Enjoy a Japanese spring at home with the best cherry blossom spots in Adelaide!
Back in 2019, I was lucky enough to be in Japan right in the middle of cherry blossom season. Walking under those pink canopies with petals floating around felt like something out of a dream, and it’s a memory I’ll never forget.
These days, though, life is a bit too busy to plan a trip back, and to be honest, the crowds in Japan during blossom season can take away some of the magic.
That’s why I was pretty stoked to find out you don’t actually need to leave Adelaide to get a taste of springtime beauty. We’ve got our own cherry blossom spots right here, and I’ve pulled together a list so you can check them out too.
Adelaide Botanic Garden
– Photo credit: botanicgardenssa
Website: https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/
Address: North Terrace
Contact details: +61 8 8222 9311
Operating hours:
7:15 AM – 6:30 PM (MON-FRI)
9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (SAT and SUN)
Every spring, I head to the Adelaide Botanic Garden on North Terrace to see the cherry blossoms. The garden has been part of the city since 1857 and covers more than 50 hectares, but it’s the blossoms that steal the show in September.
You’ll find them scattered through different sections, and when they bloom, the soft pink flowers create an atmosphere that feels almost magical. Entry is free, and the gates open daily until late afternoon, so it’s easy to pop in for a quick visit anytime.
What I enjoy most is the mix of open lawns for picnics and shady spots where you can sit and take it all in. With the blossoms in full view and Adelaide’s buildings in the background, it almost feels like I’m back in Tokyo.
Pro tip: Go early in the morning on a weekday. The light is softer for photos, the paths are quieter, and you’ll often have whole sections of blossoms to yourself before the lunchtime crowd arrives.
If you can, enter through the Friends’ Gate on Plane Tree Drive, which brings you close to some of the blossom areas without the busier North Terrace entrance.
Adelaide Himeji Garden
– Photo credit: glamadelaide
Website: https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/park/adelaide-himeji-garden/
Address: Cnr South Terrace & Glen Osmond Rd
Contact details: +61 8 8203 7203
Operating hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (MON-SUN)
Another place I love to visit in the heart of the city during spring is the Adelaide Himeji Garden on South Terrace. This garden was a gift from Adelaide’s sister city, Himeji, Japan, and was created to reflect the beauty of traditional Japanese gardens.
It’s not a large space, but that’s part of its charm. You can either go for a quick visit or take a quiet stroll here until late afternoon, and since there’s no entry fee, it’s easy to return whenever you like.
For the most picturesque view, I always head to the pond where the blossoms reflect beautifully in the water. It’s the perfect spot to snap a few photos. Some of my best spring shots have come from here, and they never fail to impress on my Instagram.
Pro tip: Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone’s panorama mode. The garden is compact, and this helps capture the blossoms together with the pond and lanterns in one frame.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
– Photo credit: botanicgardenssa
Website: https://www.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/visit/mount-lofty-botanic-garden
Address: 16 Lampert Rd, Crafers
Contact details: +61 8 8370 8370
Operating hours:
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (MON-FRI)
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
Since viewing cherry blossoms in the city can sometimes feel a bit repetitive, I like to make the trip to Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. It’s set in the Adelaide Hills and only takes about 25 minutes to reach from the city centre.
The first thing that strikes you here is the scale. Covering almost 100 hectares, the garden is home to a wide variety of plants, and in spring, the cherry blossoms bring a burst of colour that transforms the landscape.
I find September to be the best time to come here, as that’s when the flowers are in full bloom. I love walking along the paths while petals drift gently to the ground because it’s an experience that feels both peaceful and magical.
Pro tip: Start from the lower car park on Lampert Road. This entrance brings you closest to the cherry blossom groves and the lake, so you can enjoy the best views without a long uphill walk.
If you want to explore further afterwards, you can follow the Lakeside Loop for an easy stroll that still gives you plenty of blossom views.
Penfold Park
– Photo credit: whatdomsee
Website: https://www.burnside.sa.gov.au/Parks/Penfold-Park
Address: 591 The Parade, Magill
Contact details: +61 8 8366 4200
If you’re afraid that the cherry blossom spots I mentioned earlier might feel too crowded, Penfold Park is a lovely alternative. It sits near Penfolds Winery in Magill and has long been a community space for the folks living in the neighbourhood.
The park is filled with greenery, but in spring, it takes on a new charm when the blossoms appear. The trees line the walking paths and open lawns, and when they’re in full bloom, the whole place certainly feels calm and inviting.
What I enjoy about Penfold Park is its size. It’s not a large space, which makes it easy to wander without missing anything. Being in the suburbs also gives it a quieter atmosphere, almost like a small escape to the outskirts without leaving the city.
Pro tip: Plan a relaxed picnic around the park’s BBQ facilities and benches. The BBQ grills are simple to use and sit close to shaded seating areas, so you can cook while still keeping an eye on the cherry blossoms nearby.
Bring along some easy picnic food to complement what you grill, and set up at one of the benches under the trees for the best mix of comfort and views.
Carrick Hill House Museum & Garden
– Photo credit: carrick_hill
Website: https://www.carrickhill.sa.gov.au/
Address: 46 Carrick Hill Dr, Springfield
Contact details: +61 8 7424 7900
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (WED-SUN)
Price:
Adult – $20
Concession – $18
Children (14 and below) – FREE
Another place I recommend for a quiet stroll among cherry blossom trees is Carrick Hill. The estate was once the home of Sir Edward and Lady Ursula Hayward, and today it’s both a museum and a garden spread across more than 40 hectares.
What makes the blossoms here special is the way they’re scattered throughout the grounds. Instead of dense groves like those at Mount Lofty, the trees appear in smaller pockets that frame the lawns and pathways.
I find that this layout has its own charm. It may not feel like the sweeping blossom walks you’d find in Tokyo, but it creates a gentler atmosphere. You’re never overwhelmed by a single burst of colour, and it makes the experience more special.
Pro tip: Consider joining the Friends of Carrick Hill if you plan to visit more than once during the spring. A yearly membership costs $45 and gives you access to special events, exhibition previews, and free entry to the grounds.
You can sign up by visiting the official Carrick Hill website.
Adelaide Tree Farm
– Photo credit: adelaidetreefarm
Website: https://adelaidetreefarm.com.au/
Address: 168A Gum Flat Rd, Carey Gully
Contact details: +61 452 667 175
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (TUES-SAT)
Adelaide Tree Farm in the Hills isn’t the first place most people think of when it comes to cherry blossoms, but that’s exactly why I enjoy visiting in spring. The farm has been around for years as a family-run nursery, supplying a wide variety of trees.
What makes it so special is the setting. Rather than a formal garden, you wander through neat rows of trees with blossoms scattered among them. It feels closer to a working orchard than a tourist site, which gives the visit a more genuine atmosphere.
It’s also much quieter than the city’s botanic gardens. You’re unlikely to be surrounded by crowds, so you can take your time and enjoy the blossoms up close without distraction.
Pro tip: If the blossoms really inspire you, Adelaide Tree Farm sells cherry blossom trees you can take home. It’s a nice way to bring a touch of spring into your own garden.
Smaller varieties start around $60, while larger established trees can reach over $300, so there’s an option for every budget and space.
