Adelaide - no longer just the city of churches, roundabouts, crows and Ben Folds. South Australia’s sleepy seaside capital is fast becoming one of the world centres for organic travel.

It wasn’t long ago that the word “organic” instantly summoned images in most people’s minds of chickpeas and hippie communes. Now city dwellers the world over seek out organic markets and delis, healthy juice bars are on every street corner, films like Super-Size Me are turning hoards of people off takeaway, and buying the best beauty products no longer means spending a fortune on European cosmetics with marquee brand names and fancy boxes more costly than their contents.

As more and more people become interested in healthy eating, eco-tourism, sustainable farming and a more balanced approach to general living, what better time for one of Australia’s often overlooked states to become a pioneer on the organic front?

Adelaide has long been recognised for its architectural beauty, proximity to both mountains and sea and for its abundance of world-class wine regions in the surrounding hills and valleys. The relaxed cafe, bar and restaurant scene is also something that lures travellers in need of a break from the more bustling states. And now Adelaide is taking another step towards making itself a unique destination, while at the same time stating loudly and clearly that healthy living doesn’t mean giving up on indulgence; in Adelaide, drinking wine need not equate to hangovers, pizza can be healthier than tomato soup, and home-grown beauty products could almost be served as nutritious meals. So, next time you’re in town, you might want to pay homage to these organic hotspots . . .

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