First Time in Adelaide? Here’s 10 Things To Do

You’ve landed in Adelaide, and you’re about to discover why locals call it Australia’s best-kept secret. This isn’t your typical tourist trap destination—it’s a city where world-class wine regions sit minutes from the CBD, where street art tells stories most visitors never hear, and where century-old markets buzz with flavors you won’t find anywhere else. But here’s what the guidebooks won’t tell you about making your first visit count.

Climb Adelaide Oval’s Rooftop for the Best City Views

While Adelaide’s street-level charm captivates many visitors, you’ll discover the city’s true character by ascending 50 meters above the iconic Adelaide Oval for unparalleled 360-degree views.

The RoofClimb experience transforms a simple stadium tour into Adelaide’s premier vantage point, revealing the city’s layout from coastline to Adelaide Hills.

You’ll need medium fitness levels and must meet safety requirements (120cm minimum height, 136kg maximum weight). The two-hour guided climb includes safety briefing, equipment, and expert commentary about the stadium’s 140-year sporting heritage. Evening climbers receive a special toast to conclude their rooftop adventure.

Book sunset climbs for golden-hour photography or night experiences for city lights.

During AFL season, consider the “Game On!” experience to watch Port Adelaide play from rooftop seats. Starting at AUD 61, advance booking ensures your preferred time slot.

Wander Through Adelaide Central Market Like a Local

Since opening in 1870, Adelaide Central Market has evolved from a simple produce exchange into Australia’s largest undercover fresh food market—and you’ll experience it best by shopping like the locals who’ve made it their weekly ritual for over 150 years.

Navigate the 8,000-square-meter space housing 250 traders by following the rhythm of seasoned shoppers. They arrive early for the freshest picks from vendors who’ve operated here for decades—some families spanning three generations.

You’ll find Charlesworth Nuts (since 1934) and Lucia’s (since 1957) alongside newer specialty food stalls reflecting Adelaide’s multicultural community. The market draws 9.5 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.

Watch locals sample before buying, chat with traders about seasonal produce, and carry their own bags. This isn’t tourist browsing—it’s authentic food shopping where one million kilograms of fresh produce moves monthly through passionate vendors’ hands.

Take the Popeye Boat Along the Torrens River

After stocking up on local flavors at the Central Market, continue your authentic Adelaide experience by boarding one of the heritage Popeye boats that have been carrying passengers along the Torrens River since 1935. These charming vessels, named after the spinach-loving cartoon character, offer a 45-minute journey from Elder Park Landing through Adelaide’s heart.

You’ll glide past iconic landmarks including the Adelaide Festival Centre, SAHMRI building, and historic Torrens Weir while crew members share engaging stories about the city’s heritage. The slow-paced cruise suits all ages and provides unique perspectives of Adelaide’s architecture and riverside greenery.

Consider disembarking at Adelaide Zoo or Botanic Gardens to extend your adventure. With over 90 years of continuous operation, these heritage boats offer an authentic slice of Adelaide’s cultural identity. The boats have earned recognition as a State Heritage Icon alongside other South Australian treasures like Haighs Chocolates and Coopers Brewery.

Experience Native Wildlife at Cleland Wildlife Park

Just twenty minutes from Adelaide’s city center, Cleland Wildlife Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to interact with Australia’s native animals in their natural bushland habitat. You’ll wander through 35 hectares where kangaroos, wallabies, and emus roam freely, allowing you to feed and photograph them up close.

This remains one of the few places worldwide where you can actually hold a koala.

Plan your visit around afternoon keeper talks for insider knowledge about dingo behavior and echidna care. Purchase animal food at the entrance rather than bringing your own.

Wear sturdy walking shoes for the natural trails, and don’t miss the endangered yellow-footed rock wallabies. The park operates rain or shine, but check for extreme weather closures before heading up Mount Lofty Summit Road. Adult admission costs $34.50 while children ages 4-15 enter for $19.

Explore the Art Gallery and Museum on North Terrace

Back in Adelaide’s city center, North Terrace’s cultural boulevard houses two world-class institutions that’ll give you deep insight into South Australia’s artistic and natural heritage. The Art Gallery of South Australia showcases 47,000 works spanning Australian, European, and Asian art, with remarkable Indigenous collections. Entry’s completely free, and you’ll find rotating exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists alongside permanent displays.

The South Australian Museum next door complements your cultural exploration perfectly. This historic institution has operated from its current location since 1900, making it a cornerstone of Adelaide’s cultural landscape for over a century.

Visit on the first Friday evening when the gallery stays open until 9 PM for a quieter experience. Both institutions offer family programs during weekends and school holidays. Plan at least three hours to properly explore both venues, and grab lunch at nearby restaurants within walking distance to make a full cultural day of it.

Catch a Dolphin Tour From Glenelg Beach

Where else can you swim alongside wild dolphins in their natural habitat just minutes from Adelaide’s city center? Glenelg Beach offers this extraordinary experience aboard a 58-foot sailing catamaran—the only vessel in South Australia licensed for dolphin swimming since 2002.

You’ll choose between Front Swim for immersed viewing or Back Swim holding lines behind the boat. Marine biologists guide these 3.5-4 hour tours, sharing insights about Indo-Pacific bottlenose and short-beaked common dolphins while maintaining eco-certified practices.

The dolphins actively approach this vessel due to established relationships, creating natural encounters rather than intrusive pursuit. The experience is suitable for ages 9 and above for swimming participants, while younger children can enjoy the dolphin watching cruise.

Tours depart from Marina Pier at 7:45 AM, with wetsuits and snorkeling gear provided. Afterward, explore Glenelg’s historic Jetty Road for dining and shopping.

Hike to First Falls at Morialta Conservation Park

After experiencing Adelaide’s marine life, you’ll find the city’s natural beauty extends equally into its surrounding hills.

Morialta Conservation Park, just 10km northeast of the city, offers an accessible escape to First Falls—a dramatic 30-meter cascade over quartzite cliffs.

The 3.6km return trail follows Fourth Creek’s valley floor, taking about 45 minutes on mostly pram-friendly surfaces.

You’ll encounter ancient grass trees, drooping sheoak, and rare woolly teatrees while Peregrine falcon calls echo through the gorge. The park is home to endangered species including the chestnut-rumped heath wren and southern brown bandicoot.

The boardwalk provides safe waterfall viewing with city glimpses beyond.

Catch bus routes H30S or H33 from Adelaide, or drive to the trailhead car park.

Arrive early during peak times—parking fills quickly.

The adjacent Mukanthi Morialta Playground and BBQ facilities make this perfect for families seeking bushland adventure.

Drive Through the Adelaide Hills to Hahndorf

While Adelaide’s coastal attractions captivate many visitors, the 30-minute drive through the Adelaide Hills to Hahndorf reveals South Australia’s most authentic slice of European heritage. You’ll wind through tree-lined roads and rolling farmland before reaching Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, founded by Prussian Lutherans in 1839.

Take the scenic route via Norton Summit Road for stunning hill views, or stop at Mount Lofty Summit for panoramic vistas over Adelaide’s coastline. Spring and fall offer the most spectacular foliage.

Once you’ve parked at the main street’s far end, explore timber-frame architecture, heritage bakeries, and traditional German pubs. If you prefer not to drive, the Adelaide Metro 864 bus route provides daily service from Currie Street in Adelaide CBD directly to Hahndorf.

Don’t miss Beerenberg Strawberry Farm for pick-your-own berries and artisanal jams. The experience perfectly combines scenic driving with authentic culture.

Sample Wines in the Barossa Valley

Just an hour northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley stands as Australia’s most celebrated wine region, where sixth-generation German families still craft world-renowned Shiraz alongside innovative newcomers pushing viticultural boundaries.

Book a full-day tour ($119-$198) visiting four to five wineries like Jacobs Creek, Lambert Estate, and Seppeltsfield. You’ll taste century-old tawnys at cellar doors while learning terroir secrets from winemakers themselves. Tours include gourmet lunches featuring local artisanal cheeses paired with premium wines.

Don’t miss Jacobs Creek’s signature picnic experience or Shiraz masterclasses at boutique producers. Between tastings, explore historic German towns like Tanunda and climb Menglers Hill for panoramic vineyard views. Visit the Whispering Wall for its remarkable acoustic phenomenon where you can hear conversations from across the curved dam wall. Most tours offer Adelaide pickup and 24-hour free cancellation, making planning effortless.

Discover Adelaide’s Street Art Scene on Foot

Beyond the traditional tourist attractions, Adelaide’s laneways and street corners pulse with one of Australia’s most dynamic urban art scenes. Here, internationally acclaimed muralists work alongside emerging local talents to transform the city’s walls into an open-air gallery.

Start your exploration in the West End, where 14 prominent sites create a perfect walking trail. You’ll discover ADNATE’s striking work at 11 Leigh Street laneway and Lisa King’s Jive near Gresham Street celebrating music icons. Don’t miss Anthony Lister’s pieces in Zhivago Nightclub’s laneway.

The East End offers Nicole Stewart’s historic 1995 drawings around Ebenezer Place and Grenfell Street—Adelaide’s street art pioneers that predate today’s mural movement. Follow the interactive map to navigate between all 16 original locations displayed throughout the same streets where they were first created. Hindley Street remains the edgiest location, while the legal wall under Morphett Street Bridge showcases sanctioned creativity.

The Sum Up

You’ve now got the perfect Adelaide starter pack that’ll take you from city heights to wine valleys. Don’t rush through these experiences—Adelaide’s charm lies in its relaxed pace and genuine local culture. Pack comfortable walking shoes, bring your appetite for both food and adventure, and remember that South Australians love sharing stories about their city. You’ll leave with insider knowledge that’ll make your next visit even better.