Glenelg is the resort of choice for Melburnians and deservedly so. Its perfect location on the shore of Holdfast Bay in Gulf Saint Vincent, gives it a scenic setting to add to its old world charms, and it’s so easy to get to from town. So where to start your Glenelg jaunt?

The best way to get a feel for Glenelg is to take a stroll along Jetty Road which is where the tram stops. Jetty Road runs for around 700 metres and is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. It's an atmospheric thoroughfare with its architecture dating back to the early 19th century.

Jetty Road can easily accommodate your Glenelg shopping needs. The outlets here offer everything from books to jewellery to crafts and CDs. It's an especially good place to pick up those special gifts and souvenirs. There are also beauty salons and hair care centres. Most outlets are open seven days a week and shopping here is a leisurely affair in keeping with a relaxed seaside resort. Most of the shops and boutiques are flanked with cafes and eateries.

If you're with the kids, head for the Beachouse (often capitalised as BeacHouse). This amusement arcade was built to replace the Magic Mountain, which was demolished in 2004. Among the attractions are three waterslides, dodgem cars, the five-storey high Play Castle, a generous array of arcade games from all over the world, and a historic carousel built in the late 19th Century in Britain. You can also enjoy mini golf, bumper boats, and a miniature train.

If you enjoy the outdoors, Glenelg offers a number of heritage walks which allow you to delve into the region’s history as well as take in the natural beauty of the Holdfast Bay area.

One of the most popular is the Proclamation Trail, a gentle three and a half kilometre self-guided trail through Glenelg suitable for walkers and cyclists. Starting off at the Town Hall, the Proclamation Trail consists of eight major heritage sites.

These major heritage sites visited include the site of the first landing of the first settlers in 1836. Later cross the Pat and see the model of the 'HMS Buffalo', the sailing ship that brought the early settlers to Holdfast Bay. You also see the Old Gum Tree, the site chosen by Governor Hindmarsh to read the proclamation of South Australia on 28 December, 1836. The trail finishes in Colley Reserve.

If the ocean beckons and you want to get out on the water, you could do no better than take the Swimming with the Dolphins cruise. This cruise aboard the-58 foot sailing catamaran Temptation whisks up to 50 passengers out to watch or swim with the dolphins in Holdfast Bay. The gulf is home to more than one thousand dolphins. The cruise sets off at 8:00 am and returns at 11:30 am.

Visit Glenelg and you'll find yourself reluctant to leave. If so, you're in luck. Another great feature of Glenelg is range and quality of the accommodation. Among the finest Glenelg hotels are the Glenelg Motel Adelaide and the Oaks-Plaza-Pier-Hotel-Adelaide.

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Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Glenelg hotels as Glenelg Motel Adelaide and Oaks-Plaza-Pier-Hotel-Adelaide.