Adelaide is South Australia’s capital city. The beautiful city is made in a grid pattern. The central town is hardly 5m2 and is surrounded by greenery and four terraces- North, South, East, and West.
This city centre is all about the heritage and history of the place.
Adelaide has four international wine districts, great food, beautiful scenery, and more. There are so many things to do in the city and around Adelaide. Torrens River is also a famous site here.
While visiting beaches is one of the few everyday things to do here, below are some of the best Adelaide tourist attractions to try and see other than beaches like Henley Beach, West Beach, and more.
Below is the list of all the fun things to do in Adelaide that are worth it!
1. Getting to Adelaide!
The easiest way to reach Adelaide is via air. The Adelaide Airport houses both domestic and international flights.
Across the city, you can rent a car or hail a cab. This area is home to numerous car rental agencies. In addition, there’s public transportation, including the shuttle and metro bus.
The metro buses here are very efficient. It is also affordable and reaches all remote areas.
2. 18 Fun Things to Do in Adelaide
There are so many things that you can do in Adelaide, South Australia. These activities in Adelaide make visiting Adelaide attractions so worth it. These things can range from wineries and the Victor Harbor to tree climbing. You can also see pandas in the Zoo here.
2.1. Visit the Adelaide Gaol
This is one of the top activities to do in Adelaide Central Business District. The historic Adelaide Gaol was made in the 1840s. It was open as a Gaol until 1988.
The place is famous for its unique architecture and its more than usual ghost sightings. The site has an eerie feel, and you might see a ghost here. More than 45 people were hanged, and you can see the area where it happened.
The Gaol is open all around the week at a particular time. There is also a fee to enter.
2.2. Have a Historic Walking Tour
The city has a vast history connected to it. Adelaide, South Australia, was the first place to be settled by free settlers. Often, walking tours through the city have experts explaining the historical importance.
It spans from the Parliament House, Town Hall, statues, bridges, and various cathedrals to the Torrens River. There are also documented trails online that you can pick up and go off.
These walking tours cover immaculate architecture like the War Memorial, railway station, university, Art Galleries, and more.
2.3. Walk along the River Torrens
Stroll by the banks of River Torrens on the North Terrace of North Adelaide. It is the perfect setting for a picnic. There are also sites along the river, including a 1,000-hectare parkland, bike and walking paths, and more.
Some places include the Infamous Adelaide Botanic Garden, known for its Moreton Fig trees, Adelaide’s Zoo, Gaol, Adelaide Oval, and Adelaide Festival Centre.
You can also have a river cruise on Popeye boats on the river. You can relax and have breakfast in the boat house.
2.4. Wine Tasting in Adelaide
You can get to try great wine in Adelaide. It is one of the best places to try wine. Adelaide is one of the 10 Great Wine Capitals of the World. You can try wine at the Barossa Valley and National Wine Centre.
The Valley is just 1 hour away from the Adelaide city Centre. Barossa Valley has many wineries, vineyards, and shops and serves fine food. The Valley is stunning wine country-side. There is also a constant Wine tour. It is excellent for day trips.
Barossa is famous for its award-winning wines, such as Peter Lehmann Reserve Semillon 1999. There are over 60 wineries with top wine names like Wyndham’s.
Another place to have the best wine is the National Wine Centre. It comes with 200 cellar doors that hold 38,000 or so bottles and the Wine Bar that dispenses 120 Aussie wines. You can know everything about wine here.
An interactive wine session covers all about winemaking, the history of Aussie wine, and more.
2.5. Visit the Art Gallery of South Australia
The famous Art Gallery of South Australia was established in 1881. The gallery has 42,000 or so art pieces. It is on the North Terrace.
They house Australia’s aboriginal art, like the dot paintings from Central Australia, modern and colonial artwork, and furniture.
Every section of the gallery is curated clearly. Entry is free except for special exhibitions. The gallery has a specific time for its opening.
2.6. Go Shopping in Rundle Mall
This is the central shopping region of Adelaide CBD. It is also one of the most crowded places in the city. Many favourite vendors are found in Rundle Mall in the 700 retailers. It includes South Australians’ Haigh’s Chocolates and more.
There is also an infamous Arcade that opened in 1885. This was made as an extension to Rundle Street. Shops include luxury boutiques, bargain stores, cafes, pubs, restaurants, and more.
There is also an excellent public art display, 4 Pigs, known as the Mall’s Balls.
2.7. Stop by the Museums
Adelaide houses many museums. Some known museums include the Ayers House Museum, Maritime Museum, and South Australian Museum.
Ayers Museum was a mansion from colonial times. It shows Victorian times and life. There are guided tours in the estate that offer historical artwork, costumes, and furniture. The houses have an ornamental finish on the walls.
The other Museum is the well-known South Australian Museum. It shows everything about the history and culture of the country. It has one extensive collection of Aussie Aboriginal cultural artifacts, that is over 3000.
Other museums worth visiting are the Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide, which has everything about shipping history and the Railway Museum, which has more than 1000 locomotives and carriages on display.
2.8. Visit Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills is one of the worth visiting places in the city.
Visit the Hahndorf village to feel the German touch. It is the oldest German settlement in Australia. It was founded by Lutherans from Prussia in 1839. By 1940, the residents here were 6557 Europeans, which grew as time passed.
There is a Hahndorf Academy where you can find a craft shop, Museum, and gallery. There is so much German delicacy to try here.
There are so many other places to visit here in Adelaide Hills. These include the Cleland Wildlife Park at Mt. Lofty Summit Road, the National Motor Museum, Morialta Conservation Park, Gorge Wildlife Cudlee Creek, and more.
2.9. Tour Kangaroo Island
This island is on the coast of South Australia. It offers excellent rough scenery and fauna. It is 45 minutes boat ride from Adelaide port. It is the 3rd largest island in Australia.
You can see vast stretches of water and explore the wildlife and wilderness of Kangaroo Island. It is an excellent place for adventure. You can go snorkelling, surfing, diving, and sailing across the island. You can also see koalas, kangaroos, and more there.
The best way to see the island is to book a tour from Adelaide. Make sure to visit the island, as this will not disappoint you. It can also be a great place to try great food and wine, as there are great wineries.
There are smaller islands near this island, like Granite Island.
2.10. Visit the Churches in Adelaide
Since 1867, Adelaide is known as ‘the City of Churches’. These churches and Cathedrals are stunning architecturally and represent various denominations.
One cathedral that is famous in the city is St. Peter’s Cathedral. It is a cathedral made in the 19th century and takes inspiration from the infamous Notre Dame in Paris. It is a famous Anglican Church, and tours and services are available.
Another church that is worth visiting is the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. It is adjacent to Victoria Square/ Tarntanyangga. This Roman Catholic Cathedral was completed in 1996. It is a perfect example of neo-Gothic architecture.
2.11. See Pandas at Adelaide Zoo
This city’s Zoo is very famous. It is known for its Giant Pandas. There is an assortment of Animals both from Australia and Internationally. It is located on the Riverbank.
These rare animals can only be seen in very few places. The only two giant pandas in the South Hemisphere are in the Adelaide Zoo. These Pandas are named ‘Wang Wang’ and ‘Fu Ni’.
They are part of the ‘Program of International Conservation and Breeding’ to preserve vulnerable species. The Panda Enclosure here is made as per their natural habitat, and this delights the Pandas.
2.12. Watch a Game at Adelaide Oval
This is one of the famous places to visit. It is an excellent place for sports buffs. It also has the best views across the river. The Oval hosts a great variety of sports and events like concerts.
It can be accessed easily via Adelaide CBD. The Adelaide Oval has thousands of visitors per year.
There are always Stadium Tours that show BTS areas and the Bradman Collection. For the Adrenaline junkies, there is Rooftop Experience. It is a 2-hour walk on the top of Grandstands with a view of the river and the city.
2.13. Visit McLaren Vale
This is the wine region that is only less than an hour away from Adelaide. It is on the Fleurieu Peninsula. This region is famous for its 100+ wineries and vineyards. The Vale also has a Mediterranean climate. They often host wine tours.
This climate is best for the wine and excellent for its stunning rural and coastal scenic areas. Most buildings are ancient and are listed as heritage. There are many restaurants, galleries, cafes and many interesting shops.
The McLaren Vale has a great collection of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay Grenache, and more.
2.14. Go to The Adelaide Central Markets
These markets are the largest undercover markets. Adelaide Central Markets was established in 1869 in a historic South Aussie landmark building. This is the perfect place to visit if you want fresh food.
There is a vast assortment of fresh produce and foods. You can find Turkish pide, ground fresh coffee beans, huge mettwarst, cabanas, spicy pepperonis, and more. The cuisine includes Greek, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Lebanese, and more.
Due to their local production, they make fresh vegetables and fruits that are reasonably priced in the central market. You can also get fresh meat, seafood, and poultry. There are small and cozy cafes here to try.
It is one of the best things to do for free in Adelaide, South Australia, and even try some free samples in Adelaide’s central market.
2.15. Go to the Adelaide Fringe Festival
This is one thing to do in the fall of South Australia. Fringe Festival is a month-long fest in the Adelaide Festival Theatre and the world’s 2nd largest annual art festival.
They feature 7,000 artists or so across the world and have 1,300 events across the city. Adelaide is also called the Festival Capital of the South Hemisphere.
It is all free to access and is not for profit. It is going to have a 60th Anniversary. You can even sign in as an artist to show your talent to thousands of people.
2.16. Go to the Bel-air National Park
This park is in the suburb of Belair, at the foot of Mt. Lofty Ranges. It is the perfect place for naturists. It is known for its beautiful view and the rich flora and fauna.
You get to go on a guided walking tour through the park, and there are also tours known as the Valley Loop walks and the Waterfall Hike, both of which cover the waterfalls and the wilderness.
2.17. Stroll by the Port Adelaide
This is a great place to explore. Port Adelaide has a lot of historical importance and has been revitalized recently.
In the 1840s, the colony had a population of 14,000 free settlers but went bankrupt. To save the city, the company there made wharves, warehouses, and a port. Then they linked it via road.
However, it was saved from bankruptcy after finding Copper at Burra and Kapunda. The mine at Burra was very famous at that time. Port Adelaide is now a preserved Heritage site by the National Trust.
You can see the numerous art galleries, heritage pubs, museums, antique shops, and haunted underground tunnels while walking along the docks and sightseeing the views.
2.18. Try TreeClimb, Adelaide
This adventure park is unique and in the city’s inner part. It contains 70 obstacles and seven courses. It is at the Cnr Greenhill Road, Unley Road.
Three of these courses in TreeClimb Adelaide are made for kids with a minimum height of 100cm. These challenges involve climbing, swinging, and more among the trees.
Parents are required to keep their kids of 14 years or below under supervision for safety measures. It is a perfect activity area for a rainy or lazy day to keep the spirits up. It is an all-weather activity.
Summing Up
Adelaide, while a small city, has a lot of things to offer that you can enjoy with your families and friends. The city is known for having a great time; no matter your interest, there is something for everyone.
It is home to many wine centres in the country. The incredible history is just a perk, along with its heritage buildings. Make sure to walk in Adelaide, sightseeing the fantastic things and structures that are preserved and loved.
Make sure to have a great time doing all the above-given things you can do in Adelaide, South Australia.
Last Updated on December 24, 2023 by namitasoren
