Top things to see and do in Adelaide on a budget

Adelaide is one of Australia’s most liveable cities and you don't need a big budget to enjoy its attractions. From scenic beaches and green parklands to lively markets and cultural events, Adelaide offers many affordable and free experiences. This guide will highlight the top things to see and do in Adelaide while staying within your budget.

Take a tour of the city by tram or bus

You can travel for free to many of the main attractions in Adelaide's city centre (CBD). The Adelaide city connector is a free city loop bus that stops at popular destinations such as the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Zoo and Rundle Mall. The tram routes in the CBD are also free.

If there are places outside the city centre you would like to visit and you are a full-time on-campus student, you are eligible for discounted rates. Adelaide is also easy to travel around by bike and scooter as there are dedicated cycle lanes throughout the city.

Go to the beach

Adelaide is home to many beautiful beaches that are great places to surf, swim and relax. Popular beaches include:

Glenelg Beach

Glenelg Beach is the most popular beach in Adelaide and you can get there in 20 minutes via tram. On Jetty Road you'll find cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. Go to Glenelg Beach Pier for great views of the sunset.

Henley Beach

Enjoy calm blue waters and flat sands at Henley Beach, only a 20-minute drive from the city. The popular Seaview Road has plenty of cafes and restaurants serving delicious seafood. The esplanade walk is popular for a walk, jog or cycle.

Port Noarlunga

Port Noarlunga is a lovely seaside village (30km south of Adelaide) framed by red sandstone cliffs, a long jetty, and an enclosed reef home to more than 200 species of marine life and plants. It is a renowned diving destination, and the swimming beach nearby is patrolled by lifeguards.

Port Noarlunga

Attend festivals

Adelaide is known as the ‘festival city’ due to its busy line-up of incredible events throughout the year.

The annual Adelaide Fringe Festival is the biggest arts festival in the southern hemisphere with over 1200 events throughout February and March. You can enjoy theatre and comedy shows, circus performances, music concerts and art. There are free shows and shows under $10 and $20.

Cultural festivals such as OzAsia, Indofest and Adelaide Italian Festival celebrate music and food and the iconic Tasting Australia's Town Square is a free event where you can experience a diverse range of food experiences.

Visit museums

Expand your knowledge and visit one of Adelaide’s museums where general entry is free. Popular museums include:

Art Gallery of South Australia

The Art Gallery of South Australia has over 47,000 works of art with new and ongoing special exhibitions. The museum is open every day (except on Christmas).

South Australian Museum

The South Australian Museum has the most comprehensive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural art in the world and houses 4 million specimens and material cultural items.

Museum of Discovery (MOD)

Adelaide University's museum of discovery, the MOD, unites science, technology and creativity. Their exhibitions are innovative and interactive with a focus on the future.

Art Gallery of South Australia

Browse the Adelaide Central Markets

Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest undercover fresh food product markets in the southern hemisphere. It's a destination for fresh food including fruit and vegetables, meat, cheeses, bread and multicultural cuisine along with popular cafes and eateries. If you're on a tight budget, look for stores with special deals or buy in bulk.

Purchase at Op shops

Op Shop - short for opportunity shops – sell good quality second-hand items at bargain prices. City op shops are treasure troves, offering everything from clothing, accessories to books and homewares. You're likely find something unique, stylish and great value for money. Even better, many Op shops use their profits to support charities and help people in need.

Relax inside Botanic Gardens

Adelaide has a number of elegant gardens for the community to enjoy. They include:

Adelaide Botanic Garden

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is home to over 50 hectares of beautiful gardens. Guided walks are available at 10:30am each day. Check out the Palm House, a Victorian glasshouse, the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion and Bicentennial Conservatory that houses rainforest plants. Entry to the Botanic Gardens is free, open every day and you can get there by tram or bus.

Himeji Garden

If you would like to experience the beauty and peace of a Japanese garden, go to Himeji Garden. They offer two experiences – the ‘kare senzui’ dry garden where rocks and sand evoke the presence of water and the ‘senzui’ lake and mountain garden.

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Tour Haigh's Chocolates

Haigh’s Chocolates is one of Australia's premium chocolate makers. Their 'Guided Chocolate Experience’ is a free tour where you will view their factory, discover premium bean-to-bar chocolate making and sample their chocolate.

Community events create a sense of belonging and a great way to meet new friends and learn new skills. The local communities in Adelaide host a large range of different events from creative writing and meditation to learning different languages and pilates. Many of the events are free or affordable.

Admire street art

Adelaide has many talented local artists and street art is a celebration of cultural diversity and beauty. There are now over 200 works of art in alleyways, nooks and lanes featuring stunning portraits and large-scale murals. Use a street art map and see how many artworks you can spot.

Go on a walking trail

Adelaide city was designed as a grid with large public squares, wide streets and parklands, making it the perfect spot to explore by foot. Popular walking trails include:

Visit the State Library of South Australia

The State Library of South Australia has special exhibitions, collections, talks with authors and historians and free events. Visit the Mortlock Chamber, built in the 19^th century and consistently hailed as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.