Animal frenzy
Home to over 3000 animals, the Adelaide Zoo is a guaranteed hit with the kids who will love the opportunity to hold a creepy critter, feed a giraffe, try their hand at being a keeper for the day or packing their pyjamas for a zoo sleepover! Although the giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, reign as the zoo’s star attractions and the only giant pandas in Oz, there is also a children’s zoo, multiple feeding sessions, a river cruise on board the Popeye, walk-through aviaries and a nocturnal house. Alternatively, a short 30-minute drive from the city, Cleland Wildlife Park comprises 35 hectares of native bushland where animals roam freely... and they love visitors, so be sure to get your feeding hands ready and keep your eyes peeled for Skippy.
Head for the hills
A trip to Adelaide is not complete without a jaunt to the quaint countryside of Adelaide Hills. Here, you can discover the unique pleasures of Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf. The boulevards are infused with old-world colonial charm, from the sandstone buildings and colourful greenery to the kitsch bakeries and restaurants. Entertainment for the kids comes in the form of traditional lolly and toy shops, a fairy garden and 3 Wishes Candle Barn – where they can create their own candle to take home. Pop into Beerenberg Farm and sample the freshly made jams, sauces and condiments, or stop by the paddocks themselves for some strawberry picking from November to April. Needless to say, sightseeing families can easily spend an entire day here exploring the quirky gift shops, smallgoods outlets and nearby wineries.