Recently awarded the National Park City title for its re-wildling efforts, Adelaide is Australia's coastal capital with a wealth of wildlife to discover. Here, we choose five of the best close encounters
Adelaide has been awarded National Park City status, making it the second city in the world after London to enjoy this recognition. The submission, made by Green Adelaide, successfully outlined the city’s new re-wilding projects, from scoping the reintroduction of platypus to the Torrens and making it more butterfly friendly, to raising awareness about Adelaide’s raptor species and committing to street plantings. The bid also focused on enhancing the existing connection between people and nature and highlighted the myriad opportunities to enjoy Adelaide’s wonderful flora and fauna.
To celebrate its impressive new title, and the gradual reopening of Australia’s borders, we’ve selected five fabulous native species to encounter in the National Park City of Adelaide.
Get close to Rainbow Lorikeets in Adelaide’s Botanic Garden (Adelaide Botanic Garden/South Australian Tourism Commission)
Adelaide’s Botanic Garden is in the heart of the city fanning out over 50 hectares and boasting one of the finest plant collections in Australia. In the Australian Forest section, you can see some spectacular trees including some which date back to the original plantings of the garden over 150 years ago, and in the Australian Native Garden you’ll learn about the plants indigenous to the Adelaide Plains in this inspirational and innovative space. Other highlights include the Dahlia Garden and the Botanic House restaurant which serves award-winning Australian cuisine featuring veg and herbs harvested daily from the garden.
For a more informal affair take a picnic of local produce from the Adelaide Central Market and roll out a rug as Rainbow Lorikeets cavort overhead. Each year in late spring/summer they have a squawking tipsy party in the Drunken Parrot Tree, which can cause quite a raucous.
Swim with wild dolphins in Adelaide (Mish and Kirk/South Australian Tourism Commission)
As well as picture-perfect parks, Adelaide is home to some fabulous city beaches including Glenelg – a 25-minute tram ride from the city centre. Here you can discover the city’s aquatic species by sailing or swimming with pods of wild dolphins. Temptation Sailing’s Advanced Eco Certified Wild Dolphin Cruises are hosted by a team of marine biologists who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love for the ocean with their guests.
If you’re not keen on getting wet, you can watch the dolphins play and interact in their natural habitat from the 360-degree viewing deck on the boat.
See koalas snoozing in Morialta Conservation Park, Adelaide (Anders Wotzke/South Australian Tourism Commission )
The Adelaide Hills area of the city is just a 20-minute drive from the Central Business District, yet feels a world away. There you’ll find Morialta Conservation Park, teeming with native species. It’s a fabulous spot for a bush walk, either with a local guide or by following one of the excellent marked trails. The area is part of the traditional lands of the Kaurna people who used the land for hunting and gathering during their seasonal relocation from the coast.
Morialta gets its name from the Kaurna word ‘morialta’, which means ever-flowing, referring to the park’s creek, gorges and stunning waterfalls. Bush walking against this backdrop as you spot koalas snoozing in the gum trees is a great way to connect with nature on a visit to Adelaide.
Cleland Wildlife Park Adelaide Hills (Adam Bruzzone/South Australian Tourism Commission )
Since 1967, Cleland Wildlife Park has been connecting visitors with animals in their natural environment. The Park has also been at the forefront of koala conservation efforts, assisting during and post the bush fires and working with Longleat in the UK on a long term koala conservation project. But at Cleland you’ll see more than cute koalas. You’ll have close encounters with reptiles, butterflies, rare birds and might even catch a sighting of the elusive echidna. Seeing kangaroos, wallabies and wombats living in their natural environment just a 20-minute drive from the city centre is a special experience you’ll never forget.
Go birdwatching in Adelaide (Brad Griffin/South Australian Tourism Commission )
Part of Green Adelaide’s bid for National Park City status for Adelaide centred around re-wilding projects, one of which included a focus on birds of prey. The team is working with partners to re-wild the city with raptor friendly habitats, making nest site assessments and monitoring breeding sites. Metropolitan Adelaide is home to a diverse range of raptors with peregrine falcons and Australian hobbies living in the city, as well as collared sparrowhawks and brown goshawks often sighted patrolling the suburbs. Going out with a guide gives you a great chance of seeing these magnificent birds.
Other great city birdwatching experiences include a visit to the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, which is home to 263 unique flora and fauna species. It helps protect resident and migratory shorebirds including threatened species such as Curlew sandpiper. Bird Tours SA offers specialist tours across South Australia including half-day and day tours in and around the city.
Get the very best of Wanderlust by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.