Top Attractions
Get an authentic Australian experience by exploring during your time in Adelaide and South Australia.
With so much to see and do in South Australia, we have put together a few of our favourite attractions to help you enjoy South Australia:
Cleland Wildlife Park has been a major tourist attraction in Adelaide. The park is unique in the fact that there are very few animal enclosures. Most of the animals live in natural habitat meaning you can get closer to wildlife for amazing photos and interactions
You will see various Australian animals, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, potoroos, bettongs, and dingoes, as well as birds, reptiles, and even echidnas.
With the world-renowned Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale within an hour’s drive from Adelaide, and the rolling countryside of the Clare Valley only a little further, you’ve got some of the world’s finest wine regions right at your doorstep.
If there’s one place you must visit while you’re in South Australia, it’s Kangaroo Island.
It’s only minutes from the mainland, but it feels a million miles away. Kangaroo Island is a sanctuary for wildlife and features rugged landscapes and pristine beaches.
Adelaide Oval has long been one of Australia’s most recognisable and prestigious venues and hosts cricket, football, concerts, functions and major events at the highest level.
Its prominent location as the centrepiece of the Adelaide CBD’s revitalised riverbank precinct makes Adelaide Oval an outstanding destination.
Along with sports fans, the Oval has enormous appeal to international students with an interest in casual employment and hospitality.
In the gorgeous Adelaide Hills, you can get up close with Australian wildlife, take in the breathtaking views at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and visit Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement where you can pick strawberries and dine on bratwurst, beer and pretzels.
For an authentic outback experience, you can hike in Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges or take a scenic flight for a bird’s-eye view of the 540-million-year-old landscape.
After a big rainfall in the north, you might be lucky enough to see the iconic Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre fill with water
South Australia boasts a coastline dotted with stunning beaches, each offering unique experiences and breathtaking views.
Just 20 minutes from the city, jump on the tram and head to Glenelg for the best beach day in Adelaide. You can have a meal at the trendy upmarket marina, take a stroll along the jetty, dip your toes in the gentle Gulf waters or check out the shops, bars and cafes along Jetty Road.
Located 12 km west of Adelaide, Henley Beach is a beautiful and safe swimming beach surrounded by funky dining and bars and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. If you stay into the evening, you can experience a spectacular Adelaide sunset and check out the live entertainment.
Just a 10-minute drive from Glenelg you will find Brighton Beach. Brighton is similar to Glenelg and is surrounded by cool bars and eateries. You will find great food and great views ocean views.
Only 20 minutes from Adelaide's CBD is Semaphore Beach. At Semaphore not only can you enjoy the white sandy beach, but you can also play a round of mini golf, take a ride on the ferris wheel or ride down the water slide.
Take a drive an hour or so south of Adelaide to check out the pristine snorkeling reef at Port Noarlunga or explore the Fleurieu Peninsula beaches including the sheltered waters of Horseshoe Bay and the gnarly breaks at Middleton Beach
Port Noarlunga is a picturesque seaside village located approximately 30 kilometres south of Adelaide and perfect to swim, kayak, snorkel, dive and fish. The red sandstone beach cliffs, long jetty and reef, make it one of the iconic diving destinations in the state.
South Australia boasts a variety of stunning lookout points that offer breathtaking views of the region's diverse landscapes.
The lookout at Windy Point provides unparalleled views across Adelaide and out across the gulf waters
The drive to Windy Point from Adelaide takes about 15-20 minutes via Belair Road (Route B26), winding through the scenic Adelaide Hills and charming suburbs like Hyde Park and Mitcham. The road is well-maintained and offers expanding views of the city as you ascend. Upon arrival, ample parking and a short walk lead to stunning panoramic views of Adelaide, particularly beautiful at sunset or when the city is lit up at night.
Follow the pointing finger of the statue of Colonel William Light to view the magnificent city he designed.
The hill provides panoramic views of Adelaide's skyline, including landmarks like the Adelaide Oval, St Peter's Cathedral, and the parklands that surround the city. The vantage point is particularly popular during events at the Adelaide Oval.
Mount Lofty Summit: Whether you bus, drive or hike to the summit, make sure you make it to the highest point in Adelaide to take in the spectacular views of the entire city.
The summit offers stunning, uninterrupted views of Adelaide, the Gulf St Vincent, and, on clear days, as far as Kangaroo Island. It’s a popular spot for both sunrise and sunset due to the expansive vistas.
Waite Conservation Park spans 121 hectares of diverse landscapes, including woodlands, native grasslands, and rocky outcrops.
Managed by the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, the park is home to a variety of native flora and fauna, such as Grey Box woodlands, kangaroos, koalas, and numerous bird species.
It offers several walking trails for bushwalking and birdwatching, with scenic views of the Adelaide Plains and city skyline.
One of the joys you’ll experience living in Adelaide is strolling, riding, and playing in over 900 hectares of park land surrounding the city
Himeji Gardens, also known as the Adelaide-Himeji Garden, is a serene Japanese garden nestled in Adelaide's South Parklands near the city center. Established in 1985 to commemorate Adelaide's sister city relationship with Himeji, Japan, the garden is a testament to traditional Japanese landscaping and design.
It features tranquil ponds, carefully manicured lawns, winding pathways, and authentic Japanese plants such as cherry blossoms and bamboo.
Many visitors with children head straight for the playground and Rymill Lake to watch the ducks.
With leafy surrounds, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more picturesque setting for a playground.
The Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playground is open for all ages and abilities, and includes unique play features such a wheelchair trampoline, sound and sensory garden, and water play.
There is also traditional play equipment including swings, spinning carousel, and rope climbing, plus picnic tables and BBQ facilities.
The Club, established in 1911, is in an idyllic parkland setting, offering 2 croquet courts, and a fine clubhouse adjoining magnificent gum trees.
The Club emblem is the Adelaide Rosella as there are many of these beautiful birds in the immediate vicinity. The Club, located in the southeast corner of the Adelaide Parklands, is accessible via Beaumont Road at the junction of South and East Terrace.
Explore the Torrens River on a pedal powered boat on the day of your choosing.
Captain Jolley's Paddle Boats have been used for a source of fun for families, friends and tourists for decades. You're in the perfect position to take in the local scenery while getting active in the outdoors all from your own private perch.
Our paddleboats can seat up to 2 people with life jackets supplied for the little ones and the big ones if it makes you feel more comfortable!
The River Torrens, often simply referred to as the Torrens, flows a remarkable 85 kilometers in a south westerly direction across the Adelaide Plains.
Within the inner metro to the south lays Adelaide's City Centre with the Festival and Convention Centers on the bank. To its north - Adelaide Oval and Memorial Drive - the edge of the district of North Adelaide.
When you walk through the gates of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, you’ll be able to leave the stress of study behind. Explore this inner-city oasis featuring an indoor rainforest, an exquisite waterlily pavilion and more.
Spend an hour or spend the day among the 50 hectares of magnificently maintained gardens and stunning architecture.
Relax in the shade or enjoy a coffee among some of Australia’s finest plant collections
South Australia is home to a diverse array of museums and galleries that celebrate its rich cultural heritage, natural history, and contemporary arts scene
Located in Adelaide's cultural precinct, the Art Gallery of South Australia houses an impressive collection of Australian, European, Asian, and Indigenous art. It features works by renowned artists such as Sidney Nolan, Hans Heysen, and Indigenous artists from across Australia.
The Migration Museum examines the history and impact of migration on South Australia, highlighting the diverse cultural backgrounds and contributions of migrants to the state's development. It showcases personal stories, artifacts, and exhibitions that illustrate the challenges, successes, and cultural diversity brought by different migrant communities
The South Australian Museum has been committed to making Australia’s natural and cultural heritage accessible, engaging and fun for over 165 years.
It is a place where families can learn and grow together. Today the Museum is one of the most visited museums in Australia and holds collections of national and international significance. It is a leader in remote and regional community engagement, and in Australian Aboriginal heritage and scientific research.
The library houses extensive collections of books, manuscripts, newspapers, maps, photographs, and archival materials. These collections encompass a wide range of subjects, with a particular focus on South Australian history, literature, and culture. Notable collections include rare books, Indigenous materials, and the Mortlock Wing’s historic architecture.
Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned and managed multi-arts center, Tandanya in Adelaide showcases contemporary and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts through exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.