12 free things to do in Adelaide
Adelaide makes it easy to explore more while spending less. If you are looking for free things to do in Adelaide, the city is full of memorable experiences that cost nothing to enjoy, from cultural attractions on North Terrace to public art, park lands, markets and family-friendly discoveries.
Whether you are planning a day in the City, visiting for the weekend or looking for budget-friendly Adelaide attractions close to home, these ideas will help you experience the city without stretching your budget.
Take a personalised tour of the city
Hosted by Adelaide Greeters, these free, personalised orientation walks of the city are tailored to your interests. Their passionate and knowledgeable volunteers will help you discover Adelaide through various iconic attractions and give you a local perspective on what makes Adelaide one of the most liveable, innovative and creative cities in the world.
Blast into space
See real space debris, explore the latest space tech and discover inspiring stories at this family-friendly attraction on Adelaide's cultural boulevard North Terrace. You'll also find workshops and activities for all ages during school holidays.
Discover a foodie's delight
Lose yourself in the endless aisles of the Adelaide Central Market, with 70+ stalls of fresh produce, delicious meals and South Australian icons under one roof. The Market is also host to a huge range of free activities every week, including cooking demonstrations, live music on Fridays and kids' face painting every Saturday.
Visit one of the world's most beautiful libraries
The State Library of South Australia is home to three stunning historic buildings to explore, including the Mortlock Chamber, which was crowned the second most beautiful library in the world in the 1000 Libraries Awards.
Explore Chinatown
Adelaide’s Chinatown is a flavour-packed pocket of the city, where sizzling woks meet steamy dumpling baskets and neon lights glow under red lanterns. Discover the iconic gates marking the entrance to Chinatown, wander Gouger and Grote Streets for a taste of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India (and more!). From five-star feasts to late-night snacks, it’s your passport to Asia—no flight required.
All that walking left you peckish? Check out 11 unmissable dishes in Chinatown.
Hit the streets
Explore this beautiful city on foot or two wheels. Adelaide is full of wide, flat paths and bike lanes, with plenty of walking and cycling trails in the picturesque Park Lands. Go on an urban adventure through the city with any arts and culture trail, or venture down memory lane with a historic adventure. If you're a lover of the great outdoors, explore a little further out where a world of variety and nature awaits.
Get your mates together for a free quiz night
If you're a quiz nut, there's plenty of free options in every corner of the city (and almost every day)! Cosy up at great local pubs like The Stag Public House and Wellington Hotel, intimate spots including Nearly A Bar or Nowhere Bar and even your favourite pizzeria for the Weekly 50 or Quiz Meisters quizzes.
See art at every turn
Adelaide is packed with a fantastic range of public art. Statues, sculptures, and street art adorn the open spaces—take a stroll down Rundle Street and you'll meet beloved pigs Horatio, Truffles, Augustus and Oliver, and spy the iconic Malls Balls.
There's also an eclectic range of galleries across the city. You’ll find the Art Gallery of South Australia houses some of the nation’s most treasured art collections or visit APY Gallery Adelaide, a space and platform for emerging indigenous artists to showcase their work across a wide range of mediums.
Witness live glass blowing
Alongside rotating exhibitions of Australia's finest, you can also catch live glass blowing from talented artisans at the JamFactory. Make sure to check in with their team to confirm this spectacle is happening when you're visiting!
Immerse yourself in nature
Adelaide is the world's only city in a park—we're surrounded by over 700 hectares of Park Lands for you to explore and immerse yourself in nature.
If you're feeling physical, take advantage of the many free courts and fitness spaces dotted around the city, or run, walk or wander the many fitness trails that meander through the parks. And if you're with family we've got you covered, with some fantastic dog parks for the fur babies, while our playspaces are designed to put smiles on kids of all ages.
Don't forget the beautiful Adelaide Botanic Garden, a sanctuary in the heart of the city.
Expand your knowledge
Want to delve deeper on a topic you love? Unlock troves of information at specialist centres across the city.
Discover the people and ideas that have shaped SA's politics at the Centre for Democracy, get to know the legendary man behind the bat at the world-class Bradman Collection.
Visit a museum
The South Australian Museum boasts the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world, plus plenty of free exhibitions on show, or delve deeper into the state's history at the Migration Museum.
At the other end of the spectrum is MOD., where you'll discover the future across seven gallery spaces. Art meets science and blows your mind.
Whether you are visiting for a weekend or rediscovering your own backyard, there are so many free things to do in Adelaide that make it easy to experience the city’s culture, creativity and green spaces without spending a cent. From iconic attractions and public art to park lands, museums and markets, Adelaide proves that some of the best city experiences are also the most affordable.