Easy Walks & Bushwalks around Adelaide with Kids
Bushwalking and walking outdoors is a great way to spend time as a family, talking, relaxing, and it’s a great way to reduce stress. There are so many fantastic places to explore in Adelaide and around South Australia.
Some walks are more suited to prams and toddlers as they are shorter in length, which is great for little legs. For families with older kids, there are plenty of more challenging places to explore. The best thing is, there are so many lovely places around Adelaide, without having to travel too far.
For more walking ideas click HERE to see Walking SA’s 50 Great Walks & Hikes for Kids
Adelaide City
Adelaide Botanic Garden
A world-renowned garden, perfect for a stroll with family and friends. Suitable for all ages, including prams. Read our review
Himeji Garden
If you are looking for a short easy walk that’s very peaceful, you can’t go past the Himeji Garden in the South Parklands. Read our review
River Torrens Linear Park
The River Torrens Linear Park runs from the foothills at Athelstone all the way to Henley Beach. There are playgrounds dotted along the trail so you can stop with the kids for a break. Also perfect for prams, scooters and bikes. Read our review
Victoria Park Loop
The Victoria Park Loop is a great place for families to take a walk, ride bikes away from the dangers of the road, or to simply walk the dog in open space away from the traffic. Read our review
East
Brownhill Creek Recreation Park | Mitcham
A great walking trail for older kids with plenty of wildlife to see and trees to climb. Read our review
Carrick Hill | Springfield
This is one of our favourite destinations with something for everyone to appreciate – scenic views, beautiful gardens and a delightful Storybook Trail, complete with cubby houses to play in – a great adventure for the kids. Read more here
Morialta Conservation Park | Woodforde
Morialta Conservation Park is great for young families – the walk to the First Falls is pretty flat and ok to do with a pram. Explore the creeks and look out for plenty of wildlife – we love to do some koala spotting and counting how many we see. Read about it here
Waite Arboretum | Urrbrae
A wonderful spot with over 30 hectares to have a rambling walk and is open free to the public. You’ll find over 800 species of plants with every tree labelled. There’s plenty to explore here, including the fabulous labyrinth. Read more here
Waterfall Gully
Waterfall Gully is a popular walking spot with a range of bushwalking trails that vary. Some of them are not suitable for younger children, but the walk to the waterfall is great with small children. Grab a bite to eat from Utopia while you are there. Read our review
Adelaide Hills Region
Amy Gillet Bikeway | Woodside
Situated in the Adelaide Hills from Woodside to Mount Torrens, this is a beautiful trail to walk or ride in the middle of the countryside. Read more here
Bridgewater Mill Reserve & Heysen Trail | Bridgewater
Play in the creek and then follow the Heysen Trail past the train line to see and walk all the way to the Bridgewater Fairy Garden. You can also visit the Bridgewater Playground while you’re there. Read more here
Eurilla Track to Mt Lofty Summit | Mount Lofty
An easy bushwalk with a historical surprise on the way. Read our review
Laratinga Wetlands Walking Trail | Mount Barker
An easy trail for prams, with travelled paths and boardwalks plus plenty of birdlife to spot. Read our review
Mount Barker Summit Reserve
Explore rocky outcrops, take in panoramic country views and find a cubby house (or two!). Read our review
Woorabinda Lake and Reserve | Stirling
Take a peaceful stroll around the lake, watch the ducks or venture to walking trails beyond. Read our review
Lobethal Bushland Park | Lobethal
The Lobethal Bushland Park was closed to the public following the Cudlee Creek Fires in December 2019. However, the park is beginning to reopen to the public with several trails now available and more to come after necessary repairs to bridges, boardwalks and trail markers. Read more here
Newman’s Nursery Ruins Walk | Vista
A hike with a dose of history. Read our review
West
Tennyson Dunes Discovery Trail
You’ll feel further away than the western suburbs when meandering through these ancient dunes … taking you direct to the beach! Read our review
North
Lowie’s Loop 1km Children’s Exploratory Nature Play Trail | Paralowie
Lowie’s Loop is a 1km children’s exploratory nature play trail that encourages children to get out and explore the natural environment. Read our review
Thorndon Park Reserve | Paradise
Great for walks with younger kids who may like to take their bikes or scooters around the picturesque walking trails. Read our review
South
Hallett Cove Conservation Park
Explore the boardwalks and trails of the Hallett Cove Conservation Park and take in the spectacular views of Gulf St Vincent. Some parts are closed and in need of repair, so take note of signage (boardwalk repairs and extension is planned). Read more here.
Marino Conservation Park
The suburb of Marino has it all for a day’s adventure, from a lighthouse hike to a rocky beach and a new seaside-themed playground. Read our review
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park | St Mary’s
A great park for family picnics, short bushwalks and bike riding. Read more here
Sturt Gorge Dam and Sturt Gorge Recreation Park | Flagstaff Hill
After a low-key weekend activity? Try a walk to one of Adelaide’s biggest man-made structures. Read our review
Wittunga Botanic Garden | Blackwood
A historic 13-hectare property featuring a vast array of plants and trees, wildlife, open play areas, a lake, seating options and walking trails. Great paths for prams. Read more here
Regional South Australia
Alligator Gorge | Mount Remarkable National Park
Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park is one of South Australia’s most scenic hikes. With dramatic gorges, bright ochre walls and watercourses lined with river red gums, it truly is a remarkable place. Read our review
Telowie Gorge | Southern Flinders Ranges
Telowie Gorge is home to dramatic scenery and a rich variety of habitats for animals and plants, in particular the Yellow-footed rock-wallaby. Read our review
Granite Island Recreation & Nature Park | Victor Harbor
It’s an ideal spot for taking the kids out for an active day of discovery and exploration, just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide. The walking trails are easy to follow and stairs to climb should you wish to reach the higher points. Read more here
The Bluff Summit Walk & Lookout | Victor Harbor
Rosetta Head, known as The Bluff, is one of Victor Harbor’s favourite tourist attractions offering a fabulous 360-degree view of this picturesque coastal region. Read our review
Horseshoe Bay Cliff Walk | Port Elliot
The clifftop walk from the beach in Horseshoe Bay has stunning views over the ocean, big rocks and trees to climb. Read more here
Mount Bold Reservoir | Dorset Vale
This amazing feat of engineering is one of Adelaide’s best-kept secrets. Read our review
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.
Image Source: All images by Play & Go
SUBSCRIBE
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!
