If you’re looking for that extra bit of guidance around Adelaide (and to get out of driving), there are so many tours you can book that make your experience much easier. With your itinerary planned and your transport sorted, tours take the pressure off your day. Plus, you might just learn something you didn’t already know about the city.
Adelaide’s key sights can be seen on any one of the typical sightseeing tours offered, where a bus or walking tour takes you from one site to the next through the compact ‘20-minute city.’ Although these broader whole city tours are useful for getting to know the city, a more specific tour offers more in the way of depth of knowledge and interesting information. Try a tour that takes you past Adelaide’s best street art, a ghost tour of Adelaide Gaol or Z Ward (a former insane asylum), or Hahndorf, the oldest German settlement in South Australia. If you’re set on taking a tour of the main landmarks, go for a small group tour to gain a more personal experience. We will say that the RoofClimb of Adelaide Oval is popular but worth the effort for the skyline views.
For nature tours, Kangaroo Island is typically the way to go, albeit it’s about an hour and a half by car to the ferry port, and 45 minutes on the ferry to the island. A tour here is awesome and recommended by island locals. The island is large, so you’ll need longer than a day here, and a guide to show you around to all the best spots. Spot sea lions and kangaroos, visit the wildlife park and sanctuary, and sightsee unique rock formations. After exploring the island, try some local fresh produce, wine, or spirits, and dine at the Penneshaw Pub.
Other areas to explore nature in Adelaide are found in the wine regions. Of the three closest to Adelaide, all offer some amazing nature tours. The Adelaide Hills contains the Mount Lofty ranges, which you can explore with a guided hiking tour. The tour of Morialta Conservation Park in this region is scenic and perfect for beginner hikers. You might even see wild koalas, only 30 minutes from Adelaide. As for the McLaren Vale region, its proximity to the Fleurieu Peninsula means a visit is the perfect opportunity for a nature tour. The Victor and Vines Safari includes a walk across the Granite Island Causeway, followed by a boat cruise around Seal Island, and a winery visit.
Obviously, the wine regions run some spectacular wine tours also. This is the best way to experience the regions, as you’ll be directed to the best wineries, rather than having to choose from hundreds, and your transport is organised. Make sure to book a tour that includes the opportunity to try some local produce, like cheese or fruit. The wine regions are also renowned for their top-quality produce, so it’s worth paying extra for any food add-ons for your tour.