Before the 1830s, the area now occupied by the city of Adelaide was a grassy plain with patches of trees and shrubs. This location, known as Tarntanya (red kangaroo place) is the heart of Kaurna Country – which encompasses the plains that stretch north and south, and the wooded foothills of the range which borders them to the east.
Adelaide Convention Centre, where the ALIA National Conference takes place, is on the banks of Karrawirra Pari (red gum forest river) – the main river in Adelaide. Prior to colonisation the river was a series of large waterholes and a key area for food and shelter for the Kaurna Meyunna (Kaurna people).
Kaurna culture and history are acknowledged and visible through public art and place names in Adelaide. There are several major public artworks at prominent city locations incorporating Kaurna language and themes. The Adelaide City Council’s Kaurna placemaking has seen the adoption of Kaurna names for all city parks, and dual naming of the five city squares and river.
Kaurna place naming and pronunciation: https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/community/reconciliation/kaurna-place-naming/
Image right from: https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/ZPL+0527
For the diary
Adelaide is Australia’s Festival Capital – and to showcase this, there are two excellent festivals happening at the same time as the ALIA National Conference.
South Australia’s History Festival is an annual state-wide event exploring South Australia’s history. Held throughout May each year, the History Festival explores the state’s places and spaces, stories, collections and ideas that make us who we are - https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/
Tasting Australia is one of the country’s longest running eating and drinking festivals – celebration and collaboration of people, produce and place lie at the heart of our existence - https://tastingaustralia.com.au/
Adelaide GLAM
Adelaide has a range of galleries, libraries, archives and museums within the city’s square mile. Within walking distance (or a short tram ride) of the Convention Centre, you’ll find much to explore, including:
Adelaide Contemporary Experimental 
Art Gallery of South Australia
Australian Space Discovery Centre
Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library
The Bradman Collection
Centre of Democracy
The City Archives
City Library
Flinders University, City Campus Library
Migration Museum
Museum of Discovery (MOD)
Museum of Economic Botany
National Wine Centre
Samstag Museum of Art
South Australian Museum
State Library of South Australia
University of Adelaide, Barr Smith Library
University of South Australia Libraries, City West Campus (Jeffrey Smart Building) or City East Campus (Brookman Building)
Photo right: University of Adelaide (stock image, jobhopper).
Street art
Colourful murals and other street art can be found at almost every turn in Adelaide. Explore the city’s laneways, nooks and iconic buildings to uncover the artwork by locals and artists from all over the world.
Adelaide street art trails - https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/collection/adelaide-street-art-trails/
The Pride Walk - https://www.experienceadelaide.com.au/visit/things-to-do/heritage/pride-walk/
Kaurna meyunna, Kaurna yerta tampendi - https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/collections/kaurna-reconciliation-sculptures
Wine and Dine
The food scene in Adelaide is all about great local produce and wine, creative design and friendly, relaxed dining. There are too many to list, but you won’t have to walk far before finding a cafe, small bar, pub or eatery. Well-known as a wine state, SA also produces some amazing beers and gins. For small bars near the Convention Centre, try Gresham Street, Peel Street and Leigh Street. Head east to Rundle Street for restaurants and larger pubs. The Adelaide Central Market is a thriving hub of food and culture, and well worth a visit.
Getting around
The conference will be in the heart of the Adelaide CBD. The tram stop closest to the Convention Centre can take you down to Glenelg beach (past the Central Markets) in one direction, to the State Library/Art Gallery/Museum and Botanic Garden in another direction, and also to the trendy pub and cafe-filled suburb of Bowden. The tram is free throughout the CBD, and to Bowden which makes getting around the city super easy. Nothing is that far in the city though – you can walk from one side of the city to the other in 30 minutes.
There are four ways to hire a taxi in Adelaide – book by phone, through a smartphone app, at a Taxi Rank (there’s one on North Terrace by the Adelaide Train Station, next to the Convention Centre) or hail from the side of the road. Try:
Adelaide Independent Taxis - https://www.aitaxis.com.au/
13cabs - https://www.13cabs.com.au/locations/adelaide/
Adelaide Airport transport
Ride sharing services such as Uber, Ola, and Didi have designated pick up facilities at Adelaide Airport. The pick-up area is just to the left of the Terminal Car Park as you leave the terminal.
When departing from the airport, there is a designated taxi rank located to the left (western side) of the pedestrian plaza as you walk out of the terminal.
The public transport option is a bus and timetables are available here: https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/stops?id=17327
Photos below (L to R): City tram in Glenelg (stock image, Photon-Photos); Fountain at Rundle Mall (stock image, moisseyev); Central Station interior (stock image, Trung Nguyen).
Statement of Acknowledgement for delegates
English
We acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country.
We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people visiting/attending from other areas of South Australia/Australia.
Kaurna
Ngadlu tampinthi yalaka ngadlu Kaurna yartangka inparrinthi. Ngadludlu tampinthi, parnaku tuwila yartangka.
Kaurna Miyurna yaitya yarta-mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku, parnaku yailtya, parnaku tapa puru purruna. Kaurna Miyurna ithu yailtya purruna, yarta kuma puru martinthi, puru warri-apinthi, puru tangka martulayinthi.
Kuma kumartarna Yaitya Miyurna ngadludlu tampinthi iyangka yalaka. Parnaku yarta kumartarna yarta Kanthi Partu-arra kuma Warrunangku.