Adelaide is not only the capital city of the state of South Australia but also its fifth-most populous city. It is South Australia’s government and commercial center. Fun fact: Adelaide is referred to as the ’20-Minute City’ as it has superior transportation and city planning infrastructure which makes any point of the city accessible within 20 minutes. Adelaide is renowned for its festivals, sports, restaurants, bars, beaches, and its defense and manufacturing sectors. Also, most of the world-famous wines come from the Barrossa Valley in Adelaide. Health care and social assistance are the biggest employment sectors here followed by retail trade. Attractions here include Adelaide Zoo, Mountain Lofty that has hiking and biking trails, Adelaide Botanic Garden and Art Gallery of South Australia. Check out our list of things to do in Adelaide, Australia.
1. Learn more about Adelaide at the South Australian Museum
Visit this natural history museum and research institution that has over four million objects and specimens and the most significant collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural artifacts in the world on display. Its collection is grouped into; Biological sciences: frozen tissue, ornithology, ichthyology, marine invertebrates, mammals, parasites, reptiles & amphibians, spiders, scorpions & ticks, terrestrial invertebrates, Humanities: Australian Aboriginal Cultures, Archaeology, Australian Polar collection, Mineral sciences: minerals, meteorites & rocks, and Paleontology: fossils & sub fossils. This huge collection is committed to making Australia’s natural and cultural heritage accessible.
South Australian Museum
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: South Australian Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
2. Go on a Central Market early breakfast tour (from USD 86.0)
Tour Central Market which is a huge fresh-produce market in the heart of the city. Start your tour at the market by enjoying the best market espresso, brewed tea or hot chocolate. Enjoy sampling a variety of foods on offer from South Australian artisan food producers and learn how the products are made from the growers and makers. This tour takes approximately 2.5 hours. For the food lovers with an interest in learning about Australian cuisine, this is the tour for you.
Small-Group Adelaide Central Market Early Breakfast Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
3. Investigate paranormal activities (from USD 27.9)
Experience the thrill that comes with venturing into the paranormal world as you explore this gaol on this tour that takes two hours. With a guide, explore this 147-year-old building and discover the ghost of Governor Ashton, whose body was dropped through a window, Sister Mary MacKillop’s link with the gaol and the spirit of South Australia’s most sadistic killer still haunting the walls of this building. Learn about 45 hangings and a burial site in Murderer’s Row. Make contact with the spirits through paranormal investigation tools. Come prepared to feel the goosebumps on your body and to be spooked.
Adelaide Gaol Adults Ghost Tour & Investigation
Duration: 2.0 hour
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4. Check out the gorgeous greens at Adelaide Botanic Garden
For the botanists and plant lovers, visit Adelaide Botanic Garden which is a 51-hectare (130 acres) well-maintained garden, a sheer a haven for the large variety of Australia’s finest plant collection. See gardens such as the First Creek Wetland which has different plants and is a water security plan for the garden, the Garden of Health that showcases plants used to promote health and well being and the Rose Garden. Marvel at unique architecture such as the Bicentennial Conservatory that houses lowland rain forest plants and the Palm House. Tour the Santos Museum of Economic Botany and discover the importance of plants in our lives. Such an enlightening place to visit.
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Adelaide Botanic Garden
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:15am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm
5. Shop till you drop at Rundle Mall
The satisfaction, joy, and therapeutic healing that comes from window shopping and buying something new is immeasurable. Enjoy shopping at this pedestrian street mall that hosts 4 leading department stores, 15 arcades and centers, over 700 retailers and over 300 non-retail services. Have the privilege of shopping for the latest in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and food. As you walk, enjoy performances from several buskers performing in the mall. Definitely, a shopper’s paradise with lots of options to choose from and it will leave you feeling happy and satisfied.
Rundle Mall
Address: Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Rundle Mall
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 7pm; Fri: 9am - 9pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
6. Explore street art in the city
Download the Street Art Explosion map and explore the city trying to find the 32 public murals. Marvel at the colorful and spectacular public murals and street art installations that give Adelaide its reputation of a vibrant and artistic city. Every year, some of Adelaide’s most promising and established artists are commissioned to paint murals that decorate the city and suburbs. Get to appreciate the artists, take amazing photos of the murals and get in touch with your artistic side while having fun exploring the city.
Adelaide Street Art Explosion
Address: 136 Frome Street, Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Website: Adelaide Street Art Explosion
7. Check out the stories of immigration at South Australia at Migration Museum
For history lovers, this is the place to be. Visit Migration Museum which is a social history museum whose collection aims to preserve, understand and enjoy South Australia’s diverse cultures and multiculturalism. Tour its nine galleries that feature permanent and rotating displays dealing with the immigration and settlement history of South Australia. Go back in time as you explore this museum.
Migration Museum
Address: 82 Kintore Ave, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Migration Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
8. See Adelaide through your camera (from USD 67.0)
Amazing photos are a way of remembering great experiences and also a way of sharing the experience with others. Go on this tour that takes you to some of the city’s best photo locations with a professional photographer who gives lessons in shooting modes and composition. Adelaide is a beautiful city with a lot of attractions. Capture the best photos from various vantage points. Take a three-hour afternoon or night tour or combine the two for both experiences.
Adelaide Photography Course
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
9. Take a stroll in Himeji Gardens
Himeji Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden that contains features that portray religious significance to the Japanese people. The garden is divided into senzui (mountain and lake garden) and kare senzui (dry rock garden). Take a leisurely stroll in this garden as you take in the amazing views or sit and relax at the picnic area as you unwind.
Himeji Gardens
Address: South Terrace &, Glen Osmond Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Himeji Gardens
Opening hours: 8am - 5.30pm (daily)
10. Watch the delightful wine-making process at National Wine Centre of Australia
Visit this public exhibition building about winemaking and its industry in South Australia. Learn about the history of wine and its importance, the technology of winemaking and varieties and styles, explore the vineyard and cellar and indulge in tasting wine from different parts of South Australia. Also, admire the building that portrays different aspects of winemaking such as the exterior that looks like a section of a barrel. No more hassle knowing how to pair wine and food after this tour.
National Wine Centre of Australia
Address: Hackney Rd & Botanic Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: National Wine Centre of Australia
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
11. Wander the bustling streets of Adelaide's Chinatown
Photo by Unscripted Productions
Posted by Chinatown Adelaide on Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Explore Chinatown that is nestled in the vibrant southeast end of the Adelaide Central Business District (CBD). Two large Paifang guarded by the Chinese guardian lions mark the entrance on both sides. A haven for food lovers, sample world-famous international cuisine in five-star restaurants, food courts, cafes, wine bars, and pubs. Enjoy authentic Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian and Indian cuisine at great prices. Apart from eating, you can shop at the various grocery stores or from the craft sellers on the streets whose wares vary from high-end jewelry to handmade souvenirs and crafts.
Chinatown
Address: 18 Moonta St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
12. Admire colonial art at the Art Gallery of South Australia
For the art lovers, visit this visual arts museum featuring a permanent collection of almost 45,000 works of art. It also displays numerous visiting exhibitions and contributes traveling exhibitions to regional galleries. Marvel at the collection comprising of paintings, sculpture, prints and drawings, photographs and videos, textiles and clothing, ceramics, glass, metalwork, jewelry, and furniture. Renowned collections include Australian Impressionist paintings, modernist art that includes works of many female artists and drawings by Hans Heysen. European, Asian and North American art are also well represented in its collections.
Art Gallery of South Australia
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Art Gallery of South Australia
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
13. Relax on West Beach
With views like this, you'll never want to leave! Sunday sunsets by supprise_me #sunset #southaustralia #holiday #explore #travel #views #westbeachparks
Posted by West Beach Parks on Saturday, 8 December 2018
A day at the beach is always fun and relaxing. Visit West Beach in the suburbs that has stretches of sand and is popular for swimming, kitesurfing, and paddleboarding. The beach is not crowded and is absolutely family-friendly. Be sure to carry your sunscreen and enjoy basking in the sun on the white sands after swimming or indulging in the available water sports as you admire the coastal flora and wetland. Catch up on reading your favorite book in this chilled spot. There are also several shops, restaurants, and parks.
West Beach
Address: Ovest Torrens, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
14. Play a round of golf at North Adelaide Golf Course
Play a game of golf at this 54-hole golf course located only 1 km (0.6 miles) away from the business center. The course consists of three courses, the Par 69 North Course that is short and challenging, the Par 71 South Course perfect for seasoned players and an 18-hole Par 3 course ideal for a quick and easy game of golf. There are also golfing lessons. Nothing beats a day on the green with a couple of friends, drinks and good drives up the fairway.
North Adelaide Golf Course
Address: Strangways Terrace, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia
Website: North Adelaide Golf Course
Opening hours: 6:30am - 8pm (daily)
15. Have fun with friends at TreeClimb
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Visit this inner-city aerial adventure park with your friends for a day filled with lots of fun, thrill, and adventure. Suitable for all ages and physical abilities, get to swing, leap, climb and fly through treetops and zip lines as you move from one course to another ranging from easy to hard. Quite a fun and challenging way to spend a day with your friends. Spice it up by indulging in a little friendly competition.
TreeClimb
Address: Cnr Greenhill Road &, Unley Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: TreeClimb
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm
Price: 39 USD (grand course), 29 USD (children’s course)
16. Go on a guided tour of Adelaide Oval (from USD 18.0)
Go on this 90-minute tour of Adelaide Oval and gain in-depth knowledge of its new and old features from your guide. Learn about the old scoreboard, the 100-year-old Moreton Bay fig trees, and the famous music groups and sports teams that have performed at the venue. Experience thunderous roar through the interactive player’s race. Go to the Bradman Museum located within the Oval complex and check out the cricket memorabilia. The tour starts and ends at Adelaide Oval Visitor Centre, South Gate.
Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
17. Fly high with Jet Flight Simulator Adelaide
Posted by Jet Flight Simulator Adelaide on Sunday, 12 May 2019
Experience the adrenaline rush that comes with flying a jet. Choose from a commercial airliner, fighter jet simulator or VR helicopter with each having its own unique experience. Select from more than 24,000 airports around the world in almost any weather condition and take control of take-off, flying different routes real-time and landing. Fly your jet at high speed while doing barrel rolls and fighting enemy aircraft with laser-guided weapon systems and machine guns under the guidance of your personal instructor. Definitely a unique and amazing experience.
Jet Flight Simulator Adelaide
Address: 207 Grenfell St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Jet Flight Simulator Adelaide
Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 10am - 6pm (closed on Wed)
Price: 69 USD onwards
18. Pamper yourself at Siam Retreat Thai Massage & Spa North Adelaide
Let spoil your body on Easter long weekend. We open Saturday 20 April 10am- 8pm Sunday 21 April 10am-8pm Monday 22...
Posted by Siam Retreat Thai massage and Spa on Friday, 19 April 2019
Health and wellness is an integral part of our wellbeing and nothing ensures that more than a day at the spa where you can relax and be pampered. Treat yourself to a traditional or classic Thai massage, aromatherapy massage, foot massage, herbal scrubs, facial treatment & body massage, hot herbal compress & Thai massage, almond milk massage or Signature Siam Retreat four hands massage. Whichever package you choose, be sure to have an unforgettable experience and to regenerate your fatigued body.
Siam Retreat Thai Massage & Spa North Adelaide
Address: 3/168 Melbourne St, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia
Website: Siam Retreat Thai Massage & Spa North Adelaide
Opening hours: 10am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 45 USD onwards
19. Play with friends at Escape Hunt Adelaide: Escape Rooms & Bar
Gather your group of friends and come take your shot at playing Nancy Drew at this exciting joint. Escape Hunt Adelaide offers three exciting escape room themes. Choose a game in a themed room designed with attention to detail to take your mind inside the game. Crack codes, hunt for clues and solve puzzles to unravel the mystery within 60 minutes to be able to escape. Your reward is a drink in the lounge bar. A great opportunity to bond, jog your mind and have fun while at it.
Escape Hunt Adelaide: Escape Rooms & Bar
Address: Level 3/133 Rundle Mall, Twin St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Escape Hunt Adelaide: Escape Rooms & Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 12:30pm - 8pm; Wed - Thu, Sun: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 9:30am - 9:30pm
Price: 30 - 40 USD
20. Play miniature golf at Holey Moley Golf Club Adelaide
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Miniature golf is always a fun alternative to golfing for those who do not want to spend a day golfing in stretching green fields. Come have fun here and putt your way through up to 27 unique mini golf holes. The area has different themes such as shark-infested waters and pop culture references like The Sampsons couch and Nine Iron Throne with each hole leaving you craving for more adventure. Onsite is the Caddyshack where you can get drinks and food.
Holey Moley Golf Club Adelaide
Address: level 1/162 – 170 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Holey Moley Golf Club Adelaide
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am
Price: 16.50 USD onwards
21. Bring your kids to the Bush Magic Playground
Bush Magic Playground is the go-to place for when you want to take your kids out for a fun day out. Your kids can sharpen their problem-solving skills at the colorful mini maze with interactive elements or play on the slides, swings, see-saw, monkey bars tunnels, rope bridge, and sand play area. The playground is fully fenced ensuring no kid wanders outside. Equipped with picnic tables, you can share a meal with your kids when they get hungry. Create fond childhood memories with your kids.
Bush Magic Playground
Address: Jeffcott Road, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia
Website: Bush Magic Playground
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
22. Enjoy a few drinks at Proof Bar
Visit Proof Bar, one of the coolest bars in Adelaide and enjoy local and international wines, classic and sophisticated cocktails and spirits. Sit at the rooftop terrace on those hot nights to enjoy your drink with the breeze blowing or at the main bar on ground level which is more intimate. Treat yourself to scrumptious food, nibbles and platters and gourmet toasties. There is something to suit everyone’s taste and ensure that you have a great time while here.
Proof Bar
Address: 9 Anster St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Proof Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 3pm - 12am; Sun: 3pm - 8pm
23. Find out more about railways at the National Railway Museum
Explore the history of Australian railways in this museum that is Australia’s largest railway museum. It has more than 100 exhibits mostly from the South Australian Railways. See the Rolling Stock collection that represents all three gauges (Narrow, Standard and Broad Gauge) of Australia, infrastructure items related to the working of the railways such as signaling & telecommunications equipment and track components and Australian railway heritage items such as photographs & artifacts. Explore a number of historic buildings such as Callington Station, Eudunda Gang Shed, and Woodville Signal Cabin, with some being original to the site and others transported for display. Go on a ride around the museum on their free small train rides.
National Railway Museum
Address: 76 Lipson St, Port Adelaide SA 5015, Australia
Website: National Railway Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 8 USD
24. Take your kids to Blue Gum Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Enjoy a fun day out with your kids at this park whose highlight is the BMX track. Choose from a range of tracks from beginner slopes to difficult slopes for the more experienced riders and adrenaline seekers. Your kids can also play at Glovers Playground which is a historic children’s playground or courts for games such as basketball and tennis. After a day of adventure, enjoy a hearty meal at the picnic or barbecue facilities.
Blue Gum Park
Address: Unley Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Website: Blue Gum Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
25. See dolphins at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (from USD 49.23)
Dolphins are always adorable and cute to watch. Explore the Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail on this three-hour guided kayak tour. Go kayaking along Port Adelaide River mangrove-lined creeks where you will spot a variety of marine life, birds and the renowned Port River dolphins playing nearby in the water. Explore the area with 20 sunken shipwrecks. A peaceful, exciting and relaxing way to spend your day.
Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour
Duration: 3.0 hour
26. Taste local produce at Showground Farmers' Market (from USD 57.72)
Tour renowned Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market and get to taste and discover South Australia’s best local produce and enjoy discounts from every stall. Farmers and producers representing every region of the state bring seasonal produce to sell directly to the public. Have one-on-one talks with the farmers to learn about their products and to also give them feedback on their products. This tour begins at Leader Street entrance to the market and takes approximately 90 minutes.
Adelaide: Showground Farmers' Market Tour
Duration: 1 hour
27. Take a tour of the city (from USD 50.0)
Go on this three-hour city coach tour that takes you through Adelaide’s historical structures, contemporary architecture, parks and North Terrace which is home to the city’s main memorials and historical landmarks. Walk down Rundle Mall, see Colonel Light’s Lookout and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Indulge your sweet tooth at Haigh’s Chocolates for tastings and a cup of coffee or tea. For an upgrade, you can also get to go on a 40-minute river cruise along River Torrens and see a state-of-the-art panda exhibit and 300 other animal species including giraffes, lions, and flamingos at the Adelaide Zoo. Hotel pickup, a guide, and live commentary on board are included.
Adelaide City Tour with River Cruise and Adelaide Zoo Option
Duration: 3 hours
28. Take a segway tour of the city's riverbank (from USD 74.0)
Have fun on this one-hour segway tour that allows you to see more attractions within a short duration. Meet your guide at Par 3 Golf course (Wier) at a time of your choice (11am, 1pm or 3pm) who will then take you through the basic safety measures of operating a Segway. Glide along the riverbank and see Adelaide highlights such as Adelaide Oval, the Riverbank Bridge, and Adelaide Zoo. This tour is limited to 10 people.
Adelaide Riverbank Guided Segway Tour
Duration: 1 hour
29. Meet the giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo (from USD 81.0)
How cool is it to see a state-of-the-art panda exhibit before the zoo opens up to the general public? This tour offers a personalized experience. Your guide tells you about the zoo’s pandas and conservation efforts as you tour the Bamboo Forest and you also get to observe the pandas being fed their breakfast. Enjoy morning tea in the zoo’s Wisteria Restaurant as your guided tour comes to an end. You can then explore the zoo on your own and see the other exhibits.
Adelaide Zoo Early-Access Admission with Panda Feeding Viewing
Duration: 1 day
Explore the '20 Minute City'
Adelaide is such a beautiful city with a lot of attractions to explore, from museums, a state of the art panda exhibit, restaurants serving local and international cuisine, wine making industries, a pedestrian street mall to street art. Plan a trip here and our list of things to do in Adelaide, Australia will guide you on fun and exciting ways to spend your day.
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