Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide (must see)
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a 51-hectare (130-acre) public garden located in the northeast corner of the Adelaide city center, nestled within the Adelaide Park Lands. Officially opened to the public on October 4, 1857, the garden serves as an oasis of greenery and tranquility in the heart of the city, offering beautifully landscaped gardens, majestic tree-lined avenues, and striking architectural features.
Among the garden's many highlights is the magnificently restored Palm House, a Victorian-era glasshouse designed by German architect Gustav Runge. Imported from Bremen, Germany, in 1875 and opened in 1877, the Palm House is the second-oldest glasshouse in Australia and the only remaining one of its kind from that period, as others were destroyed during World War II. Originally home to tropical flora, the Palm House now showcases a collection of arid plants from Madagascar due to the challenges posed by corrosion.
Another significant feature is the Museum of Economic Botany, dedicated to the collection and interpretation of useful plants. Established by Schomburgk in 1879 and opened in 1881, this museum is notable for being the last purpose-built colonial museum in the world. It has been meticulously restored, with much of its original collection from 1881 reinstated, including replicas of various fruits and fungi. The museum also features displays of Aboriginal artifacts, curated in collaboration with the South Australian Museum.
Visitors can also explore the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, the Bicentennial Conservatory, and the award-winning Rose Garden, which blooms from October to April. For those looking to relax and enjoy a meal, the garden offers several dining options, including the casual cafés Simpson Kiosk and Evergreen Deli, and the award-winning Restaurant Botanic for a fine dining experience.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a historic and cultural landmark, offering a serene escape in the bustling city while showcasing some of Australia’s finest plant collections and architectural heritage.
Among the garden's many highlights is the magnificently restored Palm House, a Victorian-era glasshouse designed by German architect Gustav Runge. Imported from Bremen, Germany, in 1875 and opened in 1877, the Palm House is the second-oldest glasshouse in Australia and the only remaining one of its kind from that period, as others were destroyed during World War II. Originally home to tropical flora, the Palm House now showcases a collection of arid plants from Madagascar due to the challenges posed by corrosion.
Another significant feature is the Museum of Economic Botany, dedicated to the collection and interpretation of useful plants. Established by Schomburgk in 1879 and opened in 1881, this museum is notable for being the last purpose-built colonial museum in the world. It has been meticulously restored, with much of its original collection from 1881 reinstated, including replicas of various fruits and fungi. The museum also features displays of Aboriginal artifacts, curated in collaboration with the South Australian Museum.
Visitors can also explore the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, the Bicentennial Conservatory, and the award-winning Rose Garden, which blooms from October to April. For those looking to relax and enjoy a meal, the garden offers several dining options, including the casual cafés Simpson Kiosk and Evergreen Deli, and the award-winning Restaurant Botanic for a fine dining experience.
The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a historic and cultural landmark, offering a serene escape in the bustling city while showcasing some of Australia’s finest plant collections and architectural heritage.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Adelaide. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Adelaide Botanic Garden on Map
Sight Name: Adelaide Botanic Garden
Sight Location: Adelaide, Australia (See walking tours in Adelaide)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Adelaide, Australia (See walking tours in Adelaide)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Adelaide, Australia
Create Your Own Walk in Adelaide
Creating your own self-guided walk in Adelaide is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Adelaide Introduction Walking Tour
Adelaide, Australia is the fifth most popular city in the country. It is also the capital of the state of Southern Australia. It was settled by the British in 1836 and named after Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV.
The settlement of Adelaide was inspired by the need for a city made for free colonists rather than convicts. Edward Gibbon Wakefield led this plan. Settlers were given... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The settlement of Adelaide was inspired by the need for a city made for free colonists rather than convicts. Edward Gibbon Wakefield led this plan. Settlers were given... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Adelaide Squares and Monuments Tour
Adelaide is a modern metropolis with spacious squares, both functional and beautiful, providing flexible spaces for the community and accommodating a variety of activities. There is also a multitude of historical monuments and statues found in the central quarters of the city. Wandering along the cultural North Terrace boulevard, you will pass by some of the most striking of them.
Most of these... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Most of these... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Adelaide's Historical Religious Buildings
Adelaide's religious scene is quite diverse, boasting a wealth of denominations such as Christian (like Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, or Orthodox), Islamic, and others. Quite naturally, over the years this has given rise to a rich tapestry of religious sites, many of which today are considered Australia's heritage.
Among these landmarks is Saint Mary's Catholic Church, an iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.5 Km or 4 Miles
Among these landmarks is Saint Mary's Catholic Church, an iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.5 Km or 4 Miles
University of Adelaide Walking Tour
Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is the third oldest university in Australia. Its main campus on North Terrace, nestled in the cultural heart of the city, adjacent to the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the State Library of South Australia, contains some of Adelaide's most iconic and historically significant buildings.
As the earliest home of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
As the earliest home of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles