Things to Do in Adelaide
Every week from Tuesday till Saturday, the market buzz with life loading up with all sorts of organic fruits, vegetables, seafood, poultry, premium meat, gourmet cheeses, and all sorts of bakery foods.
Every month millions of visitors stream through the market. Events like guest chef briefing on cooking tips and having cooking classes is a common scenario. One can speak to the traders who have been peddling their wares here for decades and huge knowledge to share about the market, its rich history and its versatility. One can gather information on the local produce and fetch ideas about Australian cuisine.
Highlights: Cleland Wildlife Park is the habitat of a hundred and thirty native Australian species. These include the kangaroos and koalas. Stop by the Cleland Cafe for a refreshing meal and coffee. The cafe uses fresh and seasonal produces for its cuisines.
Location: The protected area is located twenty-two kilometers from Adelaide.
Timing: The Cleland Conservation Park is opened 24/7. The Cleland Wildlife Park is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
Price: The entry fee to Cleland Wildlife Park is $22 for adults. The fee for children is $11.
The collection of the gallery includes about 38,000 artworks from various places including Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. The gallery showcases art works of different genres inclusing painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, metalworks, jewelry and many others. From Renaissance till the modern-day the art gallery is complete storage of multiple creative works. The entry is free for all and it is open on all days from 10am to 5pm.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide
The biodiversity gallery focuses on the land as well as the marine wildlife present in South Australia with gallant information on each of them. Apart from these, there are other galleries too which include Pacific Cultures, Opalised Fossils, Megafauna, Mawson, Minerals Ediacaran, and the Ancient Egyptian Room. Exhibitions, different government programs, and summer events are quite popular here. The entry is free for all.
Timing: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide
The square was developed and refurbished a number of times and now hosts a varied range of entertainment activities. There are almost endless things that one can do in and around Victoria Square. The large open space is excellent to take a walk after lunch or to work out.
Highlights: The Adelaide Central Market is within easy reach. You can pick your lunch there and then explore the shops to buy some souvenirs of the journey.
Location: The Square is a few minutes’ walks away from the Rundle Mall. You can also reach there by tram and other public transport.
Highlights: For rock-climbing enthusiasts, the Park offers a number of different routes and grades. It is one of the most popular rock climbing regions in Adelaide. Apart from that, there are picnic areas and playground as well as a barbeque facility to enjoy your day.
Location: The Conservation Park is located 10 km northeast of Adelaide.
Timing: The timing for walkers is from sunrise to sunset.
Price: There is no entry fee. But the fees of hiring the Morialta Resource Centre are $210 for a full day.
Highlights: Visit the little gift shop located inside the house to buy a souvenir for your journey. Stop by at Carrick Hill Cafe which is 15 minutes away from the house. The cafe offers delicious cakes and coffee as well as picnic boxes. You can also enjoy mouth-watering cuisine cooked with fresh ingredients.
Location: The property is located at the base of the Adelaide hills.
Timing: 10 AM to 4:30 PM from Wednesday to Sunday and Public Holidays.
Price: $12.00 Adults, $8.00 Concession and $28.00 Family.
Highlight: The historic arcades are the major highlights of the mall. You can take a self-guiding tour brochure and start your journey on the Rundle Mall Discovery Trail. Once you are tired of the shopping and walking, you can rest at one of the several dining areas in the mall and enjoy delicious meals.
Location: The mall is located right in the Adelaide City Centre. It is in close proximity to the Government House and Central Market.
Timing: 9 AM to 7 PM (9 PM) from Monday to Thursday (Friday). 9 AM (11 PM) to 5 PM on Saturday (Sunday).
It was gifted to Adelaide by the sister city Himeji. There are two traditional areas - The sensui area has mountains and lakes while the kare sensui area has rock garden.
Highlights: You can take a walk under the canopy of trees to reach the old fashioned teahouse. You can also visit the traditional Japanese Zen Garden. The Adelaide central market is just a few minutes ride away.
Timing: 8 AM to 5:30 PM from Sunday to Saturday. It closes at 4:30 PM on weekends and public holidays from April to September.
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Highlights: There are experienced tour guides to help you understand the history and importance of the cathedral. They will also explain the religious significance of different artworks inside the cathedral. Next to the main entrance of the cathedral, you can find a small gift shop from where you can purchase the souvenir of your visit.
Location: The St Peter’s Cathedral is just 5 minutes drive away from Rundle Mall.
Timing: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Saturday and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday.
Price: The price per head for the commercial tours is $5.00.
The highlight of SkyCity is the rooftop restaurants like Madame Hanoi and Sean’s Kitchen where you can savour delicious food with incredible views of South Australia.
Sandy beaches, brilliant views, rippling gush of waters, buzzing of shopping strip at Jetty road, beach sports like volleyball, nice eateries, great nightlife, the location is a jam-packed entertainment package for all visitors.
Apart from all the thriving and buzzing, one can get some good ocean adventures here too which includes snorkeling and scuba diving. Dolphin sailing tours are also quite popular here. For all the enthusiastic hearts the overnight adventure on a fishing carter is truly alluring. Some of the best restaurants are present on the beachside serving a host of cuisines for all to savor.
Surrounded by classy, top-rated seafood restaurants the bustling Henley square is one of the must-visit destinations to enjoy and savor, the mouth melting tastes of versatile sea food cuisines. The shoreline stretches far away and more swimming is allowed here. So take a quick dip and get refreshed enjoying the lovely beach.
There are awesome activities that can be done here but one that really feels good is the nature walk following the River Torrens Linear Park trail that starts from the city and goes straight to the Henley beach. One of the best places to spend a quality evening, this is indeed a best tourist places in Adelaide.
Semaphore Beach is a wide long beach beautifies with expansive foreshore and boulevard which remains effortlessly adorned by Art Deco buildings. Almost a replica of the grandeur of the Palais, this is undoubtedly a fascinating location to spend quality and experience classic gourmet coupled with best in class wine collection.
Other attractions nearby include Semaphore’s iconic Time Ball Tower, historic buildings, ferry wheel, awesome boutiques, and historic pubs. So go ahead and visit the destination for a good time spend. Accommodation in the nearby location remains available for the interested visitors.
It is backed by a park in the south direction, two club houses, and a caravan park, accompanied by a boat ramp and a car parking area. It comprises of fronting rock flats as well as a high tide sand section, with a shallow sand bar taking the rocks to the north.
Offering good and easy access and a wide range of facilities and utilities, it provides a safe swimming experience with very gentle surf. The visitors will not be able to resist such an enjoyable place where there are water sports as well.
Highlights: swimming, surfing, fishing, sailing club, life-saving club.
The Mortlock Wing is not only a public library but also an art gallery and museum. It has the rich architecture with French roof. There are collections of some of the rare books along with general and heritage books.
Highlights: Book a guided weekday tour to the library where you can browse through the extraordinary exhibitions and appreciate the spectacular architecture of the Mortlock Wing. The informative tour will enlighten you about the history and important events of South Australia.
Location: The library is located in the North Terrace.
Timing: The weekday tour starts from 11 AM and 2 PM.
Highlights: To get the most of your visit to the Migration Museum, take a free guided tour the museum and learn about the fascinating history and attraction of South Australia.
Location: The Migration Museum is located in the North Terrace close to South Australian Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia. You can reach the museum by taking a short walk from Adelaide City Centre.
Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM from Monday to Friday. 1PM to 5 PM on weekends and public holidays.
Price: Free Admission.
Highlights: Be it bush walking, fishing or swimming, no one would return without enjoying.
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What are the best things to do in Adelaide?
1. Explore the rich nature at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens: This huge botanical garden spreads over 51 hectares of land and has been inspired by the royal gardens of France and England. The National Rose Trial Garden inside this beautiful location is one of its kind establishments where roses from across the world are tested for their suitability to the Australian climate. The garden also has the Museum of Botany from where the visitors can get to admire and learn about the various species of fauna in Australia.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Timings: 7:25 A.M. – 6:30 P.M. (Mon-Fri), 9:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M. (Sat, Sun)
2. Gorge some delicious food at the Adelaide Central Market: If you are a food lover, one of the best things to do in Adelaide is visiting this largest fresh produce market in Australia. This beautiful market houses 80 stalls under its roof and is famous for its endless range of fruits and vegetables. Apart from that, some of the best cafes and patisseries of Adelaide are situated within this building. You can also get to sample a distinct range of authentic cheeses, charcuterie, and local sweets at the market. If you get a chance, try to visit the market on Friday to enjoy live music, indulge in cooking classes, or school workshops.
Location: 44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000
Timings: 7:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. (Tue, Wed), 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. (Thu), 7:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.(Fri), 7:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.(Sat)
3. Spending some time at the shore of Glenelg: Glenelg is one of the most popular sports amongst locals as well as tourists to spend some leisurely time. The clean beach, boating activities, and admirable views from the Jetty make it a perfect spot to spend some peaceful time. Moreover, visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Adelaide with kids and family. Glenelg also has a rich heritage history and beautiful colonial-era architecture that visitors can admire while strolling around the streets. Also, do not forget to take a ride on the Glenelg Tram, which is the only running tram left in the whole of Adelaide.
4. Admire the Artworks at Carrick Hill: Situated at the foothills of Adelaide Hills, this iconic property was home to Sir Edward Bill Hayward and his wife Ursula. The property is now open to the public and has an amazing collection of artworks, sculptures, drawings, and paintings by some of the most prominent English, French, and Australian artists. The beautiful architecture of the house within the property and the majestic English Gardens also work in admiration, with the beautiful hills on the one side and views of the endless sea on the other.
Location: 46 Carrick Hill Dr, Springfield SA 5062
Price: AUD 17 (Adult), AUD 36 (Family)
Timings: 10:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (Wed-Sun)
5. Explore the Chinatown: If you love to explore distinct cultures, visiting Chinatown is one of the best things to do in Adelaide for you. This amazing Chinese street in Adelaide is home to some of the most authentic Chinese restaurants and grocery stores. Apart from that, you will also find a pretty decent collection of Korean, Japanese, Thai, as well as Vietnamese eateries within this street. The street is the very place to admire Chinese celebrations throughout the year.
Location: 18 Moonta St, Adelaide SA 5000
Timings: Open 24 Hours
6. Visit the South Australian Museum: Established in 1834, visiting this amazing museum of natural history is one of the must things to do in Adelaide. This is the very place where you can get to learn about Australia’s natural as well as cultural heritage with the help of ancient artifacts from across the country as well as the world. Exploring this amazing museum is also one of the most fun and exciting activities to do in Adelaide with kids.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Price: Variable as/exhibits
Timings: 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
7. Visit the Himeji Garden: You surely cannot leave Adelaide without admiring its gorgeous Himeji Japanese Gardens. This beautiful Japanese Garden has been built using local Australian plants, however; to induce the feeling of an actual Japanese garden with beautiful colors, a gravel garden, and soothing water features. Visiting this place is surely one of the most peaceful and unique activities to do in Adelaide.
Location: South Terrace &, Glen Osmond Rd, Adelaide SA 5000
Timings: 8:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
8. Spot the Wildlife at Adelaide Zoo: Adelaide Zoo is one of the major attractions of Adelaide and homes over 2500 animals from across 250 species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish. If you are an animal lover and wish to admire some of the most unique and distinct animal species from across the world, visiting this amazing zoo is one of the most important things to do in Adelaide for you.
Location: Frome Rd, Adelaide SA 5000
Price: AUD 39 (Adult 15+), AUD 21 (Child 4-14)
Timings: 9:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
What are the adventurous things to do in Adelaide?
1. Kayak across Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary: One of the most adventurous activities to do in Adelaide is to kayak through its 10,000 years old forests which reside over 300 transient dolphins under its beautiful waters.
2. Hike from Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty: The hiking train from Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty is one of the most beautiful stretches of Australia with beautiful waterfalls and admirable flora. If you are lucky enough, you may even get to spot the native koalas and kangaroos along this amazing trail.
3. Bike downhill from Mount Lofty: If you are more of a daredevil and wish to level up your adventure skills, this is one of the must things to do in Adelaide for you. You will bike through an uneven downhill slope whilst admiring the beauty of Cleland Wildlife Park, with native animals roaming in your near vicinity.
4. Take a Hot Air Balloon ride over Barossa Valley: Float over the beautiful vineyards of Barossa Valley and capture some of the beat aerial views of the valley just northeast of Adelaide.
5. Climb up Oval’s Roof: Adelaide Oval is one of the most significant attractions of the city and one of the best ways to experience the same is by walking through a lean-out point just above the cricket stadium, 50 meters above the ground.
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What are the best things to do in Adelaide with kids?
1. Enjoy a Cruise down the River Torrens: The best way to spend some quality time with your kids and family is to get on a Popeye cruise over the Torrens River.
2. Climb up the Mega Adventure: One of the most fun things to do in Adelaide is to make your way through the popular Mega Adventure Obstacle course situated on West Beach. There is also an amazing café at the venue for parents to have some leisurely time.
3. Visit the Latitude: This place has got everything that kids like, ranging from huge trampolines, adventure courses, bounce parks, and climbing walls. It is one of the most-visited children’s spots in Adelaide.
4. Visit the Adelaide Zoo: You surely need to visit the Adelaide zoo to see your kids all cheered up while meeting some of the most exotic animal species from across the globe.
5. Have some fun at the TreeClimb: One of the best activities to do in Adelaide with kids is to visit this amazing aerial park which allows the visitors to climb through adventurous treetop trails and have some fun.
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How to reach Adelaide?
1. By Air: Adelaide has very few direct international flights, however; you can easily find a connecting flight to the city via one of the international airports of Australia.
2. By Train: Adelaide is well connected by all the major cities of Australia via rail, including, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, therefore; you can easily reach the city via rail as well.
What is the best time to visit Adelaide?
The best time to visit the city of Adelaide is during the fall and the spring season, which extends from March to May and September to November respectively. The temperatures during these seasons are decent enough to enjoy indoor as well as outdoor activities to their best.
What to buy from Adelaide?
Some of the best things that you can consider buying from Adelaide are:
Haighs Chocolate
Wine Glasses
Maggie’s Beer
Diamonds
Artisan Cheese
Textiles
Jams
Antiques
Is Adelaide worth visiting?
Adelaide is one of the most beautiful cities of Australia with a rich history to explore and numerous tourist attractions that will leave you dazzles. Adelaide also has an amazing wine scene and a very rich culture as well as a food scene that deems this city perfect for tourists and visitors from across the world.
How many days in Adelaide is enough?
It is recommended to spend at least 3 days in Adelaide to be able to visit all its major attractions. If you wish to include the nearby attractions like the Barossa Valley in your itinerary you should have at least 4-5 days in hand to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
What are the romantic things to do in Adelaide?
1. Go on a Wine Tasting Tour: One of the most romantic things to do in Adelaide is taking a wine tasting tour at one of the best vineyards of Barossa Valley with your loved one.
Enjoy a paddle boat ride over the River Torrens: Nothing can be more peaceful and romantic than taking a pebble boat ride across the Torrens river and admiring the beautiful views of the sunset across the beautiful river.
2. Spend some time at the Waterfall Gully: Waterfall Gully is the biggest waterfall in the whole of Cleland Conservation Park and one of the most beautiful ones as well. If you wish to spend some time amidst untouched nature with your partner, this is the very place for you to be.
3. Admire the scenic beauty from Hallett Cove Lookout: Hallett Cove Lookout is popular for its scenic beauty and the mesmerizing views of the sunset that it has to offer. If you wish to surprise your partner, take them to this very spot on a breezy evening.
4. Visit the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden: Pack on a picnic basket, wear your walking shoes, and set on a beautiful getaway into the natural beauty of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden with your partner for a romantic getaway.
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What are the things to do in Adelaide at night?
1. Go bar Hopping and party all night long: Adelaide has its own share of unique and classy night bars where you can enjoy some traditional cocktails and dance on the rocky music all night long for fun.
2. Enjoy a performance at Bakehouse Theatre: If you are into theatre, you definitely need to catch a magical theatrical show at one of the halls of this iconic theatre in Adelaide.
3. Catch a movie at the Moonlight Cinema: Nothing can be more fun and exciting than watching a legendary movie at this open-air cinema. Visitors can also bring in their own food and booze to enjoy while watching the movie.
4. Take a walk along the Torrens River: If you wish to capture the most beautiful views of Adelaide city and the Riverwalk, consider taking a walk along the lit-up banks of Torrens river at night.
5. Take a thrilling Cemetery Tour: If you want to take your trip to Adelaide to a whole other level, you can join in a 60-minute tour of the West Terrace Cemetery that includes special lighting, sound effects, and actors with unique costumes.
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What are the unusual things to do in Adelaide?
1. Admire the Artwork at Art Gallery of South Australia: Established in 1881, this amazing gallery is one of the best venues in the world to visit to admire the best and most unique of the visual arts collection.
2. Visit the Adelaide Oval: If you are a sports lover, you definitely cannot leave Adelaide without visiting its iconic sports stadium, which is popular for its unique shape, architecture, and endless iconic games.
3. Visit Adelaide Gaol: Wander into history and walk across this former prison of Australia which housed over 300,000 prisoners for over 147 years. If you love history and wish to hear some thrilling stories from the past, this is the place for you to be.
4. Explore the Cleland Conservation Park: Spread over a whopping area of 10 square kilometers, this protected wildlife area is situated in Adelaide Hills and houses the best of flora and fauna.
5. Ride the Glenelg Tram: You certainly cannot leave Adelaide without riding the one and only operational tram trail of South Africa in Glenelg.
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