Outdoor Activities in Central Adelaide (Adelaide)

Adelaide Sightseeing Tours

This friendly company is well established and operates a number of good value half and full day tours that suit tighter budgets. Tours depart from 38 King Street. From city explorations to the wine regions of the McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitor Centre (The) , Barossa Wine & Visitor Centre and Clare Valley , these trips incorporate specialist shops, museums, history arts and crafts and wildlife. There are also two and three day trips using four wheel drive vehicles and planes to cover the stunning Flinders Ranges, and Kangaroo Island.

West Terrace Cemetery Museum

Located in the grounds of Adelaide's most ancient cemetery, this modest little museum is well worth a visit if you are nearby. Exhibitions change periodically. Consisting mainly of story-boards, the displays depict fascinating profiles of the South Australian state politicians who influenced the formation of a nation at the turn of the 20th century. The museum is self-guided and free of charge.

History Trust of South Australia

The History Trust of South Australia is part of a directorate that helps run three of Adelaide's major museums: the Migration Museum, the South Australian Maritime Museum at Port Adelaide and Birdwood's National Motor Museum. The Trust is based in a grand old building used for hosting formal functions and occasional Royal Society art exhibitions. It is worth a visit if only to admire the decorative splendour of 19th century Adelaide. The Trust supplies pamphlets on historic sites, heritage walks and tours; and promotes events and current exhibitions. A small bookshop supplements the larger collection at the city's Migration Museum. Entry is free.

The Heysen & other Walking Trails

A group of friendly volunteers got together in 1986 to maintain the 1000 kilometer Heysen Trail. This famous walkway stretches from Cape Jervis at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula to Parachilna in the majestic Flinders Ranges; via the wine making region of the Barossa Valley and the lush hills of the mid North. This group regularly walks different sections of the Trail. Every fortnight other treks are also run including the "Starter" and "Walker" Trails, which are four and eight hours long respectively. The "Rambler" Walk allows leisurely enjoyment of bird life and flowers. Everyone is welcome. Contact the office for further details.

White Gloves Treasure Tour

You will not hear "don't touch" or "hands off" on this tour! In fact, you will be supplied with special archivists' gloves and encouraged to touch during White Gloves Treasure Tour a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Library of South Australia. Expert curators will guide you through precious explorer's artifacts, rare books, original hand-colored maps and children's games from South Australia's past. Tours include those of heritage holdings, Royal Geographical Society treasures, the Mortlock Library and those timed to coincide with special events. 

Bicycle SA

Explore the streets of Adelaide on a bike without spending a cent. The Adelaide City Council and Bicycle SA are trying to encourage the use of environmentally friendly modes of transport by providing people with free use of a bike for up to two hours. Cyclists are given a bike, helmet and bicycle lock in exchange for handing over their driver's license, proof of identity card or passport for the duration of the hire. Bike pick-up is from the Cycling Information Center or Cannon Street Backpackers opposite the bus station in Franklin Street. Please check the website for timings and other details.

Adelaide-Himeji Garden

The Adelaide-Himeji Garden is an intriguing blend of the 'senzui'(lake and mountain garden) and the 'kare senzui'(dry garden). This Japanese styled garden of religious significance is landscaped with Zen touches. Guided tours of the scenic garden are available allowing visitors to enjoy the pleasures of nature's rich palette of colors. The serene beauty of the pond, waterfall, summerhouse and teahouse have a meditative quality which calms and relaxes visitors. The park opens at 8 am.

City Sk8 Park

City Sk8 Park was built to national and international standards and so is primarily for skaters with some experience. Although many suburban skate parks cater for the less experienced, spring coaching clinics at Skate Park cater for beginner skaters (of any age and particularly, girls). Attracting skateboarders, roller skaters and in-line skaters, the facility has been designed by skaters and will be expanded to include additional skating and sporting facilities. A program of competitive activities throughout the year will culminate in a major event of national standard. Safety gear is required.

Adelaide Skin Diving Centre

Established in 1960, this dive-training Mecca has attracted thousands of devotees, among them shark expert Rodney Fox. The store stocks a mind-boggling array of diving equipment and accessories, all at excellent prices. On top of that, they run some of the most highly regarded training courses in Australia. Start out in the five-metre dive pool at the shop, before progressing to the ocean. The shop's expert staff and trainers cater for everyone, from beginners to advanced divers. The center can also arrange any sort of diving travel you want: local, national, or international.