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Adelaide Sightseeing – 15 Things To Do in Adelaide, Australia
For many years, my hometown of Adelaide was a well-kept secret. Usually skipped over by travelers with their eyes set on Melbourne or Sydney, only a select few did Adelaide sightseeing and got to experience all the amazing things to do in Adelaide.
Things began to change when South Australia was named one of Lonely Planet’s top regions to visit in 2017. Since then, the word has started to get out. More and more visitors are arriving in Adelaide to experience our incredible food and wine, enjoy our spectacular beaches and explore the beautiful natural attractions.
I’m so excited to see other people loving Adelaide as much as I do, and love sharing local insights into what to do and where to visit. Whether your plan is to go backpacking in Adelaide or live it up in luxury, there is just so much to do in the capital of South Australia.
Adelaide Sightseeing – My favorite things to do in Adelaide
If you are thinking about Adelaide sightseeing then here is a list of my favorite things to do in Adelaide.
The best cultural things to do in Adelaide
For a relatively small city, Adelaide has a thriving art and cultural scene. If you love art, history or sport, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Best of all, many of our cultural attractions are totally free to visit!
Tandanya Aboriginal Arts
Australia is home to the world’s longest continually surviving culture. For tens of thousands of years, the area we now call Adelaide was the home of the Kaurna people. It’s fitting, then, that the city is home to an art center that draws its name from the Kaurna word for ‘red Kangaroo’.
Inside this amazing place, you can admire amazing Aboriginal arts by artists from Kaurna land and further afar. You may recognize the traditional style of Aboriginal art, and Tandanya also features many other modern mediums as well.
In addition to visual arts, Tandanya often puts on dance and theatre performances. There’s also regular events and festivals, so it’s worth having a look at the website to see what is on and learn more about Aboriginal culture and history.
Mortlock Wing
One of my favorite Adelaide sights is quite the hidden gem! So many visitors pass by the beautiful Mortlock Wing, never knowing that one of the world’s most beautiful libraries is hidden inside.
Within the State Library on North Terrace, you’ll find the Mortlock Wing. With rich hardwood balconies and gorgeous antique books, it looks a little like it’s been plucked off the set of Harry Potter.
I highly recommend stopping in to see this beautiful and relaxing place. It’s a favorite study spot of nearby university students, and no one will mind if you stay for a couple of hours and do some reading of your own.
Migration Museum
Adelaide is a city that has been shaped by so many different migrant groups. To understand their history and how they have all come together to create the city I love today, it’s well worth visiting the South Australian Migration Museum.
This museum does a great job of telling the story of the waves of migrants who have arrived in Adelaide. The museum is a great mix of displays of objects like letters and photographs, as well as hands-on exhibits that are interactive and educational.
Best of all, the museum is totally free! They also put on regular events (some are paid), so if you are interested in history it’s well worth taking a look at their events calendar.
Catch an AFL game at Adelaide Oval
Like all of Australia, Adelaide loves its sport! We are particularly proud of our recently-renovated Stadium, Adelaide Oval. There’s no better way to experience it than to join the crowds at an AFL game.
For those who don’t know, AFL stands for the Australian Football League. It’s a unique game that’s played only in Australia – something like a cross between rugby, soccer and Gaelic football.
The game has lots of strange rules and plays, and it’s fast-paced and high-scoring. Even if you don’t quite understand what’s going on, it’s still great fun to join in with the cheering crowd. The two rival local teams are the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power – I say, go the Crows!
Book online Adelaide Oval Stadium Guided Tour.
The best things to do in Adelaide for foodies
Adelaide is quickly establishing itself as the foodie capital of Australia. Surrounded by amazing wine regions, the city is a particular delight for those who enjoy a brilliant red.
Central Market
The heart of Adelaide’s food scene is the vibrant Central Market, the southern hemisphere’s largest undercover food market. Here, you’ll find dozens of stalls selling all kinds of delicious goods.
From yummy French cheese to fresh fruit and veg, this is the place to go for produce in Adelaide. You’ll find lots of ingredients to whip up something delicious, or you can grab a few items for a makeshift picnic in one of the nearby parks.
If you’d prefer not to take the ‘do-it-yourself’ approach, there are also many restaurants there as well. I love Malacca Corner for cheap and delicious Malaysian, while Le Souk does amazing Algerian snacks and meals.
Book online Adelaide Central Market Tour with lunch or Adelaide Central Market & Door-to-Door City EcoCaddy Tour.
Visit some of Adelaide’s best wine bars
After dinner, don’t let anyone tell you that Adelaide is a city that goes to sleep early! The South Australian capital has a plethora of amazing small bars, especially around the city’s west end.
Whatever your drink of choice, there’s a great selection – think tequila bars, gin bars, whiskey bars and more! My personal favorite, however, is the wine bars. In particular, I love those that serve plenty of local South Australian wines.
There are many to choose from, but my personal favorite is Apothecary 1878 on Hindley Street, as well as Cantina Sociale on Sturt Street.
The Barossa Valley
You’ll need to get a bit out of Adelaide for this one – but trust me, it’s worth it. Arguably Australia’s best-known and most respected wine region, the Barossa Valley is truly heaven for lovers of wine and fine food, and one of my favorite day trips from Adelaide.
Even if you’re not familiar with the region, chances are you’ve heard of some of the names that are produced here. Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek are two big ones which can be found all around the globe.
My personal favorites, however, are the smaller, family-owned wineries. Here, you’ll be greeted with a warm smile, and everyone is welcome – no matter how great (or non-existent) your wine knowledge. Some of my favorites include Langmeil, Rockford’s and Charles Melton.
Book online Barossa Valley & Hahndorf Tour.
Enjoy the multicultural delights on Gouger Street
One of the things that makes Adelaide’s food scene so fabulous is the influence of many different groups and flavors. Within the city, you’ll find everything from Afghan to Vietnamese, and Brazilian to South African.
The hub of the city’s multicultural food scene in the vibrant Gouger Street, not far from the Central Market. Here, the emphasis is on Asian cuisine like Thai, Malaysian and Chinese, but you’ll find a dazzling array of options.
It’s pretty busy all the time, but on Friday and Saturday evenings you’ll usually find hundreds of people dining out on the street. I highly recommend joining them for a delicious – and usually very affordable – meal!
The best outdoor things to do in Adelaide
Adelaide’s climate is dry, warm and sunny for most of the year. This means that it’s an outdoor lover’s dream, offering endless options to get out in nature. Here are some of my favorites.
Visit Glenelg Beach
Adelaide has many beautiful beaches that are easy to get to from the city center. My favorites include Henley Beach, Semaphore Beach and Brighton Beach.
The most famous and most beloved of all, however, is Glenelg Beach. It’s the most bustling of the three, with nearby Jetty Road filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The beach itself is absolutely beautiful, with a kilometer-and-a-half of soft white sand.
You could sit for hours just enjoying the lively atmosphere, or maybe even trying your hand at a game of beach volleyball. Other options include taking a walk to nearby Brighton Beach along the shore or trying the waterslides at the Beach House waterpark on the foreshore.
Book online Kangaroo Island Tour.
Visit Waterfall Gully
It’s hard not to be dazzled by a beautiful waterfall – and Waterfall Gully boasts not one, but six! Do keep in mind they tend to dry up during summer, but for the rest of the year, you can see them in all their glory.
To do so, you’ll need to visit the Waterfall Gully. It’s just eight kilometers away from the Adelaide CBD, meaning it’s easily done as a day trip. You can even reach it by public transport if you don’t mind a bit of a walk to the entrance.
Once you arrive, there are lots of walking trails you can take through the park. These range from short, easy trails to full-day hikes taking in the best that Waterfall Gully has to offer. They’re all magic – so don’t forget to bring your camera!
Book online Mount Lofty Summit Hike and Cleland Wildlife Park Visit Tour.
Walk the River Torrens
If you’re craving a bit of green space in the city, you won’t need to go far to escape the concrete! If you make your way to the northwest of the city, there’s a long trail that follows the River Torrens.
This is one of my favorite green spaces in Adelaide. Before long, you almost forget you’re in the middle of a capital city. Instead, you’re surrounded by plants, the flowing river and perhaps the odd pelican hanging out on the grass.
You can explore the riverbank on foot all the way down to the Adelaide Zoo – passing by the “lovelock” bridge on the way. Another option is to hire a paddle boat and paddle your way down the river instead. It’s lots of fun!
Book online Adelaide Tour with Hahndorf, River Cruise & Dinner Tour.
Meet some koalas at Morialta Conservation Park
Australia has lots of cute animals, but I have to admit that koalas are probably my favorite. I never stop feeling excited when I catch a glimpse of one hanging out in the trees!
If you would like to see some koalas in Adelaide, your best bet is to head for Morialta Conservation Park. This area is a beautiful place just to go for a walk, but if you keep your eyes peeled – you’re likely to catch a glimpse of a koala up a tree.
As well as the koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, and kookaburras are all frequently spotted in the park. It’s definitely the place to be if you’re hoping to spot some of Australia’s most lovable wildlife, not too far from the city.
Take in the view from Mt Lofty
Adelaide might not be a huge city, but it is very beautiful – especially at sunset. To get some beautiful views out over the city, I recommend heading to Mount Lofty lookout. From here, you’ll get a stunning view out over the city and even to the sea.
Many people choose to hike up to Mount Lofty. It’s a bit of a challenge but definitely do-able, and there’s even a nice café at the top.
If you’d prefer not to walk, you can easily drive to the carpark where you’ll be able to soak up the views. If you’re driving, I recommend going at sunset or at night, when the view is at their most beautiful. I especially love it when it’s dark, and all the lights of the city are sparkling brightly.
Book online Adelaide City Highlights with Hahndorf and Mt. Lofty.
The best unusual things to do in Adelaide
Are you a fan of things a bit quirky and kooky? Me too! Here are two of my favorite unusual things to do in Adelaide.
See the world’s biggest rocking horse (and feed some kangaroos)
On a totally different note, another quirky thing to do in Adelaide is to see the world’s biggest rocking horse. You’ll find it in Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills – and it stands an impressive 18.3 meters tall.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t actually rock. However, if you climb to the top, you’ll probably think it’s for the best! If you do climb it, not only will you get a nice view of the hills, but you’ll also be awarded a special certificate.
Another great thing about the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha in the nearby wildlife park. It’s home to a number of friendly kangaroos and other animals, who are quite tame and love being fed (special food bought from the shop only, please!). It’s great fun!
Tour West Terrace Cemetery
On the western edge of the city, you’ll find the West Terrace Cemetery – an expansive cemetery home to some 150,000 graves. It was the first cemetery in Adelaide and remains the largest as well.
It’s a beautiful place for reflection and to learn about some of Adelaide’s most prominent people. There are frequent guided walks around the cemetery by a team of local historians, or you can simply get a map and explore it for yourself.
One of the most famous graves includes Augusta Zadow, a prominent female trade unionist, and suffragette who helped Adelaide become one of the first places in the world to give women the vote. Another famous internee is the Somerton Man, who has remained unidentified for almost half a century under very mysterious circumstances.
Are you planning a trip to Adelaide or a holiday in Adelaide? You can book flights and hotels right here. You can book your hotels through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Booking.com and accrue huge savings. You can book tours and activities in Adelaide.
The list above was to offer some ideas of some of the best things one can do in Adelaide, and hopefully, you found a few to add to your Adelaide trip! Please do let us know in the comments section below what you feel about this post.
Recommended read:
Melbourne Day Trips – Melbourne to Geelong
Australia Luxury Escapes – Down Under Delights
How To Travel Australia On A Budget
Five Popular Day Trips From Gold Coast
Best Road Trips in the NSW Area
Day Trips from Perth, Australia
Day Trips from Melbourne, Australia
Places You Just Can’t Miss In NSW
The Best Of Sydney
Day Trips from Cairns
Brisbane – A Wishlist of Things to Do
A Road Trip from Sydney to Brisbane
14 Awesome Places Along the Great Ocean Road
Budget Friendly Travel Guide to Sydney
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