Add dates

Adelaide Safaris & wildlife activities

Our most recommended Adelaide Safaris & wildlife activities

Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

1. Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

Go kayaking through Adelaide's Dolphin Sanctuary on this guided tour. Get up close and personal with one of the ocean's most playful and friendly creatures. Upon arrival, demonstrations and all equipment will be provided. Travel at a comfortable pace since you don't need any prior kayaking experience. Start your tour by kayaking your way through 10,000-year-old mangrove-lined creeks, which are the ultimate feeding grounds for dolphins due to the seagrass, saltmarsh, tidal flats, and creeks. See the sanctuary's abundant birdlife and intricate ecosystem. You can also paddle close to shipwrecks that have been abandoned from a bygone era. It's a special experience that simply can't be replicated.

Kangaroo Island Full Day Experience by Ferry Including Lunch

2. Kangaroo Island Full Day Experience by Ferry Including Lunch

Explore the highlights of Kangaroo Island on this full-day tour by return ferry and coach from Adelaide. See playful fur seals, the Remarkable Rocks, and Admirals Arch, as well as other native Australian wildlife.  Depart Adelaide and enjoy a scenic coach ride towards the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula south of the city. Admire views of the vineyards, coast, and rolling hills along the way. Upon arrival at Cape Jervis, board the SeaLink ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, where, a local driver/guide will take you on a tour of South Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destination. Go to Seal Bay Conservation Park for a beach walk with an experienced guide. Spend time amongst a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Get up close to the wild creatures as they frolic and laze about. Then, enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch.  Spend the afternoon at Flinders Chase National Park, renowned as a sanctuary for native Australian animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and echidnas. Admire the rugged coastline on walks around Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks. Stroll down the Admirals Arch boardwalk to a rugged cliff face that reveals the spectacular rock arch formation, a safe haven for playful long-nosed fur seals. Keep a lookout for more kangaroos and wallabies on your return to Penneshaw or your return ferry back to Adelaide. Arrive at approximately 22:40 and be dropped off at your selected Adelaide CBD accommodation.

Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

3. Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

Enjoy a half-day cruise looking for some of the world’s most delightful creatures, departing from Marina Pier, Holdfast Shores, Glenelg. Dolphins are among the earth’s most curious mammals and you will get up-close-and-personal with the beautiful beasts from the decks of the Temptation catamaran. You will be welcomed on board the 58-foot sailing vessel by an enthusiastic crew. Sometimes you will see your first dolphins within minutes of cruising. They seem to come out of nowhere to play around Temptation’s hulls. But be assured they are not coaxed in any way. These are wild dolphins that simply know the vessel, and know that they are not in any danger. As the gulf is home to over 1,000 common and bottlenose dolphins, the cruise comes with a money-back guarantee of sightings. The dolphins are only just out of reaching distance from the deck, enabling you to capture their playful displays on film. Back on dry land, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the faculties at Holdfast Shores Marina, or wander down Jetty Road in Glenelg, enjoying the dozens of restaurants and shops.

Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

4. Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

Spend your vacation doing something unique and unforgettable on an excursion that takes you out into the waters, and swim alongside wild dolphins. On this 3.5-hour tour, you are guaranteed to see dolphins, which are one of the Earth’s most fascinating and curious creatures. Meet at the Holdfast Shores Marina in Glenelg, a mere 15 minutes outside of Adelaide. From there, board the 'Temptation', a 58-foot colossal sailing catamaran. As the boat cruises, experience the beauty of Australia's southern coastline. Eventually, come to rest in the waters where the wild dolphins will come to greet you and play in the waters. Don your wetsuit, mask, and snorkel, and take the plunge into the waters. Experience the breathtaking moment when you see dolphins underwater for the first time. Watch and listen; their grace and playfulness is stunning and the sounds of their whistles and echo location noises are mesmerizing. Once your adventure comes to an end, you will be taken back to the marina. Spend some time checking out the many restaurants and shops that grace the shoreline.

Adelaide: Port River Dolphin and Ships' Graveyard Cruise

5. Adelaide: Port River Dolphin and Ships' Graveyard Cruise

Embark on a cruise along the Port River in Adelaide and benefit from the knowledge of your skipper and guide. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as your guide talks you through the local history, famous ships, and iconic locations you'll pass along the way. Learn about the Port Adelaide River and its rich maritime history. See famous ships and locations and listen as your cruise guide points out interesting landmarks and vessels. Enter Port Adelaide’s completely unique Ships' Graveyard and be amazed as you cruise past giant wrecks, half-submerged in the hidden backwaters of the Port River, and learn their history. Enjoy cruising through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary searching for local dolphins, one of the only wild dolphin populations living within a city. Keep an eye out for some of the famous local residents and, during the warmer months, newborn calves. Travel towards the International Bird Sanctuary where there's an opportunity to see migra­to­ry shore­birds, includ­ing threat­ened species such as Curlew sand­piper as well as well-known Aussie favorites like the Australian Pelican and Pied Cormorant.

Coorong Discovery Cruise

6. Coorong Discovery Cruise

Discover the Coorong National Park on a 3.5-hour experience with lunch included. Cruise past the Murray Mouth and into the park for 1-hour guided walk. Tour departs from the old river port town of Goolwa, located 70 minutes south of Adelaide’s center.  A Ploughmans lunch is served on board as you cruise to the Goolwa Barrage and through the lock. Continue down to the Murray Mouth and into the Coorong National Park. Stop for a guided walk across the peninsula through dune vegetation to a beach on the Southern Ocean. Enjoy afternoon tea on the return journey to Goolwa.

From Adelaide: Kangaroo Island Wine and Dine Day Trip

7. From Adelaide: Kangaroo Island Wine and Dine Day Trip

Discover the nature, wildlife, and wine and spirits of Kangaroo Island on a full-day bus and ferry tour from Adelaide that includes a 2-course lunch. Be introduced to some of the island’s leading distilleries and taste some local Kangaroo Island produce. Begin early in the morning and travel to Cape Jervis taking in the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula with its vineyards, coastal views, and rolling hills.  Board the SeaLink ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Once on the island, board your luxury bus and let your local driver/guide take you on a ‘tasting’ tour of Kangaroo Island’s popular tourism attractions. Stop at the fascinating Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain for an educational, interactive, and inspiring experience. View the only “In-Flight” Birds of Prey display in South Australia, Next, go to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery for a delicious 2-course lunch followed by a guided tour of the distillery. Finish off with some free time in the souvenir shop to buy eucalyptus oil products. Continue to the Clifford’s Honey Farm shop, home of the famous island homemade honey ice-cream. See a working beehive, taste different varieties of pure Kangaroo Island Ligurian honey, and sample and buy honey beauty products to take home as a memento. Lastly, take part in a structured wine tasting with peaceful views of the surrounding vineyard at the False Cape Wines cellar, which was built from recycled wood, jetty timbers, and limestone sourced on the property.  End the tour at the Penneshaw Hotel where you have ample time to have dinner (at your own expense) before returning to the Penneshaw Ferry Terminal for your ferry and coach transfer back to Adelaide.

Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

8. Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

Take a guided 3-hour kayak tour of the Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail. Paddle along sheltered mangrove-lined creeks that are home to a variety of marine life, birds, and also the Port River dolphins. Explore an area that features 20 shipwrecks and interact with the dolphins as well, on an environmentally friendly tour. Paddle at an easy pace with plenty of time for photos and commentary by your guide. When the Port River dolphins come to play it is a memory you will treasure forever. The tour is recommended for adults and children over the age of 10 years, although younger children can come out and have great fun!

Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour

9. Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour

Experience the beauty of the the Dolphin Sanctuary in Adelaide on an eco-friendly kayaking tour. Discover a fascinating array of marine life and birds as your guide leads you in search of spirited Port River Dolphins. Meet your guide and listen to a short safety briefing to ensure that you are confident when kayaking. Put on your life jacket and set off on your hunt for Port River Dolphins. Have the chance to stop to take photos as you make your way through mangrove trees. Listen to stories from you guide and interact with the dolphins is the most environmentally sensitive way. Return to your starting point at the end of your tour. 

From Melbourne: 4-Day Great Ocean Road Tour to Adelaide

10. From Melbourne: 4-Day Great Ocean Road Tour to Adelaide

This 4-day tour takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through some of Australia’s most amazing sights and scenic cliff-hugging adventures. Delight in wonderful local food and wine, native Australian wildlife, tour caves, and see historical attractions Enjoy a relaxed pace allowing ample time for all the ‘must-sees’ during your journey, and each night arrive at your evening accommodation with ample time to relax and explore the regional towns. Travel on an air-conditioned coach with large viewing windows and reclining seats. Your tour can be as active as you want it to be. Join in on opportunities for nature walks, swimming, and spotting some of Australia’s unique animals in the wild, or simply explore destinations at your own pace. DAY 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en route to Geelong. Travel through Torquay for the first of countless photo opportunities of stunning coastal views and lookouts. Stop for a quick visit to the famous Bells Beach. Continue along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, visiting scenic spots including Kennett River where you can see koalas and colorful native birds in the wild. There are plenty of chances to see native Australian wildlife including Eastern Grey Kangaroos as they graze in the wild. Travel through Apollo Bay and into the Great Otway National Park. Take a guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully to see the world’s tallest flowering plants, prehistoric trees and ferns, and many other unique features. Arriving at the Twelve Apostles in the afternoon after the crowds have left, explore the boardwalks or brave a helicopter flight along the coastline (at your own expense). Visit Loch Ard Gorge and hear the story of the famous 19th-century Australian shipwreck. DAY 2: Port Campbell to Port Fairy Pop back to the apostles in the morning to check out these unique rock formations in the morning light without the crowds. Spend time visiting the unique formations of Loch Ard Gorge and hear the harrowing story of the wreck of the Lock Ard. Next up travel to Warrnambool for lunch followed by a visit to Tower Hill Wildlife Park. Discover aboriginal history and culture, local wildlife, and plants on an interactive tour of the park. Spend the evening in the quaint fishing village of Port Fairy. DAY 3: Port Fairy to Naracoorte Today you're bound for South Australia. Stop in Portland to enjoy panoramic coastal views from the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before a scenic drive through dense pine plantations to your lunch venue in the pretty riverside village of Nelson. After lunch, cross the border to arrive in Mount Gambier to see the famous Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole. Arrive in the evening to spend the night at Naracoorte. DAY 4: Naracoorte to Adelaide Your day begins with a guided visit to the world heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves, one of the world’s most important fossil sites. Continue with a drive through the Coonawarra vineyards where Australia’s most illustrious cabernet sauvignon vines thrive on the famed rich red soils. Lunch is served at Bremerton Winery Langhorne Creek, where you can also indulge in some wine-tasting. Your tour continues to Mount Lofty for sweeping views of the city, before ending at your accommodation in Adelaide's CBD.

26 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Frequently asked questions about Adelaide

What are the best day trips and excursions from Adelaide?

The best day trips and excursions from Adelaide are:

Hahndorf

Other Sightseeing Options in Adelaide

Want to discover all there is to do in Adelaide? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Adelaide

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 245 reviews

It was a nice day trip that was well organized. You spend a lot of time on the bus, but our guide passed on his knowledge to us in the meantime. Above all, the sea lions/seals, the vast nature/landscape, the delicious lunch and the Wild Life Park were my personal highlights. I would have liked to have had a little more time with the latter (suggestion for improvement).

25° & perfect weather for a boat cruise. Informative guide, briefly saw a couple of dolphins & ship graveyards. Some ships weren't visible or only partly due to a high tide. Nice to see the Port River from a different angle.

It was a nice experience, though we did not see a dolphin. It was a safe place to do kayaking for first timers. The water is calm, there are spots that are not deep which you could see the bottom.

Very great tour, even though there was a fire a few years ago, nature recovered quickly. Interesting information and stories from the guide.

It was great to see the dolphins up close in the wild! An experience I will never forget. Great crew. Thank-you very much!