Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and a city bursting with flavour, culture, diversity, and life! There is just so much to see and do, and with the very best weather to accompany this, Adelaide is truly one of the most amazing holiday locations to visit. Adelaide is full to the brim with beautiful beaches, fascinating galleries and museums, world-famous restaurants, and wonderfully chic boutiques.
With such a diverse amount of attractions available, there is something in Adelaide for everyone to enjoy. Why not relax by the beach, take part in a coastal road trip, check out the local festivals, or broaden your Australian knowledge at one of the many educational and cultural institutions. Here to provide the perfect inspiration for creating your Adelaide itinerary are this author’s top ten things to do in the capital city of South Australia. Go ahead, take a look and get excited for all the wonderful experiences that are to come!
Glenelg Beach
Glenelg Beach is the most popular beach in all of Adelaide, attracting locals and international visitors. There is a wonderful atmosphere here and the beach is always bustling with people. Glenelg Beach is renowned for its incredible sunsets and picturesque scenery, making for an excellent opportunity to snap some pictures of the fabulous Adelaide. Why not take a dip in the ocean, or grab a bite to eat from one of the on-site food trucks while you watch the sunset? Or, perhaps tour through the bustling shops and grab a souvenir, or enjoy the entertainment often presented at the sandy edge of the beach.
Top tip! Make sure to have a sweet snack during your visit, maybe some gelato or ice cream? Glenelg Beach offers so many opportunities for treats and fun, so head on down to enjoy the best Australian beach day that Adelaide has to offer.
Location: S Esplanade, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
The Beachhouse
Located on the foreshore of Glenelg lies The Beachhouse. Get ready for a wild adventure of aquatic fun! The Beachhouse is a wonderful, family entertainment complex, full of attractions for everyone to enjoy. Complete with three, fully enclosed waterslides, blaster boats, and multiple swimming pools, you can truly embrace your inner water baby. Not only this, The Beachhouse boasts an indoor playground, an arcade, a miniature golf course, and much much more.
Not only this, The Beachhouse doubles as a function space and events venue, hosting weddings, birthdays, and corporate events! There really is something here for everyone to enjoy! So if you’re looking for a fun day out that you and all of the family can enjoy, get yourself down to Adelaide’s ‘The Beachhouse’ and embrace your inner child and wild side!
Location: 4 Colley Terrace, Glenelg SA 5045, Australia
Adelaide Street Art and Ecocaddy
Like many cities in Australia, Adelaide boasts a wonderful creative scene. Many of the streets are lined with vibrant and colourful artwork, making for some fantastic photo opportunities and chances to learn about the creative industry in Adelaide. In fact, the city offers many street art tours, the majority of which are run by locals who can give you an insight into the artists, their backstories, and the meanings behind the murals.
This is one of the best, immersive ways to explore Adelaide’s street art. But let me tell you about my favourite! The Ecocaddy company is a local organization, that provides tours of some of Adelaide’s most popular and affluent areas, hosted by knowledgeable locals. The Ecocaddy company conducts tours throughout Adelaide through electric-assisted, bamboo-bodied pedicabs. So why not explore Adelaide’s street art and graffiti murals in comfort and style? Keep your feet rested and your eyes alive with colour, touring through some of the most vibrant and awe-inspiring street art in the world!
The Adelaide Central Markets
The Adelaide Central Markets are one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere. With over seventy stalls, manned by seventy traders, the markets are bustling with culture, colour, and life. Receiving over nine million visitors annually, the Adelaide Central Markets are one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of the city. Entice your taste buds whilst touring through stall upon stall of homegrown, authentic Australian cuisine. Converse with the local sellers, find out more about Australian cuisine and culture, and discover a new food that you may have never even considered trying before! Not only this, the Adelaide Central Markets boast a wonderful atmosphere, and are an extremely pleasant place to leisurely walk around and soak in the vibrant colours and sounds.
Location: 44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
The Adelaide Zoo
The Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest zoo in all of Australia and one of the most popular and iconic tourist attractions in all of Adelaide. The zoo is located in the parklands, just outside of Adelaide city centre, and is a non-profit venue and dedicated conservation charity. There are so many animals to meet and admire! With events occurring every day, no trip to Adelaide Zoo will be the same. Adelaide Zoo aims to connect people with nature, so why not embrace your wild side and meet some of the most incredible creatures in all of the world. Gaze in awe at the giant panda, witness the mighty lion feeding and look on at the fantastic pelican display. Explore through the many displays, take part in some up-close animal experiences, and perhaps make a donation to the Adelaide Zoo so that they can continue with their brilliant conservation work.
Location: Frome Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
The Art Gallery of South Australia
Existing as the national gallery of South Australia since 1881, the Art Gallery of South Australia, or AGSA, is a great stop on your Adelaide adventure. With new exhibitions being displayed all the time, no trip to AGSA is the same. Tour through room upon room of wonderful pieces of artwork, designed to spark your imagination, inspire you, and take your mind to places that you’ve never been to before. Experience art, culture, and music! Embrace your creative side! AGSA has a calm, peaceful, and creative atmosphere, where you can allow your mind to wander passionately through piece upon piece of art. Why not take part in one of the many available workshops, wherein you can learn about the gallery and perfect your artistic skills? AGSA is a fantastic venue full of culture, creativity, and learning, so make sure to schedule a visit. What’s more? General admission is free!
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
The Adelaide Botanical Gardens
Comprising three beautiful public gardens, the Adelaide Botanical Gardens span fifty-one hectares of land and rest at the northeast corner of the Adelaide city centre. Work began on the gardens in 1855, with the site officially opening in October 1857. The gardens are truly beautiful, boasting so much greenery and natural beauty. They are peaceful, atmospheric, and quaint but magnificent. Explore the oasis of lush greenery and admire the majestic architecture kept within the garden’s gated walls. Relive the past whilst learning about the rich history of the gardens, or venture to one of the many on-site locations for fine dining. The Adelaide Botanical Gardens are some of the most beautiful sites in all of Adelaide and deserve to be admired in all their splendour, in all their glory. So make sure to spare some time to admire the wondrous natural beauty of Adelaide’s own Botanical Gardens, it won’t cost you a penny!
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
The South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum is a natural history museum and research institution based in Adelaide. The museum was founded in 1856 and is actually owned by the government of South Australia. With five floors of incredible wonders to explore and discover, the South Australian Museum is an incredible site of creativity and revelation. The museum offers free guided tours, allowing you to have the optimal experience, learning all about the interesting artefacts and fascinating wonders from all over the country, and the world. What’s more, admission or the choice of a guided tour won’t cost you anything at all! Why not stop by the museum cafe and shop on your way out? Grab a bite to eat, buy a little souvenir? The South Australian Museum is a fantastic tourist attraction for you to broaden your horizons, expand your mind, and embrace your curiosities.
Location: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
The Roofclimb Adelaide Oval
Want unparalleled, breathtaking, three-hundred-and-sixty-degree views of the city of Adelaide? The Roofclimb Adelaide Oval allows you to explore the rooftop of the iconic Oval’s Western Stand, accompanied by experienced climbing instructors, where you can access skyline views of the stunning landscapes of Adelaide. There, you can sit in the world’s very first rooftop stadium seats! What an experience to have! The Roofclimb Adelaide Oval experience is one of the most unique experiences that Adelaide has to offer, and will certainly be one you shall never forget!
Location: War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia
Leigh Street
Sitting comfortably in the heart of Adelaide, Leigh Street is a fantastic place to start if you’re not exactly sure what you’re wanting to start your Australian journey off with. Full to the brim with quirky bars, fine dining, and quaint wineries. Leigh Street has become a somewhat iconic location within the city and is bursting at the seams with delicious cuisine for you to enjoy. Tour through the atmospheric street, dropping into a restaurant or cafe or bar or whatever tickles your fancy! Have a pint, have a glass of wine, and dine on some incredible Australian cuisine. The choice is yours!
Location: Leigh St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
