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It’s that time of the semester again – classes are halted for two weeks and we’re all itching to escape the academic life that we have been so privileged to wallow in these past few weeks.

It’s so human, isn’t it? Romanticising a time away from the mundanities of our day-to-day lives. That’s why we go on holidays and while some of us might be seeking a constructed reality in foreign land, I will be staying put in South Australia and maybe explore the towns and suburbs I can escape to. 

During my 3 years here in SA, I’ve had the chance to visit different places within the state – some near, some far. I thought, as an attempt to inspire your next quick getaway, I would share my top 3 places in the state. 

Norwood

A place I hold very near and dear to my heart. Not only does this suburb house my dad’s favourite Italian café, it was also a suburb I used to frequent a lot when I lived in the East during my first two years in Adelaide. The Parade is the main stretch of tree-lined street in Norwood filled with restaurants, cafes and boutiques so you can power through your shopping frenzy after grabbing some food and drinks. It's only a 15-minute ride from the city too!

My Norwood itinerary often looked like this: pop into a gift shop called To The Moon and convince myself I don’t need to buy that pointe shoe-shaped serviette or those Peter Rabbit cake toppers. Then I would cross the street to Dillons Bookshop and pick up a copy of a book on my TBR list followed by some iced chai latte at Bravo Café. If I’m up to it, I’ll browse more shops and maybe treat myself to boba (which is often the case).

Port Elliot

The most charming place I’ve visited in SA thus far. Located in the Fleurieu Peninsula, an hour’s drive from the city, this sleepy seaside town made me feel like I was in someone’s coastal grandmother Pinterest mood board. I stayed there for 3 days with my friend and came home feeling more content than ever. 

You can find the famous Port Elliot Bakery there. Be sure to get there early, preferably on a weekday, to get your hands on the doughnut of the month. But the bakery wasn’t my favourite thing about this town. Down the road you’ll find a quaint bookstore called South Seas Books & Trading and an organic food store, Jetty Food Store – that’s when I fell in love with the town. Of course, the beaches were captivating too. I took my first (and as of today, only) surfing lesson on Middleton Beach. 

Glenelg

Yes, yes, this is one of the most hyped-up places in Adelaide but I honestly believe it deserves to be so. If you couldn’t already tell, I love a good time by the seaside and in a bookstore, and Glenelg offers both of those things to me. Oh, and it’s very accessible too – just a tram ride away from the city. So it’s like an easy spot to settle for when I feel like going out but don’t know where. Not as quiet as Port Elliot but if you’re one to feast your eyes and tummies, then Glenelg is your place. Although you might be able to find a tranquil spot if you walk a little further down the beach. I highly recommend going on a cruise tour if the forecast is sunny. 

I know mid-semester breaks aren’t really breaks as we scramble to submit assignments and catch up on lectures but it’s still important to take some time off during these two weeks. Going away for the weekend or a couple of days could remedy the stress we’ve been feeling lately, it certainly helped me!

Sometimes you just have to get out and pretend you’re in a dream to freshen you up a little, you know?