Enjoying both coastal delights and hilly surroundings, Adelaide is a city with variety no matter what kind of campervan travel you are planning. Displaying historic buildings, and stunning winery landscapes, it’s the perfect place to unwind whilst having access to great city experiences.
What the weather is like in Adelaide
Another great thing about Adelaide is the weather. Those who enjoy comfortable temperatures will love this city. Summers tend to hit a maximum heat of 29 degrees celsius, and an average of around 15 degrees in winter. Perfect for outdoor adventuring and exploring! With the driest winter of all Australian capitals and the lowest humidity of any Australian city, van travel is ideal at any time of the year.
What to pack when travelling to Adelaide
Packing for Adelaide is pretty easy given the nice weather all year round. Light clothing in summer and light layers in winter to shelter from the morning frosts are best. Don’t forget to pack outdoor walking gear, sun protection and swimmers for the beach too!
We’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Adelaide, so you can make the most of your South Australia escape.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
Why you should visit Adelaide
South Australia is the wine capital of Australia, so visitors can enjoy not only an abundance of locally made wine within the central city, but they can escape out to the Adelaide hills vineyards to see and taste it all from the source.
Surrounded by stunning hills where you can hit the trails for a bike ride or go for a leisurely walk on one of the 141 different tracks, Adelaide is an outdoor paradise.
Wandering in the city, you have the beautiful River Torrens which runs through the centre and is utilised for all sorts of local activities. With Australia’s largest display of Aboriginal art and funky street art you can immerse yourself in culture at every turn.
Heading to the water, you have trendy beachfront bars serving fresh South Australia seafood to pair with the local wine. Come at the right time of year and you can enjoy festivals that rival any big city.
Not only is Adelaide a great city to visit in a camper because of the smaller population, but it’s also easy to get around with flat terrain and great transport options like trams. You’ll find no lack of things to do in Adelaide!
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
What to pack when travelling to Adelaide
Packing for Adelaide is pretty easy given the nice weather all year round. Light clothing in summer and light layers in winter to shelter from the morning frosts are best. Don’t forget to pack outdoor walking gear, sun protection and swimmers for the beach too!
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
Top 25 things to do in and around Adelaide
1. Visit Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval is the city's stadium located in the parklands, making the surrounding views of huge trees something to admire in itself.
Hosting cricket, rugby league and a range of other sports, this is the place to be if you want to watch a match!
Looking for some musical entertainment? The stadium also hosts concerts and hosts special exhibitions which you can enjoy before or after indulging at one of the restaurants on site.
2. Do a roof climb for views of the city
One of the best things to do in Adelaide is completing the Roof climb at Adelaide Oval. This exhilarating experience takes you across part of the stadium rooftop, where you can then sit and enjoy the 360 degree views of the city, and hear about Adelaide's history.
3. Detour to Kangaroo island
If seeing wild Australian animals is on your travel bucket list, you will love Kangaroo island. Home to kangaroos, sea lions, koala’s, seals and many other native animals, this is a must do for an Adelaide detour just a couple of hours from the city.
Take a guided tour to see seals, swim with dolphins or visit one of the wineries to enjoy a glass of wine and the stunning surroundings.
You can get to Kangaroo Island with your campervan by booking your vehicle on the ferry. As Maui motorhomes are a little longer than your average, you’ll want to call ahead to ensure they can play tetris and fit you in. It’s worth it though, stay overnight on the island at one of the campervan sites - just be sure to book in advance as they are popular!
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
4. Check out the outer suburb parks
Travel Adelaide surrounds by heading just a stone's throw from the city centre to explore some stunning outer suburbs and parks.
Morialta Conservation Park has stunning woodlands and waterfalls to walk by, with a chance of seeing some koala or kookaburra birds. Kids will love the Mukanthi Playspace, an outdoor playground made from natural materials.
Cobbler creek recreation park is a great walking spot through the woodlands and the perfect place to stop for a picnic with the family.
With the addition of a flying fox this is a great way to spend a family day out in the camper.
5. Visit the neighbouring wine districts
You can’t travel Adelaide without heading to the wineries to indulge a little bit! An hour from Adelaide centre is Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s oldest wine-producing regions with over 150 wineries to choose from!
Home to multiple famous wine brands like Jacob’s Creek, these winemakers know what they are doing! Good wine is of course accompanied by good food, so a visit to one of the top restaurants in the area is a must.
Stay the night at one of the campervan parks, then head out the next day to Clare Valley which is a 90-minute drive north. In contrast to Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley region is filled with smaller family-owned wineries and are known for their Riesling.
Visit during Autumn and you will experience SCA Gourmet Week, the local food wine and music festival showcasing the best the region has to offer.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
6. Take a float down River Torrens on a buoy
Float, eat and drink on a self-driven donut boat down River Torrens! This unique experience in Adelaide is a fun way to spend part of the day, whether it’s a romantic cruise with onboard drinks or a family BBQ with the kids.
7. Visit the Japanese garden Himeji
Walk among the waterlilies, spot goldfish or admire the Japanese trees that fill this stunning garden.
Designed to help visitors slow down and enjoy, there is lots to see in this peaceful garden, and best of all it’s free entry.
Must-sees in the park include a water feature known as the bamboo tube and the Japanese Black Pine tree which is culturally significant.
8. Check out the Port Adelaide ship graveyard
Take the camper out to Port River for an unusual sightseeing trip where you can kayak or canoe past 40 abandoned vessels, some of which have been there since as early as 1909.
Marine and bird life are prevalent in the area which makes this a unique Adelaide experience you can’t miss!
9. Go paddle boating
Another way to enjoy River Torrens is by paddle boating down in your own self-powered vessel. Take in the scenery and get some exercise in this water adventure through the Adelaide city centre.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
10. Attend one of the many festivals and events
There are so many festivals and events to enjoy in the city including the Adelaide Festival, based around arts, and hosted in March every year. With unique performances drawing big crowds this festival showcases the best local talent over a two week period.
11. Visit Apy Gallery to see Aboriginal arts
Apy gallery supports emerging Indigenous artists so they can pursue a career in arts. Showcasing their paintings, carvings, textiles and weaving and as well as photography, this gallery is a stunning display of Australian art.
12. Visit a beach club
Park the campervan by one of Adelaide's top beach clubs like The Moseley to enjoy a cocktail in the sun whilst overlooking the stunning sandy beach. Live music, day beds and sun loungers make this beachfront bar the best way to wind down.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
13. Buy fresh produce at Adelaide Central Market
Cooking up a storm in the camper? Visit the Adelaide central market to buy fresh produce for your meals. Around since 1869, this market is open Tuesday to Saturday and has everything from fruit and veg to cheese and pastries.
14. Shop at Rundle Mall
The shopping area of Rundle mall has over 700 shops to choose from, as well as multiple arcades, restaurants and cafes. Wandering through this pedestrian mall you have amazing sculptures to appreciate along the way, as well as buskers keeping the energy high.
15. Wander Adelaide Botanic Garden
Adelaide Botanic Garden is a 50-hectare garden and is something to behold, whether you relax under a breezy tree or enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes.
This park was established in 1857 and has some beautiful old architecture including the Bicentennial Conservatory which is the largest single-span glasshouse in the Southern Hemisphere.
Inside you will find rainforest plants from around the world, many of which are endangered.
Palm House is another must-see, which is a Victoria glasshouse that was brought over from Germany.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
16. Check out Santos Museum of Economic Botany
Santos Museum of Economic Botany is home to a beautiful botany display, most of which has been in place since it was first set up 130 years ago.
Not only are the treasures inside fascinating but the historic restored building itself is stunning too.
17. Visit the National Railway museum
The National Railway museum offers everything from train rides, to amazing collections of historic railway items. It is Australia’s largest railway museum, and they have over 100 exhibits on display.
18. Wander the city to appreciate the street art and historic buildings
Adelaide is home to an amazing array of street art and stunning historical buildings. Following along the street art trail, you will find murals from local and international artists which are absolutely worth taking a few photos of for your holiday snaps!
The historic buildings lining the streets are well worth stopping to appreciate during your day of exploring.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
19. Visit the pandas at Adelaide zoo
See some of Australia’s wildlife up close and personal at Adelaide zoo. A must-see attraction is the Giant panda’s.
The two resident pandas are Australia’s only Giant Panda’s, so if you want to meet them up close, book an encounter where you can feed them and learn about these beautiful creatures.
20. Visit the Art gallery of South Australia
Established in 1881, the Art gallery of South Australia has a rich history and has over time developed an amazing collection of Asian and Islamic art.
It was the first state gallery to show art by an Aboriginal artist, and to this day displays many more pieces of Aboriginal art.
Offering many additional programs from lunchtime talks, to hands-on play spaces for kids, you won’t struggle to spend a whole day there.
21. Try out the aerial course
Keen to get your heart racing? West beach adventure aerial course is the largest course in Australia and gives some pretty amazing views from the top.
Try out the ‘Leap of faith’ which is a 20-metre vertical drop, or take the family on the ‘Giant Swing’.
22. Take a tour through Haigh’s chocolate factory
Every campervan needs a stash of sweets, so heading to Haigh’s chocolate factory to stock up is a must. Founded in 1915, they are Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate making company!
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
23. Visit the beautiful State library
Another stunning place to wander through in Adelaide is the State Library. Open seven days a week, it’s made up of three buildings where you can take tours, look at exhibits and of course - read!
The Mortlock Wing is not to be missed, showing off stunning 19th-century Victorian architecture.
24. Take a sunset walk on Henley Beach
Another of Australia’s beautiful beaches is Henley beach. More than just a great place to swim, it has stunning sunsets which can then be followed by a bite to eat or something to drink at one of the many restaurants or bars.
Image source: South Australia Media Gallery
25. Watch an outdoor movie
Feel the warm South Australia breeze while you enjoy a movie at Moonlight cinema. Open over summer time, this is a lovely way to spend an evening snacking on treats and getting some quality family time in.
Are you ready to see more of South Australia?
Hire a MAUI motorhome today at one of our branches, and explore beautiful Adelaide at your own pace.