Best things to do in Adelaide and event guide for 2020

1. Wine tour

With free transportation departing from Adelaide, head to the wineries where you'll indulge in new flavours of wine and local food. If you want to relax and go at your own pace, the hop-on hop-off bus that travels to Adelaide Hills will make its way around the region, allowing you to choose which wineries you want to visit. If you want to visit the spots the locals rave about, head off on a day trip to Adelaide Hills where your stops include a lunch at a German pub and a visit to Beerenberg's Strawberry Farm.

• Pocket-friendly option: Adelaide Hills Hop-On-Off Wine Tour
• The ultimate experience: Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Food and Wine Tour

2. Tour iconic Adelaide sights

What's a trip to Adelaide without visiting some of its notorious sights? Relive celebrated moments in Australian sporting history with a tour of Adelaide Oval, where you'll hear old and new tales about the Oval and get a guided tour of the grounds. If the spookier side of Adelaide peaks your interest, a ghost tour at Australia's longest operating gaol is an experience you're unlikely to forget.

• Pocket-friendly option: Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour
• The ultimate experience: Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour

3. V8 race experience

Hop in the front seat and experience the most powerful 450hp V8 race cars available in Australia. You'll be met with thrilling challenges as your driver navigates around the race circuit with bends and curves that must be executed at an intense pace.

• Pocket-friendly option: 3-lap V8 Race Car Ride Experience
• The ultimate experience: 6-lap V8 Race Car Ride Experience

4. Adelaide city tour

What better way to explore Adelaide than at your own pace by foot or bike. Learn about the city's history and culture on a relaxed walking tour that'll take you to the popular attractions or grab a free bike and ride around the city.

• Pocket-friendly option: Free Adelaide Bike Hire
• The ultimate experience: Around the Square Adelaide Walking Tour

5. Roof climb at the Adelaide Oval

Explore Adelaide from new heights with this climb on top of one of Australia's most iconic sporting stadiums. You'll see breathtaking views of the stadium itself, the coastline and Adelaide Hills in the distance. Choose either a twilight climb to view the sunset or a night climb to see the city lit up after dark.

• Pocket-friendly option: Twilight Climb
• The ultimate experience: Night Climb

6. Cooking class

Treat yourself to an authentic Moroccan cooking class experience with a professional chef or learn how to make authentic Thai food at an award-winning cooking school in Adelaide. Either way, your eyes will be as big as your belly with an authentic food adventure in Adelaide.

• Pocket-friendly option: Thai Cooking Class
• The ultimate experience: Authetic Moroccan Cooking Class

7. Photography class

What better way to explore Adelaide than to explore all of it angles through a lens. Learn how to take photos at night while getting to know the basics of composition, controlling aperture, shutter speed and ISO as well as understanding how to use light and shade to capture the best shots around the city.

• Pocket-friendly option: Night Photography Workshop
• The ultimate experience: Adelaide Photography Night Tour

8. Outdoor night adventures

You won't find yourself twiddling your thumbs wondering what to do at night in Adelaide. If you want to sit back and relax after a long day, head to Adelaide's Moonlight Cinema where you can watch the classics and latest blockbusters latest blockbusters at the Botanic Park. The Ebenezer Night Markets run during selected dates in summer and you can stroll around browsing the food, fashion, art and jewellery on offer.

• Pocket-friendly option: Ebenezer Night Market
• The ultimate experience: Moonlight Cinema

9. Animal encounter

Get exclusive access to Australia Zoo and wander the grounds that house more than 2,500 animals. Australia Zoo give guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with koalas and pandas before roaming around the zoo to explore and see 250 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

• Pocket-friendly option: Koala Encounter and Entry to Australia Zoo
• The ultimate experience: Panda Encounter at Australia Zoo

10. Adrenaline-filled fun

If you love a challenge, visit Australia's largest aerial adventure park with over 70 unique challenges and South Australia's largest giant swing. For an indoor adrenaline-inducing experience, make your way through three real-life interactive escape rooms, all uniquely themed with different challenges to overcome and crimes to solve.

• Pocket-friendly option: Escape Room
• The ultimate experience: Mega Adventure Obstacle Park Admission

11. Embrace local history and art

Get an understanding of South Australia's past with a trip to the South Australian Museum, State Library of South Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia, both offering plenty of exhibitions and entertainment for the kids.

• Our top picks: South Australian Museum, State Library of South Australia and Art Gallery of South Australia

12. Experience nature at Mount Lofty

Step out into the fresh air and explore what Adelaide's outdoors has to offer. A downhill bike tour from the top of Mount Lofty will provide you with breathtaking panoramic views before you descend down the mountain, spotting kangaroos and koalas along the way. If you're after something a little less structured, take a self-guided walking tour that takes you from the serenity of Waterfall Gully, through to Cleland Conservation Park and then onto the top of Mount Lofty.

• Pocket-friendly option: Bushwalking and Waterfall Hike at Mount Lofty Summit
• The ultimate experience: Mount Lofty Descent Bike Tour

13. Adelaide Central Market

Adelaide Central Market offers a thriving food and wine culture, alongside some of Adelaide's favourite eateries. The market sees over 9 million visitors each year, a combination of locals and visitors, who get to discover the taste of international cuisines and local produce.

• Pocket-friendly option: Big Market Adventures on Saturdays
• The ultimate experience: Adelaide Central Market Tour

14. Adventures from the sky

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie seeking the thrill of taking in the views of Adelaide while jumping out of a plane from 9,000 feet in the air or an equally thrilling, yet relaxing, hot air balloon ride at sunrise, the views from above are not to be missed.

• Pocket-friendly option: Hot Air Ballooning
• The ultimate experience: Skydiving Goolwa Basham Beach

15. Abseiling and rock climbing

Abseiling and rock climbing are a must-do for all adventurers visiting Adelaide. Outdoor thrill seekers will get to test their endurance and strength while picking up new skills and techniques along the way.

• Pocket-friendly options: Abseiling
• The ultimate experience: Rock Climbing and Abseiling

16. Chase waterfalls

Adelaide may have a dry climate, but this doesn't mean you won't find stellar waterfalls. Get out in nature and take in stunning views, explore rock pools and spot small reptiles before reaching the waterfalls where you can set up a picnic and enjoy your surroundings.

• Our top picks: Morialta Falls Conversation Park, Waterfall Gully and Belair National Park.

High tea

Ghost tour

Abseiling

Things to do in Adelaide in summer

• Adelaide Fringe Festival
• Adelaide Festival
• Clipsal 500
• Laneway Festival
• Adelaide Motorsport Festival

Things to do in Adelaide in winter

• Winter Reds Festival
• Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival
• Umbrella Winter City Sounds
• SALA Festival

Things to do in Adelaide in autumn

• WOMADelaide
• Adelaide Festival
• Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend
• Tasting Australia

Things to do in Adelaide in spring

• Credit Union Christmas Pageant
• Adelaide Fashion Festival
• OzAsia Festival
• Vegan Festival Adelaide