Adelaide

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

Art Gallery of South Australia

Great place to see art of all genres. Free cloakroom/baggage store.

Daily 10AM-5PM, except 25 Dec·Free

Australian Space Discovery Centre

An Australian Space Agency space discovery centre, opened about the time when Australia joined the space race.

Bay Discovery Centre

Museum dedicated to the culture and history of South Australia, housed in Glenelg's historical town hall.

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)

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 closes·Free entry

Classic Jets Fighter Museum

An aviation museum featuring many fighter jets and aircraft equipment.

10AM–3PM (closed Tuesdays)

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.

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.

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.

Glenelg Town Hall

A rather traditional looking building in Glenelg right in front of the seaside.

10AM–2PM

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.

Montefiore Hill

Provides a spectacular view of the city, especially at night.

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 Day·Free

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–4:30PM·adult $12, concession $9, child $6, family $32

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

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.

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; 1–4PM·gold coin donation

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.

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-4:30PM·adults $10, concession $8, children $5 (under 5 years free), family $25

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 Dec·Free

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

Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum

Just a local heritage museum with many historic relics donated from locals.

Sun 11AM–4PM

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.

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 holidays·Free