RiAus stands for (the) Royal Institution of Australia, and they are residents at The Science…read moreExchange which used to be the Adelaide Stock Exchange, so it is a beautiful historic building to start with, and you are welcome to go and wander about checking out its beauty. That's the first bit of great news because the second bit is this is all free so far so good! Now the next bit of great news is that The Science Exchange is a venue you can hire; well actually there are several spaces inside the historic building here you can hire. The Thinking Room, The Theatre, a Science Room - each have a great deal of character and that's just too easy for me to say - you must go and look for yourself. Start by checking out my photographs of the place and you will see what I'm getting at. Talk about a beautiful place! The next (there is more) thing that is truly wonderful is that RiAUS are really concerned about making science and maths and thinking a really cool accessible thing to all people but especially young people. So they hold all sorts of events and happenings and create programs that engage community in a vast array of really fascinating things, and most of the time it costs nothing to be involved or to go and look at whatever it is - check out the knitted or crocheted reef in the photos I took. It has an informative website where you can get a lot more complete detail that will blow your mind. It's blown my mind. I love going in and just wandering around. There is always something wonderful but get involved and you will be really astonished at how truly great it really is. One significant word of warning. The office workers from the surrounding high rise buildings do come down to the courtyard behind The Science Exchange to have their cigarettes, so if you are a non smoker like myself you need to be aware that there's a lot of smokers around the various approach ways from Grenfell Street in particular. Not right outside the RiAUS building directly, but a few meters away at most approach ways; I was horrified to encounter the filthy and stinky smokers chattering away and puffing away at their cancer sticks. A big yuck against the area, but what can you do other than be aware particularly if you are a school teacher bringing kids into RiAUS which wouldn't be an unusual thing. Maybe just case the joint and chose your entry from the street carefully so as not to have to walk in between so many people hell bent on costing the health system and themselves dearly at the whim of a blooming' multinational corporation growing addictive drugs. Just don't smoke folk! Check out RiAUS at The Science Exchange - you will love it. I think if you head in towards it from Pirie Street you are likely to encounter fewer smokers because there are a couple of eating places in the lane way you'd be walking down... just a thought.

Up until 1991 this building was the Adelaide Stock Exchange. Now it's the 'Science Exchange'…read morehousing the RiAus, a charitable science institution. As Dave J. mentions, they host a holy-shit-they're-crazy number of cool events, which are often free to attend. Built in an 'Arts and Crafts' style the building is a fascinating historical nugget of Adelaide. It has a spire. Not on a main road, it's buried between Grenfell and Pirie Streets having been completely boxed in by sky scrappers. Best accessed through a pedestrian path running between the Adelaide City Council and James Place. I saw a local TED Talk (TEDx) here in 2011. It was clear the RiAus was a robust choice of venue; the auditorium felt intimate yet held 150 people or so. The presentations were also live streamed to stragglers in the basement (overflow room) and online. They've succeeded in creating a modern and comfortable environment that works hard to focus the crowd's attention on the speaker, the ideas, etc. A very professional venue. Vivacious website - visit for upcoming events.

Yes, I know its hard to believe that in my spare time I like to do some old school nerding about…read moreand this is one of the places I like to do it. Aside from being used for a range of boring university lectures, The Hawke Centre houses both the Samstag and Kerry Packer Gallery, Prime Ministerial Library and a range of "lecture series" throughout the year. If you want to feel intelligent, opinionated and internationally switched on this is the place to be. I admire the programming at the Kerry Packer Gallery with previous exhibitions including that of Hutt St Centre clients, indigenous artists and internationally renowned photographic exhibitions. It's a small gallery too so you don't suffer from art gallery fatigue by the end of the exhibition. And the Hawke Centre Public Program has to be one of my favourite series of events hosted in the main lecture theatre here. From topics like "Has South Australia given up on heritage?" to debates on the Israel Palestine conflict and discussions about newDemocracy and refugee rights - these things make me [insert The Professor from The Simpsons noise here]. You don't have to be a nerd to feel welcomed and challenged here. Some of the most complex topics are dealt with in an incredible accessible way and in lamen's terms. What is amazing is that everything held in this center is free. Just visit their website and sign up to the mailing list to find out what's on every year and get ready to nerd out!

If you enjoy outdoor markets, live music, and vegan food, the Marion Peace Markets are for you!…read moreHeld monthly on the lush grounds of the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, it's a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. It's family and dog (leash) friendly; bring a picnic rug, buy a mug of chai, feast on the well priced food (all under $10) and enjoy the chilled tunes! When I attended on 27/10/12, reggae, roots/blues, and South American (think Mardi Gras!) style drumming was featured. Clothing and a range of arts and crafts were also for sale. A gold coin donation is gently requested by the event organisers to help them cover PA and other essential costs. Pack sunscreen and a hat on a warm day - this is an event best visited during the warmer months. Peace!