Unlike other Australian states, South Australia's citizens were not drawn from convicts but were attracted by the potential to build wealth in wool, copper and wheat. Along the North Terrace are the cultural icons of the South Australian Museum, Art Gallery, University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Casino in the beautifully refurbished 1920s railway station.

Rundle Mall provides an eclectic variety of shops including department stores, boutiques, specialty shops and malls spreading like octopus tentacles. Famous home-grown retailers found here include RM Williams Bush Outfitters and Haigh's Chocolates. In Rundle Street many shops and restaurants display the work of local artists providing a rare opportunity to purchase a unique South Australian memento. The 125 year old central markets provide a noisy, colourful, aromatic and lively meeting place for visitors and citizens alike. This is multicultural Australia at its best with some 48 cultures bartering and selling produce in friendly rivalry. Accommodation is plentiful in a wide range of international and boutique hotels just a few steps away from all the above.

These famous winegrowing areas are also renowned for their restaurants and an interesting alternative to city dining. Adelaide has a reputation for innovative and affordable cuisine which, when combined with the local wines, is a memorable experience. Famous eat streets include O'Connell and Gouger streets, Norwood Parade and Rundle Street East or the 'East End'. For a leisurely meal by the sea try one of the popular cafes or restaurants at Henley Square (where the Oscar winning movie Shine was filmed) or Glenelg. For an indulgent meal head for Ayers House, Jarmers, Alphutte or The Grange - winner of the Remy Martin, Gourmet Traveller, Restaurant of the Year Award and home to the city's acclaimed master chef, Cheong Liew.

While in South Australia try the hugely successful Two Dogs Alcoholic Lemonade, the world's first alcoholic lemonade, invented by a local resident with too many lemons and since purchased by the French firm Pernod Ricard. Sweeten the palate with Haigh's Chocolates made by the last chocolate maker in Australia to still import cocoa beans and roast them to control flavour and texture - choose from hand-dipped soft centres or double dark and chewy.

One of the country's most famous artists, Sir Hans Heysen, lived and painted here. His home and studio can be visited in the Adelaide Hills and are virtually as he left them. The Hahndorf Academy features local artists and artisans at work in a wide range of crafts. The Art Gallery of South Australia is renowned for its collection of Aboriginal works, Australian paintings from the 19th century and a collection of Rodins. Aboriginal culture is featured at Tandanya, Australia's National Aboriginal Institute, owned and managed by Aboriginal people. It offers an insight into Australian Aboriginal culture through museum artefacts and contemporary exhibitions.

Stroll along North Terrace to see magnificent examples of 19th century architecture in the renovated railway station and casino complex, the past and present Houses of Parliament, Government House, the Art Gallery and Museum, Universities of Adelaide and South Australia and a museum dedicated to Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's most famous cricketer. The Adelaide Festival Centre features world-class productions throughout the year.

The locals shop here and visitors come to gaze in wonder. Nearly 50 nationalities spruik their specialities in what must be one of the most multicultural meeting places in the country. Fishmongers, greengrocers, fruiterers and butchers compete with a brigade of buskers. Then head for the galleries at Metal and Stone, the JamFactory and Gray Street Workshop. Metal and Stone specialise in silver and jewels as well as the exquisite and original spectacle frames made by Peter Coombe. Commission something to suit your personality. The JamFactory and the Gray Street Workshop artists and craftspeople produce an eclectic range of goods in leather, jewels, metal, glassware and all sorts of functional pieces.

Outside the city in the Adelaide Hills small farmers gather at the weekend markets at Uraidla, Littlehampton, Mylor, Meadows and Macclesfield and the organic market at Stirling to delight the senses with fresh seasonal produce (honey, herbs, strawberries, apples etc) home-made cakes and preserves. On weekends and public holiday Mondays, the Orange Lane market off The Parade at Norwood is the place to find something unique among the second-hand wares, antiques, jewellery, handmade crafts, books, clothes and alternate products and services.

The village of Hahndorf, where 187 German Lutheran settlers made their home, retains its German-style charm, entertainment, nightlife and German cake shops. At the Handorf Academy watch artists work, and purchase their crafts. The Cedars, home of the famous artist, Sir Hans Heysen, has been preserved and has a wonderful collection of artwork and furniture. His artist's studio is as he left it and is still surrounded by the gums that featured in many of his paintings. While in the hills district dine at Bridgewater Mill the spectacularly renovated 1860s flour mill where you can visit the sparkling-wine maturation cellars of the Petaluma winemaking empire. For animal lovers the Cleland Wildlife Park has 70 hectares of shady bushland teeming with native birds and animals, including koalas and kangaroos.

The Palm House, a restored Victorian glasshouse imported from Bremen, Germany, in 1875, is the only one of its kind surviving. Completely restored in the 1990s, it houses a collection of plants from the island of Madagascar.

Next to the Botanic Garden stands the new National Wine Centre of Australia, a showcase for the Australian wine industry. If you're at all interested in wine, this is well worth a visit. Tastings are included.

The adjoining Botanic Park, a 34 hectare green oasis within easy walking distance of central Adelaide, was acquired by the Botanic Garden in 1866. Century-old Moreton Bay fig trees from Queensland, with massive trunks and gnarled buttress roots, are a park feature. Another feature is the National Rose Trial Garden, established to help the rose industry determine which roses are best suited to Australian conditions.