Adelaide attractions

Adelaide attractions start with wildlife parks in the Adelaide Hills and stretch to river and coastal cruises on the Murray and the Port River. This page covers the ticketed attractions and tours, while the things to do in Adelaide page covers the wider region and the national attractions page covers the rest of Australia.

Adelaide attractions in the Adelaide Hills

The hills behind the city hold the wildlife parks. Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek is about a 40-minute drive from Adelaide. It has exotic and native animals across 14 acres, has been run by the same family since 1965, and works as a full-day outing with BBQ and picnic areas on site. Highlights include koala holding, reptile presentations, native animal feeding and unleashed sessions with the animals.

If you would rather not drive, the Cleland Wildlife Park half-day tour does the transport for you. It is a small-group trip from the Adelaide CBD, a 30-minute trip to the park, with a scenic drive through Cleland Conservation Park and a stop at Mount Lofty Summit for views over the city. Entry, a guided orientation, animal feed and return transfers are included, and an up-close koala encounter is available as an upgrade.

Attraction tickets and tour types

Wildlife park entry and guided tours work differently, so it helps to know what you are buying. Gorge Wildlife Park sells general admission, with ticket types for adults, children, concession holders, infants and a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children. You drive yourself, arrive when you like and stay as long as you want.

The Cleland tour is a guided half-day with a set 10am departure from 111 Franklin Street or a pre-arranged hotel in the city, returning at about 3.30pm. It has adult and child tickets, and the pickup point asks for a 10-minute buffer before departure.

Cruises and coastal sights south of the city

Plenty of Adelaide sights are best seen from the water. The Goolwa Murray Mouth scenic cruise leaves the historic Goolwa Wharf on a 90-minute trip aboard a fully enclosed vessel, passing through the Goolwa Barrage Lock to the Coorong wetlands and the point where the Murray meets the Southern Ocean. You can spot fur seals, pelicans and sea eagles, and hear stories of Ngarrindjeri culture on the way. It has adult, concession, child, infant and family tickets.

Closer to the city, the Port River dolphin cruise runs out of Port Adelaide, and the Adelaide cruises page has the rest. For more in that part of South Australia, see Fleurieu Peninsula attractions.

City attractions and cultural sights

In the city itself, the Adelaide Oval roof climb takes you up over the stadium roof, and the Adelaide cultural experiences page covers the Central Market lunch tour, Botanic Garden walks and Aboriginal art and weaving sessions.

For wildlife beyond the hills, Adelaide zoos and aquariums sorts the parks by type, and Adelaide with kids collects the days out that suit families.

Planning a day of Adelaide attractions

Distance decides most of it. The hills parks are a 30 to 40-minute trip out, Goolwa and the Murray Mouth sit further south, and the Port River is a short trip north-west of the city. Pair a hills wildlife stop with a morning in the city, or give Goolwa its own day.

The fully enclosed Goolwa vessel suits a wet day better than an open park, and the Adelaide rainy days page has ideas for the rest. For the full set of adventures, head to Adelaide activities.

Frequently asked questions

What attractions can you visit near Adelaide?

Wildlife parks in the Adelaide Hills, including Gorge Wildlife Park and Cleland Wildlife Park, river and coastal cruises from Port Adelaide and Goolwa, and city sights such as Adelaide Oval.

Where can you see koalas near Adelaide?

Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek has koala holding, and the half-day Cleland Wildlife Park tour from Adelaide has an up-close koala encounter as an upgrade.

How far is Gorge Wildlife Park from Adelaide?

Gorge Wildlife Park is about a 40-minute drive from Adelaide, at 30 Redden Drive, Cudlee Creek. It has BBQ and picnic areas.

Can you visit Cleland Wildlife Park without a car?

Yes. The half-day tour departs from 111 Franklin Street in the Adelaide CBD at 10am, or from a pre-arranged city hotel, and returns at about 3.30pm. Entry, animal feed and return transfers are included.

What can you see on the Goolwa Murray Mouth cruise?

The 90-minute cruise passes through the Goolwa Barrage Lock to the Coorong wetlands and the Murray Mouth, with fur seals, pelicans and sea eagles to look for. It departs at 10.30am on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Which Adelaide attractions good for kids?

Gorge Wildlife Park has a family ticket and a koala-holding highlight, child tickets on the Cleland tour cover ages 4 to 15, and the Goolwa cruise has child, infant and family tickets.

Pick the attraction that suits your day, check how far it sits from where you are staying, and fill the gaps with the Adelaide region page.