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Australia is NEVER a bad decision as a travel destination. As of mid-2022, that still applies. So, I took the time to research so you don’t have to look and analyze everything on your own.
That’s when I realized that Adelaide is one of the top 3 cities in Australia to travel in. That’s when I decided that Adelaide should be my destination this time.
But before I tell you the top 10 things to do in Adelaide, let me cover a critical topic. You might as well bookmark this page for the future.
Must-know Travel Tips In Adelaide
I’m not going to tell you to figure out your budget and resolve any Visa issues; you already know that. But these must-know tips will make your trip to Adelaide this year.
- Plan the route of your destinations (so you can travel from A to B and from B to C much more conveniently and save gas)
- Time the travel in the ideal season (so you don’t have to scorch under a 40°C sun or freeze)
- Consider getting a Myki Explorer (so you don’t have to spend a little fortune on transportation)
- Familiarise yourself with COVID-19 entry and exit restrictions in Adelaide.
- Sort your accommodation well beforehand; do not rely on booking at arrival.
The rest of the measures are pretty simple, which you already know. So, let’s get to the top 10 things to do in Adelaide.
1. Hiking through the Belair National Park
This park, established in the late 1890s, is a fantastic experience if you’re a fan of open, diverse wildlife. Because it is just 17 minutes away from Adelaide CBD (Central Business District), you won’t spend long reaching the park. Belair National Park is, in fact, one of the favourite locations of Adelaide travellers. So, what is it there to check out?
Let us start with how excellent the hiking trail is. It’ll make you want to stay when the woodland trail ends up by landscape-Esque waterfalls. But it doesn’t stop there.
The park is filled with peaceful koala bears munching on leaves. The memorable scent of sunflowers will burn into your permanent memory. Did I tell you how you can discover cave-like formations? In addition to all the natural beauty, you can go horse riding, cycling, or even play tennis! It’s such an all-in package. So, I looked at how expensive it’d be.
All these for a price between $5-10 is a deal.
2. Exploring the South Australian Museum
If you’re not the biggest fan of the outdoor setting, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with the South Australia Museum, situated close to the University of Adelaide; this museum was founded in 1856. This museum has the most extensive collection of Australian Aboriginal culture. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
You’ll get to see the most extensive collection of carvings by Jim Kite, also known as Arrente, and a bound sketchbook of 24 drawings of native trees created during the Spencer and Gillen expedition. In addition to that, the museum brings you other collections of ancient Egypt, geology, and even pacific aquatic life.
But what’s most notable is how you can take free guided tours mostly at around 11 am on weekdays. Since all the levels are fully wheelchair accessible, no one has to stay behind. The museum lets you photograph what you as well; that’s not a luxury you find everywhere.
3. Visit the Adelaide Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia; Adelaide zoo is the second. Spanning over 8 hectares of phenomenal botanic surroundings, you probably shouldn’t miss this location under ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. So, what is there to see in the zoo?
There are 2,500+ animals and over 250 exotic native mammals, reptiles, birds, and even fish on the grounds. Some of these beautiful creatures are the Sumatran Orangutan, Giant Panda, Tasmanian Devil, Emu, Australian sea lion, the kangaroos and koalas, and so on. All of these for less than $5 (including a guide). The tour usually takes around 1 hour to complete, and the guide will explain each animal in great detail.
Just as much as the beauty of the animals, the zoo grounds are equally aesthetic. And, you can always explore the zoo at your own pace since it stays open until 5 pm.
4. Walk the Glenelg beach
Who doesn’t like beaches and sunsets? The Glenelg beach stands out as one most famous beaches of the 30kms of beaches in Adelaide. There are two main reasons why this beach is memorable; what are?
The first reason is the beach itself. The sandy soil will make your feet sink just enough to recall that there’s so much to live for. The evening scenery reminds you of a priceless oil painting from the romantic era.
The beauty of Glenelg beach isn’t limited to the beach. The ocean awaits you just as much. The waters aren’t dangerously deep, so you can also have the time of your life underwater.
The second reason is the long beach strip of cafés and hotels. We’re talking about all sorts of cuisines along with unique Australian street food. That’s the kind of a double-deal you won’t find easily elsewhere.
5. Nightlife in the Adelaide central market
What if you didn’t have to drive away from Adelaide CBD in the first place? That’s the kind of convenience Adelaide’s central market brings you, which accompanies nearly 100 traders.
But is it just another market? Absolutely not! This tourist attraction is not just for all the mouthwatering Adelaide food. But you can ALSO participate in little events that take place. Adelaide’s central market is probably the epicentre of Australian cuisine at affordable prices.
Here’s a pro tip to experience this glowing market memorably; pick a day from Tuesday to Saturday and enter the marketplace as it gets dark. What would you see?
You’d see an area lit up with colourful lights with its atmosphere saturated with the smell of fresh seafood, organic foods, gourmet cheese, and much more!
That’s precisely why millions of tourists explore the Adelaide central market every month.
6. Walk deep into the Morialta Conservation Park
Morialta Conservation Park marks an exceptional level of scenic beauty in Australian wildlife. The magnificence of Morialta park is quite different from that of the Belair National Park. The elevation difference is probably one notable dissimilarity.
You’ll arrive at the park after a 20-minute drive via Kensington Road from Adelaide CBD. If it were spring, you’d see how bright the wildflowers bloom. In winter, waterfalls fall the hardest. You probably can have a sweaty and adrenaline-filled rock-climbing in summer.
But is that all? No.
You can finally have that picnic, take all the photos of the creek and the animals in both daytime and nighttime!
The park takes care of you irrespective of the season you visit the park.
All sorts of facilities, from toilets to parking, are readily available at the park for around $20 per person, and it’s a bargain.
7. Feel the gloominess of Mutton Cove and its shipwrecks
Is Adelaide all about creeks and waterfalls? Absolutely not. The mutton cove and shipwrecks bring that desolated and delicate aesthetic anyone would crave. It only takes just half an hour to get to the destination from the Adelaide CBD. What awaits will make your trip to Adelaide memorable.
The vibe you’d find in this location at the tip of the LeFevre Peninsula is gloomy. With that dampness comes all sorts of shipwrecks that turn the spot into a cinematic backdrop. You can observe the location’s travel-worthy since the government manages the cove.
In addition to the sea, the saltmarsh brings a new layer of gloomy aesthetic. The mutton cover is so unique to Adelaide that you won’t find any version of the location elsewhere in the whole of Australia. As a pro tip, look up directions given by TripAdvisor users for the best routes.
The cherry on top is that entrance is free!
8. Stroll through the Adelaide Botanic Garden
Adelaide Botanic Garden is the BEST place if you want to experience nature without having to enter a forest. With a whopping 50 acres of land, this garden steals the attention of both local and foreign travellers.
There’s no doubt that nature itself beautifies the world. But the garden’s design is inspired by English and French royal park, which should draw a pleasant picture in your mind. The garden has a unique atmosphere enriched with lavish floral scents. That couples with all the architectural wonders and varying terrains throughout your journey through the park.
Locals sure believe that the Adelaide Botanic Garden is meant for lovers. Who doesn’t like cherishing your romance amongst fine French architecture? But loving yourself is just as important as loving another; I suggest the garden to solo travellers.
The garden is situated within 5 minutes of the Adelaide CBD, with free guided tours and free entry throughout the year.
9. Relive history at the Adelaide Gaol
Adelaide Gaol is yet another irreplaceable tourist attraction in Adelaide. It’s a former prison that was open between the 1840s and 1988. So, this is your chance to bring a pinch of spookiness to your trip! But how has a former prison become a tourist attraction?
The second reason is because of the complete architectural redo. The prison just doesn’t look like a prison anymore; it’s a museum now. But the first reason trumps the second one in miles.
The first reason is how interesting it is. Imagine walking into the same prison cells where inmates wished for nothing but freedom, holding onto the cell bars and reliving history. For example, it has three key areas, including yards 1,2 and 3. But it keeps getting interesting.
You can also join a night tour as well! You know what that means — GHOSTS!
So, in conclusion, Adelaide’s uniqueness is phenomenal. Choosing this town to explore Australia is how you make the best use of what you spend. But as mentioned at the start, you must ensure you’re well-prepared. I hope you won’t miss any precious locations mentioned in the list in your Adelaide journey.
Featured Image Credit: trabantos
