lifestyle
Illuminate Adelaide.
See Adelaide glow at Illuminate
One of Australia's fastest-growing events is back in 2026. Celebrate art, light, music and technology and see SA icons like Adelaide Zoo and Rymill Park bathed in spectacular colours.
Night Visions returns by popular demand to transform Adelaide Botanic Garden into a tapestry of cutting-edge lights, lasers, projections and immersive sound.
Digital Abyss will bring the ocean floor to life with 3D sculptures, AI plankton projections and much more.
Augmented Games presented by RAA will turn The Ridley Centre at Adelaide Showground into an arcade with a difference, where you're the controller. No screens or headsets – just play!
The popular City Lights trail is back, with a wide range of experiences, interactive artworks and projections, stretching from Government House to the East End.
RAA members can get 20 per cent off tickets to Augmented Games presented by RAA, Night Visions and Digital Abyss. Don't delay because discounted tickets are limited and sell fast.
Illuminate Adelaide will run from 1–19 July 2026. Visit illuminateadelaide.com for the full program of events.
What are some tips for installing a home charger?
The RAA Charge network has more than 145 locations across SA, so electric vehicle (EV) drivers are never far from a charge. But what if you want a fully charged EV ready to drive each day? RAA Charge Manager Anita Saunders shares some tips for having an EV charger installed at home.
Having an EV charger at your place means you can charge your car overnight or during the day and keep your car fully charged. Think of it like charging your phone.
Most EVs come with a standard cable, with a Type 2 end for the car and a standard Australian three-pin plug for a normal outlet. You can make do charging this way but it's very slow and doesn't give you any control when charging your vehicle. For most people, we recommend a dedicated wall box or home charger.
Whether you drive a Tesla, a BYD or a Hyundai, the unit on your wall can be the same. It also gives you the power to connect the charger to your solar system or manage charging via an app, so you're in control. Not to mention, you have a faster charger available.
Home wall boxes are typically 7kW, which adds about 40km to 50km of range per hour. If you plug in at dinner time, your car will be topped up or fully charged by morning.
The standard cable is much slower (about 10km of range per hour), but since most cars don't need a full zero to 100 per cent charge every night, it really depends how much you drive.
Modern units are sleek and about the size of a shoebox. You just need some clearance around it to wrap the cable neatly. Most home charging units are weatherproof, so they're perfectly suited to an external wall in the rain or sun.
Just make sure the installation is done by a certified electrician who knows EV tech.
Here are my top three tips when considering a home charger:
1. Get your switchboard checked: have an electrician check if your home's electrical board can handle the extra load. Some older homes might need an upgrade.
2. Think smart: look for a charger with an app, so you can schedule charging for the middle of the night when prices are lower, or the middle of the day to soak up your solar power.
3. Future-proof: install a 7kW unit if possible. It's a great investment that ensures your car is charged faster, leaving you ready to enjoy your green travel.
Get a pre-winter roof and gutter check
As the old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". When it comes to roof and gutter checks, never has that sentiment been truer.
Having your roof checked means peace of mind when winter really hits. Imagine relaxing by the heater with a warming mug of coffee or hot chocolate, knowing your roof and gutters are up to the job when it's bucketing down or blowing a gale.
RAA Trade Assist can take the stress out of organising roof repairs. A qualified tradie will come to your house to assess your roof, fix a leak, replace tiles, and clean or replace your gutters and downpipes – whatever needs doing. They can even do a full roof restoration or build a new roof if yours has seen better days.
Avoid the winter blues by having your gutters cleaned and checked. They'll also give your roof a once-over, so any minor issues can be spotted before they become major headaches.
Get a trusted tradie for roof repairs, gutter cleaning and home improvement jobs through RAA Trade Assist. Visit raa.com.au/tradeassist or call 8202 4988.
Member saving big bucks on dining out
RAA members have saved more than $1 million on meals at their favourite eateries in the past two years, thanks to the RAA Rewards dining program.
RAA Rewards offers members a range of everyday savings – including fuel, groceries and energy – to help the family budget. One of the most popular offerings is the delectable deals members can enjoy through RAA's dining partners from across SA.
Deals include complimentary upgrades, cheese platters and beverages. Since launching in February 2024 with 30 dining partners, the program now offers member deals at 100 restaurants. About half of these are in regional South Australia, with plans in place to expand into Eyre Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula.
Across more than 20,000 bookings, members have enjoyed the benefits of the RAA Rewards dining program nearly 70,000 times. For about three quarters of people, it was their first visit to the participating venue.
These impressive figures defy the recent slowdown of consumer spending. RAA's dining program has had seven record months in a row, with members contributing to strong growth in restaurant revenue.
Fino Seppeltsfield owner Sharon Romeo (below) says RAA's dining program is a great way to introduce new customers to her venue. "Our restaurant has been part of the program since 2024. Since then, the partnership has helped us welcome more than 1400 guests. These are customers we may not have reached otherwise, so it's a genuine win for our business."
Visit raa.com.au/dining or open the RAA smartphone app to find out more about these exclusive member dining discounts.
IMAGES: Getty, RAA, SATC.
