About Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide or the Adelaide central business district; the demonym Adelaidean is used to denote the city and the residents of Adelaide. The traditional owners of the Adelaide region are the Kaurna, with the name Tarndanya referring to the area of the city centre and surrounding Park Lands, in the Kaurna language. Adelaide is situated on the Adelaide Plains north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, between the Gulf St Vincent in the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges in the east. Its metropolitan area encompasses over 430 suburbs, extending 96 km (60 mi) from Gawler in the north to Sellicks Beach in the south and 20 km (12 mi) from the western coast to the eastern foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Places to visit in Adelaide
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Adelaide Central Market
MarketOne of the largest covered fresh-produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, packed with stalls selling local cheese, fruit and baked goods. Come hungry and explore neighboring Chinatown for cheap lunch options.
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Art Gallery of South Australia
MuseumA major gallery on North Terrace with strong collections of Australian and Aboriginal art. Pair it with the South Australian Museum next door, as both sit along the city's main cultural boulevard.
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Adelaide Botanic Garden
ParkA large garden at the edge of the city center with a Victorian glasshouse and the striking Bicentennial Conservatory. Join one of the free guided walks to learn about the native plant collections.
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Glenelg, South Australia
Beach · 6 mi from centreA popular seaside suburb with a long sandy beach, jetty and cafe-lined Jetty Road. Ride the tram from the city center to get there easily, and stay for the sunset over the gulf.
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Adelaide Oval
EntertainmentA historic cricket and football stadium beside the River Torrens, often called one of the most attractive sports grounds anywhere. Book a stadium tour or the roof climb for a different view of the city.
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South Australian Museum
MuseumA natural history museum known for its extensive collection of Aboriginal cultural material. Do not miss the Pacific cultures gallery and the fossil displays, and expect to spend at least two hours.
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Barossa Valley
Nature · 34 mi from centreA famous wine region about an hour northeast of the city, known for its Shiraz and German heritage villages. Book a tour or arrange a designated driver if you plan to visit several cellar doors.
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Mount Lofty
Viewpoint · 6 mi from centreThe highest point in the Adelaide Hills, with a summit lookout over the city and coast. Hike up through Cleland Conservation Park from Waterfall Gully for a rewarding morning walk.
Things to do in Adelaide by type
43 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 20 experiences Adelaide Botanic Garden - Private Cultural Tour -
Art & culture 15 experiences Aboriginal Bush Medicine - Private Workshop -
Day Trips & Excursions 6 experiences Adelaide Highlights with Wine Tasting and Coast - Full-Day Small Group Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 6 experiences Adelaide Highlights with Wine Tasting and Coast - Full-Day Small Group Tour -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Murray River Highlights -
Cruise & Water Tours 4 experiences Adelaide Dolphin Watching Cruise -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 3 experiences Adelaide Swim with Wild Dolphins Cruise
- Up to 1 hour 8
- 1-3 hours 4
- 3-6 hours 3
- Over 6 hours 1
- Private 12
- Small group 12
Top experiences in Adelaide
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 43 available.
Discovering Adelaide: A Walking Tour of Iconic Landmarks - Small Group
From $31 per adult
Jimmy C Street Art Tour - Small Group
From $41 per adult
North Terrace Cultural Caper - Walking Tour
From $34 per adult
The Historical Victoria Square - Walking Tour
From $34 per adult
RoofClimb Adelaide Oval Twilight
From $87 per adult
RoofClimb Adelaide Oval Day
From $80 per adult
Tjilbruke Dreaming - Private Cultural Tour
From $50 per adult
Warriparinga Culture and History - Private Tour
From $50 per adult
Adelaide Botanic Garden - Private Cultural Tour
From $50 per adult
Adelaide City - Private Cultural Tour
From $50 per adult
Adelaide City Cultural Tour
From $43 per adult
Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden
From $43 per adult
Where to stay in Adelaide
Popular hotels in Adelaide, out of 211 properties you can book.
Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites
From $196 per night
Avani Adelaide Residences
From $167 per night
Oaks Adelaide Horizons Suites
From $243 per night
Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites
From $128 per night
iStay Precinct Adelaide
From $156 per night
Oaks Adelaide Embassy Suites
From $279 per night
Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
From $175 per night
Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury
From $190 per night
Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide
From $119 per night
Mantra Hindmarsh Square Adelaide
From $168 per night
The George Glenelg
From $154 per night
BreakFree Adelaide
From $125 per night
Best time to visit Adelaide
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Adelaide is December to April, when average daytime highs are around 71–84°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Adelaide weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 71° 57° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 84° 61° 3%
- Fri 23 Oct 80° 63° 32%
- Sat 24 Oct 70° 56° 61%
- Sun 25 Oct 60° 52° 69%
- Mon 26 Oct 58° 49° 53%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.43
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Australia/AdelaideUTC+10:30
- Capital
- Canberra
Upcoming public holidays in Australia
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Adelaide
These are the airports closest to central Adelaide. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ADL Adelaide Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Getting around Adelaide
Train, tram and bus services are operated under the Adelaide Metro brand and use a unified ticketing system. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.
Fares
The peak fare is $4.55 whilst the off-peak fare is $2.60 (June 2025). Off-peak fares are applicable between 9AM and 3PM on weekdays as well as all weekend. Each fare allows a travel period of two hours for any distance travelled. There are free trams and buses in the City centre (see below for details).
Trains
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Trams
Adelaide has three tram lines. The Botanic Gardens line runs from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to the Botanic Gardens. The Glenelg line runs from the Royal Adelaide Hospital to the beachside suburb of Glenelg. The Festival Plaza line runs from Festival Plaza to Glenelg. The Railway Station is a convenient stop to transfer between the lines. Travel in the City between the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Botanic Garden and South Terrace is free.
Adelaide travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Adelaide?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Adelaide is December to April, when average daytime highs are around 71–84°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
What is the weather like in Adelaide?
February is usually the warmest month in Adelaide, with average highs of 84°F (29°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 46°F (8°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 103 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Adelaide?
Adelaide Airport (ADL) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Adelaide.
What currency is used in Adelaide?
Adelaide uses the Australian dollar (AUD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.43.
What time zone is Adelaide in?
Adelaide uses the Australia/Adelaide time zone (currently UTC+10:30). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Adelaide?
Train, tram and bus services are operated under the Adelaide Metro brand and use a unified ticketing system. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.
What are the best places to visit in Adelaide?
Top sights in Adelaide include Adelaide Central Market, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide Botanic Garden and Glenelg, South Australia. One of the largest covered fresh-produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, packed with stalls selling local cheese, fruit and baked goods. Come hungry and explore neighboring Chinatown for cheap lunch options.
What are the top things to do in Adelaide?
Popular experiences you can book in Adelaide include Discovering Adelaide: A Walking Tour of Iconic Landmarks - Small Group, Jimmy C Street Art Tour - Small Group and North Terrace Cultural Caper - Walking Tour. Destina Holidays offers 43 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Adelaide?
The most popular types of experiences in Adelaide are city tours (20), art & culture (15), day trips & excursions (6) and gastronomy & nightlife (6). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Adelaide?
Popular areas for hotels in Adelaide include Glenelg and Adelaide. Well-reviewed options include Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites and Avani Adelaide Residences.
How many hotels can I book in Adelaide?
Destina Holidays currently lists 211 properties in and around Adelaide, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
