Sights and landmarks in Adelaide

40 sights worth seeing in Adelaide: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
A sanctuary known for its dolphins as the name of the place says. The dolphins mostly found here are the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Adelaide Gaol
Adelaide Jail
Historic jail that was built in the 1840s, modelled on jails similar to the ones found in the UK and Ireland.
10AM–4PM
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Steiner Education Centre
Visitors wishing to visit on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday are required to make a booking.
Sun 11AM-3PM, Tue-Thu 1-4PM, closed Mon Fri Sat$10
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Adelaide Zoo
The only place in the southern hemisphere to see giant pandas. The zoo also boasts meerkats, lions, tigers, a family of capybaras and some quokkas.
Daily 9:30AM-5PM
SeeSalisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully
Angove Conservation Park
Not a conservation park that many travellers go to, but was rather proclaimed to prevent land development. Today, there are some trails, but these are quite short. However, you may be lucky enough to spot a kangaroo though!
SeeSouth and East
Army Museum of South Australia
One of the state's most accessible military museums home to a collection of historic guns, artillery, and pretty much everything that was used in the First and Second World Wars along with the Vietnam and Korean Wars. It's entirely run by volunteers, meaning its opening hours are generally limited.
Sun noon–4PM, Mon Wed 11AM–2PM, closed public holidays$5 per adult, $2 per child, $12 per family, $3 per concession holder and free for serving defence members.
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Art Gallery of South Australia
Great place to see art of all genres. Free cloakroom/baggage store.
Daily 10AM-5PM, except 25 DecFree
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Australian Space Discovery Centre
An Australian Space Agency space discovery centre, opened about the time when Australia joined the space race.
SeeWest Adelaide
Bay Discovery Centre
Museum dedicated to the culture and history of South Australia, housed in Glenelg's historical town hall.
SeeSouth and East
Belair National Park
Here you can walk around and enjoy the green areas, and there are also some tennis courts and a playground for kids. In the park you can also find the Government House that used to be the governor's summer residence. There's a fee to enter the park by car, but it can also be accessed by the Belair train line, a 35-minute trip from Adelaide.
Summer 8AM-9PM, winter 8AM-7PM (closed during Christmas)
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Bicentennial Conservatory
This is a worthwhile place to visit, it simulates a tropical rainforest micro-eco system, complete with mist falling from the roof. The space accommodates a number of full size rainforest trees and lowland rainforest plants from northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the nearby Pacific Islands, many of which are at risk or endangered in their natural habitats. Be warned, it is warm and humid inside. All walkways have full wheelchair access.
Daily from 10AM to one hour before the Botanic Garden closesFree entry
SeeSalisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully
Classic Jets Fighter Museum
An aviation museum featuring many fighter jets and aircraft equipment.
10AM–3PM (closed Tuesdays)
SeeSouth and East
Cleland Conservation Park
Popular with hikers and cyclists and has great views over the Adelaide Hills. Some highlights are the Cleland Wildlife Park, the Waterfall Gully and the Mt Lofty Summit.
SeeSalisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully
Cobbler Creek Recreation Park
A park which provides an open space barrier and has dams to mitigate flooding. It is a significant site for both public recreation and native flora and fauna conservation as it's one of the only parks in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.
SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor
Fort Glanville Conservation Park
A functional 19th century fort and was the first colonial fortification in the state and is the best preserved and most functional in Australia.
SeeWest Adelaide
Glenelg Town Hall
A rather traditional looking building in Glenelg right in front of the seaside.
10AM–2PM
SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor
Hart's Mill Complex
Adelaide Milling Company Mill
A group of buildings on the Port Adelaide waterfront that includes Hart’s Mill and is South Australia’s longest continually operating flour production facility.
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Montefiore Hill
Provides a spectacular view of the city, especially at night.
SeeSouth and East
Morialta Conservation Park
Famous for its ridges with waterfalls that are particularly impressive during the winter and spring when the water flows at its strongest. However, the waterfalls usually dry up during the summer.
Vehicle entrance open daily from 6:30AM to 7PM (or 9PM during daylight savings time), closed on Christmas DayFree
SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor
National Railway Museum
Australia's largest railway museum, housed in and around the former Port Dock goods terminal. There are trains and equipment on display, and also photos and other documents. You can take a small train ride around the premises, and there are special events when you get to take trips onboard some of the other trains.
Daily 10AM–4:30PMadult $12, concession $9, child $6, family $32
SeeCity and North Adelaide
National Wine Centre
A part of the University of Adelaide, here you can learn more about Australian viticulture, wine and food in general and there's of course also wine bar.
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun & public holidays; tours & tastings 10AM-5PM
SeeCity and North Adelaide
North Terrace
Driving east from West Terrace will take you past the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the University of South Australia's City West campus, the new University of Adelaide's medical school, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the Adelaide Convention Centre, the Casino (Railway Station below), Parliament House, Government House, the State Library of South Australia, Migration Museum (free entry), Art Gallery of South Australia (free entry), the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia's City East campus, the site of the old Royal Adelaide Hospital, and the Botanic Gardens. It is an attractive, tree-lined boulevard in a South Australian colonial tradition.
SeeBelair National Park
Old Government House
South Australia’s first official vice-regal summer residence and was used by the three governors of Richard Graves MacDonnell (1855–62), Dominick Daly (1862-68) and William Jervois (1877–80).
First and third Sundays of every month except Christmas and Good Fri; 1–4PMgold coin donation
SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor
Port Adelaide Lighthouse
A 25-metre lighthouse that was first set up in 1869, at the entrance to the Port River, then moved to the Neptune Islands out in the sea before being moved to its current location. Nowadays it's an exhibit of the South Australian Maritime Museum, listed on the South Australian Heritage Register and lit on Saturdays just for show.
SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor
South Australian Aviation Museum
Two hangars with aircraft (mostly military) and engines on display. There are guided tours where you can learn more about individual planes.
Daily 10:30AM-4:30PMadults $10, concession $8, children $5 (under 5 years free), family $25
SeeCity and North Adelaide
South Australian Museum
Best Australian Aboriginal collection in the world and the largely Victorian Pacific cultures gallery is neat too.
Daily 10AM-5PM, except Good Fri and 25 DecFree
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute
Here you can experience many kinds of Aboriginal art and culture. There are music, dance and theatre performances and exhibitions of visual art.
Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, closed Sun & Public Holidays
SeeSalisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully
Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum
Just a local heritage museum with many historic relics donated from locals.
Sun 11AM–4PM
SeeWest Adelaide
Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve
The most accessible sand dunes in the state, and is accessible via public transport. Though many of Adelaide's beaches have been severely damaged or impacted in some way or another, this one is a bit of an exception, where you can still see the result of what's been forming for eons. The best way to fully experience the dunes though, is to bushwalk the 1.5-km Tennyson Dunes Discovery Trail (and the trail also has an app that can be downloaded on both the App Store and Google Play), and you might be lucky enough to spot some classic Australian wildlife.
SeeCity and North Adelaide
The Adelaide Botanic Garden
The gardens are quiet and relaxing even though they're in the heart of the city. They contain many large grassed areas ideal for relaxing, and just outside the gardens are the city parklands where ball games and picnics can be held. There is a cafe in the gardens and a conservatory.
Open every day including public holidaysFree
SeeAdelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara
Thompson's Beach
Perhaps this spot has what this park is mostly known for – birdwatching.
SeeCity and North Adelaide Not mapped
Migration Museum
The museums showcases stories of immigrants to South Australia throughout history with photos, stories and items.
Daily 10AM-5PM, closed Good Fri and 25 Dec
SeePort Adelaide, Enfield, Prospect and Outer Harbor Not mapped
South Australian Maritime Museum
Exhibits related to the maritime history of the region, from the first European explorers sailing the waters to immigrants arriving by boat and the Australian Navy of today.
Daily 10AM-5PM$15, concession $9, child $6, family $34.50 (2 adults & up to 5 children).
SeeCity and North Adelaide Not mapped
St Francis Xavier's Cathedral
Adelaide's Roman Catholic cathedral, located in the heart of the City, right next to Victoria Square and within walking distance of Central Market. Much smaller than its Anglican counterpart, but nevertheless still rather impressive to look at, particularly on the inside.
7AM-7PM dailyFree
SeeCity and North Adelaide Not mapped
St Peter's Cathedral
Adelaide's Anglican Cathedral and one of the most iconic churches in Australia. Features on many postcards of Adelaide, and a popular stop on most city tours.
Mon 10:30AM - 1PM, Tue-Fri 10:30AM-3:30PMFree
SeeBelair National Park
Lower Waterfall Lookout
Lookout overlooking the lower waterfall at Workanda Creek.
SeeSalisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully
National Military Vehicle Museum
SeeCity and North Adelaide
Rundle Lantern light display
From dusk to midnight every night with 750 light panels.
SeeSalisbury, Playford and Tea Tree Gully
Salisbury Waterwheel Museum
Just a museum that features a restored waterwheel.
SeeBelair National Park
Upper Waterfall Lookout
Lookout overlooking the lower waterfall at Workanda Creek.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Adelaide (CC BY-SA 4.0).