Adelaide Botanic Garden: walks, glasshouses and more

Choose how you want to explore

For an Adelaide Botanic Garden visit, choose a guided walk, explore the Palm House or leave room for an unhurried wander. At the time of writing, the garden’s visitor information states: “Open daily, free entry.” Check current visiting details before setting out.

Adelaide Botanic Garden is in the east end of the city. Pick a main activity before you go, then keep the rest of your visit flexible rather than trying to see everything.

Join a free guided walk

At the time of writing, the guided-walk listing gives the price as “Free Entry”; check the details before visiting. Guided walks around Adelaide Botanic Garden depart daily from the Schomburgk Pavilion at 10:30am.

Each guided walk lasts about 1.5 hours and no booking is required. Walks are not held on Christmas Day or Good Friday. Choose this option if you prefer a structured visit, and leave your other plans loose enough to avoid rushing away.

Explore trees, wetlands and roses

For a tree-focused wander, make Ficus Avenue part of your plan. Wander down this iconic avenue of 150 year old Moreton Bay Fig trees. Give yourself permission to pause rather than treating the visit as a checklist.

The First Creek Wetland shows how beautiful, essential and useful wetlands are for maintaining a healthy environment. Choose it if you would like your visit to have an environmental focus.

Stroll among thousands of fragrant and colourful roses in the International Rose Garden and National Rose Trial Garden. If flowers are your main interest, make this a priority rather than squeezing it into the end of your visit.

Compare the Palm House and Bicentennial Conservatory

The Palm House is an exquisite, painstakingly restored Victorian glasshouse that was imported from Bremen, Germany in 1875. The Palm House now features a wonderful collection of plants from the island of Madagascar.

At the time of writing, the Palm House hours are listed as: “Open daily: October - March: 10am - 5pm April - September: 10am - 4pm”. Check the glasshouses’ current hours and access before visiting, particularly if they are your main reason for going.

For the Bicentennial Conservatory, the garden’s description is: “Enjoy the lowland rainforest plants and impressive canopy of trees that make up the ecosystem in this beautiful conservatory.” Its listed hours are: “Daily 10am - 4pm (Closed on Christmas Day)”. Both walkways have wheelchair access.

Consider the Kitchen Garden and museum

For a visit with children, consider the Kitchen Garden. Its stated purpose is: “Designed as an educational space for children”. Let their curiosity set the pace instead of packing too many stops into the outing.

At the time of writing, the Museum of Economic Botany’s visitor information states: “Entry is free to the Museum.” Check current opening times before visiting, and treat it as an optional stop if your group would rather keep exploring outdoors.

Before you go: check heat and access

At the time of writing, the Bicentennial Conservatory has the following heat-related restrictions; check the forecast and current access before visiting. The Bicentennial Conservatory will close at 2pm on days when the weather is forecast to reach 36 degrees centigrade, for the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers. When the forecast temperature is 40 degrees or higher the Bicentennial Conservatory will not open all day.

Bring water and sun protection, wear comfortable shoes and agree on your group’s priorities before heading out. If step-free access matters, confirm your intended route rather than assuming an access statement covers the whole visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Adelaide Botanic Garden free to enter?

At the time of writing, Adelaide Botanic Garden’s visitor information states: “Open daily, free entry.” Check current visiting details before you go.

Where do the guided walks start, and do I need to book?

At the time of writing, the following details apply; check before visiting. Guided walks around Adelaide Botanic Garden depart daily from the Schomburgk Pavilion at 10:30am. Each guided walk lasts about 1.5 hours and no booking is required.

Does the Bicentennial Conservatory have wheelchair access?

At the time of writing, the Bicentennial Conservatory’s access information states: “Both walkways have wheelchair access.” Check current access before visiting and confirm any other parts of your intended route.

Does hot weather affect the Bicentennial Conservatory?

At the time of writing, these restrictions apply; check the forecast and current access before visiting. The Bicentennial Conservatory will close at 2pm on days when the weather is forecast to reach 36 degrees centigrade, for the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers. When the forecast temperature is 40 degrees or higher the Bicentennial Conservatory will not open all day.