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A 1-Day Itinerary for Adelaide from Sunrise to Sunset

A 1-Day Itinerary for Adelaide from Sunrise to Sunset

| Last Updated: April 2024

While you may not have the luxury of time always on your side, Adelaide has plenty to offer with just a day visit. 

No need to stress about cash either. Adelaide is not just for the high rollers; there’s plenty to do on a budget. 

Here, we have an itinerary that offers something for the morning, afternoon, and evening, catering to all tastes and pockets.

Where to Go in Adelaide in the Morning

For Nature Lovers: Waterfall Gully

– Photo by wozzam1

Website: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/waterfall-gully

Address: Waterfall Gully Rd, Waterfall Gully SA 5066, Australia

Contact details: +61 8 8278 5477

Operating hours: 

  • Open all week

Start your day right by being filled with zest and energy from the majestic crashing of the Waterfall Gully, Cleland National Park’s largest of seven waterfalls. With dewy morning air and lush vegetation, the park is the very definition of refreshing.

Prepare your morning run song and blast it! Jogging will be a breeze. 

Whether you jog or stroll, the grade 4 trail promises an invigorating challenge, ensuring a workout that will leave you feeling accomplished.

Pro tips:
Cap off your adventure by reaching the summit of Mt. Lofty where the towering Matthew Flinders obelisk awaits like a well-deserved reward at the end of your hike.

There are lots of signs and guides on the trail, and be sure to read all of them, as all are equally important. 

For a Hearty Breakfast: Adelaide Central Market

Website: https://adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/

Address: 44/60 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Contact details: +61 8 8203 7494

Operating hours: 

  • Tuesday: 7 AM-5:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 9 AM-5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 7 AM-7 PM
  • Friday: 7 AM-9 PM
  • Saturday: 7 AM-3 PM
  • Sunday-Monday: Closed

Adelaide Central Market is a fantastic breakfast place given the diversity of the food stalls here. You can get the best from Italy, Spain, China, Japan, and more, all located within seconds of each other!

With over 70 traders available, you can get the freshest local products that you can munch on as you tour the city. Not to mention, the people here are a great display of Adelaidean hospitality!

Pro tips:
Parking here is a bit pricey, so it’s best to just ride the tram that passes by the market.

For breakfast, try the bread and coffee from The Market Bread Bar and Gourmet to Go, as they make it extra fresh. 

If You Want to See Dolphins: Port River Cruises

– Photo by zacknowbody

Website: https://portrivercruises.com.au/

Address: 1 McLaren Wharf, Port Adelaide SA 5015, Australia

Contact details: +61 8 7082 9608

Operating hours: 

  • All week: 8 AM-6 PM

Dive into Adelaide’s rich coastal history and wildlife through the Port River Cruise. Here, you’ll see the playful Port River dolphins, predominantly bottlenose dolphins, frolicking alongside passing tourists.

Explore the haunting Ships Graveyard, home to Santiago, the oldest iron-hulled ship still afloat. Birdwatchers will also be awed by the diverse flocks that call the mangrove forests in the International Bird Sanctuary their home.

Pro tips:
If you get seasick easily, take your meds at least an hour before riding the cruise. Adelaide is regularly sunny, and you’ll receive plenty of sun exposure while on the cruise. Put on sunscreen 30 minutes before being in the sun.

Where to Go in Adelaide in the Afternoon

For Wine Tasting: Mount Lofty House

Website: https://www.mtloftyhouse.com.au/

Address: 1 Mawson Dr, Crafers SA 5152, Australia

Contact details: [email protected]

Having a wine tasting in the Adelaide Hills is a must when visiting the city! Just 20 minutes from the CBD, you can see the elegant Mount Lofty House, a boutique hotel that has some of the best views of the sprawling idyllic Adelaide Hills. 

Here, you can try Adelaide’s award-winning bottles of shiraz and riesling while dining on dishes that showcase Adelaide’s freshest seasonal produce. While dining, you can see the work of Arthur Hardy, a 19th-century horticulturist who designed the gardens.

Pro tips:
The food here is a bit pricey, so prepare your budget accordingly before dining. The view and the food more than make up for it anyway!

If you love the dining experience, you’ll have even more fun staying here! The hotel is equipped to handle different group sizes, so you’ll have no problem staying solo or with your friends. 

Website: https://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/

Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Contact details: +61 8 8207 7000

Operating hours: 

  • All week: 10 AM-5 PM

The Art Gallery of South Australia offers a window into Adelaide’s soul through its diverse collection of 45,000 artworks, including Islamic and Indigenous pieces.

What sets this museum apart is its eclectic mix of presentations, ranging from traditional paintings to installations, including towering pieces that stretch from floor to ceiling. 

Pro tips:
General entry here is free, but some limited displays may charge an entrance fee. It’s easy to forget the time when you’re exploring the area, and even 3 hours may not be enough to see everything. Check the time now and then in case you’re only in the city for one day!

For Shopaholics: Rundle Mall 

Website: https://www.rundlemall.com/

Address: Glenelg, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Contact details: +61 8 8336 0901

Operating hours: 

  • Monday-Thursday: 9 AM-5:30 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM-9 PM
  • Saturday-Sunday: 9 AM-5 PM

Rundle Mall might just be your portal to shopaholic paradise. It pulsates with all things entertainment, shopping, and dining in Adelaide.

Here, you can enjoy a hearty lunch with a great view of the city at noon and the bustling crowd of young and old touring the mall’s enormous 15 arcades. It’s also a great midday pit stop, as it’s near many of the city’s tourist spots!

Pro tips:
If you want a taste of Adelaide’s local talents, look no further than the street performers in Rundle Mall. Don’t forget to tip if you like their performance! 

Consider purchasing some of Adelaide’s finest souvenirs, like keychains and books, available right here. The stores Australia The Gift and Have You Met Charlie are especially recommendable if you’re looking for cute souvenirs.

Where to Go in Adelaide in the Evening

For a Relaxing Sunset: River Torrens

– Photo by echo_daydreaming

Website:https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/community/sports-fitness/activities-on-the-river-torrens/

Address: ​​Victoria Dr. Adelaide South Australia 5000

Operating hours: 

  • Open all week long

Idyllic, peaceful, and calm: if these three words are how you want to spend your afternoon, check out River Torrens! It’s the living waters that saw Adelaide’s growth throughout the centuries, and the city did great in maintaining its elegance and beauty.

Here, you can try kayaking or dragon boating for a little thrill! With luck, you might even encounter the ducks that frequent the area and paddle alongside them.

Pro tips:
Unfortunately, you can’t swim in the River Torrens because it’s not as clean as it once was. 

If you’re looking to just chill and relax in the afternoon, sit on one of the benches by the riverbanks. The wind here is especially relaxing as the day ends.

For Sentimental Ones: Henley Beach

Website: https://visithenleybeach.com.au/

Address: City of Charles Sturt, Adelaide, SA

Adelaideans get the luxury of being just 15 minutes away from the beautiful Henley Beach! Sunsets here are especially pretty if you watch them at the Jetty where you’ll see a beautiful mix of purple and orange hues.

For party enthusiasts, the night marks the beginning of a new adventure! Along the shoreline, vibrant beach bars and pubs await, pulsating with energy as the sun sets.

Pro tips:
Swimming and fishing are allowed on Henley Beach. If you’re looking for a more energetic nearby beach, check out Glenelg, which is 15 minutes away. 

For Adrenaline Junkies: Adelaide Oval Roof

Website: https://roofclimb.com.au/

Address: War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide SA 5006, Australia

Operating hours: 

  • All week: 9 AM-9:30 PM

Adelaide Oval is already an exciting place when there are events, but do you know that you can take the fun one step further and climb its rooftop? For 90 minutes, you and your friends can spend a night seeing the Adelaide night skyline in full beauty!

Of course, you’ll be guided by experts who not only make the experience safe but also fun! After climbing, you also get a complementary post-climb drink of your choice to cool down the nerves.

Pro tips:
Those who’ve had a drink or two aren’t allowed up top! Additionally, they utilize a breathalyzer, so honesty is the best policy.

They take the photos for you, so there’s no need to worry about shaky hands while taking a selfie. 

For Thrifty Finds: Ebenezer Night Markets

Website: https://www.instagram.com/p/C32RNF-JwWK/

Address: 31 Ebenezer Pl, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Operating hours: 

  • All week long: 5:30 PM-12 AM

Looking for something pretty, affordable, and high-quality? Then you should cap your trip with a visit to the Ebenezer Night Markets present from December to March. 

You can find clothing, trinkets, snacks, decorations, and much more, all at prices that are undeniably bargain-worthy! Don’t worry about the crowds either, as the locals are still friendly even when bumps occur occasionally.

Pro tips:
The night markets expect around 10,000-015,000 people a night, so be sure to be prepared to be among a large crowd.

December to March are Adelaide’s warmest months, so keep your clothing light so you don’t sweat too much. 
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