Parks in Adelaide: city gardens and nearby green space

For an easy city visit, start with Adelaide Botanic Garden, then take a stroll through the surrounding Park Lands. Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka has a rose garden and picnic facilities in its southern section; its northern section is used for events and festivals.

For walking trails, picnic grounds and a larger bushland outing, take the Belair train to Belair station, at the national park’s north-west corner.

To fit green space into a fuller day, use the one-day Adelaide itinerary to plan the rest of your city time.

Blue Gum Park is a green-space option within the wider Adelaide Park Lands network of 29 parks and six City Squares, which encircles the city. For a more formal garden visit, Adelaide Botanic Garden is also in the city; for trails and picnic grounds, Belair National Park is a larger outing in the Adelaide Hills.

Adelaide Botanic Garden covers 50 hectares on North Terrace and is open every day, including public holidays, with free entry. From April to September, hours are 7:15am–5:30pm on weekdays and 9:00am–5:30pm on weekends and public holidays. From October to March, it closes at 6:30pm instead.

Start at the Bicentennial Conservatory, a striking tropical glasshouse with wheelchair-accessible walkways, then explore the garden’s other collections. The Palm House is another notable stop. The free Museum of Economic Botany is open daily from 10:00am–4:00pm, except Christmas Day.

Free guided walks leave Schomburgk Pavilion daily at 10:30am, take about 1.5 hours and need no booking; groups of five or more are asked to book ahead.

Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden is one of Adelaide’s city gardens. If your plans include other cultural stops, the South Australian Museum visit guide can help you plan that part of the day.

For a garden visit, check the seasonal hours before setting out: Adelaide Botanic Garden’s closing time changes between April–September and October–March. Entry is free.

From Jasper Motor Inn, drive about 4 minutes to Adelaide station and take the Belair train for walking and mountain-biking trails, picnic grounds, gas barbecues, tennis courts and sports fields. Vehicle entry fees apply if you drive into the park, while entry on foot or by bike is free.

At Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka, head to the southern section for the rose garden and picnic facilities. The northern section is used for events and festivals, so the character of that part of the park can vary with what is on.

Which green spaces are included here?

Adelaide’s Park Lands network has 29 individual parks and six City Squares. This guide highlights Blue Gum Park, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden, Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka and Belair National Park.

How can you plan a wider day around the gardens?

Combine Adelaide Botanic Garden with other central city stops, or take the Belair train from Adelaide for a day among trails and picnic grounds. The Belair station is at the national park’s north-west corner.

What should you check before visiting?

Adelaide Botanic Garden is open daily with free entry, but its hours vary by season: from April to September it closes at 5:30pm, and from October to March at 6:30pm. Belair National Park charges vehicle entry fees; walking or cycling in is free.