garden tours adelaide

Adelaide has two interesting traditions - as a carefully planned city featuring beautiful late 19th century architecture and many churches, but also as a vibrant and politically progressive community with an artistic sensibility. Both Adelaide city and the towns of the nearby Adelaide Hills have a strong gardening tradition brought by the many British and European migrants during the 20th century, so there are many beautiful gardens to see and visit throughout Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills.

" Located just 30 minutes from the CBD, the Adelaide Hills is a picturesque setting where you can experience the four seasons in all their glory. The Hills retains a relaxed and friendly country atmosphere with an abundance of great cafes and restaurants, as well as wineries and cellar door outlets for lovers of Adelaide Hills premium wines. "

- Sophie Thomson TV presenter, author & consultant - Sophie’s Patch

  • Tours/Stays/Events

Garden Travel Guide to Adelaide and Environs

Getting to adelaide and around when you’re there.

Adelaide is located on the south coast of central Australia and is the capital city of South Australia. It has an International Airport with connecting flights to/from all major cities. It is a 2 hour flight from Sydney and 1.25 hours from Melbourne.

Adelaide is an 8 hours drive west of Melbourne and a long but very scenic 28 hour drive east of Perth.

All Adelaide’s city garden destinations are easily accessible by car and some also by public transport. Adelaide is renowned for being easy to get around as arguably one can reach any point in the city within a period of 20 minutes, earning it the nickname of the ’20 minutes city’.

The Adelaide Hills is a 25 minute drive southwest from Adelaide. The main towns Mt Barker, Stirling, Crafers and Hahndorf.

Adelaide Climate

Adelaide has 4 distinct seasons: spring (Sept – Nov), summer (Dec – Feb), autumn (March – May) and winter (June – August). Adelaide generally has a hot Mediterranean climate of mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It is the driest of all the Australian capital cities, with an average annual rainfall of 553 mm. June is the wettest month, averaging around 80 mm.

The average maximum temperature in Adelaide is 35°C in summer and 15°C in winter while the nearby Adelaide Hills/Mt Lofty area has a much milder climate with temperatures usually 6 degrees cooler than the city.

Adelaide Topography and Vegetation

Adelaide is built on a plain that extends from the coast to the foothills of the Mt Lofty Ranges.

The floral emblem for South Australia is Sturt’s Desert Pea ( Swainsona formosa ) Since European settlement the loss of native plants and animals in the Adelaide metropolitan area has been significant. Most of the original vegetation left in the urban area can be found in the Adelaide Hills and along the coast. Some remnant vegetation remains in the Adelaide Park Lands.

Approximately 1,500 species of native plants are found within the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges including eucalypt trees, orchids, ferns, grasses, herbs, lilies, and rushes. At the national or state level 121 are considered threatened and another seven are considered threatened within this region.

The Adelaide City Council have focused considerable resources in replanting the Adelaide Park Lands, a green belt that surrounds the city, and educating residents about the variety and benefits of indigenous plants.

There is an excellent view of Adelaide and the surrounding region from the 720m altitude of the Mount Lofty Summit, 17km south-west of the city.

Adelaide Garden Styles

Most of Adelaide’s population lives in medium density suburban housing, traditionally built of brick or imported bluestone, as timber was scarce during the development of the city. Homes and gardens tend to be nestled behind structural fencing or low hedges featuring exotics and natives.

Older Adelaide suburbs have a high population of European owners with many residential front and backyards used solely to produce magnificent vegetable gardens and unusual fruiting trees.

Adelaide’s climate means that gardeners have to work hard to nurture their gardens through long hot dry summers and protect them from frost in winter. However it also encourages good autumn colour in the many deciduous trees as well as spring blossom.

Street viewing opportunities for Adelaide suburban gardens: Burnside and Kensington.

Garden tours to, and in, Adelaide

•  Botanic Gardens Adelaide – volunteer guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens provide a wonderful free guided walking tour around the garden lasting about 90 minutes. 10.30am every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Tours may be cancelled in extreme hot weather.

•  Mount Lofty Botanic Garden – free guided tour every Thursday at 10.30am, except on extreme heat days

•  Wittunga Botanic Garden, Blackwood – free guided tours at 10.30am each Tuesday except extreme heat days

•  Waite Arboretum – free guided 90 minute walk on the first Sunday of the month, starting at 11am.

•  Ross Tours occasionally has a late spring garden tour to South Australia that includes Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills

•  Group garden tours – some properties offer paid guided garden tours for groups of 15 or more, such as at historic Urrbrae House Gardens.

•    The Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide often have 1-4 day bus tours to garden destinations around South Australia, including the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens at Port Augusta, especially during the spring wildflower season.

Best open gardens to see and visit in Adelaide and Adelaide Hills that are regularly open with FREE entry

Open gardens to see visit in adelaide city and environs.

•   Adelaide Botanic Garden , self guided and guided tours available. Includes the International Rose Garden and National Rose Trial Garden, three historic glasshouses, Museum of Economic Botany, Mediterranean garden, large Australian native plant garden. North Terrace Adelaide. open 7.15am M-F, 9am weekends. Closing time varies with season.

•  Carrick Hill, Springfield – a magnificent 1930s period home surrounded by beautiful formal gardens. Features majestic elms, Pearl Arbour of pleached pear trees, herb garden, cutting beds, shade house, rill, vegetable garden and the Alistair Clark Rose Garden, named for the famous rose breeder. Garden and grounds open Wed-Sun and Public Holidays 10am to 4.30pm. Includes the newly established Australian Museum of Gardening showing a large collection of historic tools, gardening books and Australian garden history.

•   Veale Gardens , South Terrace. Part of the Adelaide Parklands surrounding the square mile of the city centre. Self guided and guided tours available

•   Rymill Park or Murlawirrapurka , East Terrace. Self guided and guided tours available

•   Wittunga Botanic Garden , Blackwood. Large collections of Australian and South African plants and ponds that support many waterbirds. Self guided and guided tours available

•   Waite Arboretum  – just 10 mins from the CBD on 30 hectares acres of more than 2300 amazing trees, all dry grown once established. There is also a wonderful free app available which can help enhance your exploration of the arboretum and give you some suggested themed walks such as trees for ‘Indigenous Plant Use’ or ‘Out of Africa’.  The app is also available in Mandarin.

•   Urrbrae House Gardens , Urrbrae – around historic Urrbrae House, now part of the University of Adelaide. Features a sensory garden, sculpture, rose garden, labyrinth, and Garden of Discovery. The gardens are being further restored. Open dawn to dusk each day.

Open gardens to see and visit in the Adelaide Hills

•   Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens , Crafers – 97 hectares of both exotic and indigenous plants suited to the cooler, wetter conditions than the Adelaide plain. Hillside gullies filled with ferns, rhododendrons, magnolias, South American and South-east Asian plants. Self guided and guided tours available. Open M-F 8.30am – 4pm, Sat and Sun 10am – 5pm (6pm during daylight saving)

Open gardens to see and visit north of Adelaide

•   Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens , Port Augusta – 310km (3.5 hours drive) north of Adelaide. Designed by Grant Henderson. Features Australian plants adapted to arid conditions, such as many species of Eremophila , and native conifers and grasses

Best open gardens to see and visit in Adelaide and Adelaide Hills that are regularly open with PAID entry

•   Daylily Garden

•   Al Ru farm

•   Mt Lofty

•   The Cedars

•   Gamble Cottage

•   Sophie’s Patch, Mt Barker  – visit the home garden of Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson, open one weekend in April and in November

•   Tickle Tank – Artist Irene Stone Pearce’s wonderful garden, built around her home that was once an old water tank. 24 Hill Street Mount Barker. Usually open one weekend in October.

•   Stangate House, Aldgate (spring and autumn)

•   Wyndbourne Park – tours for small to large groups by appointment

•   Casuarina, Mylor – opens with Open Gardens SA Inc

How to find private open gardens in Adelaide and South Australia

Open Gardens South Australia Inc opens private gardens throughout Adelaide and the nearby Adelaide Hills as well as some country centres such as Gawler, Clare, Penola and Mount Gambier. The spring season runs from August to early December with several gardens open most weekends. There is also an autumn season during April-May.

Adelaide and South Australia Garden Festivals

•   Adelaide Botanic Gardens Tomato Festival – one weekend in February •   SA Autumn Garden Festival in Clare – one weekend in autumn •   891 ABC Adelaide Gardeners’ Market – twice a year

Best time to visit Adelaide gardens and garden festivals

Spring (Sept – Nov) Autumn (March – May)

Alternatives to Gardening Activities in Adelaide

•   Visit Hahndorf •   Visit the Adelaide Zoo •   Spend a weekend visiting Kangaroo Island •   Explore the Adelaide Hills wine region

Fun Facts about Adelaide

Adelaide was the first capital city in Australia to have a rose named after it and boasts more public rose gardens than any other capital in the nation.

Adelaide was the first place to abolish sex and racial discrimination, the first place to do away with capital punishment, the first place to recognise Aboriginal land rights, the first place to give women voting rights and the first place to legalise nude swimming!

Adelaide was established as a colony for free settlers and is the only capital city in Australia that was inhabited by free settlers from its beginnings.

Adelaide’s Botanic Garden has the largest and oldest glasshouses in the southern hemisphere.

Australia’s most important collection of vintage motor cycles and cars is housed at the National Motor Museum at Birdwood, about 50 kilometres from Adelaide.

Bicentennial Conservatory glass house and rose gardens in Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Wilpena Pound

Over three hundred kilometres north of Adelaide in South Australia looms a mountain range with breathtaking natural beauty on a grand scale. As I sit here penning this blog to […]

garden tours adelaide

Klein Bosheuwel Guesthouse

When: Available on demand/by appointment

Countries: South Africa - Western Cape

Highlights: Klein Bosheuwel has a beautiful established garden with roses and a large variety of flowers, shrubs, trees and winding paths...

garden tours adelaide

Tabu Bed and Breakfast, Cairns

Tabu Bed and Breakfast

Countries: Australia - Queensland

Highlights: ‘Tabu’ is located in the foot hills of Cairn’s rainforest in northern Queensland. An exclusive pavilion-style room (1 only), opens...

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Nursery Cottage in Ojai Valley, California

Countries: USA - California

Highlights: The cottage was built in 1927 and has been recently renovated. It is located at Australian Native Plants Nursery in...

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Royal Châteaux & Gardens in the Ile de France

Académie des Arts de Vivre

Countries: France - Paris and environs

Highlights: If you dream of exploring some of the world’s most enchanting gardens and castles in the countryside surrounding Paris, join...

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Owl Pen Cottage at Chapel House, Rydal NSW

Countries: Australia - NSW

Highlights: The Owl Pen is a rustic cottage, set in stunning 9 acre garden at Chapel House in the quaint rural...

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The Jungle Lodge, Mount Tomah NSW

Highlights: The Jungle Lodge is adjacent to the beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mount Tomah in the World Heritage-listed Blue...

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Havelock House, Hawke's Bay

Countries: New Zealand - North Island

Highlights: Havelock House is a charming and stylish 4 star Bed and Breakfast, just 3 minutes from the attractive village of...

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Millgate House, Yorkshire

Countries: United Kingdom - Yorkshire

Highlights: Rise from a great night's sleep and look out over the sheltered, walled garden. After a delicious breakfast, wander on...

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Cedar Park Gardens, Rolleston, NZ

Countries: New Zealand - Canterbury, South Island

Highlights: Cedar Park Gardens is a delightful B&B, set in 1.5 acres of trees, perennials, shrubs and bulbs in a...

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Mandulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge Sri Lanka

Countries: Sri Lanka

Highlights: Open your front door to one of the most spectacular views imaginable – majestic mountains, lush green valleys and tea...

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Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Fujita Kanko

Countries: Japan - Tokyo

Highlights: Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is a premium hotel surrounded by beautiful Meiji-era gardens, established in 1861. Featuring delights in every season...

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French Enlightenment Gardens

Countries: France

Highlights: Join the Académie des Arts de Vivre (AAV) on this private tour of the enchanting late 18th century landscape gardens...

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Coucals Cottage, Queensland

Countries: Australia- Queensland

Highlights: Ideally situated only a 30 minute drive from Brisbane, Coucals Cottage offers a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom self-contained home surrounded...

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Loire Valley Garden Tour

Highlights: If gardens are your passion, join the Académie des Arts de Vivre (AAV) on this enchanting Garden Tour through the...

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Celebrating Andre Le Nôtre, visionary landscape designer

Countries: France - Paris and the Ile de France

Highlights: Andre Le Nôtre, was the visionary landscape designer who created the legendary gardens at Versailles for Louis XIV. His classical...

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Royal Châteaux & Gardens in the Ile de France

garden tours adelaide

Tudor Park Country Stay & Garden, Invercargill

Countries: New Zealand - South Island

Highlights: Set in twenty acres of the best fertile Southland farmland, this NZ Gardens Trust 'Garden of Significance' extends over three...

garden tours adelaide

Brickendon Colonial Farm Village Cottages

Brickendon Farm

Countries: Australia - Tasmania

Highlights: Brickendon Estate offers guests an extraordinary experience of staying on a World Heritage Site in an original convict built cottage...

garden tours adelaide

Hoshinoya Karuizawa

Hoshino Resorts

Countries: Japan - Nagano prefecture

Highlights: Hoshinoya Karuizawa is a secluded resort in Negano Prefecture, surrounded by mountains and forests only one hour from Tokyo by...

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Rosetta House, Durban

Countries: South Africa - KwaZulu-Natal

Highlights: Four luxury en-suite bedrooms (three with own entrance and patio) set in an established garden. All rooms are bright and...

garden tours adelaide

Bondi Beach Eco Garden, Sydney

Bondi Beach Eco Garden

Highlights: The Bondi Beach Eco Garden is nestled in the leafy quiet end of Hall Street, a short stroll from the...

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Southdown Cottages, Bowral

Southdown Cottages

Highlights: Southdown Cottages in and around Bowral in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands offer 4 uniquely decorated self-contained cottages, accommodating 2-4...

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Redbrow Garden and Guesthouse, Murrumbateman

Redbrow Garden & Guesthouse

Highlights: Redbrow Garden be the place for you to relax, rejuvenate and unwind. Take an early morning bushwalk to hear the...

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The Boomerangs at Johanna

Countries: Australia - VIC

Highlights: Architecturally designed, The Boomerangs cottages blend with the natural surroundings. Birdlife is prolific and privacy is assured. There is nothing...

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Kamahi Cottage, Otorohanga

Kamahi Cottage

Highlights: Kamahi Cottage as a stress-free getaway for visitors and friends. If you're planning a honeymoon, special celebration or peaceful weekend...

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Chorleywood B&B, Burradoo

Chorleywood B&B Burradoo

Highlights: Chorleywood B&B in Burradoo in the NSW Southern Highlands features 'Chorleywood', a spacious, detached, private cottage with its own entrance...

garden tours adelaide

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Adelaide Hills

Gardens of the Adelaide Hills

These favourites range from free public and private gardens regularly open to the public for a fee (or donation to charity), and others welcoming visitors by arrangement:

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Crafers

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is a 97-hectare cool-climate Eden set against the stunning backdrop of the Piccadilly Valley, with meandering trails through magical valleys, magnificent trees, magnolias, rhododendrons, ferns and camellias. Perfect for picnics, and free guided walks on Thursdays at 10:30am.

Hans Heysen’s The Cedars, Hahndorf

The Cedars is the historic home, studio and garden of renowned landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen who lived and worked here until his death in 1968. Explore the exotic species and giant namesake Himalayan cedar trees in its rambling cottage garden, along with a walking trail through his favourite locations.

Wittunga Botanic Garden, Blackwood

Head to Wittunga Botanic Garden for lakeside picnics, butterfly gardens, great nature play space and an extensive collection of waterwise plants from Australia and South Africa.

Auchendarroch House, Mount Barker

Auchendarroch House is a grand heritage building (c. 1860) that has become a dining and functions venue, with adjoining cinema complex. Its magnificent gardens have been lovingly restored, with a range of tours and activities.

Stangate House, Aldgate

Stangate House was built in the 1940s, overlooking one of Australia’s most beautiful camellia gardens, one of just three recognised as an International Camellia Society Garden of Excellence, with regular open days for visitors.

Al Ru Farm, One Tree Hill

Al Ru Farm was purchased by Ruth and Alan Irving as a sheep grazing property in 1980 and they quickly set about converting paddocks to garden. The result is an established 10-acre destination garden among the very best private gardens in South Australia. Small group tours are available by appointment.

ANZAC Memorial Garden, Macclesfield

The ANZAC Memorial Garden is a native garden filled with memorials and artworks, created to provide a place of commemoration for the service of local men and women in times of war.

Open Gardens South Australia

Open Gardens SA offers a program of stunning private open gardens across the Adelaide Hills, including Ashgrove Iris Garden in Gumeracha and Al Ru Farm in One Tree Hill. Look out for open days in Mount Barker at Irene Pearce's fascinating garden ' Tickle Tank ' and Sophie’s Patch , home to gardening columnist, author and TV presenter Sophie Thomson.

Flower Farms

Jurlique’s biodynamic farm in Biggs Flat (near Hahndorf)

On a Jurlique Farm Tour learn how and where the herbs and flowers are grown for one of the world’s most recognised skin care brands, with insights into plant propagation, harvesting and processing.

Kidman Flower Co in Balhannah

Kidman Flower Co is a beautiful native flower farm in Balhannah near Hahndorf offering 'shed door' sales and guided walks (including flower arranging session) by appointment.

Winery Gardens

Beautiful gardens provide the backdrop to numerous cellar doors across the region including:

Golding Wines in Lobethal

Barratt Wines in Summertown

Deviation Road Winery in Longwood

Cobb’s Hill Estate in Oakbank

Bird in Hand and Barristers Block in Woodside

Sinclair’s Gully in Norton Summit for spring wildflower walks

BOOK A TOUR  

The Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide volunteer guides offer free guided walks in the Botanic Gardens. A group of 5 people or more can book walks in Adelaide, Mount Lofty or Wittunga on a topic, and at a time and date to suit them. (Please note that booked walks are not available on the third or fifth Wednesday of the month)  

Guides can also be booked for bus tours of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. You must provide your own mini-bus – maximum capacity 20 seater – due to the tight turns and narrow roadways within the Gardens.  

To book for a walk or bus tour, please fill in this form and return to [email protected]  

For more information on guided walks and the Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, visit   www.friendsabgadelaide.com

In 2024 the cost will be pre-paid $5 per person for community and not-for-profit groups, and $10pp for commercial organisations. All monies raised from booked walks contribute to the upkeep and facilities in the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

Please book your tour 4 weeks in advance.

We endeavour to provide a Guide for all walks requested. However, as we are volunteers, occasionally a request cannot be met. We require bookings to be made at least 14 days prior to the date of walk/bus tour. Once a Guide has been allocated, they will contact the group organiser to confirm details. The cost for commercial organisations is $10 per person (invoiced 14 days prior to walk for immediate payment by Bank Transfer). The cost for community and not-for-profit groups is $5 per person (payable in cash on the day or by Bank Transfer).

For all bank transfers: BSB: 10-51-57 Account number: 586 057 340

Free guided walks

Specially-trained and passionate volunteer Garden Guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide conduct FREE guided walks for the public at Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga Botanic Gardens, and Botanic Park.

Each guided walk lasts about an hour-and-a-half and no booking is required (unless in a group of five or more).

Please note that all guided walks are cancelled on days forecast to reach 36 degrees or more.

Walks are not held on Christmas Day or Good Friday.

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Guided walks at Adelaide Botanic Garden leave from outside the Visitor Information Centre on the Schomburgk Pavilion at 10:30am daily .

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

Guided walks at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden depart every Thursday from the Lower Car Park (entry via Lampert Road) at 10:30am.

Download the winter self-guided walk, leaving from the upper car park, here .

Wittunga Botanic Garden

Guided walks at Wittunga Botanic Garden depart every Tuesday from the car park on Shepherds Hill Road at 10:30am .

Botanic Park

Please note - The Botanic Park guided walk on Monday 26 February, Monday 4 March and Monday 11 March will not be going ahead due to WOMADelaide.

Guided walks depart every Monday from North Lodge, Plane Tree Drive, at 2:00pm.

Booked walks

Groups of five or more can book walks in any of the three gardens, and you may be interested in a special-interest walk on a topic such as Wetlands Discovery, Fiery Foods, Garden of Health. A small charge may apply. Guides can also be booked for bus tours of the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden (available on weekdays).

To book a walk please fill in the form found here .

Self-guided trails

Hit the trail by yourself! The Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide prepare monthly or seasonal guided trails for each of the three gardens. See the walks here.

Recent posts

Director of sa's botanic gardens and state herbarium appointed chair of national body.

15 March 2024

The Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium is very pleased to announce that the Director of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, Mr Michael Harvey, has been elected as the new Chair of the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens.

Adelaide Botanic Garden wins international tourism award

21 November 2023

Adelaide Botanic Garden has been announced as a 'Garden of the World Worth Travelling For in 2024' at the International Garden Tourism Awards.

  • Music & ballet
  • Short Breaks

Hills and Vales of South Australia

  • More details

Explore the rich springtime offerings of South Australia’s picturesque landscapes, from the historic charm of the Barossa Valley to the leafy beauty of the Adelaide Hills.

At a glance.

  • Discover the iconic Anlaby Station in the Barossa Valley
  • Explore select private gardens of the Adelaide Hills and meet their owners
  • Admire sweeping landscapes of vineyards, wheat fields and orchards, awash with springtime colour
  • Savour South Australia’s unique produce and wines

Travel north-east from Adelaide to Anlaby Station, the historic homestead of South Australia’s oldest Merino stud.

In the Adelaide Hills, home of verdant and creative gardens, enjoy intimate tours of private gardens such as the stunning Wyndbourne Park and explore the imaginative Tickle Tank property. Dine at Golding Wines with its terraced gardens and take a sensory walk through the thoughtfully curated gardens at UKARIA.

In McLaren Vale, explore a cottage garden featuring a large diversity of both native and European plants at Coriole Vineyards, also home to both a prestigious restaurant and winery.

28 September – 04 October 2024 (7 days)

Tour leader

Christine McCabe

Tour Status

Saturday 28 September 2024 / Arrive Adelaide

Arrive in Adelaide on suggested Qantas flights. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist with your flights and other travel arrangements, including pre-tour accommodation.

In the evening, join your tour leader Christine McCabe and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and dinner.

Sun 29 Sep / Adelaide (Barossa Valley)

Today, explore Anlaby Station in the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s great homesteads and one of the first grand rural properties of South Australia. Visit the historic homestead of South Australia’s oldest Merino stud before enjoying lunch at the property. Wander through the four-hectare garden, home to a variety of National Trust-listed heritage trees and plants. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Mon 30 Sep / Adelaide – Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills)

This morning, travel to AL-RU Farm in Sampson Flat for a tour of its generous gardens, from sweeping lawns to ponds, arbours, rose gardens and a lake in a rural setting.

Continue to the Lobethal, high in the Adelaide Hills, and enjoy lunch at the award-winning Golding Wines, surrounded by ancient gums and landscaped terrace gardens.

In the afternoon, visit a renowned five-acre garden in Littlehampton with over 900 roses of all different varieties. Then, continue to Hahndorf, first settled in the nineteenth century by Lutheran immigrants and today maintaining the unique history of being the oldest German settlement in Australia. After checking into the hotel enjoy this evening at leisure.

Tue 01 Oct / Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills)

Begin the day with a guided visit to the impressive UKARIA Cultural Centre, a purpose-built concert hall and experience its lovingly curated gardens of differing styles. In the Crescendo Garden, see a huge variety of herbaceous perennials in a naturalistic style and in the Mediterranean Garden experience an abundance of tulips and soft greenery.

Continue to the delightful Tickle Tank, the home and garden of artist and gardener Irene Pearce. After lunch, discover the cottage constructed from concrete water tanks and adorned with mosaics, and the quirky 450-square-metre garden featuring native grasses, herbs, roses and fruit trees.

Then, explore Wyndbourne Park, a large rambling country garden located in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The large number of varied microclimates permit a diverse collection of plants within the eight-hectare property, designed in several individual garden areas.

Wed 02 Oct / Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills)

This morning, visit The Cedars, the historic house and working studio of Australian landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen, and learn about his passion for painting flowers. The gracious old homestead is surrounded by a rambling cottage garden, planted by Sir Hans himself.

After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Mediterranean-styled perennial terraced gardens with accents of topiary at the family-owned Bird in Hand Winery.

Thu 03 Oct / Hahndorf

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, overlooking the picturesque Piccadilly Valley. The extensive botanical garden features displays of cool-climate plants, which at this time of the year will be beginning to flower.

After lunch, explore a selection of private gardens in the area, with a chance to meet and talk to their owners. This evening enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Fri 04 Oct / Depart Adelaide (McLaren Vale)

This morning, check out of the hotel and visit an impressive private garden and Australian garden of the year finalist.

Continue to McLaren Vale and visit the renowned Coriole Vineyards for a short walk through the estate’s unique, multi-level Australian cottage garden, followed by a special farwell lunch with Christine and fellow travellers.

After lunch, transfer to Adelaide Airport for suggested Qantas flights departing from 17:00, or continue to the Adelaide CBD (group transfer included in tour price), where tour arrangements conclude. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, and travel insurance.

Note: At time of publication (May 2024), private owners of gardens had committed to opening their homes and gardens, however they prefer not to be named. While we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some changes to the itinerary.

Per person, twin-share

Single supplement

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

Final payment due

30 July 2024

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in four-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including wine with dinner
  • Comprehensive sightseeing including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
  • Group transfer to Adelaide Airport or the Adelaide CBD on departure
  • Expertise and insights of your tour leader, Christine McCabe
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • Airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Transfers on arrival, or on departure if not using included group coach transfer
  • Airport porterage
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

Your hotels Adelaide – The Playford Adelaide – MGallery **** Hahndorf – The Manna of Hahndorf ****

N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

More Details

Tour code: GD2413

Fitness level: Moderate Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions  here .

Suggested airline: Qantas Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Australia.

Download booking form  here .

garden tours adelaide

Coriole Vineyards and garden. Photo courtesy of Coriole Vineyards

garden tours adelaide

The homestead at Anlaby Station, Barossa Valley

garden tours adelaide

The Crescendo Garden at UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills. Photo: Randy Larcombe

garden tours adelaide

The beautiful vineyard setting at Golding Wines in the Adelaide Hills

garden tours adelaide

The courtyard garden at Wyndbourne Park, Mount Lofty © Wyndbourne Park

garden tours adelaide

AL-RU Farm, Sampson Flat © ‘My only sunshine,’ photography

garden tours adelaide

Mediterranean-styled perennial terraces overlook the vineyard at Bird in Hand Winery

garden tours adelaide

Deciduous azaleas flowering in spring at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden © denisbin/flickrCC

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Participation in tours

Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. However, in certain destinations, or in certain seasons, or because of the nature of travel, certain tours will require an ABOVE MODERATE or CHALLENGING level of fitness. For the overall benefit of the group, at the time of booking we will require you to declare in writing that you are fit to participate in your chosen tour according to the level of fitness required for that tour. If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to undergo a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate. We reserve the right to refuse admission to the tour for any reason before commencement of the tour. Further, if after the tour has begun it becomes apparent that you are unfit or unsuitable to travel on the tour, we reserve the right to require you to withdraw from the tour at the earliest opportunity to do so. No refund will be provided. It is also a requirement that you do not cause any significant disruption to the tour or the tour group, and we may refuse admission on the tour, or require you to withdraw from the tour at any time if your participation causes significant disruption for other guests or the tour group or there is any safety issue as a result of your ongoing participation in the tour.

Fitness to participate

Tour members must be able to:

  • negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance
  • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
  • undertake walking tours of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
  • stand for long periods in museums and other sites
  • embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
  • handle your own luggage

Above Moderate

In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

  • undertake walking tours of 2-3 hours
  • climb staircases of 100 or more steps

Challenging*

  • handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 or above 35 degrees)
  • handle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 metres and above)

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garden tours adelaide

Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001

1300 727 095 (Australia) 0800 403 621 (New Zealand) phone +61 2 9299 5801 email [email protected] ABN 14 069 591 448.

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garden tours adelaide

Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden

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Led by our Aboriginal tour guide, we'll walk the Gardens together to learn some of its history from a First Nations perspective. We'll take an in depth look at Indigenous plants and their traditional uses, and explore the significant connection that Aboriginal people hold with Country.

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Warriparinga Cultural & Historical Tour

Our Aboriginal tour guide will lead your group on this interactive tour of the stunning Warriparinga Grounds and Wetlands. Learn about the history of the location and its traditional cultural significance.

  • Duration: 1 Hours (approx.)

Adelaide City Cultural Tour

Adelaide City Cultural Tour

Our Aboriginal tour guide will lead your group on this interactive tour of the Adelaide CBD. Learn about the history of the location, its cultural significance and everything that Kaurna Country has to offer!

Botanic Gardens Tour

Botanic Gardens Tour

Our First Nations tour guide will lead your group on this interactive tour of the stunning Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Learn about the history of the location, its cultural significance and the native plants that Kaurna Country has to offer!

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COMMENTS

  1. Garden Travel Guide to Adelaide with open gardens to visit

    Garden tours to, and in, Adelaide • Botanic Gardens Adelaide - volunteer guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens provide a wonderful free guided walking tour around the garden lasting about 90 minutes. 10.30am every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Tours may be cancelled in extreme hot weather.

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  3. Adelaide Botanic Garden

    Adelaide Botanic Garden. In the heart of the city but another world away …. Take time out to explore the beauty and diversity of plants from across Australia and around the world. Spend an hour or spend the day among the 50 hectares of magnificently maintained gardens and stunning architecture. Relax in the shade or enjoy a coffee among some ...

  4. Tickets & Tours

    Adelaide Botanic Garden Tours and Tickets. 67 reviews. Covering more than 124 acres (50 hectares) between the North Terrace and Botanic Park, the Adelaide Botanic Garden are among the city's most stunning green spaces. With tree-lined walkways, water lily and lotus ponds, and flower gardens blooming with roses and dahlias, this is an idyllic ...

  5. Adelaide Botanic Garden

    Top ways to experience Adelaide Botanic Garden and nearby attractions. Adelaide Scenic E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting. 8. Food & Drink. from. $121.17. per adult. Adelaide City Highlights Tour. 12.

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    Diggers Garden Shop Shop for heirloom seeds, plants and tools. Food and Dining in the Garden Enjoy tasty, fresh food and beverages in the Garden. Latest news Catch up with our latest news and media releases. Events, Functions and Weddings Book one of our tranquil Gardens for your event, wedding or function. The Botanic Gardens of South ...

  7. Adelaide Botanic Garden

    Book your tickets online for Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide: See 4,026 reviews, articles, and 2,445 photos of Adelaide Botanic Garden, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 308 attractions in Adelaide. ... Guided Aboriginal Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden. Historical Tours. from . AU$61.00. per adult. LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Dolphin ...

  8. Adelaide: Guided Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden

    Get to know the Adelaide Botanic Garden on a guided tour of the grounds. Learn about and take part in Aboriginal traditions, hear about the Garden's history, and see the native plants and fungi of Kaurna Yerta (Kaurna Country).. Embark on a 60-minute interactive walking tour through the beautiful and historic Adelaide Botanic Gardens, led by an Aboriginal tour guide.

  9. Guided Walk through Adelaide Botanic Garden (Park 11)

    Join Park Ambassador Loine Sweeney for a guided walk, visiting the highlights of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, including the International Rose Garden, the Bicentennial tropical conservatory, the First Creek wetlands, Adelaide's oldest tree, the lake, 1875 Palm House, Garden of Health, and the Gingko Gate. Easy (free) parking on Plane Tree Drive). Wear sturdy shoes for a walk of just over 2km ...

  10. Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide

    Get to know the Adelaide Botanic Garden on a guided tour of the grounds. Learn about and take part in Aboriginal traditions, hear about the Garden's history, and see the native plants and fungi of Kaurna Yerta (Kaurna Country). Embark on a 60-minute interactive walking tour through the beautiful and historic Adelaide Botanic Gardens, led by an ...

  11. Guided Aboriginal Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden

    See address & details. 1. Adelaide Botanic Garden. Stop: 60 minutes. Take a scenic walk through the historical Adelaide Botanic Gardens with a local First Nations guide. Discover the native plants, flowers, and fungi located on Kaurna Yerta, as your guide talks you through their traditional uses. Read more.

  12. Planning your visit

    The Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium is very pleased to announce that the Director of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, Mr Michael Harvey, has been elected as the new Chair of the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens. Adelaide Botanic Garden wins international tourism award. 21 November 2023

  13. The BEST Adelaide Garden & park tours 2024

    Book the most popular Garden & park tours in Adelaide. Best price and money back guarantee! Read the reviews of your fellow travelers.

  14. Botanic Gardens Tour

    Botanic Gardens Tour. From AUD $39.00. Duration: 1 Hours (approx.) Location: Adelaide, SA. Product code: SCI-BGT. Take a walk through the beautiful and historic Adelaide Botanic Gardens with our very own Kaurna tour guide. Be exposed to the stunning gardens in this interactive tour where you will learn about the historical and cultural ...

  15. Book a Tour

    To book for a walk or bus tour, please fill in this form and return to [email protected]. For more information on guided walks and the Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, visit www.friendsabgadelaide.com. In 2024 the cost will be pre-paid $5 per person for community and not-for-profit groups, and $10pp for commercial ...

  16. Free guided walks

    Free guided walks. Specially-trained and passionate volunteer Garden Guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide conduct FREE guided walks for the public at Adelaide, Mount Lofty and Wittunga Botanic Gardens, and Botanic Park. Each guided walk lasts about an hour-and-a-half and no booking is required (unless in a group of five or ...

  17. Tickets & Tours

    Adelaide Botanic Garden Tours and Tickets. 40 reviews. Covering more than 124 acres (50 hectares) between the North Terrace and Botanic Park, the Adelaide Botanic Garden are among the city's most stunning green spaces. With tree-lined walkways, water lily and lotus ponds, and flower gardens blooming with roses and dahlias, this is an idyllic ...

  18. THE 10 BEST Adelaide Gardens (Updated 2024)

    The garden is across the road from Colonel William Light's statue ( Colonel Light, designed the layout of the city of Adelaide. The garden was planted in the style of the Victorian era, it is triangular shaped garden, covering one-point-eight hectares. The garden was designed by Colonel Light in 1837.

  19. Hills and Vales of South Australia

    Discover the iconic Anlaby Station in the Barossa Valley. Explore select private gardens of the Adelaide Hills and meet their owners. Admire sweeping landscapes of vineyards, wheat fields and orchards, awash with springtime colour. Savour South Australia's unique produce and wines. Travel north-east from Adelaide to Anlaby Station, the ...

  20. Adelaide Himeji Garden

    Step past the ornate gates of the Adelaide Himeji Garden and take a little green getaway to experience the beauty of Japan. The two styles of garden within the walls offer plenty of nooks, ideal for settling into a deep mediation. Sit beside the 'kare senzui', dry garden, where patterns combed into the rocks and sand evoke the presence of ...

  21. THE 10 BEST Adelaide Gardens (Updated 2024)

    The garden is across the road from Colonel William Light's statue ( Colonel Light, designed the layout of the city of Adelaide. The garden was planted in the style of the Victorian era, it is triangular shaped garden, covering one-point-eight hectares. The garden was designed by Colonel Light in 1837.

  22. Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden

    Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden . Adelaide. From $61 Add to trip + 3 1. From $61 North Terrace, Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000 088357 5900 [email protected] https://www.southernculturalimmersion.com.au. Visit Website Book Now Share. Led by our Aboriginal tour guide, we'll walk the Gardens together to learn some of its ...

  23. Park 11 Botanic Garden Tour

    There are different, free guided tours of the Adelaide Botanic Garden available almost daily, departing from 10.30am from the Visitor Information Centre, located at the Schomburgk Pavilion in the centre of the Garden. (There's also a free Adelaide Botanic Garden brochure available, with more information, including a map.) The volunteer guides ...

  24. Adelaide: Private Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden

    The Private Cultural Tour of Adelaide Botanic Garden offers a 1-hour immersive experience led by a live tour guide in English, ensuring accessibility for all with wheelchair-friendly paths and the convenience of a private group setting. This tour delves into the rich Indigenous history of the Garden, highlighting traditional practices and the ...

  25. Southern Cultural Immersion Reservations

    Botanic Gardens Tour. Our First Nations tour guide will lead your group on this interactive tour of the stunning Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Learn about the history of the location, its cultural significance and the native plants that Kaurna Country has to offer! Duration: 1 Hours (approx.)