Family & Wildlife Day
Koalas, a giant rocking horse and a waterfall walk — a full day out with the kids.
The plan
The Adelaide Hills is tailor-made for a family day out — wildlife you can get close to, a famously giant landmark and bushland with room to run. This loop keeps the driving short and the energy high, and works in either direction depending on nap times.
Start at Cleland Wildlife Park on the slopes of Mount Lofty, where kids can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies and meet koalas up close. From the summit nearby, take in the view over Adelaide before heading down to Gumeracha and the Big Rocking Horse, a genuinely enormous climbable landmark with a small animal park at its feet.
If you've still got willing legs, finish at Morialta Conservation Park, where a big nature playground sits beneath a gorge laced with waterfall walks. For a magical finale, book an evening at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary near Mylor to spot bettongs, bandicoots and bilbies as the bush comes alive at dusk.
Day 1
5 stops-
1
Cleland Wildlife Park
StirlingHand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas on the slopes of Mount Lofty.
See place → -
2
-
3
The Big Rocking Horse
GumerachaClimb the giant landmark at Gumeracha and meet the resident animals.
See place → -
4
Morialta Conservation Park
CrafersA large nature playground beneath a gorge of family-friendly waterfall walks.
See place → -
5
Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary
MylorFinish with a dusk tour to spot bettongs, bandicoots and bilbies.
See place →
On the map
More like this
Top 10
The best walks in the Adelaide Hills
From the punishing Waterfall Gully climb to gentle garden strolls, the Adelaide Hills is laced with walking trails. Here are ten worth lacing up for.
Top 10
The best free things to do in the Adelaide Hills
You don't need to spend a cent to fall for the Adelaide Hills. Here are our favourite free days out.
Top 10
The best things to do in and around Hahndorf
Hahndorf is the most-visited village in the Hills for good reason. From beer halls and bakeries to hilltop wineries and a famous farm shop, here's how to do it well.
Top 10
Best Family Activities in the Adelaide Hills
Wildlife you can get close to, a famously enormous landmark and bushland with room to run — the Hills is one big natural playground for families.
Guide
Gardens and autumn colour drive
Botanic gardens, a 1930s estate, village main streets and a ridge-top lunch — the Adelaide Hills at their most photogenic, best in April and May.
Guide
Torrens Valley Heritage Drive
Trace the Torrens River through the quietest, prettiest corner of the Hills — old stone main streets, vintage cars, a giant rocking horse and chocolate straight from the factory.
Image credits
- Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) female Mount Lofty 4.jpg by Charles J. Sharp , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons