Discover the highlights of South Australia’s capital and its surroundings during your weekend. There is something for everyone in Adelaide and the surrounding areas. Adelaide Central Market offers fresh, locally sourced cuisine for food enthusiasts in the city. Adelaide Oval provides an opportunity for adrenaline seekers to climb to new heights while animal lovers can visit Adelaide Zoo and interact with giant pandas.

Venture beyond the CBD to unravel exceptional wine regions, a German colony and an oceanfront town that offers glimpses of dolphins, whales and sea lions swimming in their natural habitat.
Here are my recommended top 20 activities to do in Adelaide.
Activities to Experience in the Adelaide Central Business District (CBD)
Visit Adelaide Zoo and witness the majestic giant pandas
It is essential to visit two of Adelaide’s most renowned inhabitants, Wang Wang and Fu Ni. As the sole breeding couple of Giant Pandas in Australia, you can have a personal encounter with them by joining a Panda and Friends tour. If you’re intrigued by spooky sightings, book an Adelaide Zoo After Dark Tour where former and current keepers share bone-chilling stories.
Explore the Adelaide Central Markets
The Central Markets is a definite must-visit spot recommended by locals. With over 70 stalls, the market boasts terrific local produce and exudes an artistic, refined atmosphere representing the city’s diversity. To discover more about this place and its vendors, sign up for Adelaide Central Market Discovery Tour which offers a comprehensive tour of the site.
Go on a stroll through the city to admire street art
Adelaide’s vibrancy owes much to the ongoing patronage of local artists who produce awe-inspiring public artwork. To aid exploration, the City offers an online interactive map that doubles as a walking guide for those interested in discovering colorful murals and towering building portraits hidden within its alleys and crevices. And if you’ve already basked in Jimmy C’s signature drip-style murals and want more, why not dive into his collaborative works on a specially curated Jimmy C Street Art Tour?
Explore the South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum boasts a global reputation as an esteemed establishment, showcasing the cultural accomplishments of Australia’s Indigenous population through an extensive array of over 3,000 items. Moreover, the museum houses a natural history section that exhibits a substantial fraction of the three million specimens gathered over the past century and a half.
Fun activities to enjoy with your family in Adelaide
City tree climbing
Tree Climb Adelaide is an exhilarating inner-city adventure park, ideal for thrill-seekers looking to push their limits. The one-of-a-kind facility boasts eight distinct elevated courses featuring zip-lines and it’s conveniently located within Kurangga Park in the heart of Adelaide City Park Lands – a mere 20-minute walk from downtown Adelaide.
The Garden Island Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard can be explored by paddling
Are you excited to try kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding? Adventure Kayaking SA offers kayak rentals, complete with safety equipment, at the Garden Island boat ramp in Port Adelaide river’s estuary system – just 15 kilometers north of Adelaide. Discover the maritime heritage trail amidst mangroves and watch out for dolphins. Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours offers inclusive three-hour eco tours that lead you through forests and offer a chance to explore shipwrecks up close, making it an exciting adventure.
Ride the Linear Park Trail along River Torrens
Adelaide boasts a diverse trail that’s ideal for families to enjoy on bicycles. This mixed-use pathway weaves its way through the picturesque Mount Lofty Ranges and leads riders five minutes away from Rundle Mall, concluding at stunning Henley Beach. Cyclists of all skill levels can tackle this route with ease.
Go to the beach
Hop on the tram from Adelaide’s CBD and within twenty minutes, you could find yourself enjoying a glass of Champagne at Moseley Beach Club in Glenelg – Australia’s sole official bar by the beach. However, that isn’t the only incentive to explore this coastal suburb. The beach is perfect for swimming while Jetty Road offers an abundance of fantastic opportunities to dine out, indulge in drinks or observe dolphins frolicking nearby.
Adelaide’s Nighttime Activities
Go on a roof climb at Adelaide Oval
The two-hour Roof Climb provides an unforgettable experience, with jaw-dropping 360-degree views of Adelaide and the surrounding area from coast to foothills. Experienced guides will lead you across the Western Stand towards the Riverbank Platform that stands some 50 metres above the famous turf of Adelaide Oval. Climbs are available throughout both day and evening; however, many visitors prefer dusk ascents for breathtaking vistas during sunset as it kisses this beautiful land.
Experience life behind bars at Adelaide Gaol
Adelaide Gaol, which was once infamous for its penal purpose, is located to the north of the city center and now serves as an enriching museum that exhibits the history of crime and justice in the region. Visitors may opt for self-guided tours from 10 am till 3 pm every day or explore this former correctional facility’s ominous past at their leisurely pace. For those who crave spine-chilling excitement, ghost tours are available during evenings.
Adelaide offers numerous free activities and attractions
Tour the gallery
With an impressive assortment unparalleled in Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia presents a diverse array of exhibitions spanning multiple genres. Visitors can enjoy complimentary guided tours at 11am and 2pm on most days, while First Fridays showcase a dynamic lineup featuring rotating curated shows as well as free live music performances and informative talks.
Take a leisurely walk through Adelaide Botanic Gardens
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens, one of the three distinct botanic garden sites in greater Adelaide area, is nestled in downtown and boasts an impressive 50 hectares of stunning gardens alongside superb architectural structures. A must-visit while there is Santos Museum of Economic Botany that traces plant history uniquely as a foundation established over a century ago by fascinated researchers.
Explore the trendy side of Port Adelaide
Hipsters will find Adelaide’s port town to be a delightful sanctuary, thanks to the famous Pirate Life brewery and numerous examples of street art. With an array of activities available, visitors are sure to stay entertained throughout their entire weekend getaway – whether it involves perusing fashionable boutiques such as Port Hole Records or exploring captivating bits of history provided by popular sites like the National Railway Museum or South Australian Maritime Museum.
Excursions from Adelaide for a day
Discover the wonders of Port Noarlunga
Just thirty minutes south of Adelaide lies a tranquil coastal village nestled on the banks of the Onkaparinga River. With breathtaking beaches, this destination is famous for its reef that holds a heritage status. During low tide, the reef emerges and welcomes adventurous visitors to safely discover it. Adventurers can further satisfy their wanderlust by embarking on a scenic hike across Onkaparinga River National Park’s trails.
Experience rock climbing in Morialta Conservation Park
Morialta Conservation Park is located a mere 10km away from the city, providing visitors with an array of activities to indulge in. From traversing rock faces ideal for climbing to exploring scenic walking tracks meandering through unspoiled woodlands and breathtaking cascading waterfalls, there’s something for everyone here. There are plenty of options for those who want to go on guided bush walks at this park. Experienced guides and transportation back to your accommodation can be arranged throughout the week. There’s also a great feature called Mukanthi, which is Adelaide’s largest playground with five play zones that highlight natural materials and experiences designed specifically for adventurous children!
Explore Hahndorf
The German settlement in Australia that has managed to survive the longest welcomes approximately one million visitors each year, making it a thriving tourist destination. Tourists can enjoy authentic German cuisine and local produce, including delightful wines and artisanal crafts while discovering historic landmarks like The Cedars – Hans and Nora Heysen’s former residence. The region offers plenty of activities such as embarking on self-guided tours or guided wine-tasting experiences exploring Hahndorf alongside neighboring Adelaide Hills vineyards for gourmet culinary delights.
Explore the cellar doors of Adelaide Hills by cycling
Enthusiasts of wine can find a blissful haven in Adelaide Hills, with over 60 cellars waiting to be explored. Located just a speedy 25-minute drive from the city center, visitors who embark on bike tours throughout this region can not only relish cool-weather vintages but also delight their taste buds by sampling gourmet cheeses while pedaling away calories. Furthermore, strawberry-picking is yet another pleasant activity made available by this captivating landscape!