Adelaide is not only famous for being the only place where iced coffee outsells Coca-Cola, it is also known for the pie floater.
A pie floater is a meat pie in a plate of pea soup or mushy peas. It’s very English in its origin and apparently used to be popular across Australia, but has now found its spiritual home in Adelaide.
Adelaide's 'Pie Floater'
A native Adelaidean told me about the iconic status of this dish so I had to try it for myself. It was already 11 at night, but Adelaide is blessed with a few 24 hour bakeries that serve this dish.
My pie was submerged rather than floating, and the flourish of tomato sauce adds to the comical presentation of this meal. Despite the visual it’s actually not bad. If you like meat pies and peas you will like the pie floater.
24 hour bakery
Adelaide is the only other Australian city with a public transport system that uses trams (the other being Melbourne).
The tram runs from the city to the seaside suburb of Glenelg. If you want to use the tram in the city the tram is free.
Free tram travel
I got the chance to drive to Adelaide for a tourism promotion and I was happy to take up the opportunity. I had never been to South Australia, and it seems that it’s not on the radar of most domestic and international visitors either.
The Mighty South Aussies
The coastal drive from the Victorian border to Adelaide along the Limestone coast is worth the road trip alone. Adelaide is a city with a well conserved Victorian heritage and completely surrounded by parkland.
One thing that has already endeared me to South Australia is Farmers Union Iced Coffee.
Farmers Union Iced Coffee Truck
It’s not that it’s the best iced coffee in the world, though many people in South Oz will tell you that. No I like Farmers Union because around here this drink outsells Coca-Cola. I’m all for a land where a coffee beverage is the most popular drink. Only Irn-Bru in Scotland and Inca Kola in Peru can claim a similar honour.
No Australian road trip is complete without seeing a big thing.
The Big Lobster in Kingston, South Australia, is one of the most iconic Australian big thing. It stands over 18 metres tall, and has even been featured on a postage stamp.
The Big Lobster
Following on from being reacquainted with Australian birdlife, I’ve had a good run with seeing Australian Marsupials.
You can drive all over Australia and see “Kangaroos Next 10km” signs and never actually see a kangaroo.
Wildlife and farm animals
Koalas are even harder to spot than kangaroos. I got lucky here as this one was by the side of the road and was stopping traffic.
Koala up a tree
At my campsite in Capte Otway Victoria I had this curious swamp wallaby graze nearby my campervan.
Swamp Wallaby
In Cape Otway I also saw a reminder of what Australia is well known for – dangerous animals. Fortunately snakes are hibernating in the dead of winter.
Beware of snakes
Drive on left in Australia
Drive on left in Australia sign on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria.
Living in a city I forget how good Australian wildlife is. I’m staying at a friends house near Lorne on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. It’s in the forest so there is plenty of birdlife. You don’t even need to go looking here. Just put a bowl of sunflower seeds outside and you will have instant feathered friends.
Australian King-Parrot
There are plenty of king-parrots here, as well as crimson rosellas and the occasional sulphur-crested cockatoo.
Cockatoo and Crimson Rosella
The king-parrots here have become used enough to humans to be hand fed.
Feeding Australian King-Parrot
I’m doing a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road. My first port of call is at a friends place near Lorne, about 2 hours west of Melbourne.
The house has a view that is suited to a five-star resort. This is the view from the guest room.
Room with a view
