Adelaide - the cosmopolitan capital of South Australia is where creativity, culture and education can thrive, through museums, art, amazing food and so much more!
Adelaide really is an exciting destination when it comes to family vacations, so are excited to share with you our Adelaide City Guide featuring our "Top 9 Family Attractions", with what we feel is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amazing family fun that you can enjoy in this vibrant city.
So make sure check out the entire Adelaide City Guide, put together just for you, then all you have to do is enjoy that perfect family day out in South Australia's capital city!
Main Image Credit: Michael Waterhouse, Adelaide
Image Credit: Earth Adventure
In this Adelaide City Guide, are thrilled to share with you our top 9 things to do with kids in South Australia's capital, and we list some fun attractions perfect great for all ages!
We know budgets are often a consideration when travelling, especially as a family, so also in this Adelaide City Guide we share some free admission attractions that you can enjoy together, that won't cost you a cent!
We also share how to get around Adelaide without a car, plus you can learn some super fun facts about the city as well, perfect to impress your friends with.
There is so much to see around Adelaide, so we list one of our favourite day trips from the city, and you can learn which famous faces were born right in the city as well!
So whether this is your first trip saying "Yes, take me to Adelaide" or maybe you have lived in the city for your whole life but never explored and wonder "What is there is to do near me in Adelaide?", keep reading because we have the top 9 things to do with the family and kids...and so much more!
Image Credit: Duy Dash, Star Dumplings
Officially founded in 1836 as the capital of South Adelaide, it's also the state's largest city. Located on the Adelaide Plains, the city was named in honour of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen who was Queen of King William IV and began life as planned city for the only freely-settled British province in the country.
The city centre was designed by one of Adelaide's founding fathers, Colonel William Light, who also chose the location too, right near River Torrens.
Fun fact, the design of the city is now listed as national heritage!
Because of the city's colonial history, early Adelaide was really shaped and by the wealth and diversity of the free settlers, a stark contrast to the heavy convict history of other Australian cities.
In fact, Adelaide became known as the "City of Churches", due to its leading examples in religious freedom and diversity of faiths who called it home.
Today, Adelaide is a wonderful city to visit. It's a city rich with history, alive with festivals and sporting events, plus you can enjoy the stunning coastlines and hills!
A family friendly city indeed!
Image Credit: Jiayuan Liang & Xplorer Studio, RoofClimb Adelaide Oval
Adelaide is jam packed with fun things to do with the family and kids, from wildlife, to museums, festivals and more!
We LOVE wildlife at Family Days Out, so let's start there! Adelaide Zoo is a wonderful place for kids to come face to face with some incredibly unique and beautiful creatures of the world, then you have attractions such as Cleland Wildlife Park for an even deeper dive into the wonders of nature.
Love history? Adelaide has you covered there too! Carrick Hill is where kids can walk through history and actually experience what life would have been like in another century, and museums such as the National Railway Museum and Migration Museum allow you to learn all about events and people that have shaped the city into what it is today.
It might surprise you to know that Adelaide also has some very iconic beaches, so head on out to the white sands of Glenelg Beach and Henley Beach to really see the best of the city.
From the colours of Adelaide Botanic Gardens, to the adventure filled Woodhouse Adventure Park and the excitingly unique experience of the RoofClimb Adelaide Oval, Adelaide will always surprise, amaze, educate and excite, and it's ready to welcome you!
Image Credit: Ben Goode, Adelaide
Getting around Adelaide without a car is really simple, especially with the free tram and bus networks within the city centre!
Adelaide has a convenient and extensive public transport system of trams, buses, and trains, and it's so easy to use the network, especially if you purchase a MetroCard.
You can pick these up from Adelaide Airport or from participating retailers within the city.
You can also pick up a metroCARD Visitor Pass, offering you three whole days of unlimited travel on the Adelaide Metro network for one low, fixed price!
A fun tip - if you are arriving via cruise ship, you can grab a one-day Cruise ship metroCARD at the Outer Harbor railway station, as well as the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre.
Adelaide also has that great tram service operating through the city centre as well as the inner suburbs. It’s a really convenient way to travel within the city and also heading out to the popular coastal suburb of Glenelg. This tram service runs every 10-15 minutes from about 7am to midnight.
Plus, the tram is free to use in Adelaide city centre between Entertainment Centre Station and South Terrace Station!
Markets are always a great way to uncover hidden local gems, and really feel what a city is all about, and the Adelaide Central Market is perfect for this! This year round Adelaide favourite dates from 1869, and happens to be one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the entire Southern Hemisphere AND Adelaide's most visited tourist attraction!
Spend the day strolling through the 70 plus vendors, offering offers a huge range of fresh food, plus you'll also find some of the city's most popular cafes and eateries! This iconic market is Adelaide’s premier food destination for multicultural cuisine and fresh produce and well worth a visit when in the city!
Image Credit: Adelaide Central Market
The wonderfully wild Adelaide Zoo is where you can meet over 1,800 animals, representing nearly 300 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over the world! All exhibited across 8 hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings, this family friendly zoo has so much to see and enjoy!
What's also really special about Adelaide Zoo is that they focus on endangered and rare animals from continents that once made up the super continent of Gondwana: South America, India, Africa and Australia (also South East Asia), and they also have a fun Children's Zoo where little ones can enjoy hands on petting experiences with adorable farm animals!
Image Credit: Rowena Shaw on Unsplash
Experience a tour like no other with RoofClimb Adelaide Oval, where you can feel you're on top of the world with their Day Climb, Night Climb, Twlight Climb, or special event Climb!
Anyone over 8 years of age can experience this unique attraction in South Australia's capital, with all your gear is provided along with all safety instructions that you need. As you make your way up and over the iconic roofline, hear stories of the Oval's history, and learn what makes Adelaide so special! If you're feeling brave, you can even lean out at 50m high and wave to the world!
Image Credit: RoofClimb Adelaide Oval
Woodhouse Adventure Park is a brilliant day out for the family (or longer, they have accommodation!) for those active kids and adventurous parents! Set across 54 acres, the whole family can enjoy slides, tubes, trails, obstacles and more - all in a beautiful bushland setting.
Kids can crawl, swing, climb and splash about 30+ obstacles on the Challenge Hill, or they can weave through the split-level Labyrinth. There is Disc Golf to master, bouldering challenges to conquor, and even orienteering courses to defeat! Woodhouse really puts the ADVENTURE in your family day out!
Image Credit: Woodhouse Adventure Park
Experience authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences with Aboriginal Cultural Tours (South Australia), with a number of tours offered all led by knowledgeable Aboriginal guides. From one day trips to multi day trips of all ages, you can venture around ancient archaeological sites, as well as incredible coastal areas, and lands where giants once roamed!
Great for all ages, you can enjoy pick up in Adelaide or even take your own vehicle, choosing from Outbush tours, Coastal tours and Combination tours! An invaluable cultural experience for the whole family, surrounded by the beauty of South Australia!
Image Credit: Aboriginal Cultural Tours
Dating back to the 1930s, Carrick Hill is actually one of the few period homes in Australia that has also survived with its original contents almost completely intact, as well as its grounds undiminished - so if you love history, this is a great destination for you and the family!
With grounds and gardens to enjoy too, kids can feel what life would have been like nearly 100 years ago as they explore the bedrooms, library, dining room & more. Guided tours available, plus picnic areas, museum, exhibitions, restaurant and gift shop!
Image Credit: Carrick Hill
Hey kids, have you ever wanted a kangaroo eating right out of your hand? Well, at Cleland Wildlife Park this is one of the many fun animal experiences you can enjoy!
Grab some special animal feed when you arrive, and watch as the hungry potoroos, bettongs and bandicoots head your way for feeding - they can eat out of your hand too! Emus also enjoy the food pellets, and don't miss seeing the stunning arrays of birds that will come close if you scatter the food near you. The Ocean to Outback Interpretive Centre is also a great place to stop by for even more wildlife learning fun!
Image Credit: Roland Kay-Smith on Unsplash
Splash-tastic fun at Waterworld Aquatic Centre with a host of water related adventures for the whole family! Enjoyy heated pools, or take one the super cool waterslides including curly slide and double racer!
Also at this Adelaide waterpark you can find a very lap friendly 50m pool, plus a learners pool great for those new to swimming. Don't miss out on the new AquaRun either! With a toddler and preschoolers area as well, there's so much fun in the sun to be had at Waterworld Aquatice Centre! SPLASH!
Image Credit: City of Tea Tree Gully
Funtopia World Prospect is one of the country's largest indoor playgrounds, with a climbing wall perfect for all experience levels, a baby world play area complete with mini slides and obstacles for those little ones, plus a 5-storey climbing playground for those energetic and playful kiddies!
Also at Funtopia World is a very cool cafe with free wifi, plus they offer birthday parties, school groups and so much more! Never before has indoor play been as FUN as at Funtopia World! Get ready to climb, slide, hide, scale, jump, bounce and PLAY!
Image Credit: Funtopia World
The National Railway Museum is Australia's largest undercover railway museum, where the family can explore more than 100 exhibits representing the thorough railway history of Australia!
Kids can marvel up close at giant steam engines, explore elegant carriages, see real life locomotives in all their glory. Don't miss a chance to enjoy fun train rides, plus explore interactive and educational displays! Those curious minds can also channel their inner conductor when they climb aboard and play on the iconic Tea and Sugar Train. History, trains, family fun - what more could you ask for?! Choo choo!
Image Credit: National Railway Museum
Famous Adelaideans!
Sarah Snook
Sarah Snook is an Emmy award-winning TV and film actress, most known for her role as Shiv Roy in the hit series Succession.
Other film roles include Winchester and Run Rabbit Run.
Image Credit: Eva Rinaldi
Sia
Sia is an iconic Australian singer-songwriter, whose hits include Chandelier and Cheap Thrills.
She has also written hits for artists such as Rihanna and David Guetta.
Image Credit: Scott Murry
5 Fun Adelaide Facts
Impress your friends with your amazing Adelaide knowledge!
- Adelaide is nicknamed "the 20 minute city" as that's all it takes to get around!
- Adelaide is the opal capital of Australia, with the city's famous opals being sought after around the country, as well as the world!
- You can find the third most expensive building in the world in Adelaide! The Royal Adelaide Hospital cost $2.7 billion to build, and it's also the largest building ever built in Australia!
- The city is very forward thinking, having been the first city in Australia to give women voting rights, and also the first city to recognise Indigenous land rights, to name a couple!
- Adelaide is also known as "The City of Churches" because well, you'll find a LOT of churches!
Free Things To Do In Adelaide
Migration Museum
The Migration Museum offers an invaluable learning experience for the family, with exhibits that create a greater awareness of the history and cultural traditions of those who have settled in South Australia since all the way back in 1836. The exhibits feature objects, documents, costume and textiles all of which represent South Australia’s immigration and settlement history.
The Migration Museum also houses objects that show the impact of settlement upon the Indigenous peoples of South Australia, which make for an important educational experience for the children. Free admission, but some special events may have a charge.
Image Credit: Migration Museum
Glenelg Beach
Glenelg Beach is Adelaide's most popular city beach, offering a host of white sandy fun, plus plenty of stunning sunsets, rich heritage along with shops, cafés and entertainment!
Located in Holdfast Bay, Glenelg Beach is the perfect place to relax, explore AND enjoy a number of activities including some amazing swimming, or snorkelling, even diving - and you might just spot some wild dolphins too. Maybe join a fishing charter! Great local history ready to be explored as well with galleries and museums offering a fascinating learning experience too.
Image Credit: Holdfast
Adelaide Botanic Garden
A stone's throw from Adelaide's city centre are some amazing gardens perfect for you to get out enjoy nature. Adelaide Botanic Garden is where the green thumbs in the family can really feel in their element!
Kids can learn all about the First Creek Wetland and how this system recovers enough water to irrigate the entire Adelaide Botanic Gardens - impressive! Stop by the Garden of Health to delve into the power that plants can have on the human body, with over 2,500 plants offering natural healing! Explore rose gardens, and Australian Native Gardens, waterlillies and conservatories - it's nature and its best and YOU have a front row ticket!
Image Credit: Marcus Wallis on Unsplash
Henley Beach
The beautiful Henley Beach is only 15 minutes from the city centre, making it a wonderfully popular destination for families who want to enjoy sun, sea and swimming on a beautiful stretch of the South Australian coast!
What's also great about Henley Beach, is that not only can you spend the day playing in the sand, but you'll also be surrounded by great restaurants and shops so you can really fill your days with family fun! Don't miss staying to enjoy the sunsets either - there is nothing better than strolling the shore on a beautiful balmy summer night, just as the sun is setting!
Image Credit: Ethan Robertson on Unsplash
South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum is a great free admission experience for the family, with five floors and endless wonders to discover! Kids can learn all about South Australian history, from the first signs of early complex life right through to the most comprehensive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material in the entire world!
Kids can also learn about exciting things like fossils, Ancient Egypt, and even space! It's worth noting that whilst general admission is free, some additional costs may apply for some exhibitions and events
Image Credit: South Australian Museum
Adelaide Central Markets: Specialty foods from around the world
Located off the mainland of South Australia, Kangaroo Island a truly remarkable part of the country. Over a third of the island is protected nature reserves, home to beautiful and unique wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, sea lions and even penguin colonies.
There are even some remarkable naturally formed landscapes to explore too, including the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch!
Photo by Douglas Lima on Unsplash
In the language of the Kaurna people, Kangaroo Island - Australia's third largest island - is also known as Karta Pintingga meaning "Island of the Dead". In fact, the Aboriginal Australians that once lived on these lands, actually disappeared from archaelogical record some time after the land became an island, around 10,000 years ago due to rising sea levels.
In 1802, British explorer Matthew Flinders named the land "Kangaroo Island", inspired by the endemic subspecies of the western grey kangaroo.
Following Flinders exploration, French explorer Commander Nicolas Baudin arrived, resulting in many areas receiving French names, which still exist today.
During the early 19th century, the area was occasionally settled by sealers and whalers, then from 1836 the island became a permanent resident for these traders during the British colonisation of South Australia.
Principal trades turned to rock lobster fisheries but also tourism, thanks to the many protected nature reserves created on the island.
It's these nature reserves that are the major drawcard for families visiting Kangaroo Island today, and it's only when you visit that you can really appreciate how special this Australian island is.
Here’s our top 4 Kangaroo Island things to do:
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
- Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action
- Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
- Flinders Chase National Park
We hope you found this content useful! Please share with your friends, and if you have any comments, or want to let us know what we can do to further help you find fun days out with the family, then just email our team at [email protected]!
Let's get the family adventure started!
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Lisa
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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