Do you love visiting gardens? Then visit these three beautiful Botanic Gardens in Adelaide when you visit. All three are spread around the city of Adelaide, with one right in the city centre. It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take. a break.
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Botanic Gardens in Adelaide City
If you are staying in the city centre and don’t have transport of your own, then the Adelaide Botanic Gardens are the place for you to enjoy the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide city.
A pleasant stroll along North Terrace will take you to one of the many entrances of this 125-acre parkland. Maps show you where the main places of interest are and the many paths at each of the gates.
Any time of the year is a great time to visit. Not only do you have sculptured and colourful outdoor gardens to visit, but also indoor exhibits showcasing plant life from around the world.
If you are short on time, then a stroll through the gardens will restore your energy levels. Take a break on one of the benches or grassy areas and breathe in the fresh air.
All paths are well paved, and it is a pleasant flat walk exploring the many colours as the seasons turn throughout the year.
The Botanic Gardens in Adelaide are free to visit any time of the year and you could either bring a picnic lunch or enjoy eating in one of the three cafes/restaurants in the park.
While you’re in the area, you can also visit the Adelaide Zoo or walk back into the city centre following the River Torrens.
Admission is free.
Hours
| Opening times | Closing times |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday 7:15 am All Year Weekends and public holidays 7.15 am (Dec to Mar) 9:00 am (Apr to Nov) | December to March 7:00 pm (Mon to Wed) 9.00 pm (Thu to Sun, and public holidays) April to September 5.30 pm July 5 pm August to September 5.30 pm October to November 6.30 pm (Mon to Wed) 7.00 pm (Thu to Sun, and public holidays) |
Parking
Ticketed car parking is available on Plane Tree Drive and in front of the Goodman Building and State Herbarium (in front of the Rose Garden, closest to the Hackney Gate marked as C17 on the map). Both car parks are accessed from Hackney Road.
Ticket machines accept credit or debit cards and coins (excluding 5 and 10-cent coins).
Funds collected from ticketed parking directly support the Garden’s world-class botanical collections and education and conservation programs.
Click here to find up-to-date prices.
Weekends and public holidays are free.
Wittunga Botanic Gardens
If you want to explore a bit further afield, the Wittunga Botanic Gardens are still accessible to you via public transport.
At only 13 hectares, these Botanic Gardens in Adelaide have gardens dotted around the paths with descriptions of their varied plant life.
Birdlife will serenade you with their calls in the treetops as ducks, swans and other waterbirds glide across the lake.
Not all the paths are paved but are still well-formed. Even on a showery day, it was a pleasant walk around the lake and gardens learning about the plant life of South Australia.
Admission is free, and there is a large car park.
Hours
| Opening times | Closing times |
|---|---|
| Every Day 8:30 am | Monday – Friday December – January: 7 pm February – March: 6 pm April – May: 5 pm June – August: 4 pm September: 5 pm October – November: 6 pm Weekends and public holidays October – March: 7 pm April – May: 5 pm June – August: 4 pm September: 5 pm |
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
One of the most colourful Botanic Gardens in Adelaide is the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, especially in Autumn and Spring. Whatever time of year you’re visiting, you’ll find the leaves, flowers or blooms reflecting the season.
Once again if you don’t have a car, public transport is available to you from the city.
With 97 hectares to explore, the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens is the place for the whole family to walk around and see nature at her finest.
Inside The Gardens
There is an upper and lower car park. You should think about which one you want to park your car in depending on your fitness level. Remember, what goes down, has to go back up again, and these parklands have steep areas.
Not all of the trails are paved, which is something else to remember. Make sure you wear the appropriate footwear for your walk.
For more information on the trails in the gardens, you can visit the website here.
If you have parked at the lower car park or walked down from the upper, the lakes will provide you with views back up the hillside.
Walking around the grounds, it is not only the changing colours of the leaves that show off the beautiful gardens.
Hopefully, when you are in Adelaide, you will get a chance to visit the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens. I’m sure that it won’t disappoint you at whatever time of the year you’re here.
Admission is free, although you do have to pay for parking unless you visit on a Sunday.
Hours
| Opening times | Closing times |
|---|---|
| Daily 8.30 am | Monday – Friday 4 pm Weekends and public holidays October to March: 7 pm April, May: 5 pm June, July, and August: 4 pm September: 5 pm |
Parking Prices
| Zone | Duration | Rate Mon-Sat per hour | Sundays & Public Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper car park | Garden opening hours | $1 per hour or $4 flat fee for the day | Free |
| Lower car park | Garden opening hours | $1 per hour or $4 flat fee for the day | Free |
If you need to use public transport, then here is the link to plan your journey. Both of these Botanic Gardens in Adelaide, are out of the city and are only an hour away.
Conclusion
I hope that you visit the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide one day, and see for yourself, even in the city centre how tranquil and peaceful they can be.
Even if you don’t get to visit these Botanic Gardens in Adelaide, check out the Botanic Gardens that are in your city or the ones you are visiting.
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Adelaide’s Botanic gardens are lovely! I am sorry I never got the chance to walk through them when I was there.
I hope that you get to visit them one day, Alma, when you get back down to Adelaide.
Oh, I love Botanical Gardens! It seems like every season brings new plants to explore. These look beautiful! I love the fall colors.
There is undoubtedly plenty of colour on show at all these gardens, Nancy, no matter what time of year.
Adelaide is I think the only major Australian city that I’ve not been to, but I’ve heard so much good about it. Years back my parents would go every year for the festival. These gardens all look lovely, and for sure if I ever get to Adelaide I’ll be heading to Mt Lofty. That’s my kind of walk. Lovely photos.
Thanks, Alison. I hope that you do visit here one day and I’d say anytime is good to view the gardens.
I absolutely love botanical gardens and loved visiting this one through your images.
Thanks, Angela. It’s easy to capture nature and these gardens are spectacular.
So many gardens so little time! More and more I have been visiting beautiful gardens like the ones you mentioned above when I travel. I find the gardens to be a peaceful way to relax while traveling.
Exactly, Michelle. It’s your time to stop and smell the flowers.
It is awesome that so many of these city’s gardens and treasures are free to visit.
It is, Jolayne, and it gives you a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Adelaide is one of my favourite city’s in Oz and walking through the Mt Lofty Botanic gardens.
Mt Lofty is beautiful, and you have so many tracks to walk through the gardens up there.
We love when we find botanical gardens in places we visit so we would certainly plan to visit Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens. Good to know that any time of year is good for a visit. And that there are several to choose from. These outdoor spots would be great ways to relax on a busy visit to Adelaide.
I agree, Linda. I love it when cities have green spaces where you can relax and get grounded again.
I’m a huge fan of botanical gardens! And love that Adelaide had three of them! Great guide!
Thanks, Karen.
What a beautiful destination!
It is, Goya.