Overview
As Adelaide returns to normal after festival season, all of the energy concentrated around the city centre diffuses back into the suburbs. With many of Adelaide's brightest young creatives and business owners finding permanent homes in suburbia over the past few years, our suburbs have transformed into vibrant spaces. From the beaches to the foothills, you don't have to go far to find walking trails, cafes, bars and entertainment venues.
We've teamed up with NAB to pull together a list of suburbs to investigate if you're looking to take the plunge and buy property in Adelaide. With so much new development and so many hidden local favourites, this is just a taste of what locals in these eight suburbs get to enjoy year-round.
Pirate Life Brewing
PORT ADELAIDE
Take Port Road from the city centre and you'll find yourself, logically, in Port Adelaide. The charming 19th-century buildings have been subject to a Renew Adelaide initiative over recent years and now host some of the best and brightest in Adelaide's creative and hospitality scenes. Did somebody say microbrewery? Pirate Life Brewing is an excellent spot for group hangs, and it also supplies the house brew at The Port Admiral, which offers a top-notch pub experience. Plus, the suburb is home to Low and Slow American BBQ — an Adelaide institution.
Artists love the Port, so expect to bump into plenty of creatives coming out of Vitalstatistix, located near Hart's Mill. Once a year, the space plays host to Laneway Festival, too. Of course, if you're a Crows supporter, keep that to yourself in these parts.
Parwana, Josie Withers
MILE END
As the name suggests, a mile from the city's edge is the cultural melting pot of Mile End. Fruit trees hanging over fences, planes flying overhead, olive bushes galore and chickens escaping backyards onto the street make Mile End an inner suburban dream. On one side of South Road, you've got larger blocks on wide streets and, on the other, laneways full of townhouses, providing the full spectrum of suburban living without the hefty commute.
If you want to lure people to Mile End, the easiest way is to invite them to Parwana, Adelaide's favourite Afghani restaurant. If that doesn't work, the Greek pastries from Kalymnos, a little further up Henley Beach Road, might do the trick. You'll also have Thebarton Theatre, a popular venue for national and international touring acts, and one of Adelaide's best independent pubs, The Wheatsheaf Hotel, as locals. Plus, Mister Sunshine's, just across the road, will become your go-to brunch spot.
Stebbing, Flickr
HENLEY BEACH
Like its more famous cousin up the shore, Glenelg, Henley Beach centres around a square with some great cafes and restaurants. Sure, the smoothie bowls and margaritas are there if you want them, but why not check out Swedish Tarts for a treat you didn't expect to get by the beach? Meanwhile, Bottega Gelateria always has a line out the front, even in winter, but it's worth the wait.
When you want to get your steps up, there is a great pathway that follows the esplanade to Grange in the north and south toward Glenelg. To enjoy the sun setting over the sea in summer, Henley Surf Life Saving Club has one of the best views, but the recently upgraded Joe's Henley Beach is the standout, offering amazing brunch year-round and staying open late for drinks Friday to Sunday.
Plant 4
BOWDEN
Based right on the train line into the city, Bowden is one of the most accessible places to live on the city fringe. In the last decade, the suburb has become synonymous with urban renewal, transforming into a hub for theatre and art collectives.
Bordering Port Road is The Gov, a legendary Adelaide gig venue with three stages and more than enough pub fare to keep everyone happy. There's also Oddio, which is one of Adelaide's best-kept secrets. The boutique winery is housed in a heritage-listed church — but trying to find its opening hours is like trying to contact the dead through a ouija board. No wrap-up of Bowden would be complete without Plant 4, the epicentre of the suburb. The space houses a weekly rotation of market stalls from local makers and producers, plus a few permanent stalls including The Lost Loaf. If you can get your hands on a loaf, it's the best thing since, well, sliced bread.
Sunny's Shop
PROSPECT
Aside from the beautiful leafy streets and heritage cottages, Prospect has earned its reputation as one for the foodies. On Prospect Road, you'll find Cotto for coffee and Muratti for cakes. For dinner it is an even split between the quirky fusion fare at Sunny's Shop (not to be confused with Sunny's Pizza in the city), hearty Greek food at Meze Mazi and edgy Italian eats at Anchovy Bandit. Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas is based right in the heart of the neighbourhood — and it's close enough to Palace Eastend Cinemas that if you miss a session at one, you can be at the other in ten minutes.
You'll likely find yourself spending lots of time at Prospect Oval, home to the North Adelaide Football Club, but also great for dog-walkers and families on weekdays. And, a fun fact: the original RM Williams store remains open on Percy Street.
Summertown Studio, Jack Fenby
BRIGHTON
By far the trendiest of all the beachside suburbs, Brighton has something a little different about it. On the outer edge of the city, it feels like a faraway seaside village, but the train makes the suburb easily accessible for those who commute daily.
Fish-and-chip shops line Jetty Road, while Cream has been a recent success story as the suburb's specialist coffee shop. A little further from the beach, you'll find Summertown Studio, a warehouse-turned-creative hub that houses a groovy record store, a florist and a co-working space. It also regularly hosts gigs and events. Good Day around the corner also does more than just great coffee, with an enviable selection of indoor plants for sale.
400 Gradi
NORWOOD
The Parade runs straight from the city through the heart of Norwood and is lined with fantastic places to eat and drink. Tell Henry is always reliable for brunch, while Argo on the Parade is a popular spot — expect a lineup of people waiting for the amazing selection of smoothies and sandwiches.
Melbourne export 400 Gradi does woodfired pizza with Italian mozzarella so tasty you'll risk burning the roof of your mouth to gobble it up. Pub-wise, The Colonist will keep you grounded on a weeknight while Republic Norwood is good for special occasions. Next door to one another on Magill Road, Wolfie's Records and Big Star Records offer something for the musically discerning.
PARKSIDE
South of the city down Unley Road is Parkside. Best explored on foot, it's one of the quietest suburbs in Adelaide, with plenty of heritage townhouses and tree-lined streets. Walking trails weave through the suburb and one of the main bike routes connecting the southern suburbs to the city passes through here.
A Mother's Milk and Rosey's are equally excellent places to refuel in the AM, while Earl of Leicester is a great suburban pub offering classically oversized schnitzels. Parkside Hotel has recently had a glow-up and now offers a trendy selection of cocktails, craft beers and grazing platters. Plus, Frewville Foodland, voted the world's best supermarket, is just on the other side of Glen Osmond Road. With on-site dining and regular events, it's about the nearest thing to a theme park Adelaide has.
Want to live in one of these suburbs? Check out NAB's Property Reports to learn more, then use the NAB Home Loan Borrowing Calculator to find out how much you can borrow.
Top image: Henley Beach, Marcus Wallis, Unsplash