Adelaide might be the easiest city in Australia for a family day out. It's compact and uncrowded, the beaches are a tram ride from the centre, the hills are twenty minutes away, and some of the best things to do cost nothing at all. But knowing where to go, when to go and how to make it work with a toddler, a ten-year-old or a teenager still takes some local know-how.
Family Friendly Network is an independent guide to exactly that. We explain the classic family outings, from the museum and the Botanic Garden to the beach and the hills, with the practical details that make a day out work: hours, getting there, facilities, rules, safety and tips for different ages. Every guide is written in plain English and backed by official sources.
Start here
Days out
Our days out guides cover the outings families come back to again and again. Start with free family days out, then explore beaches with kids, parks and playgrounds and rainy day ideas for when the weather turns.
Nature and culture
Our nature and culture guides take you inside the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia and Adelaide Botanic Garden, and up into the hills for walks and wildlife at Waterfall Gully and Cleland.
Planning
Our planning guides cover the practical side: getting around with kids on Adelaide Metro, sun safety, beach and water safety and a simple routine for planning a family day out.
Five things every Adelaide family should know
- Little kids ride free. Adelaide Metro says children under 5 travel free with a parent or carer. On weekends, SA school holidays and public holidays, two children under 15 travel free with an adult using an adult Daytrip.
- The city tram is free. Adelaide Metro says trams within the city free zone, between South Terrace, the Entertainment Centre, Festival Plaza and the Botanic Gardens, cost nothing, and the city connector buses are free too.
- The Botanic Garden is free. The gardens say entry is free during the day, every day of the year.
- Swim between the flags. Surf Life Saving SA says its clubs patrol on weekends and public holidays from about October to March.
- Check UV and fire danger. Cancer Council Australia recommends sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, and hills parks close on catastrophic fire danger days.
A perfect Adelaide family day
Here's one way to string it all together. Catch the train or bus into the city. Ride the free tram to North Terrace and spend the morning at the South Australian Museum. Walk east to the Botanic Garden for a picnic and a look at the Bicentennial Conservatory. In the afternoon, take the tram to Glenelg for a play on the sand and, in summer, a swim between the flags. Ride home tired and happy.
It's not the only way, of course. On a wet day, swap the beach for the Art Gallery. On a cool autumn morning, head for Waterfall Gully instead. Our day out finder can help you choose.
Why we built this site
This web address used to host an Adelaide family events listing. That listing has closed, and we've rebuilt the site with a different focus: evergreen, independent guides to the places families love, rather than an events calendar that's out of date the moment it's published. For what's on this week, check each venue's own website; for how to make the most of a visit, start here.
Our approach
We write every guide in our own words, rely on official sources such as Adelaide Metro, the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Botanic Gardens, National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, Cleland Wildlife Park, Surf Life Saving SA and Cancer Council Australia, and list those sources on every page. We don't publish ticket prices, which change often, and we never invent facts or reviews. Our editorial policy explains more.
For local businesses
If you run a family-friendly business in Adelaide, such as a café, play centre, tour or activity, see our feature your business page. Any featured listing is clearly labelled and never affects our guides.
Who we are
Family Friendly Network is an independent information site. We're not a venue, council, tourism body or government agency, and we're not affiliated with any organisation named on the site. Read more about us.
