Free things to do · Adelaide · Australia
12 free things to do in Adelaide
Adelaide without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Adelaide without paying an entry fee: Adelaide Central Market, Art Gallery of South Australia, Glenelg Beach and Jetty and South Australian Museum are all free. Trams within the city and the City Connector buses are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 12
- Low-cost extras
- 1
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–August
Free sights and experiences
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Market · West End and Gouger Street
1.Adelaide Central Market
Go on a weekday morning for space to browse, and on Saturday afternoon look out for end-of-day markdowns on fruit and bread.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Gallery · North Terrace
2.Art Gallery of South Australia
Start with the Elder Wing of Australian art, then cross the courtyard to the South Australian Museum next door.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Beach · Glenelg
3.Glenelg Beach and Jetty
Take the tram from Victoria Square, which takes about 30 minutes, and stay for sunset at the end of the jetty.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Iconic
Museum · North Terrace
4.South Australian Museum
Children enjoy the megafauna and fossil displays; allow extra time for the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, which is the highlight.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- History
Architecture · North Terrace
5.State Library of South Australia
Climb to the upper balcony of the Mortlock Wing for the classic view down the length of the hall.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Garden · East End
6.Adelaide Botanic Garden
Enter from North Terrace, walk through the Palm House and finish at the National Wine Centre for a tasting.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
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Waterfront · Riverbank
7.River Torrens and Elder Park
Hire a paddle boat or walk the riverbank at dusk, when the Festival Centre and Adelaide Oval are lit up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- After dark
Viewpoint · Adelaide Hills
8.Mount Lofty Summit
Walk up from Waterfall Gully in the morning before the heat, and have someone collect you at the top or walk back down.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the walk
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
Experience · Parkside
9.Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre
Book a free factory tour in advance and try the frog-shaped chocolates, an Adelaide favourite.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
Nature · Adelaide Hills
10.Morialta Conservation Park
Walk the loop to the Second Falls after rain in winter or spring, when the water is flowing.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
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Street · City centre
11.Rundle Mall
Step into the Adelaide Arcade for its Victorian tiled floors and small museum about the arcade's history.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Architecture
Beach · Henley Beach
12.Henley Beach and Henley Square
Time your visit for sunset and walk the coastal path north towards Grange Jetty.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Views
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| West End and Gouger Street | Adelaide Central Market | 1–2 hours |
| North Terrace | Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum and State Library of South Australia | 2 hours + 2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Glenelg | Glenelg Beach and Jetty | Half a day |
| East End | Adelaide Botanic Garden | 1.5–2 hours |
| Riverbank | River Torrens and Elder Park | 1 hour |
| Adelaide Hills | Mount Lofty Summit and Morialta Conservation Park | 2–3 hours with the walk + 2–3 hours |
| Parkside | Haigh's Chocolates Visitor Centre | 45 minutes |
| City centre | Rundle Mall | 1–2 hours |
| Henley Beach | Henley Beach and Henley Square | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
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Museum · Port Adelaide
South Australian Maritime Museum
Combine it with a Port River dolphin cruise and lunch in the old pubs on Lipson Street.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Trams within the city and the City Connector buses are free.
- The Art Gallery, South Australian Museum, State Library and Botanic Garden have free general entry.
- Many Fringe venues offer discounted tickets for early-week shows and previews.
- Some cellar doors waive tasting fees if you buy a bottle.
- Shop late on Saturday at Central Market for markdowns on fresh produce.
- Visit in winter or late spring for lower hotel prices than festival season.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Adelaide expensive to visit?
Adelaide is moderately priced for most visitors, but 12 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Adelaide?
Adelaide Central Market: Go on a weekday morning for space to browse, and on Saturday afternoon look out for end-of-day markdowns on fruit and bread.