Things to do in Adelaide

My home town of Adelaide often flies under the radar for international visitors, who tend to head straight to the bigger cities on the east coast.

But those who do make it here quickly discover we have a vibrant, welcoming city with plenty to offer.

With a population of around 1.4 million, Adelaide sits on Australia’s south coast and is known for its world-class food and wine.

It’s one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World, and with three major wine regions just an hour away, it’s the perfect base for tasting your way through South Australia.

It’s also the jumping-off point for exploring the outback and the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island.

Adelaide is gaining recognition for its lifestyle, wine culture, and creative energy. It’s a UNESCO City of Music, and you’ll find everything from street performers and indie gigs to major festivals on throughout the year.

Street art covers laneways, small bars are bringing life to hidden corners, and the city is full of buzz.

If you’re wondering what to do while you’re here, start with these great ideas I like to recommend to my friends for fun things to do in Adelaide.

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Adelaide Free Walking Tour

One of my favourite things to do when I arrive in a new city is a free walking tour.

Sadly, since Covid stopped it, there is no longer a free tour in Adelaide, but there are a couple of affordable options for walking tours to get you started.

Still, a walking tour will show you a little about the history of the city, important or popular attractions, local tips and recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

This is also the perfect opportunity to get recommendations for restaurants and nightlife, hear about local events, and see some of the quirky areas that may not feature on other tours.

I have personally met both of these tour guides and would happily recommend any of these tours to get to started on your Adelaide visit.

Adelaide Central Markets

I just love the Adelaide Central Market. It is my go-to place for breakfast when I stay in the city and it’s where I find some great vegan or less common products or incredibly fresh produce.

The markets are fully undercover and located in the CBD between Gouger and Grote Streets. They have stalls of local and other gourmet foods and lots of places to eat or get coffee.

The markets are open from Tuesday to Saturday, with live music on Friday evenings to add to the atmosphere and face painting for the kids on Saturday. They often have workshops and displays too.

Want to learn more about the Adelaide Central Markets? There are many different tours offered, from short visits to chef’s tours.

Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour

The Old Adelaide Gaol contains one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city, and it is said to be the most haunted site in South Australia, so this is the tour to hear some creepy stories and spot some ghosts.

As the only state in Australia not to have convicts, the South Australian penal history is slightly different, and this is the perfect opportunity to learn about it. Click here to see prices and details of the Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tours

Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval is one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world.

Recently the oval was completely redeveloped, doubling the capacity and turning it into not only a beautiful venue, but also one of the best in the world to watch cricket or Australian Rules football (AFL).

It is also used occasionally for other football codes as well as big-name concerts. In the past Rolling Stones, Guns ‘n Roses and Adele have all played on the oval.

Before arriving in Adelaide be sure to look up if there is an event on at Adelaide Oval and get along and enjoy. If you are lucky you will see one of Adelaide’s spectacular sunsets as the sun sinks down behind the western stands.

It is also possible to do a tour of the oval, or do a roof climb to see the playing surface from a whole new angle. Click here to see prices for the Stadium tour or the Adelaide Oval roofclimb.

Haigh’s Chocolate Factory

Haigh’s Chocolate is one of South Australia’s most iconic brands. The company is now over 100 years old and produces some of the most delicious chocolate around.

The flagship store is located in the same place it has been since the company began, in the distinctive Beehive Corner building on the corner of Rundle Mall and King William Street.

To tour the factory though, you will need to make your way just outside the city centre in Parkside. It’s a short Uber ride or you can catch public transport.

The tours are free and include some chocolate tastings and tea and coffee afterwards.

There is a factory outlet on-site to purchase all the chocolates, and you may even be able to pick up some cheaper imperfect products that won’t be going to the retail stores.

For more details and to book the free tour click here.

Glenelg

Get out of the CBD and head down to the coastal suburb of Glenelg. With pristine beaches, this is the perfect place to visit in the early evening to watch the sun sink into the ocean.

Catch the tram from the city and it will drop you off at the end of Jetty Road, within metres of the beach. Spend some time wandering up and down the street and then browse through the shops.

Grab a coffee or a snack in one of the many cafes along the strip, or as the sun goes down head to one of the beachfront venues to watch the colours.

During summer there is a ferris wheel on the foreshore and the Moseley Beach Bar pops up on the sand. In winter The Moseley (hotel) sets up igloos for dining in the square (bookings required).

If you have kids with you, the popular Beachouse is a great entertainment area with waterslides, dodgem cars, mini golf and much more. Also on the beachfront is arguably the best free playground for kids in Adelaide.

Visit the State Library of South Australia.

Libraries have evolved a lot over the last few decades, and the State Library of South Australia is no exception. I’m a bit of a book nerd, and I often find myself popping in here to see what’s going on.

With the addition of a glass entry area, the library is now a great location for many travelling exhibits that come to Adelaide, so it’s worth calling past as you walk down North Terrace to see what is on.

One of the library’s permanent collections is the Bradman Collection. Sir Donald Bradman is arguably the best batsman the game of cricket has ever seen.

He is revered in the sport, and in South Australia, for the person he was after his playing years were done.

During his lifetime he began donating some of his personal memorabilia to the State Library, starting with small items like scrapbooks, but towards the end of his life he donated much bigger, more personal and valuable items.

Some of the items have been moved to the new cricket museum at Adelaide Oval, but most items still remain here at the library.

While visiting ensure you have a look at the Mortlock Wing. This part of the library was the original library building opened in 1884. The building is very traditional, all dark timber, wrought iron and that lovely musty book smell.

The ground floor now houses many small displays, showcasing South Australian life, ranging from sports, to childhood, to arts and architecture.

Fantastic free tours of the library are run each weekday that take you into areas the public don’t often see. Have a look at the website to see if there is a time and tour to suit you.

Relax in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Located along North Terrace, this is a great place to escape the city without leaving it. The Adelaide Botanic Garden was listed as one of 12 gardens worth travelling for in 2024, so it’s not just me that thinks it’s pretty good.

I love to just wander, perhaps find a shaded area to read a book for a while, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to see and do here.

Some of the things to see include:

• Bicentennial Conservatory (the largest of it’s kind in the Southern Hemisphere)
• Museum of Economic Botany
• The Palm House (the new home for a Chihuly chandelier)
• The Wisteria Arbor (in spring)

You won’t go hungry, there’s a cafe for coffee and a casual restaurant for lunch. If you want to go all out, there is also Botanic Restaurant for fine dining, listed as the best restaurant in Australia a couple of years ago.

Look out too for events, particularly during festivals, such as Illuminate Adelaide and the Adelaide Fringe. Or perhaps longer events like the Chihuly exhibition that spent six months in the gardens.

Entry is free, and the gardens are open every day.

Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo is an easy walk north of the CBD along Frome Road. It is home to more than 2500 animals, including the only pandas in Australia. It is a leafy location and perfect to visit with a picnic lunch to enjoy while sitting on the central lawns.

During the day there are many animal displays and talks, including feeding the lions and panda talks.

There are also extra activities that can be booked in advance such as Meet the Keeper, Animal Encounters and Behind the Scenes experiences. There can also be extra displays, usually during the Australian school holidays.

Adelaide Museums and Art Gallery

Next door to each other on North Terrace are both the South Australian Museum and Art Gallery. Both are free to enter and are a good way to while away a couple of hours. Both also hold special exhibitions from time to time so check out their websites.

Just around the corner on Kintore Avenue is the Migration Museum which has displays based around immigration and the settlement of South Australia. Again, entry is free.

Further to the west along North Terrace is the MOD museum, opened in May 2018. Describing itself as a “future-focused museum” it has lots of interactive, immersive displays that challenge perceptions. Entry to this museum is also free.

Click here to see more Adelaide museums that are worth visiting.

Gouger Street/Rundle Street

There are two busy restaurant strips in Adelaide, Rundle Street and Gouger Street. In either of these you will find many choices for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

There is not only a wide variety of food, there is also food ranging from takeaway to grab a quick bite on the go, to fine dining restaurants.

A walk down either of these should provide you with something to satisfy the hunger pangs.

Visit the Pigs in Rundle Mall

Adelaide’s premier shopping mall is right in the centre of the city. Not only are there shops to suit anyone, there are many restaurants and cafes for a bite to eat or to grab a barista coffee.

There are often buskers and other forms of entertainment in the Mall too. During your visit be sure to check out the controversial pig statues and the local meeting place, the Malls Balls.

Adelaide Day Trips

Adelaide is right in the middle of many different wine regions. It is almost essential to do at least one of the many available wine tours while you are here. The three most popular regions are the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills.

If you prefer a more organised day tour, click here to read my post on the Best Adelaide Day Tours

I have also previously written about things to do in Hahndorf and Victor Harbor, both towns that can be easily visited on a day trip from Adelaide.

Looking for more tickets or tours? Click through one of the options below to search further.

 

Transfers from Adelaide Airport into the City Centre

On arriving into Adelaide by plane, there is no long commute from the airport here.

• It’s a short 10-15 minute taxi or Uber ride into the city centre from right outside the doors.
• If you would like to organise a private transfer in advance, click here to see the latest options and prices.
• There is a public bus that leaves from the bus stop just outside the airport.

For more on how to get to the city centre from Adelaide Airport, click here.

Adelaide Accommodation

Looking for somewhere to stay? Adelaide has a wide range of accomodation from five star hotels such as the Hilton, the Intercontinental and the Mayfair Hotel, mid range favourites such as Holiday Inn Express, Ibis and Quest, and budget options like Adelaide Backpackers & Travellers Inn, and Adelaide Central YHA.

Looking for more unique accommodation options? Take a look at this list

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