Looking for the best places to enjoy autumn in Adelaide with kids? As the leaves turn golden and the weather cools, it’s the perfect season for outdoor adventures, nature walks, and cozy family outings. From stunning autumn foliage at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden to fun-filled events and picnic spots, we’ve rounded up the top family-friendly autumn destinations in Adelaide.
Whether you’re after vibrant photo spots, playgrounds covered in crunchy leaves, or the best places for a weekend escape, this guide has everything you need for a magical autumn experience.
Spend the day in Stirling
It’s just so pretty! Stirling definitely deserves a stop during a day out in the Adelaide Hills.
And it’s also where you’ll find what we think is the best Autumn view playground in Adelaide…Stirling Steamroller Park. It’s fenced, it has a train you can climb on, it’s great for little ones and older kids and there’s multiple coffee options within walking distance.
Visit on a Sunday and check out Stirling Laneways Market in March or April (last one of the season)
Spend the day in Hahndorf
After Stirling continue up the hill to Hahndorf….or do it as it’s own day trip.
Plenty more beautiful autumn leaves lining the streets here and while you’re there you can stop for a Spaghetti ice cream from Eis Haus or pick your own strawberries at Beerenberg (info below)
PYO Strawberries at Beerenberg
In the German-style town of Hahndorf in the heart of the Adelaide Hills (just 30 minutes outside of Adelaide) you’ll find Beerenberg Farm. Strawberry picking is open to the public from late November to around the end of April each year. It’s the perfect activity with your kids that involves being outdoors in nature, exercise and eating and Autumn weather conditions are perfect for picking.
Be sure to pop into the brand spanking new Family Visitor Centre and Farm Cafe offering a cafe, ice cream parlour, marketplace and plenty of space to sit down and rest the legs.
Visit Mt Lofty Botanic Garden
Instagram feeds are full of Mt Lofty in Autumn, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s an ocean of colour. Red, Yellow, Green, Brown, Purple. You’d be hard up trying to find a better spot for Autumn selfies than Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens!
Go Apple Picking
Head to @Lenswood Pick Your Own up in the Hills for a day out apple picking with the family – not only can you PYO delicious crunchy apples, you can also visit their onsite cafe for coffee and treats, play giant games, let the kids sit in the tractors for some make believe fun, play apple row mini golf and MORE!
Open 9am till 2pm on Wednesday, Thurs and Friday
Saturdays and Sundays and Public Holidays 9am till 4pm
Check out Chihuly
And while you’re in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens you can’t miss the Chihuly in the Botanic Garden exhibition running until the end of April.
This FREE exhibition features 15 stunning large-scale glass sculptures, artfully placed throughout the garden’s lush landscape, waterways, and trees. Marvel at these intricate hand-blown pieces as they change with the seasons, creating a dynamic and unforgettable visual experience.
Barossa Outdoor Cinema
Outdoor Cinema is back in the Barossa this April and this time it’s FREE!*
Barossa Valley Chocolate Co. are offering complimentary* movie tickets for their Autumn Barossa Nightlight Cinema Season.
Go for Dinner and Stay for a Movie!
Bring your blankets, grab some house-made gelati and chocolate, and settle in for the perfect outdoor cinema experience
- Lawns and Cafe open from 6 pm.
- Movie screens at sunset, approx 8 pm
Find A Family Friendly Place To Eat In The Adelaide Hills
We all know Autumn was made for hills drives (which make us hungry) so we have popped all of our favourite places to eat with the kids in the hills in one handy spot. Think leafy beer gardens, impressive kids menu’s. cosy fire pits and room to run around!
Go for a Bushwalk.
Autumn is the perfect weather for a bushwalk and we’ve done the kms for you & walked ahead to find the best family friendly bushwalks & hikes around Adelaide. We’re betting there are some in this list you have never even heard of! Pack the snacks, slap on the suncream & get hiking, families of Adelaide!
How many of these can you get through before the last Autumn leaf falls?
kidsinadelaide.com.au/our-favourite-family-bushwalking-adventures-in-adelaide
Nature Play at Home
If you come home from your bushwalk with a bag full of foraged autumn leaves and pinecones why not use them for nature play at home.
Go for a Bike Ride
Autumn is a great time to hit the tracks and take the family on a bike ride. Use our Bike track, trails and path guide to find a spot near you or pack up the car and head out on a real adventure somewhere you’ve never been. Don’t forget the helmets!
Toot Toot! Go on a Train Adventure.
Birdwood Farm Day
Farm Day will once again be held in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, Birdwood – and as always, promises to have something for everyone.
Showcasing the farming lifestyle over the years, there will be a range of working demonstrations such as sheep shearing, whip cracking, log chopping and blacksmithing, as well as petting zoos, highland cattle and other farm favourites.
Tale of the Fire Phoenix by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Step into the world of ancient Chinese mythology with Tale of the Fire Phoenix, a captivating family performance blending shadow puppetry, narration, and live music. Featuring the enchanting sounds of the Guzheng, this magical tale follows the brave Fire Phoenix on a quest to save a drought-stricken forest.
Held at Grainger Studio on Hindley Street, this one-day-only event takes place on Saturday, March 22, with sessions at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm. Tickets start from $19, with family passes available.
Perfect for ages 6+, this 60-minute show is a stunning mix of storytelling and culture that the whole family will love!
Adelaide International Kite Flying Festival
Save the date! The 2025 Adelaide International Kite Festival will be on 19-21 April. Families can witness the vibrant spectacle of kites of all shapes and sizes dancing in the sky over the Easter long weekend.
Organised by the Adelaide Kite Flyers Association and K Marie Events, this beloved event, established in 1997, saw record attendance, sparking anticipation for what 2025 will bring. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 19, to Monday, April 21, as Semaphore Beach Foreshore prepares to host another enchanting celebration of kite-flying creativity and fun.
Monarto Safari Park
Monarto is best when it’s not too hot & not too cold (just like Goldilock’s & her porridge!). Which makes Autumn the perfect time to head out of town & see some animals up close, learn about their conservation efforts or book a close encounter such as giraffe feeding or the Lions 360 experience. They just opened their new Visitor Centre which is well worth a visit!
Read all about Monarto here
Visit a Family- Friendly Winery
Autumn is a great time to spend at a winery – vintage is usually wrapping up, the vines turn all kinds of beautiful colours, plus the weather cooling off is a great excuse for us adults to have a glass of wine while the kids play!
We are lucky to have so many kid friendly wineries & cellar doors across SA.
Carrick Hill Story Book Trail
Autumn is the perfect time to spend a few hours at Carrick Hill. Located in Springfield, about a 10 minute drive from the city, Carrick Hill is Australia’s most intact twentieth-century heritage house museum and garden. It’s approximately 40 hectares of land which includes approximately 26 hectares of native bushland. It is gorgeous and you can literally spend a whole day here with the kids wandering the many gardens, having a picnic, exploring the Story Book Trail (see below) and grabbing a coffee and cake from the cafe. Oh and by the way, it’s FREE to explore the Gardens and Grounds!
Adelaide Motor Sport Festival
The Adelaide Motorsport Festival, held annually in Victoria Park in March is a dynamic celebration of South Australia’s motorsport legacy.
Featuring historic racing vehicles, thrilling Super Sprint competitions, family-friendly activities, and a glimpse into the future with the RAA E-Motion Zone, the festival offers an exhilarating experience for attendees of all ages. With VIP hospitality options available, it’s an ideal weekend getaway for motorsport enthusiasts and families alike.
Autumn Craft
Get creative! Don’t forget to bring home a little bag of Autumn leaves from wherever you visit so you can get stuck into one of our Autumn craft ideas.
Bridgewater Playground
Our choice for the prettiest Autumn playground would be Bridgewater. The trees have turned a beautiful shade of yellow and the playground itself is always a winner with our kids.
It has a flying fox! Do I need to say more
Protea Reserve Playground, Crafers
Our 2nd choice for the prettiest Autumn playground would be Protea Reserve in Crafers. This is a small playground but it is spectaular in Autum. Grab a coffee from a cafe on the way and sit back and enjoy the serenity while the kids play for a while..
Every Day is A Beach Day at Shellys
Autumn days can be warm and mild. We LOVE a little beachside adventure to Shellys at Semaphore. This place has it all, directly adjacent a wonderful new fully fenced playground and offering a beautiful casual menu, including ‘toddler tappas’. They are also licenced and the perfect spot for a cheeky cocktail or glass of bubbles to celebrate the season. Did we mention the coffee is on point AND pick the right day and the kids will love watching the little train pass by.
Go to the Adelaide Fringe
Mad March mean Adelaide Fringe time! There are so many kids shows to choose from or quirky venues to visit. Stay in the city or head regional – the choice is yours!
Find our Kids Fringe Picks here
Go to the Adelaide Fringe
The Giant Wheel at Glenelg will continue to spin until May 11, giving you plenty of Autumn days to head down to The Bay and check it out. A pre or post ice cream is a must.
Book a weekend at Redwing Farm
Redwing is a gorgeous farm stay not far from Moonta on the Yorke Peninsula and it’s ideal for families with young kids.
They’ll love roaming around the farm during the day, feeding and patting the animals and doing the range of activities on the farm (hay maze, anyone?).
This year the donkeys, who are an all-time favourite, have gone on a mini holiday to a bigger paddock.
Do a night tour with The Backyard Universe
The Backyard Universe run nighttime tours called the Southern Fleurieu Twilight Experience in an exclusive site in a Conservation Park on the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula. It’s definitely something different for your family to enjoy – see wildlife come out at night and enjoy star gazing led by their astronomer.
Autumn is the perfect “not too hot but also (hopefully) not belting with rain” time to do this tour!
Medieval & Rare Trades Festival
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of the Medieval & Rare Trades Festival, returning to Federation Park in Gumeracha on May 3rd and 4th.
Prepare to be captivated by living history displays, rare trade demonstrations, and an array of stalls offering everything from handcrafted wares to delectable treats.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Veizla Viking Feast and explore the eclectic mix of medieval stalls, ensuring a weekend of adventures and memories amidst the picturesque Adelaide Hills.
Book those AFL Tickets!
Whether your family are fans of the Crows, Power or another team, Autumn is the season when the AFL season really kicks off! So many home games have some great family friendly activities to get involved in, so book your tickets and head along to a game!
Meadows Easter Fair
Meadows eagerly anticipates the return of its beloved Easter Fair, a cherished tradition that draws visitors from far and wide.
From April 18 to April 21, the town will once again burst to life with the bustling energy of over 150 stallholders, musicians, and entertainment offerings. Amidst the crisp autumn air, attendees can wander through the charming halls and car park, exploring the diverse array of stalls that offer treasures both indoors and out. With free off-street parking and ample facilities, including plenty of toilets in the park and hall, the fair promises a hassle-free experience for the whole family.
From delectable treats to unique crafts, there’s something to delight every visitor as they immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
Find a Skate Park
If your child got a new skateboard, bike or scooter for Christmas & it’s been too hot over summer to use it, NOW IS THE TIME! We are spoilt for choice with skate parks in Adelaide & many of them are next to great playgrounds so it’s a lovely Autumn day out for the whole family.
Click here to find one near you
Go Whale Watching
From late May right up until October Southern Right whales return to the shores around Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor area.
Only an hour’s drive from Adelaide, the southern Fleurieu Peninsula is a whale watcher’s paradise so get some warm clothes, some binoculars and head down for a day’s whale watching with the family.
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OK yes we are all original Adelaide Hills girls so we MAY be just a little bit bias BUT if you haven’t been up the hill for a while we definitely think you should put it on the “to do” list.
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