Words by Tegan

Tag: local

  • Port Adelaide’s secret spots – 5 places to discover

    Port Adelaide’s secret spots – 5 places to discover

    There’s always something happening in Port Adelaide but this historic suburb still contains some hidden venues and cafes not yet on everyone’s radar.

    Whether you’re seeking a night out on the town, a quiet drink, or freshly baked goods, the Port has something to satisfy locals and visitors alike – and all within walking distance of each other.

    Milledge’s Distillation

    Opening in late 2022, this warehouse venue operated by a gin-distilling family has swiftly become a go-to for celebrating milestone birthdays and community events.

    A dog-friendly cafe by day serving up a mean toastie – the parmesan crust on the BLT is particularly tasty – the light and airy space with formica tables and mismatched chairs is relaxed and inviting.

    The hanging disco ball gives the game away to what happens after hours on the weekend when it turns into a bar, music venue, and party space for hire. Enjoy a bespoke beverage made with the family-owned small batch, hand-crafted gin or vodka, or one of the Greenock Brewers beers on tap.

    8A Todd St, Port Adelaide

    Studio 99 Art and Whisky

    New owners Amanda Kirby, Ben Conrades, and Donovan Christie took over the reins of Port Adelaide’s best-kept secret 12 months ago, seeking to maintain its core while expanding the drinks list and events. 

    Tucked away off Lipson Street, the former foundry’s rustic features are offset by crisp white walls, which are adorned with the work of local artists curated by Christie and rotated quarterly.  

    With a mission to boast 99 whiskeys, they cater to both novice and seasoned whiskey enthusiasts. But don’t worry – if whiskey isn’t your thing, you’ll find a decent selection of wine, beer, and a cocktail menu to enjoy in the front courtyard. 

    99 Lipson St, Port Adelaide

    10 Gallon Hat

    Since opening earlier this year, the new 10 Gallon Hat has brought contemporary bar vibes to St Vincent St with its subtle Mid-Western touches. 

    Co-owners Dylan Nettleton and Stacey Costopoulos did much of the renovation themselves on the 150-year-old building, which has been in the family for many years. They have successfully maintained its charm in keeping with the historical surroundings. 

    With a background in hospitality and managing bars, including Melbourne’s The Great Northern Hotel, Nettleton is keen to stock a range of craft beer, South Australian wines, and high-end liquor. The bar menu has been created by their friend Chris Smith, chef at Myrtle Wine Bar in Melbourne.

    158 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide

    Lipson Street Collective

    A blackboard A-frame sign on the footpath of a dusty Lipson Street is the only giveaway that there is a warm and bustling bakery inside the warehouse. Well used for baking in the past (it used to house Adelaide fav Soi Boi), a new collaborative baking venture has opened, specialising in sourdough and baked treats.

    Choose from traditional country-style, cranberry and walnut or a spicier jalapeno sourdough, focaccia, or inside-out grilled cheese sandwiches for your next carb fix. And you won’t be able to resist the sweet and savoury offerings of @butter.canteen bakers including carrot cake, brownies, cookies, ‘green’ pasties, sausage rolls and ham and cheese rolls. Heaven.

    49/51a Lipson St, Port Adelaide

    Dutch Coffee lab

    While it’s not much of a secret for Port Adelaide locals, this specialty coffee roaster and café serves up the best flat white in the whole of the Le Fevre Peninsula.

    The coffee is strong and comes with homemade Dutch baked treats (try the butter cake and Stroopwafel brownies), plus satisfying toasties served with a side of crisps. Their new cold drip will also get you through the hot South Australian summers too.

    255 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide

  • Living like a local: 4 ways to immerse yourself while on holiday

    Living like a local: 4 ways to immerse yourself while on holiday

    During a recent trip to Europe, my partner and I played the game of ‘could I live here?’ While the thinking was a pie in the sky, we were asking it while doing things that the locals were doing.

    Although we saw the sights, paid too much, lined up, and took selfies, we also took our cues from residents and took time to embrace the every day.

    Here are some ways you can combine your ‘to do’ list with a bit of cultural immersion to get a feel for what really living there would be like.

    Stay in an Airbnb

    Staying in an Airbnb gives you the opportunity to discover neighbourhoods you would never visit if you confined yourself to a hotel in the city centre. Your host will provide you with great local tips on where to eat, shop and when to visit the sights. We would never have discovered a deliciously traditional French restaurant – and tripe sausage – if it wasn’t for our lovely host.

    The Eiffel Tower was nice but so was the tripe sausage.
    The Eiffel Tower was nice but so was the tripe sausage.

    Take public transport or use your own two feet

    There is no better way to understand the occupants of a new place than by people watching. Take the train to see what commuting would be like – just be reminded that trying to backpack your way through London on the underground at peak hour may elicit a few death stares if your Oyster card declines. Taking a bus gives you a different perspective, while walking is the best way to discover hidden alley ways, cute boutiques and street art.

    Visit the local shops

    Eating out is one of the great pleasures of travelling but you don’t have to do it for every meal. Buying groceries at the local supermarket can be a fun and educational experience, not to mention a much cheaper option. Visiting a fresh food market is a must if you can. Pick up some supplies to take on a picnic or use it to create your breakfasts in the morning. One of our best finds in Florence was the large undercover market with stalls filled to the brim with cheese, cured meats, biscotti, and juicy blood oranges – it was a tourist attraction in itself.

    Do something you would back home

    One of my favourite travel experiences was spending an hour or so at the laundromat in Bedford–Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. It provided the perfect opportunity to just sit and read my book, look out the window and listen to the chatter of locals going about their business. The same feel can be achieved by visiting a local library or bookstore, sitting in a park, going to the cinema, or attending a sports match. Attending a Canadian football league game in Toronto gave us an insight into a sport we didn’t know much about and ample time to people-watch.

    Try to live a little bit like a local, and you’ll discover a whole lot more about the place you’re visiting.

    How do you ‘live like a local’ while on holiday?