Cold Chisel Lane, Adelaide: What are the City of Music laneways?

Cold Chisel Lane in Adelaide is one of five laneways devoted to musicians. It’s part of the UNESCO City of Music label, and there’s street art to go along with the quirky naming.

In a tiny laneway opposite the Adelaide Sofitel’s car park, there’s a massive mural. It is covered in quotes from fans singing the praises of their favourite band. That band happens to be Cold Chisel, the dictionary definition of Australian pub rock, and creators of the ubiquitous Khe Sanh.

Perhaps more interesting, however, is the name of the lane. A look at the sign shows this is Cold Chisel Lane. And it is not alone.

Adelaide – UNESCO City of Music

Adelaide is a UNESCO City of Music, and likes projects that hook into this theme. In December 2019, Adelaide City Council it was decided that four existing laneways would be renamed after musicians with strong ties to Adelaide.

Pick your perfect Adelaide day trips

Barossa Valley tours: 1. Wine-tasting with lunch 🍷. 2. Food and wine tour. 3. Small group wine tour with exclusive VIP tastings.
Kangaroo Island in a day – including sea lions 🦭, koalas 🐨and national parks.
Adelaide Hills tours: 1. Sights plus Murray River lunch cruise combo. 2. Small group cheese, chocolate & wine tour with Hahndorf German village.
McLaren Vale tours: 1. Small group wine tour with lunch. 2. Hop-on hop-off wineries tour 🍷. 3. Food and wine indulgence tour, including the gloriously weird d’Arenberg Cube.
Victor Harbor and southern highlights tour – including the Granite Island horse-drawn tram.

By the time they officially opened in 2001, four had become five. Adelaide’s City of Music Laneways are named in honour of Cold Chisel, Sia Furler, the Angels, No Fixed Address and Paul Kelly.

Where is Cold Chisel Lane, Adelaide?

Cold Chisel is hidden away in the West End behind Hindley Street, near Sunny’s Pizza. Sia Furler Lane is next to the Rockford Hotel and Jam Factory near Light Square. Paul Kelly Lane is just off Flinders Street and is accessible from the walkway on Pirie Street. No Fixed Address Lane is off Rundle Mall near the Adelaide Arcade and Mall’s Balls. And, finally, the Angels Lane is just off Gawler Place.

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DOLPHINS 🐬: Swim with wild dolphins, kayak with the resident bottlenose pod or watch them on a dolphin cruise.
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City of Music Laneways walking trail

All of Adelaide’s musical laneways are pretty close to each other in the CBD. They’re street art hotspots, with specially-commissioned works related to the artists taking centre stage.

It is, therefore, easy to string Cold Chisel Lane and the other City of Music laneways together in a walking trail.

If it’s the street art you’re interested in, try a Jimmy C murals walking tour or a 90 minute pedicab tour.

Other things to do in Adelaide include swimming with dolphins, Torrens River cruises and a city and parklands bike tour.