Accessible and sensory-friendly things to do with kids in Adelaide

Adelaide is a compact, flat city with a long calm coastline, and that combination makes it one of the gentler places to visit with a child who uses a wheelchair or needs quiet. The free tram runs step-free from the city to Glenelg, where the council lends beach wheelchairs and lays matting in summer; the gulf beaches are calm, with sealed foreshore paths from Semaphore to Brighton.

The museum, gallery and the zoo are step-free and run sensory-friendly sessions, and the botanic garden's main paths suit a chair or a pram. The hills are the hard part, though a few boardwalks and lookouts are rated accessible by the park service, and the wildlife parks state their access on their own pages.

Everything here comes from the venue's or council's own page; read the fact line under each place and check the linked access page before you go.

65 places in Adelaide state access or sensory facts on their own page: 11 step-free · 19 sensory-friendly sessions · 9 accessible toilet · 0 Changing Places · 0 beach wheelchair · 3 pool hoist · 38 all-abilities playgrounds.

Start here

  • Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo Adelaide

    Adelaide Zoo, run by the conservation charity Zoos SA, is on Frome Road next to the Adelaide Botanic Garden, with entry via Frome Road or Plane Tree Drive.

    Step-free · Accessible toilet · Sensory sessions · Companion Card · Assistance animals

  • South Australian Museum South Australian Museum Adelaide

    The South Australian Museum on North Terrace, Adelaide has five floors of natural history and cultural galleries, including what it describes as the world's most…

    Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Sensory sessions · Quiet space

  • Art Gallery of South Australia Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide

    The Art Gallery of South Australia at 490 North Terrace, Adelaide, holds a collection of almost 47,000 works, including Aboriginal, South Australian, contemporary,…

    Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Sensory sessions · Assistance animals

  • National Motor Museum National Motor Museum Birdwood

    The National Motor Museum on Shannon Street, Birdwood, in the Adelaide Hills is run by the History Trust of South Australia.

    Accessible toilet · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Assistance animals

  • National Railway Museum National Railway Museum Port Adelaide

    The National Railway Museum at 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, displays steam and diesel locomotives, royal carriages and the Tea and Sugar Train in two large enclosed…

    Sensory sessions

  • The ARC Campbelltown The ARC Campbelltown Campbelltown

    The ARC Campbelltown is a council-run leisure centre at 531 Lower North East Road, Campbelltown.

    Sensory sessions

Quick check: what each place states

Only what the venue or council says on its own page. A blank means not stated, not no.

PlaceStep-freeAccessible toiletChanging PlacesSensory sessionsQuiet spaceCompanion CardSource
Adelaide Zoo Adelaide✓✓✓✓venue page
South Australian Museum Adelaide✓✓✓✓✓venue page
Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide✓✓✓venue page
National Motor Museum Birdwood✓✓✓venue page
South Australian Maritime Museum Port Adelaide✓✓✓venue page
Thorndon Park Reserve Paradise✓✓venue page
Fleurieu Aquatic Centre Chiton✓✓venue page
Monarto Safari Park Monarto✓✓venue page

Sensory-friendly sessions and quiet spaces

PlaceWhat the venue saysNotes
Adelaide Zoo AdelaideRelaxed Zoo Hours Mon and Wed 3-4.30pm; Relaxed Morning Zoo Saturdays every 3 months; reduced human noise
South Australian Museum AdelaideSensory backpacks on loan at front desk: noise cancelling headphones, soft toy, fidget toy, communication cards; map of quieter areas
Art Gallery of South Australia AdelaideQuiet session programming on selected programsNo dedicated quiet spaces; bring own ear defenders; paper towels as alternative to hand dryers
National Motor Museum BirdwoodSensory bags available on request
South Australian Maritime Museum Port AdelaideSensory bags available on request.

Sensory-friendly places

Venues that run relaxed, low-sensory or autism-friendly sessions, keep a quiet space, or tag themselves sensory-friendly.

  • Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo Adelaide

    Adelaide Zoo, run by the conservation charity Zoos SA, is on Frome Road next to the Adelaide Botanic Garden, with entry via Frome Road or Plane Tree Drive.

    Step-free · Accessible toilet · Sensory sessions · Companion Card · Assistance animals

  • South Australian Museum South Australian Museum Adelaide

    The South Australian Museum on North Terrace, Adelaide has five floors of natural history and cultural galleries, including what it describes as the world's most…

    Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Sensory sessions · Quiet space

  • Art Gallery of South Australia Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide

    The Art Gallery of South Australia at 490 North Terrace, Adelaide, holds a collection of almost 47,000 works, including Aboriginal, South Australian, contemporary,…

    Step-free · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Sensory sessions · Assistance animals

  • National Motor Museum National Motor Museum Birdwood

    The National Motor Museum on Shannon Street, Birdwood, in the Adelaide Hills is run by the History Trust of South Australia.

    Accessible toilet · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Assistance animals

  • National Railway Museum National Railway Museum Port Adelaide

    The National Railway Museum at 76 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, displays steam and diesel locomotives, royal carriages and the Tea and Sugar Train in two large enclosed…

    Sensory sessions

  • The ARC Campbelltown The ARC Campbelltown Campbelltown

    The ARC Campbelltown is a council-run leisure centre at 531 Lower North East Road, Campbelltown.

    Sensory sessions

  • South Australian Maritime Museum South Australian Maritime Museum Port Adelaide

    The South Australian Maritime Museum at 126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, is run by the History Trust of SA.

    Step-free · Sensory sessions · Quiet space · Assistance animals

  • Archie Brothers Rundle Place Archie Brothers Rundle Place Adelaide

    Archie Brothers Rundle Place is a circus-themed arcade on Level 1 of Rundle Place, 77/91 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, with arcade and ticket-prize games, the Thrillrider…

    Sensory sessions

  • Parafield Gardens Swim School Parafield Gardens Swim School Parafield Gardens

    Parafield Gardens Swim School is a family-run swim school at 96 Kings Road, Parafield Gardens, with a 25-metre indoor pool heated to 32 degrees all year.

    Sensory sessions

  • Seacliff KinderGym Seacliff KinderGym Seacliff

    Seacliff KinderGym is a not-for-profit movement program for babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0 to 5, held inside the Seacliff Recreation Centre at 32 Yacca Road,…

    Sensory sessions

  • We Rock the Spectrum (WRTS) Adelaide We Rock the Spectrum (WRTS) Adelaide Kilkenny

    We Rock the Spectrum Adelaide at 400 Torrens Road, Kilkenny is an inclusive sensory kids gym designed for children of all abilities, including children with autism and…

    Sensory sessions · All-abilities

  • ILA | Immersive Light and Art ILA | Immersive Light and Art Adelaide

    ILA (Immersive Light and Art) is an arts venue at 63 Light Square, Adelaide, that hosts changing immersive art exhibitions, performances and dining in a building behind…

    Sensory sessions

  • Tea Tree Gully Gymsports Tea Tree Gully Gymsports Banksia Park

    Tea Tree Gully Gymsports is a gymnastics club at the Banksia Park Sports Complex, 88-100 Elizabeth Street, Banksia Park.

    Sensory sessions

  • Seacliff Recreation Centre Seacliff Recreation Centre Seacliff

    Seacliff Recreation Centre at 32 Yacca Road, Seacliff, is a community centre whose groups run Kindergym, gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, calisthenics, judo and ju-jitsu.

    Sensory sessions

  • We Rock The Spectrum - Christies Beach We Rock The Spectrum - Christies Beach Christies Beach

    We Rock the Spectrum Christies Beach is an indoor kids gym and play space at Shop 5, 122 Beach Road, Christies Beach.

    Sensory sessions · All-abilities

  • Edinburgh Reserve Edinburgh Reserve Modbury

    Edinburgh Reserve at 15-23 Edinburgh Road, Modbury, is a City of Tea Tree Gully reserve in a bushland creek setting with a cycle and walking path.

    Sensory sessions

  • National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant Adelaide

    The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a free community street parade through the Adelaide CBD that has welcomed Father Christmas to the city since 1933.

    Sensory sessions

  • B.Curious Kids Creative Studio B.Curious Kids Creative Studio Royal Park

    B.Curious Kids Creative Studio at 96 Tapleys Hill Road, Royal Park runs creative and messy play sessions for children aged 1 to 5.

    Sensory sessions

  • Inclusive Swim (The Oaks Swim Centre) Inclusive Swim (The Oaks Swim Centre) Gilles Plains

    Adelaide swim program founded in 2017 for Autistic people and others with additional needs who find mainstream lessons or big aquatic centres overwhelming.

    Sensory sessions · All-abilities

All-abilities playgrounds and parks

Playgrounds built for every body: wide paths, wheelchair-accessible equipment, Liberty swings, sensory play.

Beaches and pools with access gear

Beach wheelchairs and matting, pool hoists and ramps, from the council or venue page.

  • The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre - YMCA The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre - YMCA Angle Park

    The Parks Recreation & Sports Centre at 46 Cowan Street, Angle Park, is run by the YMCA, with a lap pool, program pool and splash park, a gym, sports stadiums and a…

    Pool hoist · Companion Card

  • Fleurieu Aquatic Centre Fleurieu Aquatic Centre Chiton

    Fleurieu Aquatic Centre at 4 Ocean Road, Chiton, near Victor Harbor, is run by BlueFit.

    Step-free · Accessible parking · Pool hoist · Companion Card · Assistance animals

  • Salisbury Aquatic Centre Salisbury Aquatic Centre Salisbury North

    Salisbury Aquatic Centre on Happy Home Drive, Salisbury North, has an 8-lane 50 m heated outdoor pool, a 25 m indoor pool with leisure area, a learn to swim pool, and a…

    Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Pool hoist

  • Glenelg Beach Glenelg Beach Glenelg

    Glenelg Beach is the sandy beach either side of the Glenelg Jetty.

    All-abilities

  • Playford Aquadome Leisure Centre Playford Aquadome Leisure Centre Elizabeth

    City of Playford indoor leisure centre managed by BlueFit.

    All-abilities

  • Summit Aquatic and Leisure Summit Aquatic and Leisure Mount Barker

    Indoor aquatic and leisure centre in Mount Barker, developed by Mount Barker District Council and run by Belgravia Leisure; it opened on 18 August 2025.

    All-abilities

  • Seacliff Beach Seacliff Beach Seacliff

    Seacliff Beach has a wide sandy beach and clear water, and the City of Holdfast Bay calls Seacliff and Kingston Park wonderful swimming spots.

    All-abilities

Step-free museums, zoos and rainy-day places

Indoor and under-cover places whose own page says entry and paths are step-free.

  • Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park Monarto

    Monarto Safari Park at 63 Monarto Road, Monarto, about 70km (60 minutes) from Adelaide, is run by the conservation charity Zoos SA.

    Partly accessible · Accessible toilet · Accessible parking · Companion Card

  • South Australian Aviation Museum South Australian Aviation Museum Port Adelaide

    The South Australian Aviation Museum at 16 Bedford Street, Port Adelaide, has two undercover hangars of historic aircraft, including an F-111, F/A-18, Spitfire and…

    Partly accessible · Accessible toilet

  • BOUNCE Greenacres BOUNCE Greenacres Greenacres

    BOUNCE Greenacres is an indoor trampoline park at 13-15 Fosters Road, Greenacres, with more than 50 interconnected trampolines, a Big Bag, basketball and dodgeball…

    Step-free

  • Hahndorf Farm Barn Hahndorf Farm Barn Hahndorf

    Hahndorf Farm Barn at 2282 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, in the Adelaide Hills, is a farm where visitors meet more than 16 species of farm animals.

    Step-free

  • Paradigm Zone Paradigm Zone Adelaide

    Paradigm Zone is an Asian-inspired arcade at 58 Gawler Place in the Adelaide CBD with more than 100 machines, including claw and prize games, ticket games, driving and…

    Step-free

  • The Bradman Collection The Bradman Collection North Adelaide

    The Bradman Collection is a museum in the Riverbank Stand at Adelaide Oval dedicated to cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.

    Step-free · Assistance animals

Accessible walks and gardens

Boardwalks, sealed loops and gardens the park service rates wheelchair-accessible.

  • Wittunga Botanic Garden Wittunga Botanic Garden Blackwood

    A 13-hectare botanic garden in the hillside suburb of Blackwood with water-wise plants from Australia and South Africa, spring displays of ericas and proteas, and a…

    Step-free

More accessible places

Everything else whose own page states step-free access or an accessible toilet.

Questions parents ask

Which Adelaide beaches have beach wheelchairs?
Several coastal councils lend beach wheelchairs through the surf clubs or the council office and lay matting at the main beaches in summer. The beach listings say which, the hours and how to book.
Which museums run sensory-friendly sessions?
The South Australian Museum, the art gallery and the zoo run quiet mornings or relaxed sessions and lend sensory kits, mostly in the school holidays. The table links each venue page to check dates.
Is the tram accessible?
The Glenelg tram is low-floor with level stops the whole way, and it is free within the city. Most train stations are step-free; check the transport page for the one you need.
Where are the all-abilities playgrounds?
Several councils have built inclusive playgrounds with wheelchair carousels, Liberty swings and sensory play, including some of the big adventure playgrounds. The playgrounds section lists the ones whose council page names the equipment.

More in Adelaide

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