South Australia’s Capital is vibrant, full of history and culture, the city of Adelaide is a must-visit if you happen to travel to this side of the globe or if you already live in Australia.
I guess you are wondering whether to visit Adelaide or not. Well, the answer will be yes right after having read my “10 top things to visit in Adelaide”.
So far, one of the best cities I have lived in and experienced as a tourist. Adelaide has lots to offer and many good memories to be made in the fifth most populated city in Australia
When to visit Adelaide?
In this post, I want to share with you, as a small guide of the city, the 10 top things to visit in Adelaide. And of course, weather-wise, with the exact awareness I will put if I personally or my friends and family have to travel for a short time in this city.
Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and blue summer and cool and rainy winter. Even though this might sound scary, the winter temperature doesn’t drop below 5° to 8° celsius; so if you are from a European country you might be used to this winter temperature and enjoy Adelaide during this season too.
The summer months, half December to half March, are the warmest and the average high temperature goes from above 25° reaching the peak at 36° (rarely), while the average low temperature goes not less than 16°. Based on the tourism score these are the best months to visit Adelaide.
On the other side if you don’t want to risk the high temperature as you are not a “summer person”, April, the first half of May, October and November are the months you will choose to visit Adelaide. The high temperature is between 19°-25° while the low ones on average stay between 11°-14°, so you still will be able to enjoy the 10 top things to do in Adelaide.
10 top things to visit in Adelaide and why..
Whether you are still planning your personal itinerary to Adelaide or picking tips from my 5 days Adelaide itinerary, here’s for you the extra 10 top things to visit in Adelaide. A little encouragement to finally convince you to buy the ticket for this cute and people-oriented city.
Adelaide is on the top ten most liveable cities, some reasons are for sure the quality of the life, the transport, the weather, the nature and the many enjoyable things and activities to find around – for families and non-.
Also known as Australia’s Festival city, Adelaide host many Festival thought the year, such as the month-long Fringe Festival – the world’s second larger annual Art Festival -.
1 – Take a walk at the green Botanical Garden
As one of my favourite “Botanical Gardens” I have visited so far, the first place in the “10 top things to visit in Adelaide” goes to the city Botanic Garden.
This 51 hectares green lung, situated in North-East of Adelaide, opened in 1857 and wanted to show the importance of all the plant and flower species to people. The Adelaide Botanic Garden was influenced by the Royal Gardens and Versailles, whether you are or aren’t a plant lover you will be amazed by other beauties.
The three glasshouses are hosting the Australian, Madagascar and Amazonian species. National Rose Trial garden displays more than 350 species of Roses – the first to open in Australia – and is used also to breed different species of roses and see the best ones to grow in this country.
Spend a couple of hours, or the full day, immersed in this beautiful green Botanic Garden, so close to the city but so lost in his peace. Take your water, coffee and perhaps a book to read surrounded by the shade of the many trees, listening to the voice of nature.
Every day, at 10.30 am, the Botanic Garden of Adelaide offers free guided walks that last around an hour-and-a-half, there is no need to book as long as you are less than 5 people.
The Garden opens daily from 7.15 and has different closing times depending on the season, December-March 9.00 pm/ April-September 5.30 pm/ October-November 7.00 pm
2 – Brighten your day at Himeji Garden
If you like to meditate this is the place for you, to visualize yourself into another beautiful day in a likewise beautiful place. Another must-visit of Adeliade is for sure the Himeji Garden.
A gift from Himeji, Adelaide’s sister city to commemorate the Japanese City. The Garden was designed by Yoshitaka Kumada who wanted to emphasize the beauty of nature and build the garden mixing the two Japanese styles – senzui and kare senzui – lake and mountain, and dry gardens.
Walking in the Garden you will be driven around some iconic features in many Japanese gardens, such as the koi fish, the Okunoin lantern, a shishi-odoshi, the lake and the peaceful zen rock garden – the perfect spot for your meditation -.
Come here for a quick visit, for your meditation, with your takeaway breakfast, or just sit on a bench and listen to the bird singing to finish your day in complete relaxation.
There are no fees to pay and is open daily from 8.00 am till 5.30 pm, situated just outside the city centre, in the Southern Park Lands.
3 – See the sunset from the Jetty at Glenelg
White sand coastline, cute cafes, nice restaurants and plenty of entertainment are just a few kilometres from the city centre of Adelaide. This is definitely among the 10 top things to visit in Adelaide if you are a beach lover and need some vitamin D and relaxation.
Glenelg is a neighbourhood of Adelaide, you can reach it via the tram and will only take you 30 minutes. This beach is one of the most famous in South Australia and so in Adelaide.
The entertainment here are many, from the panoramic Ferris wheel in the pedestrian area, the Beachouse, to the perfect sunset watching Jetty. There is definitely fun for all kinds, young people, adults and children all will love this area.
You can spend here the whole day, pop to the “Bay Discovery Centre” a social history museum interpreting the cultural heritage of South Australia. If you are keen, Glenelg, offers plenty of walking trucks, as well as walking the coastal path adjacent to the beach in any direction that will please your day. This path stretches almost the entire 70km of Adelaide’s foreshore.
Last but not least take a walk on Jetty Road, small and independents shops here are fun just to have a look or make your day a shopping one, – if you need to – eat a Gelato or enjoy your beer or cocktail in one of the many Bars and Restaurants this place has to offer.
4 – Shop fresh goods at the Central Market
I am definitely a market and food lover so I couldn’t miss on my list Adelaide’s Central Market.
Established in 1869, the Central Market of Adelaide is one of the biggest fresh produce covered Market in the Southern hemisphere, with more than 70 traders selling all kinds.
You can find here fresh vegetables and fruits – best quality -, cheeses, charcuterie, seafood, bakery and patisserie, handmade vendors and also a beautiful “bulk shop” called House of Health, where you can buy anything by weighing them into your Plastic-free container or jar avoiding the waste we create when we buy from the supermarket.
If you want to know more about bulk shops or just reducing your single use of plastic, go and read my article “little steps to go plastic-free” and leave a comment on your thoughts if you are already doing something that you want to share with all of us.
If you don’t need any of this shopping be keen to go to the Central Market for a simple walk, to watch the murals, or as well to eat in one of the many Cafes and Eateries. You won’t regret it.
The Central Market is open Tuesday to Saturday mostly from 7 am till 5.30 pm, Fridays until 9 pm and Saturday until 3 pm – the last hours on Saturdays the prices are dropped down, why don’t go.
5 – The Art Gallery
The 5th place on the “10 top things to visit in Adelaide” goes certainly to the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Situated 5 minutes walking from the Rundle Mall – a pedestrian shopping mall – the Art Gallery is housing more than 47.000 works of Arts. Here you can learn more about Australia, from Aboriginal arts to colonial and modern painting and furniture, not only, as the gallery has introduced through the years Asians and Islamic arts and representation of Australia’s remarkable women modern artists.
Each room has a different “theme” and an interesting way of furnishing the room with the many pieces of Art. The Gallery is a must-visit if you are in Adelaide, all ages will appreciate it as there are different exhibitions and activities for everyone to enjoy.
The entry is free, except for special art galleries and exhibitions and the opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm every day but the 25th of December.
6 – Feel in the late ‘800 at Mortlock Wing
While in the Art Gallery why not have a look at the Mortlock Wing?
The State Library of South Australia is just two buildings left from the Art Gallery, of course, a public Library, but so historically important as, compared to other colonies, around 1834, the plan to create a library for public use started even before the Australian settlement. Officially opened in 1884, Mortlock Wing is a mid-Victorian public library interior, with a glass-domed lantern roof that allows the chamber to be lit with natural light and so to enjoy your reading or studying time at best.
Entering the Mortlock Wing you will definitely feel back in time, to the 19th century, so go around and imagine yourself back in that years. The building is 3 levels high and each one has a different experience to offer. On the ground floor, you will find nearly 1.000 items there to show you the history and heritage of South Australia, while the first floor delights your staying at the classic wooden desk surrounded by thousands of old books full of knowledge and history and at last, the third floor will escort you through the way out, leaving you the chance for a last look at the rest of the books collection.
The State Library is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 am till 7 pm; Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
7 – Hike and seek Falls and koalas at Morialta Conservational park
Animal lover or animal seeker? Australia is for sure the place to be and so is Morialta Conservational Park.
Only 10km North East of Adelaide, Morialta Park is a fantastic place to visit all year round, the reason why is among the 10 top things to visit in Adelaide are many, but trust me, this visit to the Park won’t let you regret any minute spent wandering around.
Goerges, creeks and three waterfalls are the main attractions of the hiking trail, perhaps at the same level as seeking animals around you. Koalas, kangaroos, parrots, honeyeaters, frogs and possums are just some of the huge wildlife this Park host; make sure you enjoy your walk and also look around you, on top of the many Gum trees that surround you, the chance you will see a Koala are quite high.
Rock climbing, eating in the picnic area, mountain biking, kids playground and bushwalking are the activities you are able to do it once here. Spend a full day feeling far from the city, mingle with the stunning nature Morialta Conservational Park has to offer and still be able to have a chill dinner back in Adelaide city without rushing.
The Park is open from 6.30 am to 7 pm or 9 pm – depending on the season -.
8 – Take a walk through East End
In the North-East of the city centre, close to the Botanical Garden, you will find the East End. Adelaide’s central business district, where offices, new luxury houses are coming into life and where young people meet for happy hours, diners, cafes and more..
This neighboured is a so-called “oasis of awesome”: street art, galleries, iconic pubs, small bars, restaurants, cafes and more gather together to fulfil your day around the city.
Although the area has not been officially demarcated, the boundaries are North and East Terrace, Flinders Street and Pulteney Street. Adelaide’s best green spaces can be founded in this area, same for the University and so restaurants, bars, Vintage shops and a crazy lots more.
Self-walking tours are also a good idea to go around the East End and spend a couple of hours discovering this neighbourhood. Check it out during the different Festival Adelaide hosts, as some of the main attractions can be just here waiting for you.
9 – Hahndorf and Adelaide Hills
Driving 28km South-East of Adelaide, the historic village of Hahndorf is another must-visit if you are in Adelaide for some time.
Hahndorf seems to be Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, the artisan village has this strong German flavour and you can taste it at the bakeries, pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Easly walk the main road and you will be delighted by the many shops, from second-hand to hairdressers and barbers, boutiques, little artisan and handmade or crystal and mineral shops, even distillers and Art Gallery.
As you are in the Adelaide Hills region, so one of the world’s best wine regions, I can’t miss to tell you to visit some excellent wineries with minutes of Hahndorf including Sidewood Cellar Door and Hahndorf Hill Winery.
Wine, craft beer and food tasting are just some of the beautiful things you can do around Adelaide Hills. So if you have time and you are good food, wine and nature lover dare to spend at least a couple of days in this Region.
10 – Spend the weekend on Kangaroo Island
Last but not least among the 10 top things to visit in Adelaide, is to spend a weekend on Kangaroo Island.
Just a short 45-minute boat ride from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island will amaze you with tonnes of opportunity and adventure to enjoy. The best way to visit the island is, first of all, to stay at least a couple of days, as you can spread the enormous activities to do. But don’t worry, you can make the most out of a day trip too, and I am going to tell you how.
Departing daily from Cape Jervis and reaching Penneshaw (Kangaroo Island), in only 45 minutes each way, there is a Sealink Ferry which will be your “Taxi” for the day. The earliest departure time is at 7.00 am and will work if you want to do a 12 hours experience on the Island, as the last Ferry is scheduled at 7.30 pm.
If your plan is to go with your own car, this is certainly a nice idea, the only con is the rising price of the Ferry ticket. From 55 au$ (no car) to 165 au$ (with the car) each way.
For a Day-Trip to Kangaroo Island, the best option is either to book a beautifully organized tour from Sealink – the same Ferry company – either plan ahead your moves so as to see as much as possible, or simply what you really keen to see.
Acclaimed to be one of the world’s best nature-based destinations, this is exactly the place you don’t want to miss it once in South Australia. The main activities and must-visit of this pristine island are many and variously good.
Water activities such as diving, snorkelling, swimming with wild dolphins and kayaking can delight your morning hours; but if you feel more of a ground connection you can opt to surf the dunes or do an all-terrain quad adventure.
Discover the many wine cellar and the different restaurants you can find here and also don’t forget to go for good hiking to spot some wildlife, such as koalas, kangaroo, wallabies, echidna, goanna and more than 40 species of birds.
As so in love with this clean and organized website, here is the official Kangaroo Island page, for you to organise your day or days in Kangaroo Island at the best. You will love this place, so start planning and you won’t get disappointed.
Here is the 10 top things to visit in Adelaide for you. I hope you can have the chance to experience some of them or better all of it, you will love every bit of this fantastic city. From nature to buildings, culture and festivals.
Let me know about your adventure in South Australia’s capital leaving a comment below and, if you need a day by day itinerary don’t miss my previous post “Adelaide 5 days itinerary”.
