South Australia Sights

 Adelaide Zoo. The Adelaide Zoo is home to more than 1300 animals, including an array of African wildlife. Don’t miss the daily feedings of sea lions (11:45am), pelicans (2:30pm), and penguins (2:45pm). Ask about the Boileau Animal Encounters that take you behind the scenes with the keepers to help feed and care for the zoo’s animals. (Frome Rd., a 15min. walk from North Terr. through the Botanic Gardens or down Frome Rd. Take bus #271 or 273 from Currie St. Popeye boats, $6, from the Festival Centre also run to and from the zoo in summer. ☎08 8267 3255; www.adelaidezoo.com.au. Open daily 9:30am-5pm. Free guided tours leave from the Zoo Shop daily at 10:30am and 2:30pm. Admission $20, concessions $16, ages 4-14 $12; under 4 free. Boileau Animal Encounters have various prices, usually around $75, children $40.)

 Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Acres of landscaping surround 19th-century heritage buildings, a small lake with black swans, and meandering walkways. The peaceful grounds contain the Australian Forest, the Water Mediterranean Garden, the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, and the International Rose Garden, with over 5000 species from around the world. The Bicentennial Conservatory, the largest glasshouse in the Southern Hemisphere, recreates the tropical rainforest climates of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the nearby Pacific Islands. In the summer, the gardens host the Moonlight Cinema; for more info, (On North Terr. ☎08 8222 9311; www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au. Gardens open Dec.-Jan. M-F 8am-7pm, Sa-Su 9am-7pm; Feb.-Mar. and Nov.-Oct. M-F 8am-6:30pm, Sa-Su 9am-6:30pm; Apr. and Sept. M-F 8am-6pm, Sa-Su 9am-6pm; May and Aug. M-F 8am-5:30pm, Sa-Su 9am-5:30pm; June-July M-F 8am-5pm, Sa-Su 9am-5pm. Conservatory open in summer daily 10am-5pm; in winter 10am-4pm; $4.70, concessions $2.50. Free 1hr. tours leave from the Schomburgk Pavilion outside the Visitor Information Centre daily at 10:30am.)

Haigh’S Chocolates Visitors Centre. Australia’s oldest chocolate maker, Haigh’s has been in business since 1915 and is proud to be one of only a few specialist chocolate retailers still making chocolate from raw cocoa beans. At the visitors center and factory, windows open onto areas where workers in white outfits and hairnets inspire comparisons to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With over 200 varieties to choose from, including Australian flavors such as Wattle Seed Crunch and Lemon Myrtle Cream, you can never sample enough. Haigh’s has several shops dotting the city (including on Rundle Mall and in Central Market) whose staff will be more than happy to dole out free samples. (153 Greenhill Rd., 1 block south of South Terr. between Pulteney St. and Hutt St. Bus #191, 192, 195, or 196 from C3 stop on King William St. to Stop #1 on Unley Rd. ☎08 8372 7000; www.haighschocolates.com. Open M-F 8:30am-5:30pm, Sa 9am-5pm. Free 20min. guided tours with tastings M-Sa 11am, 1, and 2pm. Book at least 2 days in advance; tours limited to 20 people. Self tours available when guided tours are not.)

Other Sights. At the eastern edge of the Botanic Gardens, the National Wine Centre of Australia hosts interactive exhibits that cover everything from grape varieties to Australian wine regions and even allow visitors to make virtual wine on a computer. At the end of the exhibits is an extensive cellar with a broad selection of wines. Courses and tastings available. (Corner of Botanic and Hackney Rd. ☎08 8303 3355; www.wineaustralia.com.au. Open M-F 9am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-5pm. Free; suggested gold coin donation. Guided tours with tastings included $15-30. Min. 10 people.) The Adelaide Gaol was used for 147 years, and 45 inmates were executed and buried within its walls. These days, the only visitors to this creepy prison are tourists. (18 Gaol Rd., Thebarton. From the corner of North and West Terr., take Port Rd. and turn right on Gaol Rd. Or take bus #115 or 118 and get off at Stop 1. ☎08 8231 4062; www.adelaidegaol.org.au. $8.50, concessions $7, children $5.50. Open for self-guided tours with audio M-F 11am-3:30pm, Su 1-3:30pm. 1hr. guided tours Su 11am, noon, and 1pm. Nightly ghost tours by appointment, $20 per person, min. 15 people.)