Adelaide is Australia’s underestimated capital city. But I’m here to tell you how much awesome stuff you can cram into just one weekend in kid-friendly Adelaide.
Tip Number 1: Stay in the Adelaide city with the family
Choose a hotel that’s going to be kid friendly as your home base where you’ll be able to check in and relax – even better if it has room service for you to order a meal after you’ve put the kids to bed.
Being central in the city gives you the best chance at seeing the most Adelaide has to offer in a short amount of time. Our CBD is framed by North, South, East and West Terraces and every street in the city centre runs likes a grid, so it’s easy to find your way around. Lots of the main attractions are walking distance, but you can also catch the tram for free – Terrace to Terrace.
Day One of kid friendly Adelaide: Things to Do around Adelaide with your family
The Adelaide Zoo is one of the best zoos in Australia, and it’s right in the city. Come along and meet Wang Wang and Funi (who still haven’t had any baby pandas yet but the zoo staff are hoping and trying!). We have tigers, giraffes, hippos, reptile house, nocturnal house and a children’s petting zoo where little ones can safely feed the (hungry, and sometimes greedy) animals. Recently, a new nature playground was established at the zoo and your kids will love it!
Not far from the zoo is the Botanic Gardens which are definitely worth adding to your itinerary while you’re here. You can enter the Bicentennial Conservatory for free and feel like you’ve stepped into a rainforest. The kids will love wandering along the secret paths and going over the bridges. Everything is pram friendly if you have very young children.
Along North Terrace, are the South Australian Museum and Art Gallery, both FREE entry! The Museum spans four levels of Aboriginal artifacts, precious gems, dinosaur bones, mammals and make sure you find the impressive giant squid! Take the kids to the Discovery Centre for some hands on experiences.
At the Art Gallery, they really get little artists. There are children’s programs happening all the time in ‘The Studio’ and the tablecloths in the café are colouring in pages! My three year old loved it and was kept very busy while mummy enjoyed her coffee.
Amazing family friendly Food in Adelaide!
So you’re probably getting hungry after all of that activity – if you’re still over on the North side, check out Jamie’s Italian! One of the best kid friendly restaurants with the most delicious food (as opposed to your regular pub with a play ground). The kid’s menus are mini view finders and the meals are healthy. Shaker salads are always a hit! It’s so nice to go for a fancy lunch or dinner out and still feel like your kids are welcome. Another great place to visit is the Central Market – with an abundance of food stalls and yummy treats, as well as places for the family to have a meal.
If shopping is your thing, Rundle Mall is the trendy place to go. Let the kids see their reflection in the Malls Balls and say hi to the “piggies”. All the cool brand name shops are in Rundle Mall, which you probably won’t find in the outer suburbs of Adelaide.
Day Two discovering kid friendly Adelaide: Venture out of the city
For day two I’d suggest getting out of the city and heading to beautiful Glenelg Beach. It’s the easiest of Adelaide’s beaches to get to – just catch the tram from Victoria Square. There is so much that your kids will love about a day out at Glenelg, with the main attraction being the Beach House amusement park with waterslides, mini golf, bumper boats, carousel and indoor play castle for toddlers. Another feature is the stunning nature play space on the foreshore, and of course if the weather’s nice, make sure you get down onto the beach. There are lots of kid friendly places to eat at Glenelg, or just pack a picnic or get fish and chips takeaway to sit on the lawn or sand and relax!
If you have any time before your flight home, IKEA and Harbour Town (outlet shopping mall) are right near the airport (as in practically on the same block of land).
You’ll love spending time in “Radelaide” (we promise) and we’ll make you and your family feel very welcome.
If you have more time in Adelaide with your family, check out some of our fabulous playgrounds.
Your link list for kid-friendly Adelaide
- https://www.kidsinadelaide.com.au
- https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/
- http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/visit/adelaide-botanic-garden
- http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/
- http://www.artgallery.sa.gov.au/
- https://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/australia/restaurants/adelaide/
- https://www.thebeachouse.com.au/
- http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/
- http://www.ikea.com/aa/en/store/adelaide
- http://www.harbourtownadelaide.com.au/