Things to do in Adelaide with Kids

Adelaide has been on our radar for some time and until recently was the only capital city that had eluded us. Again and again, we were told that it was called the city of churches because it couldn’t boast much else. We never imagined that Adelaide with kids could and would be so much fun. 

Oh my goodness, our trip has shown us the plethora of family things to do in Adelaide that we just know you will love too! We have highlighted some of our favourite places to explore in Adelaide with kids, but hope you can add to our list too – what things to do in Adelaide for kids did we miss?

Things to do in Adelaide with Kids

Over the course of a few weeks, we explored the city of Adelaide trying to uncover the places that families might love most when visiting for a week themselves. Of course, free things to do in Adelaide with kids was something we wanted to make sure we captured too and we surprised that there is a bevy of these. 

In this post we have tried to provide some depth to our adventures so you can decide whether a visit to Adelaide with kids is perfect for you and your family. Please feel free to leave your questions and we will answer them for you, or contact us on social media.

Museums in Adelaide

Adelaide has quite a number of museums that you can visit with kids. Head to our museums in Adelaide resource to discover all the museums you can check off on your adventures. 

Visit Rundle Mall

Whilst Rundle Mall is pretty much your run of the mill capital city shopping precinct, it does boast a few little marvels which make it worth visiting on your stay in Adelaide with kids. 

At the top of our list is the Beehive Corner where Australia’s very first Haigh’s Chocolate store was opened back in 1915 – it still stands there today! Head in to taste some chocolate and buy some Australia handmade chocolate bliss! While you’re thinking of food don’t miss Charlesworth Nuts which was established in Adelaide back in 1934 and still cooks nuts fresh on site. Yum!

Next, head down to the Regent Arcade for a trek back in time. It was originally opened as a theatre in 1928, became a Hoyts and was then closed in 1967 before being extensively renovated and refurbished. Look out for the games shop which has some very bizarre and unusual boardgames, favourites from your childhood and lots of interesting finds.

And of course, get the kids to find the bronze pigs of Rundle Mall and take a shot with them! Yep, I think Rundle Mall is one of the fun things to do in Adelaide with kids for free!

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm* | Friday: 9 am – 9 pm | Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm | Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm |Public Holidays: 11 am – 5 pm (with some exceptions). ** Please check individual stores for opening times as they may not reflect the trading hours listed.
Price: FREE
Address: Rundle Mall is located in the north-eastern corner of the Adelaide Central Business District, in close proximity to the cultural and university precinct on North Terrace; the Rundle Street/East End retail and restaurant strip; and the Hindley Street entertainment strip.
Website: Rundle Mall Website

Haigh’s Chocolate Tour

Haigh’s Chocolate Tour found itself on our Adelaide Bucket List thanks to a little nostalgia about the Cadbury Chocolate Factory tour we completed over a decade ago. Our experience of Haigh’s has led us to add it to our things to do in Adelaide with kids as one not to miss.

Haigh’s chocolate shops have appeared in many of Australia’s capital cities of the last few years, boasting a plethora of mouthwatering chocolates that literally melt in your mouth and make you sigh in delight. However, I bet you are a lot like me and have never really explored where the chocolate comes from or the history behind the chocolate bars.

Haigh’s Chocolate Tour is at a different address to their flagship store in Rundell Mall. You will need to head to their factory at Parkside. The factory is quite small, offering a glimpse at how many of their chocolate products are created.

On the commencement of the tour, you will learn about the Haigh family and how they moved into the chocolate business, including a stint by one of the suns at Lindt in Switzerland to learn how to conche chocolate.

When it comes to chocolate, the blend of cocoa beans is the all important things. Four types are blended at Haigh’s, beans from Venezuela, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador and Ghana. One of the most impressive attributes of the chocolates is that many are hand rolled, hand glazed and looked after by humans! Sorry Cadbury, but you have been trumped!

We recommend booking your tour so you don’t turn up and discover the tours are booked out like we did! The only way to ensure it is something you do in Adelaide with kids is to prebook!!!

Hours: Tours operate Monday and Saturday between 9.00 am and 2.30 pm, Tuesday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm and are unavailable on Sundays or public holidays.
Price: FREE
Address: 154 Greenhill Rd, Parkside SA 5063
Website: Haigh’s Tour Website

Adelaide Central Market

The best way to sample the local foods of any destination is to head to the local market. A number of people encouraged us to visit Adelaide Central Market which we headed to after exploring Rundle Mall. What a delight! Although Adelaide Central Market is small if compared to Melbourne’s Queen Victoria market or Sydney’s Paddy Market, there are a plethora of market stalls showcasing South Australia’s foodie delights from cheese to produce, sweets and nuts through to artisan samples. It is a must visit if you love food. For history buffs, it was established in 1869 – so you might like exploring it too.

Hours: Tuesday 7.00am – 5.30pm | Wednesday* 9.00am – 5.30pm | Thursday 9.00am – 5.30pm | Friday 7.00am – 9.00pm | Saturday 7.00am – 3.00pm | Sunday & Monday CLOSED | Closed most public holidays
Address: 44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000
Website: Adelaide Central Market Webpage

Adelaide Botanic Garden

First opened on 4 October 1857, the Adelaide Botanic Garden spans 51-hectares of land with varying styles of gardens within. Children have been considered in many aspects of his development, particularly at the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden where kids can learn where the food we eat comes from!

You may like to join one of the free daily tours of the Adelaide Botanic Garden or climb a tree. Personally, on a warm day I love the abundance of space and shade!

Click to download the Adelaide Botanic Garden Map and details

Hours: Monday – Friday  from 7:15am. Closing time depends on the month. December – January 7:00pm | February – March 6.30pm | April 6:00pm | May 5:30pm | June – July 5:00pm | August 5:30pm | September 6:00pm |  October – November 6:30pm.
Price: FREE
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
Website: The Adelaide Botanic Garden website

Parking: While there is ticketed parking around the gardens, we found it really hard to secure one during the busy peak times. Get there early or find an alternative!

Glenelg

Time and time again we were told “visit Glenelg” when we mentioned that we were heading to Adelaide for a little adventure. Right on the bay, Glenelg boasts a Mediterranean climate that drives locals to set up home here and visitors to flock to its expansive beach.

There’s plenty to do in Glenelg with the Bay Discovery Centre walking you back in time so you can explore the suburbs history, an amusement park, a beachside park and countless shops and eateries for those who love to buy things and eat. For us, it was a little like Bondi, Manly and Cronulla rolled into one. We were told that it was the place to go to see dolphins too….but alas we didn’t!

The beach itself has a sad bar on the right of the jetty which provides a great shallow space for younger kids to frolick in the ocean. The sad is glorious- soft like talcum powder and perfect for sandcastles. The only problem? The rest of Adelaide knows about this spot too!

Price: FREE
Address: the suburb of Glenelg
Website: Glenelg SA Website

West Beach Mini Golf

I’m not sure if it was the Goldie Hawn’s Overboard or an episode of the Simpsons that created the initial interested in Mini Golf but since trying the game my kids have actively sought out opportunities to play in almost every city we have visited. When they heard about West Beach Mini Golf in Adelaide they begged to go and set about playing for a good 90 minutes.

Hours: Monday to Thursday – 10am to 5pm | Friday  – 10am to 10pm | Saturday – 9.30am to 10pm  | Sunday – 9.30am to 6pm | Public Holidays (except Christmas Day) – 9.30am to 5pm
Price: starts at $9.00
Address: Corner of Military Road and Hamra Ave West Beach
Website: West Beach Mini Golf Webpage

Mega Adventure Park

Right next door to West Beach Mini Golf is the Mega Adventure Park. We were keen to explore but with Striker still hobbling around with a broken toe and surgical boot on, we had to forfeit the opportunity….this time.

Mega Adventure Park is a high ropes world like no other. Its sister site is in Singapore at Imbiah on Sentosa Island, have you been? There are four challenges to choose from: Skychallenge, Giantswing, Skywalk and Megabounce. It looks like a whole lot of fun….just without the broken toe!

Hours: September 22nd – December 15th Open daily from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm *last booking 4.00 – 6.00 pm  | December 16th – February 4th 2019 (School Holidays) Open every day. Weekdays 10.00 am – 7.00 pm *last booking at 5.00 pm. Weekends 9:30 am – 7.00 pm *last booking 5.00 pm
Price: from $5.00
Address: Adelaide Shores – 4 Hamra Avenue, West Beach
Website: Mega Adventure Park Webpage

Himeji Garden

Japan is one of our favourite places to explore so finding Himeji Gardens a few months after exploring Himeji Castle had it added to our list. Gifted to Adelaide in 1982 by Himeji, the gardens are a traditional styled Japanese garden providing an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hours: 8.00 am – 5.30 Monday to Saturday | 8.00 am to 7.30 pm Sunday
Address: South Terrace &, Glen Osmond Rd, Adelaide SA 5000
Website: City of Adelaide Webpage

Carrick Hill

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For lovers of history a trip to Carrick Hill might be one to add to your Adelaide list. Once the home of Sir Edward “Bill” Hayward and his wife Lady Ursula, Carrick Hill is touted as Australia’s most intact twentieth-century heritage house museum and garden. It has survived the test of time and contains all the original contents as well as an internationally significant art collection; the original subsidiary buildings such as stables; and approximately 40 hectares of land which includes approximately 26 hectares of native bushland.

Hours: Wednesday to Sundays and Public Holidays 10 am to 4:30 pm. | Closed Christmas Day, Good Friday, until 12pm Anzac Day and the month of July | Guided tours of the House are at 11.30am and 2.30 pm. | (Bookings required for groups of 15 or more.)
Price: $17.00 Adults | $12.00 Concession | (Free Admission to Gardens & Grounds except for Special Events)
Address: 46 Carrick Hill Dr, Springfield SA 5062
Website: Carrick Hill Webpage

Adelaide Gaol

The Kid Bucket List is always intrigued by Australian Gaols as they provide insight into how the world was perceived at different points in history. Closing in 1988, Adelaide Gaol is now open to the public who can experience the site either through a self-guided tour or through one of the daily guided tours (including night ghost tours).

Visiting during the school holiday break is a great opportunity to join in the gaol’s school holiday activities. On our visit, both Striker and Sunshine enjoyed the Adelaide Gaol Escape Trail which led them through the gaol on a hunt for clues. Ask when you arrive if they have anything on for the kids.

A word of warning, the gaol’s across Australia have never been a nice place to be. Behind the walls, the punishment was used in an attempt to rehabilitate inmates. Many faced a lifetime behind bars. A number were sentenced to death. Like many gaols around Australia, Adelaide Gaol’s inmates who died on site were often buried between the walls. You can see this as well as the gallows at Adelaide Gaol with kids, but it is up to you as the parent to decide how you frame the visit. Sensitive children may find the location and history difficult to grapple with on your visit, and you may wish to postpone until they are older.

Click here to discover other Gaol tours around Australia

Hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm – 7 days a week | Last entry for self-guided tours is at 3.00 pm
Price: Self-guided day tours: Adult $14.50 | Child (aged 4 – 15) $9.00 | Family (2 adults and 2 children OR 1 adult and 3 children) $35.50
Address: 18 Gaol Road, Thebarton
Website: Adelaide Gaol Website

Cleland Conservation Park

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Having visited many wildlife parks over the years, we decided to leave Cleland Wildlife Park off our list and were then berated by friends for doing so! The park has been running since 1967 and provides an immersive nature experience for visitors who can connect with animals in their natural environment.

There are few enclosurs at Cleland Wildlife Park with most animals roaming freely across the site which replicates a natural environment. Here you can see marsupials such as koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, bettongs, and potoroos; dingoes and Tasmanian devils; native birds, water birds and forest birds; and, snakes, reptiles and even the elusive echidna.

Download the park map and start planning your day.

Hours: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm every day (except Christmas Day or days of catastrophic fire danger). Entry gates and aviaries close at 4.30 pm.
Price: Family $61.00 for 2 adults and 2 children OR 1 adult and 3 children. Any additional children to be charged at 50% of child rate.
Address: 365 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Crafer
Website: Park Webpage

Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

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Established back in 1989, Tandanya is Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned and managed multi-arts centre. It is a place where you can visit to experience contemporary and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expressions through the visual and performing arts. Make sure you check the current programs and exhibitions listing to discover what is on during your visit.

Hours: Monday – Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Price: FREE
Address: 253 Grenfell St, Adelaide SA 5000
Website: Tandanya website

National Railway Museum

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Reputed to be Australia’s largest railway museum, the National Railway Museum is Port Adelaide will delight not only train enthusiasts but your average family traveller. Not only can you walk through a number of facinating exhibits but you can usually experience an old train ride too!

For a small additional charge, the Semaphore to Fort Glanville train departs from the foot of the jetty at the end of the popular Semaphore Road cafe strip, and parallels the Esplanade and the sand dunes of one of Adelaide’s most popular swimming beaches, before passing through the dunes near historic Fort Glanville at Point Malcolm.

The railway operates:

Every Sunday & Public Holiday from October to April (inclusive)
Daily during school holidays in September and April, except Tuesdays and Thursdays
Daily from 26th December to the end of January school holidays
Steam trains will depart between 11am and 4pm, roughly every hour or at frequencies varied according to demand.

Hours: Open Daily 10.00 am – 4:30 pm
Price: Family $32.00 (2 adults & up to 3 children)
Address: 76 Lipson St, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Website: National Railway Museum Adelaide Website 

Adelaide Zoo

Whilst we did see pandas at San Diego Zoo, the whole family was keen to see them in Adelaide and how delighted we were by that decision! Upon arriving we immediately noticed the incredible grounds of the zoo and the expanse of shade. It proved to be the perfect destination for a warm summer day: we were able to head to each exhibit whilst avoiding the full sun.

Adelaide Zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish exhibited over eight hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings. There are also a number of animal experiences that you can book if you have extra in your budget.

Hours: Adelaide Zoo is open from 9:30am – 5pm every day of the year, including Christmas and all public holidays.
Price: Family Passes (2 adults + 2-3 children) $91.50 | If also visiting Monarto Zoo we recommend the Two Zoo Pass which is $137.25 for 2 Adult + 3 Children
Address: Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road,  Adelaide SA 5000
Website: Adelaide Zoo Website

Accommodation

We split our stay in Adelaide into two stays, travelling to Kangaroo Island between. We hired a car through Apex Car hire which gave us the flexibility to choose two different locations so we could compare suburbs.

On our first leg we stayed at the Miller Apartments. Situated on Hindley Street, we found this location central to all of the city attractions including the free tram. We booked a two bedroom apartment which included two bathrooms which was perfect for our family of four.

On our return, we booked The Watson Hotel which is part of the Art Series Hotel Chain. Situated in Walkerville, this hotel is a little further out of town but in a historic, leafy suburb close to a Woolworths. Again, we chose a two bedroom accommodation option which was again a good fit for our family of four. This time we shared a bathroom. The big drawcard for the kids was the heated outdoor pool. I loved the decor and Tommy Watson’s art work which are in great abundance throughout the hotel.

Day Trips from Adelaide

Hahndorf

Established in 1839, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and is an interesting township to visit with an eclectic mix of galleries, artisan shops, cafes and restaurants to experience. Whilst we set aside half a day to visit, we spent the whole day exploring Handorf and left with a bounty of produce and a handcrafted cuckoo clock!

Location: 28 km (17 mi) from Adelaide’s CBD
Website: Hahndorf Township Webpage

Barossa Valley

Even if you don’t drink (like me!) a trip to the Barossa Valley is likely to be rewarding. Seppeltsfield Winery is one to put on your list as one of Australia’s oldest wineries (founded in 1851 by Joseph Ernst Seppelt) and catering well for children. Book the history tour (kids are free) so you can explore the old buildings and finish the visit with a tasting that the kids can enjoy too.

For lunch, head to Maggie Beer’s Farm Eatery and order one of their woodfire pizza’s after you make your way through the shop taste testing everything.

Location: 60 km (37 mi) NE from Adelaide’s CBD
Website: Barossa Valley webpage

Monarto Zoo

Monarto Zoo is situated on around 1,500-hectare and is the largest open range zoo in the world. The zoo features 500 animals and 50 exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles, although not are all on display. Due to the open range nature of the zoo, moving around the zoo is either by the zoo bus or by foot which will limit what you can see.

The Lion 360 experience provides visitors an opportunity to go inside a cage and see the lions close up.

Hours: Monarto Zoo is open daily from 9:30am – 5pm with last entry at 3pm. The zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas and all public holidays.  The exception to this is if the forecast temperature for Monarto is 40 degrees or above or SA County Fire Service declare a Catastrophic Fire Ban in which case the zoo will be closed.
Price: Family Passes (2 adults + 2-3 children)$91.50 | If also visiting Adelaide Zoo we recommend the Two Zoo Pass which is $137.25 for 2 Adult + 3 Children
Address: Old Princes Hwy, Monarto South SA 5254
Website: Monarto Zoo Website

Victor Harbour

Victor Harbour is a picturesque town south of Adelaide which is well known for its iconic Horse Drawn Tram that takes visitors across The Causeway to Granite Island.It’ss well worth the trip for the market, beachside carnival and historic elements.

Location: 85 km (53 mi) South of Adelaide CBD
Website: Victor Harbour Website

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