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

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