A Guide to Student Living in Adelaide

Adelaide is a welcoming city in South Australia known for its rich history, entertainment and multicultural atmosphere. Living here you have the advantages of big city life but small enough to feel comfortable getting around.

Student life in Adelaide is made easier with the lower cost of living than in any other capital city in Australia and it's rated one of the friendliest cities in the world with the perfect balance of education and lifestyle.

Nicknamed the 20-minute city, it only takes 20 minutes to get to any point in the city. Read more to discover more about student life in Adelaide.

1. Climate

Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, which means students will enjoy four distinct seasons. In summer, the average temperature is 29°C and 15.5°C in Winter. It enjoys the lowest humidity of any Australian city and experiences very little yearly rainfall.

Due to the climate, you need to watch out for extreme heat and sunburn with temperatures pushing to 40°C on some days. When temperatures are high you should stay home, keep your air-conditioning on maximum and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

However, the distinctive seasons mean there are a lot of opportunities to enjoy student life in Adelaide in different ways.

2. High Standard of Education

Adelaide has over 40,000 students from 120 countries and regions across the world contributing to the multicultural nature of the city.

The University of Adelaide is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight made up of the country’s best universities. Featuring beautiful sandstone architecture with cutting-edge learning and research facilities, it's a great place to be a student.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked in the top 5 in Australia for quality education and offers students the chance to gain real-world experience. This contributes to being South Australia’s No.1 university for graduate careers.

Expand your knowledge at the South Australian State Library, an architectural gem in Adelaide. It’s home to a Don Bradman collection, precious artefacts and an exhibition on events that shaped the state.

3. Sports

If you’re a sports fan, you should check out the iconic Adelaide Oval, South Australia’s largest sporting venue which hosts events in cricket, football and music.

It’s characterised by its heritage scoreboard, built in 1911 looking over the ground which evolved from a theatre venue, a military camp during World War 1 and now one of the most picturesque sporting grounds in the world.

Looking to get involved in sports and activities?

The River Torrens is the main waterway which runs through Adelaide. Torrens Lake is a section of the river where you can get involved in rowing, dragon boating, kayaking or even model powerboat racing.

Courts and fitness spaces are mostly found in the fresh air of Adelaide Park Lands. Grab a few students and have a game of tennis, netball or basketball surrounded by beautiful nature. If skating or BMX is what you’re after, Adelaide has several spots around the city where you can jump and ride.

For more information on how you can get involved in sports, read more.

4. Bars and Restaurants

The cost of living in Adelaide is the lowest of any Australian capital city, therefore you have more money to go out and enjoy yourself. As the sun goes down, the city heats up. The city’s laneways are full of boutique bars and live music venues to keep you going all night long.

If you fancy a boogie, head over to Bank Street Social, an underground venue with plenty of local beer, wine and a back bar of premium gins and whiskeys. Fuel yourself with a stone-cooked pizza and dance away with live DJs that play until 3 am on Friday and 4 am on Saturday.

If you’re feeling peckish, Rundle Mall is full of mini stalls for all the cuisines and a great spot for students looking for a meal that won’t burn a hole in their pocket. If you fancy some Asian food then head over to Chinatown which has restaurants that provide delicious and affordable food.

5. Activities

When temperatures in Adelaide heat up, you can get the tram from the CBD and head west to Glenelg, a seaside suburb. Cool down in the water, rent a boat with friends or enjoy a seaside stroll away from the bustle of the city centre.

Why not head to Adelaide Botanic Gardens, which is inspired by the Royal Gardens at Kew in London. Here you’ll find glass structures housing beautiful plants such as a giant Amazonian waterlily thriving since 1868 and a collection of Madagascan palms.

The Moonlight Cinema is a fantastic outdoor cinema within Botanic Park, open seasonally for cult films and new releases. Grab some light meals and drinks from their vendors or bring your own snacks and enjoy a movie laid back on beanbags and comfy chairs.

So there you have it, a guide to student life in Adelaide. A great city which is truly a home away from home, even better while living in Yugo Adelaide City!