Family days out in Adelaide

Adelaide is a wonderful city for families. It's compact, easy to get around and full of free things to do, from beaches a tram ride from the city to a world-class botanic garden, museums and galleries that sit side by side, and hundreds of parks and playgrounds. The trick is knowing where to go for the weather, the ages in your group and the time you have.

The guides in this section cover the classic family days out, with practical tips to make them easy.

The guides in this section

• Free family days out in Adelaide: North Terrace's museum, gallery and library, the Botanic Garden, free trams and buses, beaches and the hills, plus tips to keep costs low.
• Adelaide beaches with kids: choosing a beach, patrol seasons, the tram to Glenelg, jetties, timing and what to pack.
• Parks and playgrounds: how to choose a good park for your children's ages, picnics, park etiquette and green spaces near the city.
• Rainy day ideas: how to plan a wet-weather (or heatwave) day on North Terrace, with tips for the museum, gallery and library.

Why Adelaide works so well for families

Three things make Adelaide unusually easy for a family day out.

Everything is close. North Terrace puts the South Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the State Library and Adelaide Botanic Garden within a short walk of each other. The beach is a tram ride away, and the hills are about 20 minutes' drive.

Lots of it is free. The Botanic Garden is free to enter during the day, the Art Gallery says general entry is free (some exhibitions are ticketed), and beaches, parks and many hills walks cost nothing.

Getting around is cheap. Adelaide Metro says children under 5 travel free with a parent or carer, and on weekends, SA school holidays and public holidays, two children under 15 can travel free with an adult using an adult Daytrip. City trams in the free zone and the city connector buses are free. See getting around with kids.

Choosing by season

Summer (December to February). Beach days, early-morning parks and indoor venues in the heat of the day. Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, and protect against UV.

Autumn (March to May). Often ideal for the hills, the Botanic Garden and long park days, with milder temperatures.

Winter (June to August). North Terrace's indoor venues come into their own, with crisp, sunny days for the garden and the hills in between.

Spring (September to November). Gardens at their best, patrols starting at the beach from about October, and fire danger rising later in the season, so check ratings before hills outings.

Choosing by age

Toddlers and preschoolers do best with short outings close to toilets, shade and snacks: a playground, the Botanic Garden, a quiet beach morning or a short museum visit.

School-age children enjoy variety and challenge: a tram ride and a beach day, the museum's floors, wildlife spotting, or a walk to Waterfall Gully's first falls.

Teens want some independence: the hike to Mount Lofty Summit, an exhibition at the gallery, or a day at the beach with friends (and the flags).

How to use these guides

Every guide is written in plain English, with practical tips for different ages and a short list of key points at the end. Facts such as opening hours, entry arrangements, transport rules and safety advice come from official sources, listed with links at the bottom of each page. We don't publish ticket prices, because they change often; check each venue's website for current fees.

Find a day out in seconds

Our free day out finder suggests Adelaide ideas based on the weather, your children's ages, how long you have and whether you want free entry only. Each suggestion links to the guide with the details. It runs entirely in your browser.

The essentials for any day out

Whatever you choose, a few checks make the day smoother:

1. Check opening hours and closures on the venue's website.
2. Check the weather and UV Index. Cancer Council Australia recommends sun protection whenever the UV is 3 or above.
3. In the warmer months, check the fire danger rating before heading to the hills; some parks close on catastrophic fire danger days.
4. Plan your transport. Adelaide Metro's free city trams and buses and free travel for under 5s help keep costs down.
5. Pack water, snacks and sun protection.

About these guides

Family Friendly Network is independent. We're not a venue, council, tourism body or government agency, and no venue pays to appear in our guides. Information changes, so always check with the venue before you go. Read more about us and our editorial policy.

Making it a habit

Regular, simple outings often matter more to children than big, expensive ones. A weekly trip to a favourite park, a monthly beach morning or a rainy-day museum ritual can become cherished family traditions.

Where to go next

Our nature and culture guides take a closer look at the museum, gallery, Botanic Garden and hills, and our planning guides cover transport, sun safety, water safety and planning a day that works.