Another part of Australia not widely promoted is Adelaide,
Capital of South Australia.
Founded in 1836 by
Lieutenant-Colonel Light, it is set along the River
Torrens, nestled between the rolling hills of the Mt.
Lofty Ranges and the sheltered waters of the Gulf St.
Vincent. It is a place where green spaces separate
the city centre from the inner suburbs. The heart of
Adelaide, Victoria Square, is set in the centre of a
grid of streets surrounded by parklands. Inside the
parklands have been fitted the Botanic Gardens, Festival
Centre, Zoological Gardens, a golf course, racecourse,
cricket ground, cemetery, and a variety of sporting
complexes.
Adelaide is within easy reach of a chain of beaches
lying along the eastern shore of the Gulf St. Vincent.
Only the occasional wild south-westerly
interrupts the joys of these beaches in summer.
Fishing from the beach or piers is a popular pasttime.
The highest peak in the Adelaide hills is Mount Lofty,
named by Matthew Flinders in 1803, who saw it from
Kangaroo Island.
Ten or so national, conservation,
and recreation parks exist in the hills surrounding
Adelaide,
and attract many visitors.
