Planning Your Trip to Adelaide
Stephen's guide to visiting Standout Stonesetting
If you're travelling to Adelaide for a stonesetting course, this page will help you plan your trip, choose where to stay and know what to expect when you arrive.
The workshop is in Norwood, in Adelaide's inner eastern suburbs, close to the CBD.Â
Unit 8, 47 The Parade
Norwood SA
Norwood itself is a good place to stay if you'd like to be close to the workshop. The Parade has cafés, restaurants, shops, bars and other services, so you'll have plenty of options nearby before and after class.
Getting here
Flying to Adelaide
If you're flying in, you'll arrive at Adelaide Airport. The easiest options from Adelaide Airport are bus, taxi or rideshare..
- Bus to city - route J1
- Taxi/Uber to city - 15-20 mins
- Taxi/Uber to studio - 20-30 mins
If your flight times don't line up neatly with hotel check-in or check-out, you're welcome to bring your luggage with you to the workshop. There is room to store your bags during class.
Getting to the workshop each day
If you stay reasonably close to Norwood, getting to class is straightforward. Students staying nearby may be able to walk to the workshop.
The Adelaide CBD is 2-3km away and gives you a much wider choice of accommodation. From the CBD, allow around 30–40 minutes to walk, 20 minutes by bus, or take a taxi/rideshare.
Norwood ParadeÂ
South Australian Tourism CommissionÂ
Where to stay
The best choice of accomodation depends on whether you'd prefer to be close to the workshop, stay in the city, or keep accommodation costs down.
Stay in Norwood or nearby
Best for convenience
If you find suitable accommodation around Norwood, Kent Town or the surrounding area, you'll be very close to the workshop and may even be able to walk to class.
The closest major hotel I generally suggest looking at is Adelaide Royal Coach on Dequetteville Terrace.
For Airbnb and other short-stay accommodation, I'd look around Norwood and the nearby inner-eastern suburbs first.
Adelaide Royal Coach
Hotel 1.1km from the studio
Airbnb rooms
Individual rooms in the Norwood area
Airbnb apartments
Apartments/houses in the Norwood area
Stay in the Adelaide CBD
Best for choice and exploring Adelaide
The CBD gives you a much larger choice of hotels and puts you close to Adelaide's restaurants, shopping and attractions outside course hours.
The workshop is at the eastern side of the city, so I'd favour accommodation towards that side of the CBD where possible.
Coming for more than one week?
If you're attending a two, three or four-week course, your priorities may be a bit different.
An apartment or serviced apartment with cooking and laundry facilities can be much more comfortable for a longer stay than a conventional hotel room.
Parking
If you're driving to the studio, parking is available directly behind the workshop. Enter via Beyer St.
When you arrive, give me your vehicle registration number and I'll arrange a parking pass so you won't have to pay (and avoid a ticket).
Course logistics
Classes run from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (and sometimes overtime if students want to!)
I'd recommend arriving around 8:50 so we have time to get settled in before we start.
What you need to bring
Not much.
Each student bench is equipped with all the equipment and tools you'll need for the course, including a GRS Graversmith, setting microscope and flexshaft.
If you normally work with your own micromotor you're welcome to bring it and use it during the course, but most people are perfectly happy using a flexshaft.
A notebook and pen/pencil is useful for taking notes. I have these available for those who don't have their own.
Expect a working environment where you can ask questions, practise carefully, and build confidence with guidance.
Lunch, coffee and facilities
The workshop has a sink, fridge, microwave, plates and cutlery if you'd prefer to bring lunch.
The workshop is on The Parade, one of Norwood's main dining and shopping precincts, so there are plenty of options in the surrounding area. My top picks are:
- Café Saba Vietnamese food (next door)
- Crust Pizza (next door, Fridays lunch)
- Six & Five Café (2 min walk)
- "Enjoy" Café Bakery (5 min walk)
- Café Pavé (9 min walk)
After class
Further down Norwood Parade is one of Adelaide's main restaurant precincts. From fine dining to Yanni's Yiros and classic pub grub, there's plenty to eat and drink!
Make the most of Adelaide
If you're travelling interstate or overseas for the course, it's worth allowing extra time before or after your course to enjoy Adelaide.
The city is relaxed, walkable, and known for good food, wine, beaches, galleries, and easy day trips.
Rowland Flat, Barossa Valley
John Montesi
Close to the city
If you're staying an extra day, these are some local places to check out:
- Adelaide Central Market for food, coffee, and local produce
- Rundle Mall for shopping and essentials
- Art Gallery of South Australia and South Australian Museum
- Adelaide Botanic Garden for a quiet walk between travel and study
- North Terrace for culture, architecture, and city exploring
Beaches and outdoors
If you want fresh air after a focused course day, Glenelg Beach is easy to reach from the city by tram. Henley Beach and Semaphore are also popular spots for a relaxed Adelaide afternoon.
Adelaide Hills
If you have a free weekend between course weeks, the Adelaide Hills are an easy option for a day out.
South Australian wine regions
Lyndoch, Barossa Valley
Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission
Adelaide is surrounded by some of Australia’s best wine regions. If you're turning your course into a longer trip, consider visiting:
- Adelaide Hills (20-30 mins drive)
- Barossa Valley (60-90 mins drive)
- McLaren Vale (60 mins drive)
If you're attending for several weeks
Some students stay for many weeks. If you're coming for an extended course, consider:
- accommodation with a kitchen
- access to laundry facilities
- whether you'll want a car
- what you'd like to do on the weekend
Bring your stonesetting problems with you
If there are particular jobs, techniques or recurring problems that have been giving you trouble at your own bench, make a note of them before you come.
Photos are useful, and you're welcome to bring examples where practical.
The point of being here isn't just to complete a series of exercises. It's an opportunity to diagnose what's happening in your own work, improve your technique and develop the skills you can take back to your own workshop.
Explore curriculumBefore you leave home
A few things worth checking before you travel:
âś“ Flights booked
âś“ Accommodation booked
âś“ Course dates checked
âś“ Travel to the workshop planned
âś“ Saved photos of problems you'd like help with
âś“ Written questions you've been meaning to ask
We'll work through everything else when you get here.
Questions before your course?
If you're unsure about accommodation, what to bring, equipment, getting to the workshop or anything else about attending, just ask.
I look forward to working with you!
Email Stephen