Australia With Kids - Adelaide
Since I am currently planning a family holiday for the end of year school holidays, I thought I would repost my Australia With Kids series. Perhaps some of you are also planning holidays for the Christmas-New Year period.
This post was written by Kirsty from Coffee, Cake and Sunday (originally posted in May 2010). I’ll let her introduce herself.
Hi,
This is Kirsty from Coffee, Cake and Sunday. Adelaidian, mother of master two, wife of husband and uni student. A big thanks to Catherine for asking me to do a guest post on what to do with your little people if you live or ever find yourself in my town, Adelaide.
I love Adelaide. The weather is fine, the people are great and you can spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon in the hills which you can’t do in many other places. Here is my list of the fabulous things to do with kids in Adelaide.
Adelaide Zoo
Hi,
This is Kirsty from Coffee, Cake and Sunday. Adelaidian, mother of master two, wife of husband and uni student. A big thanks to Catherine for asking me to do a guest post on what to do with your little people if you live or ever find yourself in my town, Adelaide.
I love Adelaide. The weather is fine, the people are great and you can spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon in the hills which you can’t do in many other places. Here is my list of the fabulous things to do with kids in Adelaide.
Adelaide Zoo
Right in the city (seriously it isn’t more than a 15 minute walk from the centre of town) is the Adelaide Zoo and it is fab-u-lous. It’s home to the only Panda’s in Australia – Wang Wang and Funi – as well as lots of other fabulous animals. We love going to the zoo (we’re zoo members actually) and it’s easy to get too, easy to get around and super dooper fun. Make sure you book if you want to see the Panda’s. You’ll find all the details on the website.
Monarto Zoo
As you can see we’re a little zoo obsessed. Monarto is a day trip out of the city but worth the adventure. It’s an open range sanctuary where you hop on a bus which takes you around to look at the giraffes (my master’s favourite), meerkats, wild dogs... it’s a great adventure and the knowledge of the tour guides is spot on. They’re mostly volunteers you know? They do a great job.
The South Australian Museum
This Museum is awesome! During school holidays they have special programmes where the kids can colour, glue and make to their hearts content and usually they are free! Not much is free these day’s but the Museum is and it’s great. Make sure you go right to the top and check out the In the Footsteps of Mawson exhibit and get the kids to put their hands on the ice wall. The priceless look on their faces is enough to make a trip to the museum worthwhile. And if you have time the Art Gallery is right next door which is another great place to see.
Tram ride to Glenelg Beach
Glenelg is a-pumping in Summer. The best way to get there is to hop onto the tram in the city and enjoy the smooth ride down to the foreshore. It’s a great shopping precinct, the beach is awesome and there are plenty of places to eat. A highlight for the smalls is theBeachouse where the children can run riot on the waterslides, playing mini gulf and generally having heaps of fun. This is actually a great one for the not-so-smalls as well!
The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Monarto Zoo
As you can see we’re a little zoo obsessed. Monarto is a day trip out of the city but worth the adventure. It’s an open range sanctuary where you hop on a bus which takes you around to look at the giraffes (my master’s favourite), meerkats, wild dogs... it’s a great adventure and the knowledge of the tour guides is spot on. They’re mostly volunteers you know? They do a great job.
The South Australian Museum
This Museum is awesome! During school holidays they have special programmes where the kids can colour, glue and make to their hearts content and usually they are free! Not much is free these day’s but the Museum is and it’s great. Make sure you go right to the top and check out the In the Footsteps of Mawson exhibit and get the kids to put their hands on the ice wall. The priceless look on their faces is enough to make a trip to the museum worthwhile. And if you have time the Art Gallery is right next door which is another great place to see.
Tram ride to Glenelg Beach
Glenelg is a-pumping in Summer. The best way to get there is to hop onto the tram in the city and enjoy the smooth ride down to the foreshore. It’s a great shopping precinct, the beach is awesome and there are plenty of places to eat. A highlight for the smalls is theBeachouse where the children can run riot on the waterslides, playing mini gulf and generally having heaps of fun. This is actually a great one for the not-so-smalls as well!
The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Actually not just the Garden but the whole Adelaide Fringe Festival. Now if you’re going to come to Adelaide on a holiday you’re likely to be coming during February/March. This is when Adelaide is bursting at the seams with stuff to do. The Garden (and the Fringe) are just two of the things going on but the Garden is a favourite in our house. During the day and early evening it is a great place to take your kids with sideshows, food, free busking and lots more. We love it but then we love the Fringe Festival. So make sure you go there. It’s usually open for a month, so that’s plenty of time!
Have you visited Adelaide with your children? What are your recommendations?
Comments
Warrawong wildlife park, in Adelaide hills. Animals are roaming around free, kangaroos tame and eat out of your hand. Free entry or pay for a hands on animal education session. Great kid friendly cafe too.
Carrick Hill, a historical house in foothills with sprawling gardens, free entry to gardens, best thing is a story book trail to explore, Secret garden, animals from Animalia, Charolette web, the Hobbit, Wind in the willows etc.
The Green Room organic cafe, Willunga has child friendly nailed, outdoor area complete with bikes and sandpit, plus great food/coffee. Go to the Willunga farmers market sat morning too, amazing produce.
Port Willunga Beach, was once a real port, has jetty ruins and man made caves in the limestone cliff. You can climb up to the caves once used as cold stores and kids can play in them. Beach has that aqua coloured water you see in photos of fiji, just amazing
The Cockle Train (school hols only) from Victor Harbour to Goolwa travels right along the coast, sometimes is a steam engine, awesome fun.
Semaphore Beach playground and train rides on esplanade, walk through the sand dunes to the beach
National railway museum Port Adelaide, can climb in and on real trains, lots and lots of them from old steam engines to passenger cars also has train rides around the perimeter.