OVERVIEW

In the heart of Adelaide’s city centre, the Adelaide Botanic Garden is a peaceful 50-hectare oasis showcasing plants from across Australia and around the world. Established in 1855, it combines historic glasshouses, landscaped gardens, and themed plant collections with a strong focus on conservation and education. Whether you come to admire rare flora, stroll beneath ancient trees, or relax by the lake, this is one of the city’s most cherished green spaces - and entry is free.

QUICK FACTS

Opening Hours

Daily, 7.15am - 6pm (closing times vary seasonally)

Entry Fee

Free

Location

North Terrace, Adelaide, SA

Best Time to Visit

Year-round. Spring for colourful blooms, autumn for foliage, and summer for shady walks.

Suggested Visit Duration

2–3 hours

Ashton 29, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

HIGHLIGHTS

Adelaide Botanic Garden is packed with fascinating sights and historic features. Don't miss:

• Palm House (1877): A beautifully restored Victorian glasshouse imported from Germany.

• Bicentennial Conservatory: One of the largest single-span conservatories in the southern hemisphere, housing rainforest species from northern Australia and Southeast Asia.

• Amazon Waterlily Pavilion: Home to the striking Victoria Amazonica, a giant waterlily with leaves up to 1.5 metres wide.

• First Creek Wetland: A living display of how urban wetlands can improve water quality and support biodiversity.

• Mediterranean Garden: Highlighting plants adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters—perfect for Adelaide’s climate.

• Museum of Economic Botany: A charming heritage building exploring how plants shape human life.

Stuart Semple, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

VISITOR INFORMATION

FACILITIES

☕ Café and restaurant
🚻 Toilets
🛍️ Gift Shop
🎓 Visitor information centre

ACCESSIBILITY

Paths are mostly flat and suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Accessible toilets are available, and mobility scooters can be hired onsite.

GETTING HERE

Public Transport: The garden is a short walk from major bus and tram stops on North Terrace. The Adelaide Railway Station is about a 10–15 minute walk.
Parking: Metered street parking is available on Hackney Road and Plane Tree Drive; limited free parking on weekends.

IS THE TASMANIAN BOTANIC GARDEN SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES?

Absolutely! Children will love the open lawns, ponds filled with ducks, and the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden (open for school groups and family programs). It’s a safe, spacious place to explore and enjoy nature.

FOOD AND DRINK

Enjoy coffee, breakfast, or lunch at Café Fibonacci, or linger over a meal at Restaurant Botanic, one of Adelaide’s most acclaimed fine-dining experiences. Picnic spots are plentiful throughout the grounds. Nearby Rundle Street also offers a range of cafés and eateries.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Free guided walks (daily, check website for times)

• Educational talks and exhibitions at the Museum of Economic Botany

• Seasonal events and workshops run by the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia

• Twilight concerts and outdoor cinema in summer

INSIDER TIP

Visit early in the morning when the gardens are calm and filled with birdsong - or stay late on a summer evening to see the conservatories glowing in the golden light.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A 5 minute walk

NATIONAL WINE CENTRE OF AUSTRALIA

Adjacent to the gardens

10 minute walk for shopping and dining

RUNDLE MALL

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Website: Adelaide Botanic Garden
Contact: +61 8 8222 9311