Essence of Australia

02/08/2026

08/03/2025

Essence of Australia will be open today & tomorrow!

Long weekends at Adelaide Arcade are a delight! We're open today 9am - 5pm and tomorrow for the public holiday 11am-5pm.
*please check individual stores for their trading hours

17/02/2025

These Australian made treats will make beautiful gifts!

15/11/2024

Great for posting & hanging on a tree!

14/11/2024

Adelaide Arcade, located in the heart of Rundle Mall, is a heritage-listed shopping arcade that has been a cornerstone of Adelaide’s retail landscape since its opening in December 1885. Celebrated for its architectural elegance, the arcade features distinctive domes, ornate detailing, and Italianate entrances adorned with marble from Carrara, Italy, and Kapunda, South Australia. It was among the first buildings in Adelaide to be illuminated by electric lighting. 

The arcade originally housed 50 shops on the ground floor, each with workrooms above, accessible via internal staircases. Over time, it has expanded to accommodate over 100 specialty retailers, offering a diverse range of products and services, including fashion boutiques, artisan crafts, and gourmet eateries. 

Adelaide Arcade is also home to its own museum, located on the balcony level of the adjoining Gay’s Arcade. The museum showcases the arcade’s extensive history through artefacts, traditional photographs, newspaper clippings, and even an accordion that plays the official Adelaide Arcade Polka. The museum is free to enter and is open during arcade shopping hours. 

Beyond its retail offerings, the arcade is renowned for its rich history and is reputed to be one of Adelaide’s most haunted buildings, with tales of resident ghosts adding to its allure. Visitors can explore these stories through self-guided history tours available both in-person and online. 

Today, Adelaide Arcade continues to be a vibrant shopping destination, seamlessly blending its historical charm with contemporary retail experiences, making it a must-visit location in Adelaide’s bustling Rundle Mall.

31/10/2024

Bargains in the basket just in time for Christmas!🎄