor. At the floor’s entrance area is a coffee machine serving lattes and cappuccinos as well as fruits to start your day.
The two-bedroom executive floor suite is fantastic with large sliding glass doors and full wrap around balcony with views of the downtown area and nearby shops and venues. It’s the ideal place to take in the city’s fresh air in the morning with a cup of tea or one of the exquisite local wines in the evening when the sun goes down.
Adelaide is where food culture is paramount and when you combine fresh local organic produce and meat with their talented chefs, and put that in a friendly and welcoming setting you’ve got a recipe for one of the world’s top culinary scenes.
A few steps from the hotel are Peele and Leigh Street Precinct, which is the Adelaide foodie district. These are two hip and cool walking streets with restaurants that range from chic and classy to outdoor bistros. There are also plenty of trendy bars and pubs perfect for bending the elbow with locals.
Peele Street is where you’ll find the Peele Street Café which is one of Adelaide’s favourite places for some super yummy modern Australian cuisine in a funky industrial chic setting. The food is fresh and simple, created by the talented chef that you’ll see scurrying around in the open kitchen.
The food is so fresh that they don’t know what they’ll have in each day so there are no printed menus. There are two massive chalk boards with the day’s offerings as well as some cool and switched on staff who can explain all the tasty treats to come your way.
For some serious Adelaide cocktail culture you’ll only need to saunter a few strides away from the hotel to Hains and Co. which has been voted South Australia’s Bar of the Year and with good reason. It’s a funky nautical inspired bar that serves up some spot-on gin and rum cocktails as well as a deep list of excellent whiskeys.
In addition to some of the world’s top wines, South Australia has a rapidily growing gin industry. Hains and Co. is definitely the place to do a bit of gin tasting while mucking it up with the bunch of new friends you’re sure to meet at this unpretentious and unforgettable watering hole.
And speaking of wine, you’ll surely want to take at least one day or two to explore the fantastic wineries and cellar doors in the area. This is Australia’s Tuscany, Bordeaux and Napa Valley rolled into one with picturesque rolling hills lined with vines.
The Barossa, McClaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills all offer a special experience from their cellar doors where you can drop in for some award winning Chardonnays, Cabernets and Shiraz’s as well as a scrumptious lunch. In the Adelaide Hills be sure to visit The Lane Vineyard, Sidewood, and Bird In Hand .
A short 45-minute ride away in McClaren Vale is one of the most talked about wineries in Australia and soon to be the world. It is the d’Arenberg, which is known for their acclaimed Shiraz’s which are enjoyed around the world.
What they will now be known for as well is their wine experience, known as The Cube. This five-storey culinary and architectural icon is the magnum opus of the Chief winemaker Chester Osborn, where guests can visit to experience the wines in various tasting rooms.
To fully indulge, spend the afternoon enjoying the sweeping views of the Willunga Valley as you partake in a degustation dining with wine pairings.
Adelaide and South Australia are a destination worthy of your vacation short list. From the delicious foodie scene with some of the finest wine and wine tasting experiences to all there is to do in the bustling city centre, and yes, you can see kangaroos there as well.
The Miller Apartments Adelaide offers the ideal location as well as all the creature comforts to make it the ideal place to lay your head after your long day of exploring this wonderful area has come to an end.
Address: The Millers, 16 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: +61 8410 1888
