Shades of Adelaide

Shades of Adelaide

If I could take home one thing from Adelaide, it would be its colours. The earthy tones—terracotta rooftops peeking through leafy trees, the deep reds and burgundies of fallen leaves, and the vibrant oranges and lemons in the background—are a rare sight in tropical Queensland.

These shades form the perfect backdrop for Adelaide’s sandstone buildings and elegant character homes. As you move into the Adelaide Hills, the scenery becomes even more distinctive and captivating, full of charm and character unique to this region.

Whether your looking for a wing of a plane or a stop sign, you’ll find it for sale in Hahndorf. Full of character that takes you back in time when things weren’t just things and weren’t disposed of so thoughtlessly, now they all live to tell a story in Hahndorf.

And what is there not to love in these yellow and mustard tones.

From Adelaide botanical gardens to Maggie Beer’s farm, and across to the wineries, your taste buds are continually challenged with local produce. With the last stop being at the chocolate factory, I couldn’t have ended my Art therapy training week in a better way.

The Wineries

My weeklong stay in Adelaide for my Art Therapy course and accreditation began with a few unexpected hurdles. I rushed out of work and headed to the airport, only to discover my flight had been cancelled. One floor assistant offered a cab voucher for the inconvenience, a second assured me I could catch a flight in the morning, which meant missing the first part of the workshop, crucial for bonding, and a third promised to file the refund paperwork. My only immediate option was to find and purchase a ticket with another airline.

Eventually, I secured a flight just in time to board. The anxiety of long security lines only began to ease once I fastened my seatbelt in the cab heading to the Adabco Boutique Hotel. But my relief was short-lived. Entering my room, I was met with the smell of smoke, dust bundled near the bedside table, crumbs on the carpet, and hair and urine around the toilet. I had chosen the hotel for its boutique charm in a character building, so this was disappointing.

The hotel staff were kind, but no alternative rooms were available. Late in the evening, I had no choice but to spend an uncomfortable night in a smelly, dusty room. Turning on the heating only intensified the smoky odor.

Overall, the hotel has character and charm, especially for those traveling with companions—it offers large rooms, communal sitting areas, and kitchen facilities. But in my opinion, cleanliness, hygiene, and air quality are essential, and my room fell short. Perhaps it was an isolated mishap in staff management, but it certainly affected the “feel-good” experience a traveler hopes for.

The next morning, determined to start fresh, I made my way to the Hilton, where my Art Therapy training was held. Along the way, I discovered the Adelaide Central Markets. The smell of freshly baked bread, coffee, and croissants drew me in. Everything looked divine, vibrant local produce, handmade crafts, and tempting treats. I settled for a croissant and a cappuccino, cocoa sprinkled around the rim and handle of the cup—a bit messy and sticky, but delicious.

With that small moment of bliss, I put aside my travel frustrations and focused on the day ahead, ready to immerse myself fully in the morning’s program.

During my short lunch break, rushing to the Ibis to check room availability, I passed HAIGHS Chocolates—dangerously placed right next door. I thought, if they still have no rooms, at least there’s chocolate waiting for me on the way out!

Ten minutes later, I left the Ibis and stepped into HAIGHS, but not just to inhale the intoxicating cocoa aroma or wallow in my travel frustrations. I entered with a sense of gratitude, hunting for the perfect chocolate for the incredible receptionist who had gone above and beyond. She insisted she was “just doing her job,” but she did so much more. She rearranged bookings, found me a quiet room for restful sleep, and secured a better rate than other hotels, all without me asking. She had imagined the chaos of my night before and softened it with her thoughtfulness.

As I wandered the shop, memories of my past Vodafone clients at Rome’s airport came flooding back. After helping them set up their budget flip phones and sharing tips for surviving Rome, many had bought me chocolates from the shop next door. I was “just doing my job,” yet to them it meant freedom, relief, and a little joy during their travels. The Ibis receptionist had done the same for me—removing burdens and allowing me to enjoy my weeklong training in peace. That act of kindness was priceless.

This is what sets great service apart. Fancy marketing campaigns and expensive advertisements can’t replace genuine empathy. It’s the kindness, professionalism, and intuition of your staff that allows them to connect, anticipate needs, and deliver tailored experiences. As a former graduate recruiter for the Queensland government, I’ve always trusted intuition over a checklist. If you want your staff to create memorable experiences rather than just provide a service, you need to look beyond technical skills and hire for heart, empathy, and insight.

I ended my stay in Adelaide visiting the OmMade – Meet the Maker collaboration store in Rundle Mall. I absolutely love this concept. The shop brings together 32 small, family-owned creative businesses, each with their own space to showcase and sell their products. With so many creatives involved, each only needs to cover a single shift a month—a clever and supportive way to share the load.

What I love most is that it’s Australian-made and owned, and it champions small businesses. These entrepreneurs not only share the practical responsibilities of running a business but also support each other through the challenges of retail. It’s a wonderful example of community spirit and collaboration—something every city and town could benefit from.

That day, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rachel, who was presenting her ‘Primrose Hill Set’ soy-scented candles. She walked me through the process of creating the perfect scent, explaining months of research and endless experiments to achieve the right balance. She even offered me a small bunch of Californian white sage to burn at home to clear energy—a new experience I’m excited to try.

I left with bath salts for my new cottage spa retreat and one of her beautifully scented candles, eagerly anticipating my first relaxing bath in my new house.

We Stopped to Smell the Roses

Not the roses in Adelaide’s Botanical Gardens, but the ones at the Hilton. Every morning, as I entered the first floor for my training, I was greeted by sheer beauty. Emma Hack’s collection of body artworks provided the perfect start to the day, sensual, evocative, yet subtle and natural. It was an inspiring backdrop for our art therapy training, as we paired off in the foyers to explore psychology and the subconscious mind.

The last time I looked at that foyer and her artwork, I was holding my Art Therapy Diploma from the College of Clinical and Educational Art Therapy. What an intense week it had been—long days of training, late nights writing blogs, and preparing for my Brisbane classes. Yet, I felt strong, proud, and gracious—just like the women captured in Emma Hack’s artwork.