How I Holiday: Oscar Harding Knows How To Throw A Festival

Welcome to How I Holiday, a series of travel stories and recommendations shared by friends of Urban List from Aotearoa and Australia.

Easily one of Adelaide's coolest creatives, Oscar Harding is a local legend when it comes to all things South Australia. Currently setting his sights on the sixth instalment of directing Adelaide's most iconic electro fest SidebySide this January, he wants to make sure everyone knows how to make the most of your time around his beloved town if you're heading over. We chatted to him about all his go-tos when it comes to long blacks, fruity vinos and where to go for a new year reset.

What’s a local Adelaide spot you always take visitors to?

A couple of my favourite places to take friends from interstate or overseas are Henley Beach for a swim along the metro coastline, and Carrick Hill, an underrated gem. Carrick Hill is such a beautiful place to start the day or to watch the sun go down with friends. Both spots really show off Adelaide’s relaxed pace and natural beauty.

Which neighbourhood do you think best reflects the real Adelaide right now, and what do you love about spending time there?

It’s a funny question, because so many pockets of Adelaide feel like “the real Adelaide” depending on the day. But King William Road and Goodwood Road really capture the city’s current energy. They’re packed with great cafés, bars, restaurants, neighbourhood pubs, wellness studios and small retailers. There’s a real sense of community there, people saying hello on the street, owners remembering your order, businesses putting genuine effort into what they do.

Where’s your local café? What’s your go-to order?

My local is Sway on Pulteney Street. They genuinely have some of the best coffee in town, supplied by Ona Coffee Roasters out of Melbourne. My go-to order is a long black or a batch brew to take with me, and an espresso with Declan before I tackle the day. 

Where’s the best spot for a pub feed?

The Earl of Leicester is pretty hard to beat for a classic parmy. The front bar has this old-school charm that’s getting harder to find, no frills, just great food and a proper local atmosphere.

What’s the best wine bar, and what are you drinking?

Proof is hands down my favourite wine bar in Adelaide. Joe and Shane have created such a warm, cosy nook, perfect for a knock-off or an unplanned catch-up with friends. I usually go for the Brackenwood Gamay from the Adelaide Hills. It’s a fruity, lively wine that always hits the spot and is ideal for sharing.

Which Adelaide creatives, makers or small business owners deserve more love?

I’ve been lucky to work alongside some incredible Adelaide creatives over the years. Recently, I’ve been collaborating with James Dodd (Double Diamond), Miles Dunne, and Sam Songailo, all of whom bring ambitious and thoughtful ideas to life. I’d also give a shout-out to Luke Million and Emma Sainsbury (Eluize) for the work they do shaping and championing Adelaide’s music community.

As a DJ who’s pretty much addicted to discovering new music, I also have to mention Closer Records, run by Glen and Transition, run by Hans. They’re two of my favourite places to dig through crates and come out feeling inspired.

Where do you go when you want to feel inspired or reset?

I have two places I gravitate toward.

First is the Riverland, specifically Kingston-on-Murray/Barmera, where I spent a lot of time growing up. Being out there, often without phone reception, is the perfect reset, space to breathe, slow down, and recharge.

If I can’t get away for that long, I’m a bit of a golfing tragic, so a round at Mount Osmond Golf Club with mates does wonders. You’re surrounded by nature, focused on the challenge, and everything else falls away for a few hours.

Is there a community or cultural space in Adelaide that means something special to you?

The Adelaide Central Market has always held a special place in my heart. It reminds me of having lunch there with my mum when I was younger. These days it’s still a gathering point, sharing meals with friends and family at Asian Gourmet (best laksa in town) or Chinatown Café for their iconic Hainanese chicken rice. It’s one of the few places in Adelaide that feels the same as it did decades ago, vibrant, honest, and full of life.

Which local events, markets or festivals do you look forward to every year?

I probably shouldn’t answer this without mentioning how much I look forward to putting on Sanctuary and Sidebyside each year, they’re huge labours of love so they would be one of my picks haha.

Outside of those, WOMAD is the festival I look forward to most. It has a beautiful community spirit and a real sense of musical discovery. It’s one of the few events where you’ll buy a ticket only recognising a handful of artists and leave having fallen in love with a dozen more. There’s nothing quite like it.

If you had one day to show someone your Adelaide, what would the itinerary look like?

I’d start the morning with a walk around Carrick Hill to ease into the day with some nature and views. Then we’d head to Sway for a coffee before following the Torrens along the Linear Trail to the Botanic Gardens and Botanic Park. It’s a perfect way to show off how green and calm the city can be.

From there, we’d head to the Central Market to browse some fresh produce and grab a bowl of laksa at Asian Gourmet. After lunch, I’d take them down south to McLaren Vale to visit a couple of the amazing cellar doors for a wine, and then over to Shifty Lizard in Willunga for a beer from their wild selection of ales.

Since we’re already down there, a quick dip at Moana is essential. To finish the day, we’d head back into the city for dinner at Nido and a nightcap at Proof. A pretty great cross-section of what Adelaide does best.