Top Rated Parks to Visit in South Australia

"About 22km (14mi) from Adelaide’s centre, the Cleland Conservation Park is home to the Cleland Wildlife Park, Mount Lofty Summit, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and Waterfall Gully. Making for a great day trip from the city, you can combine visiting the animals at the wildlife park with the flora and fauna of the Botanic Garden, before braving the hike up to the top of Mount Lofty, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic vistas over the city all the way to the coast. Take the scenic route down through Waterfall Gully, before heading back to the city and treating yourself to a well-deserved meal at one of the city’s great restaurants."

"For wildlife spotting, city views and heart rate-raising hikes, head for Cleland Conservation Park. Flanking the eastern foothills of the city and marking the start of the Adelaide Hills, here a network of walking trails weaving through bushland are teeming with wildlife, including the popular Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty hike and a section of the Heysen Trail. To hike without another soul in sight, choose one of the lesser known surrounding 11 trails and traverse through dense bushland, up challenging inclines, by waterfalls and past sites of historical and cultural importance as you spot koalas, kangaroos and birdlife."

"Found in the bushland of the Adelaide Hills, Cleland Conservation Park preserves natural surroundings for native wildlife. With many walking and cycling tracks, the park offers a unique opportunity to explore this scenic spot your way. No visit is complete without a look at Waterfall Gully, the largest of seven waterfalls in the area."

"You simply can’t go past Henley Square for beautiful beach sunset photos. Head to the delightful twinkling fairy lights to up your Instagram game even further!. Henley Square is not only thriving with life it’s the perfect backdrop for any insta post."

"Recently-revamped Henley Square is the ultimate seaside destination, no matter the season. The metropolitan beach is packed with pubs and restaurants, draped with thousands of fairy lights, and is only a few seconds from the sand."

"On the southern bank of the River Torrens, Elder Park brings a touch of natural beauty to the city. Bordered by a walking and cycling track, Elder Park is a stunning spot to stop with a coffee and watch the world go by. Watch rowers power along the river, wave to Popeye the boat, and admire the way Adelaide parks fit so perfectly within the city."

"Located in the heart of Adelaide, Elder Park is the city’s most famous park. Laid out on the banks of the Torrens River in 1882, locals and tourists love this place to picnic and relax close to the river’s fountain and the rotunda. Travellers travel photobook from Melbourne, Australia, Australia / CC BY"

"Elder Park is located between the City of Adelaide and North Adelaide on the banks of the Torrens Lake. South Bank of Torrens Lake, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Zoos, Sanctuaries, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks"

"The recently redeveloped MJ McInerney Reserve playground space has been completely overhauled to produce an amazing play area for the family to enjoy. The extensive list of play equipment includes a sand and water play area, slides, a full skate park, basketball courts, twin flying fox, climbing nets, swing bridges and more. https://www.facebook.com/kidsinadelaide/photos/pcb.3228611633899987/3228608840566933/"

"The beautiful Tennyson beach is wide and sandy, with a dune walking trail of its own, and stunning sunset views. Tennyson beach is a perfect spot to walk your dog, lay on the beach to soak up the rays, (remember to bring some shade) or enjoy stunning sunset views. Thanks to Adelaide’s northward drift, a lot of sand naturally moves to Tennyson."

"The raptor-themed nature playground at award-winning Cobbler Creek Recreation Park was inspired by the kites and kestrels that fly overhead looking for prey in the open grasslands. Get a birds-eye view of the playground from the climbing structures that mimic tree nests. Sandpits have been designed to look like bird nests with giant eggs in the middle, and there’s a flying fox and traditional play equipment to enjoy as well."

"While not technically a conservation park, Shepherds Hill Recreation Park still makes our list of the best national parks near Adelaide. A popular spot for mountain bike riding, here you’ll find a range of bike trails including family-friendly loops, tougher cross-country trails and more advanced downhill runs. There are also four walking trails which run through the park’s beautiful remnant grey box eucalyptus forest ranging from 2km to 6km walks, and you can trek to the top of the hill for 360-degree views of the city, coast and hills."

"Located in the heart of Adelaide, Sage Hotel Adelaide offers modern accommodation. It also provides free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and an express check-in and check-out feature."

"The former Tap Inn has received a renovation, transforming the new Kent Town Hotel into one of Adelaide’s best watering holes. Located just east of the city centre, Rooftop on Rundle is a two-level space that provides the perfect place for a relaxed open-air bevvy, featuring a number of booths for groups to reserve as well as games available to play."

"The Marina Pier’s newest additioon, Luciano’s is grandiose yet welcoming, with glowing lights complete with cobbled walls, tuscan pinks, and an Italian-inspired menu. Oh, and a spectacular view of the glimmering ocean."

"Italian with an Amalfi Coast vibe is on offer at Luciano's Italian Marina Pier at Holdfast Shore Marina in Glenelg. With ultimate waterfront views from the marina pier, this elegantly styled restauran..."

"Hidden amidst the inner Adelaide suburb of Stepney, Little Bang Brewing has everything Adelaidians could ask for in a brewery fit for your next craft-beer drinking session. Its large open-air courtyard is perfect for a sunny day or a starry night. With beers including their debut brew the 10.1% ABV Galactopus, Little Bang Brewing Co.’s range is equally extensive as it is enticing."

"Something to discuss as you sip into a Geezer Pleaser bitter or Naked Objector IPA at this surprising little brewery in suburban Stepney. It's a warehouse set-up, with a sunny beer..."

"Following the suggested picturesque path, trail along Greenhill Road, around the edges of the Cleland Conservation Park, and soon enough you will arrive in a tiny town called Uraidla. Only the essentials are present here: a primary school, post office, bakery, hotel and a brewery (as we said, just the essentials). The latter three are all owned by the same company with the brewery housed inside the bakery."

"Operated by The Sparkke Change Beverage Company, Sparkke at the Whitmore is all about individuality, social equity, forward thinking, and inclusivity. What sets Sparkke apart is their character – they are a female-led BrewPub, stocking Sparkke’s 100% natural beverages among the classics. Their rooftop is expansive and colourful, with plenty of seating for parties big and small."

"The Art Gallery of South Australia is home to a collection of more than 40,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, sketches, photographs, textiles and design masterpieces sourced from every corner of the planet, attracting 780,000 visitors per year. Founded in 1881, this gallery isn’t just the state’s premier collection of art, it’s also one of the most gorgeous buildings on Adelaide’s leafy cultural boulevard — North Terrace — perched right next door to the University of Adelaide. North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, +61 8 8207 7000"

"Explore the Art Gallery of South Australia with the kids in Adelaide, with over 45,000 works of art and changing exhibitions on display, it’s a great way to introduce contemporary and historical art to your children. Start at the Gallery is an exciting introduction to art for children aged 3-12 and their families. Held on the first Sunday of every month from 11am-3pm, Start is a free family-fun day and includes art activities, tours, live performances and entertainment."

"One of the most visited in Australia and definitely among the top 10 things to do in Adelaide. With five floors of exhibits covering fossils, mammals, Ancient Egypt, special exhibition spaces and more plus Aboriginal and Pacific Cultures collections, the SA Museum offers plenty for young and old. With so many interactive hands on activities, Myla absolutely loved it here, she particularly loved checking out the various world mammals, learning about the various South Australian biodiversity and checking out the giant squid which spans across four floors dangling in an elevator shaft!"

"It is located on North Terrace between to State Library and the Art Gallery and it’s the one people mean when they say “The Museum”. The ground floor is always a favourite with kids. For as long as I can remember there has been a display containing full-sized animals from all over the world."

"Adelaide has quite a number of museums that you can visit with kids. Head to our museums in Adelaide resource to discover all the museums you can check off on your adventures."

"The grounds of Flinders University|© Cyberjunkie / Wikimedia Commons. This is another university gallery worth visiting, with a city gallery on North Terrace as well as an appointment-only museum on campus in Bedford Park. FUAM maintains the university’s extensive collection of historic and contemporary art, curating a dynamic program of eight exhibitions per year."