Adelaide Animal Experiences & Encounters

Adelaide animal experiences range from dolphin cruises on the Port River and swims off Glenelg to koala cuddles at a family-run wildlife park in the hills. Many sit within an hour of the city, and a few take you further out to a Coonawarra farm or the winter cuttlefish gathering at Whyalla. This page sorts them by what you want to see, and the animal experiences across Australia page covers the rest of the country.

Adelaide animal experiences with dolphins

The Port River backwaters and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are home to resident dolphins, so most dolphin trips start at Port Adelaide. The Port River dolphin cruise is a 90-minute trip from McLaren Wharf, next to the red and white lighthouse, with a look at the Ship Graveyard, the bird sanctuary and the maritime history of the port along the way. The Dolphin and Maritime River Cruise is a 2-hour version with commentary, covered outside decks and restrooms on board.

To get in the water, the Adelaide swim with wild dolphins cruise leaves Holdfast Shores Marina in Glenelg at 8am on a 3.5-hour trip aboard a 58-foot sailing catamaran. Snorkelling gear and safety equipment are included, there is a dolphin sighting refund guarantee, and the season runs for part of the year only.

Kayaking in the Dolphin Sanctuary

Paddling gets you closer to the mangroves and the birdlife. The Dolphin Sanctuary kayaking eco tour is a guided 3-hour paddle from Angas Inlet Boat Club on Garden Island, through calm creeks lined with 10,000-year-old mangrove forest. You can spot dolphins, migratory shorebirds and old shipwrecks, and the guide explains the coastal ecosystem as you go. Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat and shoes that can get wet.

Wildlife parks and farm visits

For koalas and kangaroos, Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek is about a 40-minute drive from Adelaide. The same family has run the park across 14 acres since 1965. Highlights include koala holding, reptile presentations, native animal feeding and unleashed sessions with the animals, with BBQ and picnic areas for lunch, and ticket types that include a family pass.

Further south, the Warrawindi farm experience is a 45-minute off-road vehicle drive through a fourth-generation family farm near Penola in Coonawarra. You meet farm animals and keep an eye out for brolgas, red-tailed cockatoos, kangaroos and emus.

Cuttlefish and horse trail experiences

Giant cuttlefish gather in their thousands to breed in the Upper Spencer Gulf each winter. The swim with cuttlefish tour from Adelaide is a 3-day guided trip from the CBD with accommodation, most meals and return transport, plus stops at the Pink Lakes, Alligator Gorge and a Clare Valley wine tasting. Bring a warm towel and dry clothes for after the swim.

In the Adelaide Hills, the Petaluma horse trail ride and wine tasting is a 1.5-hour experience for two at Woodside. You ride through the vineyard on a horse matched to your experience, then head to the cellar door for a tasting. Sessions start at 11.30am and 1pm.

Choosing an animal experience in Adelaide

Time is the easiest filter. The Port River cruises and the Petaluma ride fit into a morning or an afternoon, the kayak tour and the dolphin swim take about half a day, and Gorge Wildlife Park suits a full-day outing with kids. The farm drive and the cuttlefish tour mean planning around the Limestone Coast and Upper Spencer Gulf.

If dolphins are the goal, the cruise and the kayak tour give a chance to see them from the water, and the swim puts you in with them. For more zoos and wildlife parks, see Adelaide zoos and aquariums, and for the rest of the city's adventures, head to Adelaide activities. Heading to Victoria? Try Melbourne animal experiences.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you swim with dolphins in Adelaide?

The Adelaide swim with wild dolphins cruise departs from Holdfast Shores Marina Pier in Glenelg at 8am. It is a seasonal 3.5-hour cruise, and children must be 9 or older to join the swim.

Are there dolphins in Adelaide?

Yes. The Port River and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary are home to resident dolphins. You can see them on a Port River cruise from Port Adelaide, from a kayak on Garden Island, or by swimming with them on the Glenelg cruise.

Can kids do the Adelaide dolphin cruises?

Yes. Port River cruise child rates apply to ages 3 to 12, and infants 2 and under have their own rate. The Glenelg dolphin swim needs swimmers to be 9 or older, though younger children can watch, and the Dolphin Sanctuary kayak tour is for ages 10 and over.

Where can you hold a koala near Adelaide?

Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek has koala holding as one of its highlights. It is about a 40-minute drive from Adelaide.

Do you need to be fit for the Dolphin Sanctuary kayaking tour?

You need a reasonable level of fitness and should manage a brisk 15-minute walk without getting out of breath. The tour suits all skill levels, and participants must be at least 10 years old.

Can you swim with cuttlefish near Adelaide?

Yes, in winter, on a 3-day guided tour from Adelaide to the Upper Spencer Gulf near Whyalla. Bring a warm towel and dry clothes for after the swim.

Start with the animal you most want to see, then fit the rest of the trip around the departure point and the time you have.