Adelaide is known as the 20 Minute City! Locals say you can get anywhere in the city in 20 minutes using public transport alone. With the city designed as it is, you can explore multiple attractions in one day. South Australia’s capital is a great option for your next trip, especially with our list of 15 free things to do in Adelaide. We’ll help you plan a day, weekend or longer getaway in Adelaide without needing a holiday loan to make the most of it.
Overview:
- Adelaide’s Botanical Gardens
- Japanese Himeji Gardens
- Waterfall Gully
- Glenelg Beach
- ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk
- State Library
- Self guided tours to visit all the street art
- Art Gallery of South Australia
- South Australia Museum
- Adelaide Central Market
- Museum of Discovery
- Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
- St Kilda Adventure Playground
- Free pools and water parks
- Rock painting scavenger hunt
Fun things to do in Adelaide for free
Along with being a city of vibrance and culture, Adelaide is also a city of equality. It was the first Australian city to allow women to vote, recognise Aboriginal land rights, and criminalise discrimination. Adelaide is the centre of firsts! It’s also near some of Australia’s best wine regions. If you consider yourself a foodie, the nearby wineries and vineyards are a must do.
Yet like most cities, Adelaide can be pretty pricey if you’re not careful. With our list of free activities to do in Adelaide, you’re sure to have a blast whether you’re travelling alone, with a partner or with the family.
1. Adelaide’s Botanical Gardens
Adelaide Botanical Gardens are gorgeous all year round. It’s one of the stops on the free loop bus service, so transport is free too! Trained volunteers conduct free walking tours around the gardens, which allow for an hour and a half of learning about the gardens with no bookings required. Tours start at 10:30,occurring most days apart from public holidays and when the temperature forecast is 36 degrees or more.
The same volunteer group also does weekly tours at Mt Lofty, which is one of our favourite cheap New Year’s destinations.
You can also request a cultural garden tour with a First Nations tour operator to learn about the native plants and stories about the history of the local people.
2. Japanese Himeji Gardens
For all the nature lovers that need free things to do in Adelaide, there are a lot of gorgeous parklands to choose from to visit. A particular favourite is the Japanese Himeji Gardens, which opened in 1985 to celebrate the connection between Adelaide city and the ancient Japanese city of Himeji.
This beautiful parkland uses Japanese garden designs with slight adjustments to suit the Adelaide weather. Yet once you step into the gardens, you are transported to Japan with its beautiful architectural marvels and plant life.
3. Waterfall Gully
Adelaide has seven waterfalls in the national parks and Waterfall Gully is said to be the largest of the seven. Located just a short 20-minute drive outside of Adelaide, you can go for a hike, immerse yourself in nature and explore wildlife habitats. Entry to the walking trail is free, but you may need to pay for a tour and parking.
4. Glenelg Beach — where to bring the kids to play for free
A popular free thing to do in Adelaide is to relax on one of its many beaches. Glenelg Beach is the favourite among tourists and locals alike, with fun yet peaceful beach vibes, perfect for a day with the family. Locals find Glenelg to be one of the nicest parts of Adelaide.
If you love beaches and have more time in South Australia, hop on down south to Kangaroo Island, it’s one of our favourite cheap places to travel to.
5. ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk
If you’re interested to learn some history and want to pay your respects for ANZAC service, you may be interested to visit the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk. Built in 2016 this walk is peaceful and pays tribute to those who gave their lives for us.
6. State Library
A free indoor activity to do while in Adelaide is to visit the State Library, where you’ll find more than books in its walls. In the modern age, the library is not just a place to sit quietly and read books, it’s a centre for culture and learning.
Researching what’s on at the library will help you work out when the best day and time to visit is. The library offers a range of activities including book talks, sit downs, family events, exhibitions and tours that are free for all. The library also offers office spaces, computers and free Wi-Fi if you are looking for a new place to study and work.
7. Self guided tours to visit all the street art
Adelaide showcases many street art pieces that bring culture and vibrancy into the city. A self-guided tour is a great free thing to do in Adelaide, because you can go at your own pace and look at as much or as little as you like. Just follow the public art map provided by Walking SA.
8. Art Gallery of South Australia
If you’re more of an indoor person, the Art Gallery of South Australia is a free way to view art in the city. Home to over 45,000 works of art, this gallery holds one of Australia’s largest collections.
9. South Australia Museum
Another free thing to do in Adelaide is to visit the South Australian Museum and explore the five floors of history and exhibitions from around the world. Learning more about the history of animals, cultures and human evolution is a free and fun way to spend one day in Adelaide.
10. Adelaide Central Market — free thing to do in Adelaide CBD
You can find a permanent food market in Adelaide to enjoy, with main entry and parking for free. These independent markets offer a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, food stores and cuisines from all over the world.
In addition to food, the markets have live music, various workshops and face painting for kids every weekend. This lively market is a great free thing to do in Adelaide with the family.
11. Museum of Discovery
Are you interested in learning more about innovative thinking, science and discoveries for the future? Checking out the Museum of Discovery (MOD) is a free, must-do activity!
Exploring the discoveries made by young adults (15-25 years old) surrounding science and current and emerging technologies. MOD was designed at the University of South Australia to showcase research and innovations that informs what our future could look like.
Note: MOD is currently closed for install and will reopen 13 Jan 2026.
12. Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
If you need something free to do in Adelaide with the family, check out the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. There are around 40 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that reside in the area, but there are over 300 recorded visitors. The Sanctuary also offers various tours, picnic areas and viewing spots. In addition to dolphins you can also see and explore the largest, most diverse ship graveyard in Australia, with over 40 vessels to view and learn more about.
13. St Kilda Adventure Playground
Another free activity to do in Adelaide for the family is to visit the St Kilda Adventure Playground. The huge playground will keep the kids entertained for hours and there are many areas with toilets nearby where you can set up a picnic blanket.
14. Free pools and water parks — free things to do in Adelaide with toddlers
There are many water parks and swimming pools to help the family cool down in the Adelaide summer.
Here are some free options:
- Tusmore Park Wading Pool: best for toddlers and young children
- Splash Town, Moonta Bay: free water park two hours away from Adelaide
- Cowell Water Park, Eyre Peninsula: splash zone and water slides
- Mosley Square, Glenelg Foreshore Playspace: great for after the beach
15. Rock painting scavenger hunt — free thing to do in Adelaide for families
Love the idea of a scavenger hunt? SA Rocks is a very unique yet free thing to do in Adelaide with the family. It is a giant game of hide and seek with the local community and visitors. If you join the Facebook page, you can find areas where people have hidden painted rocks. You can even paint your own rock and hide it somewhere for another family to find.
Want to explore more of what Adelaide has to offer? Swoosh has you covered!
If you want more variety and see all Adelaide has to offer without dipping into your hard earned savings, check out our quick and easy holiday loans! Apply now so you can make your dream Adelaide trip a reality.
