Sarah | Adelaide for Kids – The Ultimate Family Guide

Where to Find Sturt’s Desert Pea in the Flinders Ranges?

Sturt’s Desert Pea is putting on an incredible show right now, with huge patches of South Australia’s floral emblem popping up across the Flinders Ranges. We came across one of the biggest displays that’s surely existed in years, with the bright red and black iconic flowers standing out against the rugged Flinders landscape. If you’re heading up that way, this is absolutely worth the drive! We took the Flinders Ranges Way from Hawker towards...

Auteeze

About Auteeze Auteeze is an Australian sensory-comfort brand thoughtfully created to bring comfort, calm and a little more ease to everyday life for children and families. The idea for Auteeze came from personal experience. Its founder has her own sensory sensitivities and had tried weighted blankets herself, but often found them too warm. She also saw firsthand the challenges families can face through a close friend whose son had sensory...

Monarto Safari Resort

Monarto Safari Resort with kids: a wild family getaway We’re lucky to have some pretty incredible places to explore in South Australia, but Monarto Safari Resort might just be one of the most unique family stays we’ve had. Where else can you wake up, make a coffee, step onto your balcony and watch a tower of giraffes enjoying their morning feed? (Yes, that’s what a group of giraffes is called… you’re welcome.) No, you’re...

The Rezz, Newton

If you haven’t been to The Rezz at Newton since its 2021 rebuild, prepare for a bit of a surprise. This once-traditional suburban pub has had a serious glow-up and is now a go-to for north-eastern Adelaide families thanks to its huge Café, multiple kids’ play areas and easy dining, including all day dining AND breakfast on weekends. The venue is split into four very different zones. The highlight for us is outdoors with functional outdoor...

Lil Q River Retreat, Aruma River Resort

Gather the cousins, invite the grandparents and round up a few family friends because Lil Q River Retreat was made for group getaways. Sleeping up to 17 guests and set right on the Murray River at Walker Flat, this spacious retreat combines incredible river views, resort-style facilities and enough room for everyone to spread out and enjoy a proper holiday together. Located within Aruma River Resort, just over an hour from Adelaide and around...

Charm Bracelet Birthday Parties by WanderCharm

Looking for a unique and hands-on party idea that’s full of sparkle and charm (literally)? WanderCharm Parties bring the fun to you! We recently had the absolute pleasure of having Jem from WanderCharm host a birthday party, and let us tell you – it was something really special. Jem rolled in and instantly set up the dreamiest outdoor jewellery studio, complete with the cutest low tables (perfect for kids), boho rugs, charm displays and all the...

Prancing Pony Brewery

Located in Totness (yep, we had to Google it the first time too), just a few minutes from Mount Barker and only a 4-minute drive from Hahndorf, Prancing Pony Brewery is one of those places that absolutely nails the whole “family-friendly brewery” thing. It’s relaxed, welcoming and the kind of spot where you can settle in for a long lunch without feeling rushed, while the kids are happily entertained nearby (and you might actually finish a beer...

Illuminate Adelaide 2026 | What to see with your kids

Get ready to light up your winter, Adelaide! Every July, Illuminate Adelaide gathers the most exceptional and audacious art, music, technology, and innovation from all over Australia and the world and unleashes them across the city and the state. Illuminate Adelaide is back for 2026 and it’s bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever! Every July, this epic festival transforms the city into a glowing playground of art, light, music, and...

Pirate Life Brewing, Port Adelaide

If you’ve ever tried to organise a catch-up that keeps everyone happy… kids, partners, friends, and your own need for a cold drink… then let me introduce (or reintroduce) you to your new go-to: Pirate Life Brewing. We went back recently and it just works. Like, actually works. The kids disappear (not in a scary way… more like “they’ve found the games” way), the drinks stay cold, and you can actually finish a sentence. Huge win. The venue nails...

Sanbis Villa, South Shores

We’ve stayed with Sanbis Retreats before, so we knew it would be special, but I had never heard of the South Shores estate in Normanville and honestly, it blew me away. It’s a private, gated coastal community on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and the easiest way to describe it is like a holiday park but elevated in every way. Everything is beautifully designed, calm, and spacious, with all the little touches that make holidaying with kids feel easy...

Halcyon, Hardwicke Bay

There’s something about the Yorke Peninsula that just feels different. It might be the big skies. Or the way the air smells a little saltier and cleaner. Or maybe it’s that moment when the kids forget about their screens and you realise… wait, is this what peace and quiet feels like? Hardwicke Bay is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it coastal towns that somehow ends up being exactly what you needed. Quiet streets. Kids riding bikes up and...

Ginny Pig Distillery, Mount Compass

Launched in 2020 by former nurses Bec and Craig, Ginny Pig Distillery has been quietly building a loyal following for its small-batch, award-winning gins. We’ve been enjoying their drops for a while now, so when we heard they’d opened a brand-new distillery door at their own home in Mt Compass, we jumped at the chance to visit. Tucked away in the rolling countryside just outside McLaren Vale, this distillery door feels personal in the best way....

2025 Santa’s Wonderland | Kids in Adelaide Review

2025 Santa’s Wonderland tickets are available for purchase now! If Christmas had a home base in Adelaide, Santa’s Wonderland would be it and after four years in a row, our kids have basically grown up thinking this place is the North Pole. I swear if you lined up photos from each year, you could measure their height in candy canes. So yes, we’re back again in 2025… because at this point, it wouldn’t be December without it. This year is...

Hamdorf Guinea Pig Cafe, Hahndorf

If you’re after a café adventure with a difference, The Hamdorf Guinea Pig Café in Hahndorf is an absolute must for families. It’s the perfect combination of kids, coffee and cuddly animals in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. Downstairs, kids can meet the guinea pigs who live in the most incredible miniature replica of Hahndorf village lovingly built by the owner himself. It is calm, cute and interactive making it an easy win for animal-loving...

O’Leary Walker

O’Leary Walker Wines is just under two hours from Adelaide, set in the picturesque little town of Leasingham, a peaceful pocket of the Clare Valley that you’ll reach before you even hit the buzz of Clare township. This region is one of South Australia’s most charming wine destinations, with rolling hills, quiet country roads, and some of the best Rieslings in the state. O’Leary Walker is the perfect place to stop, slow down, enjoy incredible...

Discovery Parks – Clare

*Want 15% off stays at this park, or a select handful of other Discovery Parks in South Australia? Look and book via THIS LINK and use code KIDSINADL25 at checkout. Valid for stays now to Nov 2026, t&c apply* The Clare Valley is famous for its wine and for good reason. But beyond the cellar doors, this charming region is full of rolling hills, country vibes, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. And with Discovery Parks –...

Pikes Beer Company, Clare Valley

Sure, the Clare Valley has a bit of a reputation for world-class wine (okay… it’s basically the whole personality). But who said this gorgeous region can’t also pour a cracking craft beer? Pikes Beer Company proves there is more to the Clare than just wine, with a relaxed and family friendly brewery that feels completely at home among the vines. Once we settled into the beer garden, it was easy to see why this place is such a winner for...

Roonka River Adventure Park

Roonka Adventure Park is a hidden Riverland gem where adventure meets nature. Owned and run by Scouts SA for over 50 years, it has long been a favourite for school camps, Scouts, and groups. Now families are discovering just how much fun you can have here. Just over an hour and 40 minutes north-east of Adelaide, and nestled on a peaceful stretch of the Murray River near Blanchetown, Roonka is all about outdoor adventures, water fun, and...

Discovery Parks – Lake Bonney

*Want 15% off stays at this park, or a select handful of other Discovery Parks in South Australia? Look and book via THIS LINK and use code KIDSINADL25 towards the end of your booking. Valid for stays now to Nov 2026, t&c apply* If you’re looking for a place where the kids drag you out of bed and straight into a kayak, Discovery Parks – Lake Bonney in Barmera is exactly that kind of family getaway. What an absolute Riverland icon for...

Mallee Fowl Restaurant, Monash

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if an Aussie bush pub, a museum, and your nan’s shed full of vintage treasures all had a love child, welcome to the Mallee Fowl Restaurant. Tucked away on the Sturt Highway in Monash just near Berri, this Riverland icon is one of those places you honestly have to see to believe. There’s old farm gear tucked between rusty signs, walls covered in Australiana, and a collection of curiosities that somehow...

Family Fun in Bali

You know how some holidays with kids feel more like relocating chaos to a hotter climate? Bali is not that. It’s one of those rare unicorn destinations where you can relax and keep the kids entertained, without needing a second mortgage or a week to recover. We recently spent a few days exploring the recently opened Marine Safari Bali and Varuna Bali, and let’s just say… the bar for “family day out” has officially been raised. Marine Safari...

Vale 194, McLaren Vale

Looking for family-friendly accommodation in McLaren Vale? Less than an hour from Adelaide, Vale 194 is a gated complex of five luxury holiday homes that tick all the boxes – stylish, spacious, and perfect for families or groups. Tucked just behind McLaren Vale’s Main Street, these beautifully designed villas feel private and peaceful, but you’re still right in the heart of it all. Cafés, wineries, playgrounds and walking trails are...

Gawler River Brewing

We recently visited Gawler River Brewing and it’s safe to say this one’s gone straight onto our list of favourite family-friendly spots. Just outside of Angle Vale, it’s close enough to be an easy-ish drive but still far enough to feel like you’ve escaped the suburbs for the afternoon. The vibe is relaxed, welcoming, and clearly loved by locals – despite the winter chill, the place was packed, which says a lot about how good it is. What...

Redwing Farm, Moonta, Yorke Peninsula

Waking up to a giant black-and-white cow waiting at the fence while you sip your morning cuppa might not be everyone’s idea of a dream holiday…. but for us, it was pretty perfect. Redwing Farm, owned and run by Nicola and Damien Adams, is a 460-acre working property just outside Moonta on the stunning Yorke Peninsula. If you’re after a getaway that’s wholesome, hands-on, and full of fresh air and animal encounters, this place is...

The Lodge, Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Looking for a dinner spot that’s a little bit magic, a little bit fancy, but still totally relaxed? The Lodge, nestled lakeside in the heart of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, ticks every box for a memorable night out. Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a long-overdue catch-up with your favourite people – it’s the perfect excuse to leave the kids at home and treat yourself to something special. Once the garden gates close to the...

Causeway Cafe, Victor Harbor

No trip to Victor Harbor is complete without a delicious cup of coffee from The Causeway Cafe. Located at Number 1, The Esplanade, this café is the epitome of family-friendly dining. Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the iconic Horse Drawn Tram and Warland Reserve, with Granite Island Causeway within easy reach, it’s the ideal starting point for a day filled with exploration and excitement. As you walk in, you are greeted with...