Fun Things to Do in Adelaide With Kids: Free and Cheap Ideas
Looking for fun things to do in Adelaide with kids that won’t drain the holiday budget? Searches for fun things to do Adelaide usually turn up the zoo and the beach, and both are worth it. But the city also has free museums, a free city tram, koala parks in the hills and a summit lookout that costs nothing. Here is what families can expect, what it costs in 2026 and where the plans tend to go wrong.
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What are the best fun things to do in Adelaide with kids?
The best picks for families are Adelaide Zoo, Glenelg beach, Cleland Wildlife Park, the free North Terrace museums and Monarto Safari Park. Most sit within 30 minutes of the city, and several are free. Mixing one paid outing with one free outing each day keeps costs down and stops kids from burning out.
Adelaide is a small city, and that is its biggest plus for families looking for fun things to do in Adelaide. The zoo, the Botanic Garden, the SA Museum, the Art Gallery and MOD. all sit on or near North Terrace. A family can walk between them in minutes, or ride the free tram.
Adelaide works best at a slow pace. Two big fun things to do in Adelaide each day is plenty with young kids. A common mistake first-timers make is cramming the hills, the coast and the city into one day. The distances look short on a map, but car seats, snack stops and nap times add up fast.
What does a family day out in Adelaide cost in 2026?
Expect to pay nothing up to about $145 for a family ticket at the bigger wildlife parks, which makes budgeting the fun things to do Adelaide offers simple. The museums, the Botanic Garden, Mount Lofty Summit and the beaches are free. Transport is cheap too, since city trams are free and kids pay student fares on buses, trains and trams.
These are the main entry prices, checked on official sites on 5 October 2026. Prices change, so check again before you go.
| Attraction | Adult | Child | Family | Under 4s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Zoo | $49.50 | $27 | from $124 | Free |
| Monarto Safari Park | $57 | $32 | from $145 | Free |
| Cleland Wildlife Park | $34.50 | $19 (ages 4 to 15) | $89 | Free |
| SA Maritime Museum | $23.50 | $9.50 (under 5 free) | $57.50 | Free |
| National Railway Museum | $19 | $7 (ages 5 to 15) | $44 | Not listed |
The Cleland family ticket covers two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. The Maritime Museum and Railway Museum family tickets cover two adults and up to three children. Adelaide Zoo and Monarto also sell a Two Visit Pass that gives up to 50% off the second visit, which suits families staying a week.
Is Adelaide Zoo worth it for families?
Yes, for most families. Adelaide Zoo is open 9:30am to 5pm every day of the year, sits right next to the Botanic Garden, and has free keeper talks through the day. It is compact, so small legs can cover most of it. The downside is the price for a family of four or more.
The zoo is on Frome Road, close to the River Torrens, and you can also enter from Plane Tree Drive beside the Botanic Garden. That makes it easy to pair with a free afternoon in the gardens. Some indoor areas keep shorter hours. The Reptile House and Nocturnal House open from 10am to 4:30pm, so visit those early if your kids love snakes and owls.
In October 2026 the zoo had a bird flu notice up with changes for visitors, and the walk-through Rainforest and Wetlands Aviary was listed as closed. Animal experiences like the giraffe feed cost extra and can book out in school holidays.
Is Monarto Safari Park worth the drive?
It is worth it if your kids are mad about lions, rhinos and giraffes. Monarto is a big open range park run by the same charity as Adelaide Zoo. It is a long drive east of the city, so plan a full day. Tickets are dated and must be booked ahead.
The big catch is booking. On 5 October 2026, during the spring school holidays, the Monarto website said the park was sold out for the day, with no tickets at the gate. Book online as soon as you have dates. The park opens 9:30am to 5pm, but the last Zu-loop bus leaves the Visitor Centre at 3pm, so arrive early.
There is no easy public transport option, so you will need a car. Bring hats, water and sunscreen, because much of the park is open ground with little shade.
Where can kids see koalas and kangaroos near Adelaide?
Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills is the classic choice. It is about 20 minutes from the city and open 9:30am to 5pm daily. Kids can walk among kangaroos, wallabies and emus and hand feed them with food bought at the entry counter. Koala experiences cost extra.
Cleland covers more than 35 hectares and has very few closed enclosures, which is why kids love it. It is open rain or shine, but it closes on Christmas Day and on days of catastrophic fire danger. That rule matters in summer, so check the fire rating the night before.
Locals recommend pairing Cleland with Mount Lofty Summit. A walking trail links the two, or you can drive between them in a few minutes. Kids aged 3 and under get in free.
What are the best free and cheap things to do in Adelaide with kids?
Many fun things to do in Adelaide cost nothing, including the SA Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, MOD., the Botanic Garden, Mount Lofty Summit and the beaches. The Bay Discovery Centre at Glenelg asks only for a gold coin donation. Add free city trams and buses.
Which museums are free?
The SA Museum on North Terrace is free and open 10am to 5pm daily, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Some special exhibitions charge a fee. The Art Gallery next door is also free for general entry, open 10am to 5pm daily. MOD., the science museum near the Morphett Street Bridge, is free and suits older kids and teens, but it opens Tuesday to Saturday only, 10am to 5pm.
Which parks and lookouts cost nothing?
Adelaide Botanic Garden is free and open every day. During daylight saving, from October to March, it opens 7:15am to 6:30pm on weekdays and 9am to 6:30pm on weekends. Mount Lofty Summit is also free, sits more than 710 metres above sea level, and has views over the whole city to the coast.
Is Adelaide Central Market good with kids?
Yes, as a cheap snack stop. The market on Gouger Street has over 70 traders under one roof. It opens Tuesday to Saturday, with late trading until 9pm on Friday, and it closes Sunday and Monday. Kids can graze on fruit and pastries for a few dollars.
How do you get around Adelaide with kids?
Trams in the city centre are free, and there is a free City Connector bus that loops the city and North Adelaide. Outside that zone, one fare covers two hours on any bus, train or tram. For the hills, Monarto and Hahndorf, a car is far easier with kids.
The free tram zone runs between the South Terrace stop, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Festival Plaza and the Botanic Gardens. If you ride on past South Terrace toward Glenelg, you need a ticket. New fares started on 1 October 2026.
| Fare (from 1 Oct 2026) | Peak | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|
| Regular metroCARD or Tap and Pay | $4.75 | $2.70 |
| Student metroCARD (school kids) | $1.65 | $1.35 |
| Regular Daytrip | $12.90 | $12.90 |
| 3-Day Visitor Pass | $29.90 | $29.90 |
Peak time is before 9am and from 3pm on weekdays, plus all day Saturday. Off-peak covers 9:01am to 2:59pm on weekdays, Sundays and public holidays. Paid trips midweek or on Sundays save families money.
Is Glenelg a good beach day for families?
Glenelg is the easiest beach day from the city because the tram runs straight to Moseley Square. Kids get calm water, a jetty, playgrounds and plenty of food. For another family coast trip, see our guide to activities in Cornwall. The Bay Discovery Centre in the old Town Hall is a cheap rainy day backup, open 10am to 4pm daily.
The Bay Discovery Centre covers Kaurna history, the founding of the colony and old beach culture, and reviewers often mention the old carnival machines that kids enjoy. Entry is by gold coin donation.
There is one big warning for October 2026. The Glenelg tram line will be partly closed from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October, between Stop 15 Brighton Road and Stop 17 Moseley Square. No replacement buses will run along Jetty Road, so families will need to walk or find other transport from Brighton Road. Trams return to normal from Saturday 17 October.
Are Port Adelaide and Hahndorf worth a trip with kids?
Port Adelaide is a strong pick for train lovers and boat lovers, with two good museums a short walk apart. Hahndorf, a German heritage town in the hills, is better for older kids and parents who enjoy food and shops. Both make an easy half day.
The SA Maritime Museum on Lipson Street opens 10am to 5pm daily and is cashless. It is a short walk from Port Dock train station. The National Railway Museum, at 76 Lipson Street, opens 10am to 4:30pm daily and has a family ticket for $44. Free street parking is available near the Maritime Museum.
Hahndorf is roughly 30 to 40 minutes’ drive from the city, depending on traffic. Travelers consistently find it busy on weekends, so a weekday visit is calmer. Small kids will find fewer fun things to do in Adelaide’s hills towns than at the wildlife parks.
When is the best time to visit Adelaide with kids?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times for fun things to do in Adelaide. Summer days can get very hot, which makes open parks like Monarto and Cleland hard work with small children. School holidays mean bigger crowds and sold out tickets, so book the paid attractions early.
The 2026 SA school holiday dates are listed by the Department for Education:
- Autumn: Saturday 11 April to Sunday 26 April
- Winter: Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July
- Spring: Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October
- Summer: Saturday 12 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027
If you can travel just after the spring holidays end, you get warm weather with fewer crowds. On hot days, plan outdoor stops for the morning and head to the free air conditioned museums after lunch. Check the fire danger rating before any hills trip in summer.
Fun things to do Adelaide families ask about
What is free to do in Adelaide with kids?
The SA Museum, the Art Gallery of South Australia, MOD., the Botanic Garden, Mount Lofty Summit, city trams and the beaches are all free. The Bay Discovery Centre at Glenelg asks for a gold coin donation.
Do kids pay on Adelaide trams?
Nobody pays inside the city free zone. Outside it, school kids can use a student metroCARD, which costs $1.65 peak and $1.35 off-peak from 1 October 2026.
Do you need to book Adelaide Zoo or Monarto?
Monarto requires a dated ticket booked in advance, and it can sell out in school holidays. Adelaide Zoo sells dated tickets online too, and booking ahead is the safer choice in busy periods.
Do you need a car in Adelaide with kids?
Not for the city, North Terrace, Glenelg or Port Adelaide, which are all reachable by tram, bus or train. For Cleland, Monarto and Hahndorf, a car makes life much easier.
Conclusion
There are plenty of fun things to do in Adelaide with kids, and many of them are free. Base your days around North Terrace and the free tram, add one paid wildlife park, and keep an eye on heat, fire danger days and school holiday crowds. Book Monarto early, and check the Glenelg tram closure if you are visiting in mid October.
