Things to do in Adelaide

Adelaide. Endless activities, abundant sunshine, and a laid-back vibe.

Visit the picturesque Adelaide Hills for scenic hikes and world-renowned wineries.

Explore the vibrant city center with its impressive architecture, museums, and delicious food scene.

Take a stroll along the iconic Glenelg beach, indulge in a seafood feast and catch a breathtaking sunset.

Get up close and personal with wildlife at the Adelaide Zoo or head to the Adelaide Oval to catch a game of cricket or football.

Adelaide, a city of endless possibilities.

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Located in the heart of Adelaide, the Adelaide Botanic Garden offers a beautiful and serene setting for visitors to relax and soak up nature. Situated on North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia, the garden is easily accessible and attracts over 2.6 million visitors each year, including approximately 25,000 school students.

Soak Up Nature and Wildlife

The Adelaide Botanic Garden provides an ideal setting to take a relaxing walk, enjoy a glass of wine or coffee, and immerse oneself in the beauty of nature and wildlife. Visitors can explore the stunning plants, water features, and wildlife that inhabit the garden, including gorgeous and diverse plant collections from around the world.

Picnic and Family Gatherings

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a perfect place for a small family gathering or a picnic with friends. The garden offers beautiful grass spaces and filtered water and bathrooms for the convenience of visitors. Visitors can enjoy a café with live music on Saturdays, but parking can be challenging. Ticket parking is available around the garden, but there is no free parking except on holidays.

The Botanic Gardens of South Australia

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is part of the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, which comprises three beautiful public gardens – Adelaide Botanic Garden (and Botanic Park) in the city, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills, and Wittunga Botanic Garden in suburban Blackwood. The gardens have provided visitors with a range of cultural, recreational, educational, and scientific facilities for over 160 years.

As keepers of collections and knowledge, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia is a champion and storyteller of how plants shape our future. The garden connects people with plants, and their vision is to be unsurpassed in sharing their knowledge of plants. They will be at the forefront, amongst the world’s leaders in their scientific endeavors, and will be agile in all respects of their business to maintain relevance to the community. The beauty and diversity of the plants and displays will inspire visitors.

Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo

Located on Frome Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia, the Adelaide Zoo is a not-for-profit conservation charity that exists to connect people with nature and save species from extinction. Zoos SA acknowledges the Country on which we stand always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land and we pay our deepest respect and gratitude to Kaurna (Adelaide Zoo) and Ngarrindjeri (Monarto Safari Park) Elders, past, present and emerging.

Café/Restaurant

The café/restaurant at Adelaide Zoo is a great place to grab a bite to eat and drink. Customers rave about its cleanliness, high-quality coffee and food. However, while the chicken and chips are said to be okay, the wraps leave a bit to be desired. The service is quick, and there are plenty of tables and chairs for customers to sit at. Pricing is pretty standard for a public place.

Animal Exhibits

The Adelaide Zoo has a well-laid-out space with lots of cool plants. Animals look content in good size, clean enclosures. Visitors enjoy the conservation efforts and message of this zoo. A bonus attraction is the bat colony just outside the zoo, which is quite simply unbelievable. The friendly and helpful staff are knowledgeable about the exhibits and are happy to answer questions.

Souvenirs

One common complaint about Adelaide Zoo is the limited selection of souvenirs. Visitors suggest that the gift shop could be improved.

Overall, the Adelaide Zoo is a great place to spend the day with the family. The critical conservation work that is undertaken throughout Australia, and the acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of these lands, makes this a zoo worth visiting.

Adelaide Gaol

Discover the Haunting History of Adelaide Gaol

Located at 18 Gaol Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia, the Adelaide Gaol is an iconic historical site with a gruesome past.

Experience the Creepy Vibes

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the gaol, which includes the execution room. The gaol has a spooky ambiance, and visitors have reported feeling a chilling presence in the room. The reasonable prices make it an affordable attraction for families and tourists alike.

Fascinating Guided Tours

Alan, the previous head of the gaol, conducts guided tours that are spellbinding. His stories of the gaol and its prisoners are captivating and will leave you awestruck.

A Fun Place to Learn History

The Adelaide Gaol is an excellent place to delve into Australia’s colonial past. With its old buildings and stonework, it provides a glimpse into the past. Visitors can take time to explore the history, and there is even a school holiday activity for kids.

A Grisly Past

Adelaide Gaol has a dark history, and it is the site of some of the State’s more gruesome events. It was one of the oldest remaining colonial public buildings in Adelaide, commissioned in 1840 by George Strickland Kingston. The construction was considered radical for the time and ended up being more expensive than initially anticipated. The cost of construction sent the fledgling colony of South Australia bankrupt, resulting in the recall of Governor Gawler.

Discover the haunting history of the Adelaide Gaol and learn more about Australia’s past.

Art Gallery of South Australia

Art Gallery of South Australia

Location

North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Dining

“Always a very good meal. Friendly staff always. Perfect setting with easy access.” “Great coffee and food options both dine in and some take away treats.” “There is a small cafe on site, food is nice with affordable price.”

Overview

The Art Gallery of South Australia is a great place with great masterpieces. The best part is that it’s free to access. There are guided tours happening at three different times during the day. The place is not too crowded, but it’s not deserted either. The art gallery has a cafeteria too. From art to ornaments to biological concepts to aboriginal art, this place displays a great collection even with origins from other countries. It takes at least about an hour to properly cover the place. It’s quite big. There is no parking since it’s in the heart of the city, so visitors need to park somewhere else and get there.

Impressionist Artwork

The Art Gallery of South Australia is known for its outstanding collection of Australian impressionist artwork, and it also surprisingly has an incredible level of European and Japanese art. It totally defies expectations. Staff up front are eager and helpful, and a polite guard explains the story behind one of the visitor’s favorite paintings.

Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art

Known for its risk-taking and expansive vision, each iteration of the Adelaide Biennial responds to a different theme or premise. Featuring the latest works of art by leading contemporary artists from all corners of the country, the Adelaide Biennial is defined by experimentation and innovation. It’s also known for its role in accelerating the careers and profiles of Australian artists.

2024 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art Curator

José Da Silva has been appointed as the curator of the 2024 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art. He has over twenty years of curatorial experience in Australian art museums, including his current role as Director of UNSW Galleries and former roles at the Australian Cinémathèque and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. José Da Silva says, “I’m thrilled for this opportunity to share my vision for the Adelaide Biennial and feel energised by all the possibilities ahead, especially the opportunity to learn from Elders, artists, thinkers, and community figures across Australia.”

Presented in association with the Adelaide Festival, with generous support received from the Art Gallery of South Australia Biennial Ambassadors Program and Principal Donor The Balnaves Foundation. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.

Botanic Park

Botanic Park: Adelaide’s Oasis of Beauty and Tranquility

Botanic Park is a magnificent park located in Adelaide, Australia. This beautiful oasis is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, relax, and enjoy nature.

Beautiful Gardens and More

Botanic Park boasts beautiful gardens, including a rose garden and sunflower garden. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The park also has several dams that are home to turtles and ducks, adding to the natural beauty of the park.

A Place for Everyone

The park has plenty of open spaces and shady areas to walk your dogs, have a picnic, or simply sit and relax. There are also cafes where visitors can grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

World-Class Facilities

The Botanic Park is part of the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, which includes two other gardens, the Adelaide Botanic Garden and the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. These gardens are visited by over 2.6 million people each year, including approximately 25,000 school students.

As keepers of collections and knowledge, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia are champions and storytellers of how plants shape our future. They connect people with plants and strive to be unsurpassed in sharing their knowledge.

Botanic Park: An Unforgettable Experience

Whether you are a nature lover or simply looking for a peaceful place to relax, Botanic Park is a must-visit destination. With its beautiful gardens, world-class facilities, and tranquil atmosphere, it offers a unique experience that will stay with you long after your visit. Come and enjoy the beauty and diversity of the plants and displays that will inspire you during your visit to Adelaide.

Adelaide Himeji Garden

Adelaide Himeji Garden: A Serene Japanese Oasis in the Heart of Adelaide

Nestled at the corner of South Terrace and Glen Osmond Road, the Adelaide Himeji Garden is a peaceful sanctuary that offers a glimpse of Japanese culture in the heart of Adelaide. The garden boasts a picturesque landscape with its tranquil ponds, waterfalls, and bridges that are surrounded by lush greenery and cherry blossom trees.

Visitors can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy an hour of relaxation in this tidy and well-maintained small Japanese garden. The garden is dog-friendly, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely walk with furry friends. Visitors can grab an information booklet as they walk in to learn more about the garden’s specific places and monuments.

A “City in a Park” – Adelaide’s Formal Gardens and Squares

Adelaide’s formal gardens and squares are not only beautiful but also functional, providing flexible spaces for the community and accommodating a variety of activities from informal picnics to large-scale events. Colonel William Light’s original “city in a park” design incorporated these unique green spaces, which continue to enhance the character of the surrounding precincts today.

The Botanic Gardens of South Australia comprises three beautiful public gardens – Adelaide Botanic Garden (and Botanic Park) in the city, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills, and Wittunga Botanic Garden in suburban Blackwood. These gardens have provided visitors with a range of cultural, recreational, educational, and scientific facilities for over 160 years, attracting over 2.6 million people each year, including approximately 25,000 school students.

Visitors can also explore other parks in the city, such as the serene Adelaide Parklands, which offer a refreshing respite from the urban hustle and bustle. The parklands include a range of flora and fauna, including Moreton Bay Figs and other native plants, which provide a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks or picnics with friends and family.

Slow Down and Take in the Beauty of Adelaide’s Gardens and Squares

Adelaide’s formal gardens and squares offer visitors the chance to slow down and take in the details of manicured gardens and escape the buzz beneath a canopy of trees. Whether it’s the refined elegance of the Adelaide Himeji Garden or the wild beauty of Moreton Bay Figs, visitors will appreciate the unique character and beauty of these green spaces. With its mix of culture, history, and natural beauty, Adelaide’s gardens and squares are a must-visit for anyone looking for a relaxing escape in the heart of the city.

Migration Museum

Discover the Fascinating History of Migration at Adelaide’s Migration Museum

Located at 82 Kintore Ave, Adelaide SA 5000, the Migration Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of South Australia.

A Journey Through Time

Step into the Migration Museum and immerse yourself in the rich history of migrants who came from all over the world to make South Australia their home. Learn about the various reasons for immigration and how it has shaped the cultural landscape of the region.

Authentic Exhibits

Explore the authentic exhibits that showcase the personal experiences of immigrants, from their journey to their settlement in South Australia. Discover the positive and negative aspects of migration, including the impact of European colonization, the White Australia Policy, and the refugee crisis.

Educational and Engaging

The museum offers a range of hands-on activities and interactive exhibits that will captivate both adults and children alike. Visitors can also take advantage of the knowledgeable and friendly staff who are always ready to assist and answer questions.

Free of Cost

The best part? Entry to the Migration Museum is completely free!

Plan Your Visit

Remember to stop by the visitor information center for a map on how to navigate the area. Please note that some exhibits may be undergoing renovation during your visit.

Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall: Adelaide’s Premier Shopping and Entertainment Destination

Located in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia, Rundle Mall is a world-renowned shopping and entertainment destination. It is home to the biggest and best range of brands, including exclusive flagships H&M, Tiffany & Co. and Sephora, alongside some of the state’s best restaurants and dining destinations.

A Vibrant Hub of Activity and Excitement Year-Round

Rundle Mall is a bustling hub of activity and excitement year-round. The rich history of the precinct, along with its proximity to museums and art galleries, has cemented Rundle Mall as a cultural landmark within South Australia.

Award-Winning Artworks and Iconic Landmarks

The length of the Mall features award-winning artworks, including the iconic work The Spheres by Bert Flugelman, affectionately known as the ‘Mall’s Balls’, joined by newer additions Pigeon by Paul Sloan and A Day Out by Marguerite Derricourt.

Major Events and World-Class Buskers

Throughout the year, Rundle Mall plays host to a series of major events, including Tasting Australia and ADL Fashion Week, as well as activations, pop-ups and a diverse range of world-class buskers to enthral the 42 million visitors welcomed to the Mall annually.

A Diverse Range of Retail Outlets and Services

With over 700 retail outlets, 300 services, 3 department stores, 15 arcades and centres and over 5,000 car parking spaces, you can expect it all in Rundle Mall.

The Heart of Shopping, Dining and Entertainment in Adelaide

Rundle Mall is the heart of shopping, dining and entertainment in Adelaide. With global brands and local favourites, Rundle Mall offers a unique shopping experience. It is a great place for family, shopping and a cup of coffee with a nice atmosphere. It is also one of the most busy places for youth and everyone with a lot of shopping shops, cafeterias and restaurants.

Illuminate Adelaide

For those visiting between July and August, be sure to check out the extra light installations and art decoration during the months of Illuminate Adelaide.

Plan Your Visit to Rundle Mall Today

Plan your visit to Rundle Mall today and experience the best that Adelaide has to offer. A walkable shopping street in the centre of Adelaide with interesting sculptures and a variety of shops and services. There are lots of seating and shading to relax in, and street performances always add to the lively atmosphere of Rundle Mall.

Bicentennial Conservatory

Discover the Bicentennial Conservatory

If you’re looking for a unique and educational experience in Adelaide, the Bicentennial Conservatory is a must-see attraction. Located in the heart of Adelaide, this impressive conservatory is a landmark in the city and a testament to the stunning architecture of South Australia.

A Lush Rainforest Ecosystem

Inside the Bicentennial Conservatory, you’ll be amazed by the incredible display of lowland rainforest plants. From northern Australia to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands, you’ll see a variety of plants that are at risk or endangered in their natural habitats.

An Award-Winning Design

Designed by South Australian architect Guy Maron and opened in 1988, the Bicentennial Conservatory is the largest single span conservatory in the Southern Hemisphere. Its curvilinear shape and elegant steel superstructure support the 2,434 metres2 of toughened glass that forms the roof, walls, and doors.

Canopy Walkways

Visitors can experience the rainforest from two walkways. The lower walkway winds across the undulating forest floor, while the upper walkway takes visitors into the canopy of trees and palms. Both walkways have full wheelchair access, making it easy for everyone to explore this incredible ecosystem.

Awards and Recognition

The Bicentennial Conservatory has received numerous awards and accolades since it opened. It received a Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA, SA Chapter) Award of Merit in 1990 and the RAIA Sir Zelman Cowan Award in 1991. It was also rated the 9th best building in Australia in a poll by The Australian in 2010, received the Jack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture in South Australia in 2014, and became the ‘youngest’ building in SA to receive Heritage Listing in 2014.

Visit Today

If you’re interested in seeing an impressive and unique attraction in Adelaide, the Bicentennial Conservatory is definitely worth a visit. It’s a free attraction, making it an accessible destination for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to see this stunning rainforest ecosystem and learn about the importance of conserving our natural environment.

Adelaide Parklands

Welcome to Adelaide Parklands!

Adelaide Parklands is a beautiful and lush experience located at 5006 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. The parklands are part of Adelaide’s charm and circle most of the city. Visitors can enjoy a nice walk or run, surrounded by trees and grassed areas for relaxing. BBQ facilities are also available for family lunches.

A Local’s Perspective

As a local, the tour guide has extensively used Adelaide Parklands for chilling out or riding a bike through. It’s always a unique experience to walk around the different walking tracks that surround the wonderful city called Adelaide. The tour guide is very impressed with all the thoughtfulness that went into creating these trails. However, it’s advisable not to walk through them alone at night as often has homeless people, etc., but they are relatively safe and well policed and have good lighting. Visitors can also spot lots of bats flying around in summertime.

Discover Adelaide’s Charm

Adelaide is unique because of its proximity to nature, perfectly positioned between the Adelaide Hills in the east and the beach to the west, and surrounded by more than 700 hectares of Park Lands. Visitors can discover everything that makes Adelaide extraordinary. With plenty of award-winning restaurants and bars serving the best food & wine of South Australia, a teeming events and festivals calendar, arts, culture, and history, there is so much to see and do.

Experience Adelaide

ExperienceAdelaide.com.au is here to help visitors truly experience Adelaide. The website provides more information about AEDA and everything the city has to offer.

Visit Adelaide Parklands today and discover the lush and beautiful experience it has to offer!