Turning a Work Trip into an Adventure

One of the biggest things we have learned through our travels is that we have far more control over how we design our lives than we once thought. Slow travel has taught us that experiences do not always need to fit neatly into annual leave calendars or rushed long weekends. Sometimes all it takes is asking for flexibility and ensuring it's a win/win for us and our employers. So that is exactly what we did.

Tony had a work event that involved travelling to Adelaide and instead of treating it as one of his usual quick-turnaround work trips, we saw an opportunity to create a little adventure around it. I asked my company if I could work remotely for the week and fortunately was given the opportunity. Before long we were booking flights, finding an apartment and planning how we could use our weekends and evenings to explore another city together.

Arriving in Adelaide immediately gave us a strange sense of familiarity. It felt comfortable almost instantly, like a smaller version of somewhere we already knew well. After doing a little digging, we discovered Adelaide and Christchurch are actually considered sister cities, which made complete sense to us. Both cities share a similar easy-going feel, wide streets, green spaces and a structured grid layout that makes navigating around incredibly easy. There was something about Adelaide that instantly felt relaxed, welcoming and very liveable.

We stayed in an apartment right on Rundle Mall which turned out to be the perfect base. While Tony spent his day at various work events, I was able to set up on the kitchen table and work whilst enjoying the view across the city, and in the afternoon and evening we would explore the city together.

With Christmas just around the corner and me absolutely loving Christmas, our first few days quickly turned into evening walks through the city admiring the festive decorations, Christmas lights and holiday displays scattered throughout the mall and laneways. Adelaide really embraces the festive season without feeling over the top, and there was a lovely atmosphere throughout the city.

One thing Adelaide definitely does well is food. Over the week we managed to explore several local restaurants, bars and cafes, and honestly we were impressed with the quality everywhere we went. Adelaide has a vibrant foodie scene that somehow still feels understated compared to larger Australian cities. The focus on local produce, wine and relaxed dining suited us perfectly and we enjoyed some genuinely amazing meals during our stay.

For our first weekend we decided to escape the city and visit the German town of Hahndorf, located in the Adelaide Hills. One of the best things about Adelaide is how easy it is to access nearby regions without needing a car. We simply jumped on a local bus from the city and within around an hour we found ourselves in a completely different setting.

Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and feels like stepping into a little European country town. The streets are lined with traditional German-style buildings, boutique stores, artisan food shops, bakeries and beer gardens. There is a real charm to the town with its leafy streets and relaxed pace. We spent hours wandering through the shops, tasting local treats and simply soaking up the atmosphere. It was one of those places where you can happily slow down and spend the day without needing any real plans.

Later that afternoon we headed to Glenelg Beach, another place that is incredibly easy to reach from the city thanks to Adelaide’s light rail system. The tram runs directly from the CBD to Glenelg which makes getting there simple and stress free.

Glenelg has a completely different vibe to the city. It is relaxed, coastal and full of life, especially during the warmer months. Jetty Road is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops leading down towards the beach and historic jetty. We had a wonderful and fun ride on the ferris wheel, enjoyed a beer in the sun and soaked up the relaxed beachside atmosphere before eventually heading back into the city. It was easy to see why Glenelg is such a popular local escape. 

During the following week we settled into a nice little routine. It actually reminded us that travel does not always need to be full-time to be meaningful. Even a few hours each evening wandering a new city, trying new restaurants or discovering hidden laneways can completely shift your mindset.

During the week Tony also had the opportunity to explore McLaren Vale, one of South Australia’s most well-known wine regions and conveniently located less than an hour from Adelaide. The region is known for its world-class Shiraz, beautiful rolling vineyards and relaxed cellar door experiences. What makes McLaren Vale unique is the combination of wine country and coastal scenery, with vineyards stretching almost all the way towards the sea.

Being wine lovers, there was no way we could visit Adelaide without dedicating a proper day to exploring the vineyards ourselves. Tony had already put together a solid “must visit” list for the following weekend, so we jumped onto a hop-on hop-off bus operated by Trailhopper which departed from the city and headed out to McLaren Vale.

The hop-on hop-off experience made the day incredibly easy and relaxed, allowing us to move between wineries at our own pace without needing to worry about driving. Our first stop was Richard Hamilton Wines where we enjoyed a tasting overlooking the vineyards. The winery has a long history within the region and offered a warm, welcoming cellar door experience with some fantastic wines.

Next we visited Maxwell Wines, one of McLaren Vale’s more iconic wineries. Maxwell is known not only for its wines but also for its impressive underground maze and unique architecture. The setting itself was beautiful and the tastings gave us the opportunity to sample some excellent local varietals while enjoying the peaceful vineyard surroundings.

Our final stop was probably the most visually striking of the day, d’Arenberg. Famous for its quirky multi-level d’Arenberg Cube building, the winery combines wine tasting with art installations and interactive exhibits, making it far more than just a standard cellar door. The Cube itself is impossible to miss and quickly became one of the highlights of our McLaren Vale experience. Between the wine, views and unique atmosphere, it was the perfect way to finish the day.

Looking back, Adelaide surprised us in the best possible way. What started as a simple work trip quickly turned into another reminder that adventure does not always need to involve months of planning. Sometimes it is simply about saying yes to opportunities, asking the question and being open to blending work, life and travel together.

Adelaide gave us fantastic food, beautiful wine regions, relaxed beaches and a city that instantly felt familiar. Most importantly, it reinforced something we have learned repeatedly through our travels — there is often far more flexibility in life than we first assume, and sometimes the best adventures begin with a simple “why not?”