Adelaide destination guide
Adelaide is South Australia's capital, set between the Adelaide Hills and the metropolitan beaches. The South Australian Tourism Commission pitches it as a weekend city break or a longer touring base, with a walkable centre, and suggests the city centre, North Adelaide or Glenelg as places to stay.
Tourism Australia says South Australia is known as the "Festival State" and that Adelaide is a great base for the Barossa Valley wineries, the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island. The Adelaide Fringe, the Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide run in February and March 2027, the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa are around an hour or less by car, and Kangaroo Island has flights recorded to Kingscote and a ferry from Cape Jervis.
What to see and do in Adelaide
The Tourism Commission's don't-miss list for Adelaide is the Central Market, Adelaide Oval, the Botanic Garden, the laneways and the beaches.
Adelaide Central Market
The Adelaide Central Market is closed on Sunday and Monday. The market lists opening at 7:00am on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and at 9:00am on Wednesday and Thursday, with closing at 5:30pm from Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00pm on Friday and 3:00pm on Saturday. The market lists Wednesday as an Optional Trading Day.
The Market Stall customer desk is at the central Gouger Street entrance, and the market's car park is open 24/7.
Adelaide Botanic Garden
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is in the east end of the city, with its Main Gate on North Terrace, and is open every day of the year, including public holidays. Its hours change with the seasons: it opens at 7.15am on weekdays and 9.00am on weekends and public holidays, and closes at 5.30pm from April to September and at 6.30pm from October to March. Bikes and scooters are not permitted inside the Garden.
A tram stop called Botanic Gardens is about 100 metres from the entrance, and the city connector bus stops on North Terrace and East Terrace. The Botanic Gardens of South Australia also run Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and Wittunga Botanic Garden.
Art Gallery of South Australia and Tandanya
The Art Gallery of South Australia is open daily from 10am to 5pm and closed on 25 December.
Tandanya, National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, was founded by community in 1989 and describes itself as Australia's first national Aboriginal cultural institute. It says its program is being relaunched, to be unveiled in 2027.
Beaches and other city sights
The Tourism Commission's list of Adelaide attractions also names Adelaide Zoo, the South Australian Museum, MOD., the State Library of South Australia, Adelaide Gaol and TreeClimb Adelaide. For the coast it names Glenelg Beach, Henley Square and Jetty, and Semaphore Beach, and it says a car helps for the beaches, the hills and the regions.
When to go to Adelaide
The Tourism Commission recommends spring and autumn for weather and events, and summer for beaches and festivals. Its weather page describes South Australia's climate as Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
Seasons and summer heat
In summer (December to February), the Commission says Adelaide's temperature is often above 35 degrees Celsius and can reach 45 degrees. In autumn (March to May) it says the weather usually stays in the low to mid 20s, and autumn colour in the Adelaide Hills peaks around Anzac Day.
South Australia gets most of its rainfall in winter (June to August). In spring (September to November), the Commission's South Australia weather page names the purple jacaranda trees as a popular attraction.
Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide dates for 2027
The organisers give these dates for the 2027 festivals:
- Adelaide Fringe: Friday 19 February to Sunday 21 March 2027. It is an open access festival, held across the city centre, the suburbs and regional areas from Whyalla in the west to Naracoorte in the east.
- Adelaide Festival: 26 February to 14 March 2027.
- WOMADelaide: 5 to 8 March 2027, at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla.
The Tourism Commission advises booking ahead during major events and festival periods.
Fire danger and Total Fire Ban days
South Australia's Country Fire Service (CFS) declares Fire Danger Season dates by fire ban district, and the dates are published in the Government Gazette before the declared date. The Department for Environment and Water says all open fires, liquid fuel and gas stoves are banned in all parks on Total Fire Ban days, and that parks may be closed to visitors on those days.
Getting to Adelaide
By air
Adelaide Airport (ADL) is around 15 minutes by car from the city centre, according to the Tourism Commission. There are no train or tram services to the airport: Adelaide Metro's J1 and J2 buses connect the airport and the city centre, and the airport has taxi and rideshare pick-up areas.
Direct domestic flights recorded from Adelaide Airport go to these places, with the airlines recorded on each route:
| Destination | Airlines recorded |
|---|---|
| Alice Springs | Qantas, Alliance Airlines, Virgin Australia |
| Brisbane | Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia |
| Broken Hill (New South Wales) | Rex |
| Cairns | Jetstar |
| Canberra | Qantas, Alliance Airlines, Virgin Australia |
| Ceduna | Rex |
| Coober Pedy | Rex |
| Darwin | Jetstar, Qantas |
| Gold Coast | Jetstar, Virgin Australia |
| Hobart | Jetstar |
| Kingscote (Kangaroo Island) | Qantas |
| Launceston | Virgin Australia |
| Melbourne (Melbourne Airport) | Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia |
| Melbourne (Avalon Airport) | Jetstar |
| Mount Gambier | Rex |
| Newcastle | Qantas |
| Olympic Dam | Alliance Airlines |
| Perth | Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia |
| Port Lincoln | Qantas, Rex |
| Sunshine Coast | Jetstar |
| Sydney | Jetstar, Qantas, Alliance Airlines, Virgin Australia |
| Whyalla | Qantas |
Fruit and vegetables from another state
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) says some fruit, vegetables, plants, plant products and other items cannot be brought into South Australia from interstate, and that fruit and vegetables at risk from fruit fly must be eaten or disposed of before entering South Australia or the Riverland. The restrictions differ by the state you travel from: PIRSA's travel page sets them out, and its Fruit Fly Hotline, 1300 666 010, is open 24 hours.
By long-distance train
Journey Beyond's Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin through Alice Springs, and its Indian Pacific runs between Perth, Adelaide and Sydney.
Getting around Adelaide
Adelaide Metro runs the city's buses, trams and trains. The city connector bus loops around the city and North Adelaide: the 98A and 98C loop runs seven days a week, and the 99A and 99C loop covers the city centre from Monday to Friday.
Adelaide Metro also runs trams along North Terrace to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and between South Terrace and Glenelg. On all buses, trains and trams you can pay with Tap and Pay, using a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card or a smart device; Adelaide Metro also sells tickets through its Buy & Go app and the metroCARD. Adelaide Metro says passengers do not need to tap off.
Side trips from Adelaide
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills, in the Mount Lofty Ranges just east of the city, are around 20 to 30 minutes by car from Adelaide, depending on your first stop. The Tourism Commission names Hahndorf, Mount Lofty Summit, the botanic gardens, Cleland Wildlife Park and cellar doors as the places to see, and suggests Hahndorf, Stirling or Mount Barker as bases for a two or three day break.
A car is recommended. Booking ahead is advised on weekends and holidays, especially in Hahndorf, and autumn is the season for colour and spring for gardens, wildflowers and walks.
Barossa
The Barossa is around 50 to 60 minutes by car north-east of Adelaide, via the northern suburbs or the Adelaide Hills. The Tourism Commission calls it a long day trip that works better as two or three days, and suggests Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston or Lyndoch as bases. A car, a booked tour or a private driver is recommended, and the Barossa is a year-round trip, with autumn for colour, food and wine events.
Kangaroo Island
Qantas flights are recorded from Adelaide to Kingscote, on Kangaroo Island. By sea, SeaLink's ferry crosses from Cape Jervis in about 45 minutes, after what SeaLink calls a 1.5-hour drive from Adelaide through the Fleurieu Peninsula.
SeaLink advises booking ferry travel well in advance because its ferries can be at capacity at some times, and arriving at least half an hour before departure. A coach between Adelaide and Cape Jervis is run by Journey Beyond and booked through Adelaide Sightseeing. If there is no vehicle space on the ferry, SeaLink suggests hiring a car on the island at Penneshaw or Kingscote.
As of 10 October 2026, the park authority's Seal Bay page said access to the beach was temporarily paused to help protect the sea lion colony. At that date the visit was a wheelchair-accessible 900-metre return boardwalk to viewing platforms over the beach and the colony, with a roaming guide; no booking was required, tickets were sold at the Seal Bay Visitor Centre, the park was open from 9am to 5pm daily except Christmas Day, and last entry was 4.00pm. The park suggests visiting before 11am or after 1pm for a less crowded visit, and a 45-minute time limit applies at busy times.
Flinders Chase National Park is 110 kilometres west of Kingscote. During a severe weather event with damaging winds, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks may be closed for public safety. PIRSA says travellers to the island may meet a random biosecurity check, with its staff at the Cape Jervis Ferry Terminal and Kingscote Airport looking for restricted items, and that amnesty bins are available at all entry points.
Adelaide travel questions
How far is Adelaide Airport from the city centre?
The Tourism Commission puts Adelaide Airport around 15 minutes by car from the city centre. There are no train or tram services to the airport; Adelaide Metro's J1 and J2 buses connect it with the city centre.
When are the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide in 2027?
The organisers give Friday 19 February to Sunday 21 March 2027 for the Adelaide Fringe, 26 February to 14 March 2027 for the Adelaide Festival, and 5 to 8 March 2027 for WOMADelaide. The Tourism Commission advises booking ahead during festival periods.
Can I bring fruit to Adelaide on a domestic flight?
Some fruit cannot be brought in. PIRSA says fruit and vegetables at risk from fruit fly must be eaten or disposed of before entering South Australia, and its restrictions differ by the state you travel from. Its Fruit Fly Hotline is 1300 666 010.
Does Adelaide have daylight saving?
Yes. South Australia observes daylight saving, as do New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory; Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not.
How do I get from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island?
Qantas flights are recorded from Adelaide to Kingscote, on the island. SeaLink also runs a ferry from Cape Jervis, about 45 minutes across, after what SeaLink calls a 1.5-hour drive from Adelaide; it advises booking well in advance.