Free Attractions Guide - Adelaide, South Australia

1. Adelaide Botanic Garden

The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide is comprised of three botanic gardens and has served the community of South Australia for more than 140 years. The three botanic gardens, Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga provide visitors with an exceptional range of cultural, recreational, educational and scientific facilities which enhance people’s enjoyment and understanding of the plant world.

+61 8 8222 9311 North Terrace, Adelaide

2. Adelaide Central Market

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Central Market, sample the culinary delights, meet the Traders and share the history and the secrets of the Market. The Adelaide Central Market is truly an amazing experience and you can add to that even more by taking part in a guided tour (must be pre-booked). Located in the heart of the CBD making it easily accessible from wherever you may be. Closed on Sundays.

+61 8 8212 9669 Gouger Street, Adelaide

3. Adelaide Festival Centre

The Adelaide Festival Centre is situated beside the Torrens river, with excellent views. There are performance spaces and many art works throughout the complex.

+61 8 8216 8600 King William Rd, Adelaide

4. Black Hill Conservation Park

12 km north-east of Adelaide, in the Mount Lofty Ranges, is Black Hill Conservation Park. There are many walking trails some of which afford spectacular views of the city. Take a picnic, discover the wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoy the wildflower garden.

+61 8 8336 0901 115 Maryvale Rd, Athelstone

5. City Loop & Bee Bus Lines

Whether you want to travel down the street or across town, Adelaide offers two FREE city courtesy buses to make it simpler. The Adelaide FREE stops are clearly signposted so they’re easy to identify. If you're unsure about your destination, ask your driver for assistance.

The Adelaide FREE 99C City Loop has over 30 convenient stops around the city with services travelling in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions and a ramp providing easy access for people using wheelchairs and prams. The 99B Bee Line bus runs continually along North Terrace and King William Street to Victoria Square.

Both services make it easy for you to transfer to other Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams that can take you to the tourist destinations.

North Terrace, Adelaide

6. Glenelg Beach

Connected to the city by the Bay Tram, Glenelg Beach is the most popular of Adelaide's long, sandy beaches. Walk out onto the pier to see people fishing and breathe in the fresh air.

Glenelg

7. Gouger St

One of Adelaide's premier eat streets features food from around the world. It is the gateway to the famed Adelaide Central Market and the exotic, bustling mall and food halls of Chinatown.

Take a five-minute stroll down Gouger Street and you'll be embarking on a world tour of restaurants. Traditional Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Japanese, Asian fusion, noodle bars, regional Chinese and yum cha, French and Argentine cuisine, and a number of first-rate seafood restaurants. In Chinatown, you'll come across red lanterns, lion statues, pagoda-style roofs and Asian grocery stores.

No matter how often you return to Gouger Street, you'll be able to have a different culinary experience each time. But that's not all you'll find - the street is also home to nightclubs and retail shopping. Surrounded by impressive court buildings and legal premises on the edge of Victoria Square, Gouger Street offers a striking contrast in culture.

Gouger St, Adelaide

8. Holy Trinity Church

Adelaide is known as the City of Churches, and a visit would not be complete without seeing some of the fine examples. One of the oldest is Holy Trinity Church on North Terrace, known as the Pioneer Church of South Australia. The church’s clock is noteworthy, having been made by the clockmaker to King Edward IV.

+61 8 8213 7300 87 North Terrace, Adelaide

9. Montefiore Hill

For another view of Adelaide, head to Montefiore Hill in North Adelaide. This is said to have been Colonel Light’s favourite spot, and from here you can see the carefully laid out city which he planned. There is a bronze statue of Colonel Light at the summit.

Cnr Montefiore Rd & Montefiore Hill, North Adelaide

10. Mt Lofty Summit

For a stunning view of Adelaide, take a drive up to Mt Lofty Summit. Surrounded by bushland, the lookout provides panoramic views of the plain below, which are especially beautiful at night. There is a small parking fee in the car park.

+61 8 8339 2600 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Mount Lofty

11. Pioneer Women's Memorial Gardens

The Pioneer Women's Memorial Gardens is a tribute to the pioneer women of South Australia. The main entrance is located on King William Street between Torrens Parade Grounds and the rear of Government House. The sloped path to the entrance is grass. The best place to park is at the Adelaide Festival Centre Car Park (which is opposite the park).

King William Road, Adelaide

12. Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall, in the centre of Adelaide, was Australia's first pedestrian mall opened in September 1976. It contains many boutiques, independent and retail stores. Throughout the mall you can enjoy meandering through a number of arcades and plazas containing smaller boutiques and eateries. This area is one of the most expansive land areas in Adelaide and is considered one of the most important retail centres in the city.

+61 8 8203 7203 150 Rundle Mall, Adelaide

13. South Australian Museum

The South Australian Museum has many diverse exhibits, including a look at Sir Douglas Mawson in Antarctica, Aboriginal and Pacific artefacts, an Ancient Egypt section and an extensive collection of fossils, including some of the world’s oldest fossils.

Open daily (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) between 10am and 5pm.

+61 8 8207 7500 North Terrace, Adelaide

14. St Kilda Adventure Playground

While in St Kilda, families should not miss the St Kilda Adventure Playground. This children's activity area has numerous swings, slides and flying foxes which will keep children amused for hours. It is said to be the best children's playground in Adelaide.

+61 8 8406 8222 Fooks Terrace, St Kilda

15. Strathalbyn Antiques

Strathalbyn is a little town just over an hour's drive in your campervan hire from Adelaide City boasting some fantastic, reasonably priced antique stores. Take the tourist drive via Jupiter Creek and experience some beautiful countryside along the way.

Strathalbyn, South Australia