Things to do in South Australia with Kids

When you visit Australia, make sure you get beyond Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. Especially if you are travelling with kids, South Australia has some fantastic experiences from abundant wildlife and beautiful beaches to rugged outback landscapes and the Barossa Valley; one of Australia’s best wine regions.

About South Australia

Although large in size, South Australia is one of the smallest Australian states by population. The capital city Adelaide is surrounded by parklands and is easy to get around on free public transport. It is a friendly, safe place to explore and there is a lot to do. Best of all, many of Adelaide’s best family friendly attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Outside of the city there are some fantastic places to visit so having a car or campervan is the perfect way to see the state. There are campgrounds, caravan parks and holiday houses in all regional locations so a road trip or two is the best way to see all that South Australia has to offer.

Getting to South Australia

There are some international flights directly into Adelaide but most likely you will fly into Sydney or Brisbane then get internal flights to Adelaide. If you have the luxury of time, driving into Adelaide from the east or west coast of Australia is a great adventure. From the east, drive along the Great Ocean Road and see spectacular coastal scenery and surf beaches. Or from the west you cross the Nullarbor Plain, one of the world’s great remote wilderness areas.

Best Thing to do in South Australia for Families

Like most Australian states, South Australia is big, it would take you a couple of days to drive across the state or travel from north to south. But for families there are some awesome activities and things to see both in Adelaide and just a few hours from the capital. If you are travelling in South Australia with kids, here is a guide of the best things to do in Adelaide and around the state.

Things to do in Adelaide

The city of Adelaide is a fun and convenient place to start your holiday in South Australia. It is compact, flat city and between the parklands and free bus and tram services, the many attractions are within easy reach.

One of the best areas in Adelaide is along North Terrace where you will find Adelaide Zoo, the Botanic Gardens, the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia. You could spend a few days just wandering along here between the old sandstone buildings and parks that make up the gardens and extend into the zoo.

Another great activity in Adelaide is catching the tram to popular Glenelg Beach. The tram drops you just metres from the sand. Glenelg Beach has clean sand and safe water for swimming. The Esplanade and jetty are great spots for a walk, or you can hire bikes and ride along the coast. From Glenelg you can go on a cruise where you can see and swim with some of the local dolphins. The west facing beach also puts on a great sunset. At the end of the day, you can hop on the tram back to Adelaide.

You can also base yourself in Adelaide for daytrips out to some of the world’s best wine regions. The Barossa Valley and Mclaren Vale are in opposite directions but both only one hour from Adelaide. A winery tour is a great way to see a few of the stunning cellar doors, try some and wine and sample the delicious food at the restaurants that have sprung up around the wineries.

Adelaide Hills

 

20 minutes from Adelaide by car or 30 minutes by bus

Visiting the Adelaide Hills is a holiday within a holiday. They might only be 20 minutes from the city, but you swap the cityscape for bushland, farms, English style villages and valleys dotted with vineyards. One of your first stops should be Mount Lofty.

The Mount Lofty Lookout is the highest point in Adelaide and has sweeping views across the city, it is another amazing spot for sunsets. Right next door is the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens. The cooler climate in the hills produce a stunning garden with themed valleys, lakes, and sculptures to explore. In autumn it explodes with red, orange and yellow foliage. The place has a magic feel to it, families will love exploring here.

If you want to pat a koala, feed kangaroos and see emus, wallabies and a host of other Australian animals and birds, your next stop is Cleland Wildlife Park. At this open range bushland park there are lots of chances to feed animals, the kangaroos and adorable little potoroos are everywhere and readily come and to say hello. Cleland is the best Australian wildlife park in South Australia.

The German heritage town of Hahndorf is also a must see in the Adelaide Hills. The main street is lined with shops featuring gourmet food and art and craft along with several German themed pubs. Children will love stops at Beerenberg Farm where they can go strawberry picking (and eating), Beerenberg’ s Café also has some amazing milkshakes. The nearby Hahndorf Farm barn is a wonderful family spot where kids can get up close to a range of farm animals.

Victor Harbor

75 minutes from Adelaide by car

This seaside town has been a favourite holiday destination for South Australian families for over 100 years and it retains that old world charm to this day. The beaches in Victor Harbor are safe if not spectacular – nicer looking beaches are in neighbouring Port Elliot. Fun family activities here include taking the horse drawn tram across the causeway to Granite Island. The views and rugged coastline of the small island make it fun to walk around.

The Victor Harbor foreshore has fabulous playgrounds, you can catch a steam train to neighbouring Goolwa, go on a nature cruise to spot seals, sea lions, dolphins, sea birds and whales (in winter), or feed kangaroos and koalas at Urimbirra Wildlife Park

Going to Victor Harbor is a great day trip from Adelaide but if you have time take a few days and see nearby Port Elliot and Goolwa too. You won’t find a prettier beach than at Port Elliot’s Horseshoe Bay and in Goolwa you can explore Coorong National Park by road and boat to see where Australia’s longest River – The Murray River – enters the ocean.

Kangaroo Island

From Adelaide it is a 1 hour and 45 minute drive to the ferry terminal then a 45 minute ferry ride to Kangaroo Island.

From the ferry ride across the moody Backstairs Passage, to its abundant wildlife, pristine beaches and rugged coastline, it’s not hard to see why Kangaroo Island is a must-see location when you are travelling around South Australia.

Meet the endangered Australian sea lions at Seal Bay, see seals, big surf and the spectacular Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks along the southern coast of the island. Sandboard down the inland dunes at Little Sahara.

One third of Kangaroo Island is set aside as National Park, and with few feral animals on the island the native wildlife thrives. You’ll spot the extra furry Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, eagles, hawks and parrots on any of the walks you do through the parks and reserves around the island. Getting on the water to meet the local dolphins is also a fun experience.

Two of the most beautiful beaches in South Australia – Vivonne Bay and Emu Bay – are on Kangaroo Island. You can drive onto the beach at Emu Bay and have a patch of this stunning and protected beach all to yourself. There is also a delicious artisan food scene on the island from honey to whiskey and the Emu Bay Lavender Farm which is a great spot for lunch.

Set aside at least three or four days to look around Kangaroo Island. It is surprisingly large and there is a lot to see and do. Guided tours from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island are a good option.

Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier is 4.5 hours from Adelaide by car

The southeast corner of South Australia is called the Limestone Coast. It is a spectacular part of the state with ornate caves, volcanic craters, water filled sinkholes and long beaches. The main town in the southeast is Mount Gambier, getting there is part of the fun. Along the coast visit Robe where you can drive onto the beach and get your own private patch of sand. At Kingston, stop and have your picture taken at the Giant Lobster – and maybe sample some of this local delicacy.

Turn inland and have a look around the Coonawarra wine district that produces some of the world’s best Cabernet wines. The World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves are a must do just before you get to Mount Gambier. Not only will you see chambers full of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, but the caves are also famous for their diverse collection of fossils.

If you like nature play, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Mount Gambier. The centrepiece is the Blue Lake. From November to February the water turns sapphire blue, it is an incredible sight. Mount Gambier is dotted with caves and sinkholes. At Umpherston Cave there is a stunning garden and at night you can hand feed the possums that live there. Walk to the summit of dormant Mount Schank, go underground and explore Tantanoola Cave or relax at beautiful Valley Lake.

Flinders Ranges

Wilpena Pound is 5 hours from Adelaide by car

For an unforgettable outback experience, go to the Flinders Ranges. Steeped in geological history, indigenous culture and full of wildlife, the peaks and gorges of The Flinders are breathtakingly beautiful. The saucer shaped Wilpena Pound is a great base to explore the area. There are long and short walks, cultural experiences and you’ll see lots of kangaroos, emus and wildflowers.

The Brachina Gorge drive is one of the best in the Flinders Ranges. It features a self-guided geological driving trail that explains the creation of the ranges that occurred over a 150 million year period. You can also keep an eye out for the yellow footed rock wallaby, a striking animal native to the area.

Best to avoid The Flinders Ranges in summer as it gets very hot and with the walks you’ll do over rocky terrain it might not be a trip for toddlers. But if you want an adventure and to find out why so many people are captivated by the colour and grandeur of the Australian outback, put the Flinders Ranges on your itinerary.