Top five reasons why South Australia is great for families and why we love living in Adelaide.

Way back in 2017 we weren’t in the least surprised when Lonely Planet named South Australia as the 5th best region in the world to visit in their Best in Travel top 10 list.  Adelaide has since featured in the top 10 ‘best places to live’ list multiple times.

Here at Play & Go we may be biased, but we think Adelaide is an amazing place to live!  South Australia is a fantastic place to raise a family or enjoy a family holiday, with beautiful beaches, wide open spaces, incredible wildlife and plenty of family-friendly attractions and experiences. From Adelaide’s parks and playgrounds to easy day trips, regional adventures and a busy calendar of events, there’s always something new for families to discover.

Here are our top five reasons why South Australia is great for families and why we love living in Adelaide:

1. So Much is Within Easy Reach

One of the best things about Adelaide is how easy it is to get around. Families can spend the morning in the Adelaide Hills, head to the beach in the afternoon or escape to a national park without travelling far from the city.

2. Beaches, Parks & Outdoor Adventures

South Australia is made for outdoor family fun. There are beautiful metropolitan beaches, walking and cycling trails, national parks, nature reserves and some fantastic playgrounds – with many experiences completely free.

3. Incredible Wildlife Experiences

From spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild to visiting wildlife parks, zoos and conservation areas, there are plenty of opportunities for children to get close to Australian wildlife and learn about the natural environment.

4. Family-Friendly Events All Year Round

There’s always something happening in South Australia, from major festivals and sporting events to community fairs, markets, school holiday activities and regional celebrations. Many events also offer free entertainment and dedicated activities for children.

5. Plenty to Do Without Spending a Fortune

Some of the best family experiences in South Australia cost little or nothing at all. Beaches, playgrounds, libraries, museums, gardens, walking trails and community events provide families with plenty of affordable options for weekends and school holidays.

Adelaide is a really liveable city!

Adelaide is frequently listed in the top five of the world’s liveable cities and for good reason. Adelaide is  just the right sized city: big enough to have everything you need and the diversity that you get with a larger city, but small enough that you can easily get around and appreciate it.

We have so many of the advantages of the bigger cities but we don’t have to deal with many of the typical issues that you get when you live in a bigger city.

It really is true when they say that Adelaide is the “twenty minute city” – you can be in the Adelaide Hills visiting a beautiful vineyard, or out at the beach enjoying some sunshine – and it’s an easy drive. Less time in the car is a good thing when you have kids!

Adelaide’s Top Tourist Attractions for Families

Adelaide’s fabulous beaches and coastal towns

Adelaide really does have fabulous beaches, most of which are less than a half hour drive from the city. Not only do we have dozens of pristine, child-friendly beaches at our doorstep but there are so many fabulous places to explore further afield – from family favourites like Normanville, Port Elliot and Moonta Bay to the rugged beauty of Kangaroo Island.

Check out some of our favourite South Australian beaches here.

Adelaide’s green space, parks and playgrounds

We are so lucky in Adelaide to have so many parks and playgrounds to enjoy. From beautiful open spaces and parks right on the edge of the city to award-winning adventure playgrounds, we’ve got it all.

With so much flat land in Adelaide it’s the perfect spot to learn to ride a bike. Victoria Park Loop, SAPOL Road Safety Centre, and the River Torrens Linear Park Ride are some of our favourite spots. Or for the more adventurous there’s bush walks through Morialta Conservation Park and Waterfall Gully, or climbing Mt Lofty.

Here are some of our favourite playgrounds, and also our suggestions for the best Adelaide playgrounds for toddlers.

Adelaide Festivals and Shows

South Australia is known as the ‘festival state’ and is home to amazing, world-class annual festivals. one of our busiest month’s of the year is ‘Mad March’ and there’s never a dull moment with Adelaide playing home to the Fringe Festival and WOMAdelaide, followed by events such as The Adelaide Equestrian Festival to name just a few.

Find out about upcoming festivals and shows in Adelaide

We love living in Adelaide because of the food

If you love your food then you’ll love visiting Adelaide farmers markets, supermarkets, restaurants and cafes. Adelaide has excellent eateries, with so much diversity and multicultural flair.  We are lucky to have access to amazing fresh produce from venues such as the Adelaide Central Market and the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market.

Check out our Markets, Fetes & Fairs category for inspiration

What do you love about living in Adelaide?

Let us know at hello@playandgo.com.au

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

SUBSCRIBE

Follow Play & Go Adelaide on Facebook and Instagram

Want to get all the latest events and activities straight to your inbox?

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below to keep up to date with our latest posts and find out all the best events & activities for Adelaide families. Newsletters are only sent once a week, and you may sometimes get a special offer exclusively for our subscribers only!