Ditch the screens and discover SA’s hidden gems these School Holidays
Is the echo of “I’m bored” already bouncing around the house? School holidays are upon us, and keeping the kids entertained can feel like a challenge.
But don’t fear – Take advantage of the beautiful Autumn weather and check out what Regional South Australia has to offer.
With a treasure trove of free and cheap activities on your doorstep, this guide is just a sneak peek at the amazing and affordable experiences waiting for you and your family throughout our beautiful state.
Fun for All Ages at Monash Adventure Park
It’s not quite the same as the 80’s version, but this Riverland destination will give toddlers and bigger kids a blast exploring and conquering the challenge course. Featuring leaning towers, a rope bridge, wave bridge and flying fox, the park also offers an inclusive swing set and a merry-go-round. Classic favourites like seesaws, slides, mega swings, and even a maze keep the fun going.
Relax in the picnic areas, fire up the free BBQs for a snag in bread, or sprawl out on the lush grassed areas.
Hike Prospect Hill Like Flinders
Lace up your walking shoes and tackle over 500 steps to conquer the challenge of Prospect Hill, the highest point on Kangaroo Island. This historic landmark, climbed by famous navigator Matthew Flinders in 1802, offers an adventure for energetic families.
The reward at the top is stunning panoramic views of Pennington Bay, Pelican Lagoon, and all the way across Muston to American River.
What? A Garden Centre the Kids Will Love?
This isn’t your average garden centre – it’s a lush, 35-year-old palm forest teeming with hidden surprises, and for just $2 you can send your kids on a jungle animal hunt, searching for all sorts of creatures hiding amongst the greenery.
Grab an Animal Hunt sheet at the entrance and get ready to explore.
Relax in the Summer House tucked deep in the jungle, discover the Fairy Fern Garden and take a photo with the Jungle Fairy. You can even pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.
Open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm, The Jungle in Willunga is an affordable adventure for the kids, and you might bag yourself a gardening bargain too. Win-win.
Take a ride on a miniature train operated by the Clare Valley Model Engineers. Wind your way through tunnels and the scenic ten hectares of Clare’s Melrose Park.
Operating on Sundays April 14 and 28 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, tickets are just $2 per person with children three and under riding for free with an adult. Closed-in shoes are a must!
After the train ride, let the kids loose on the BMX track, have a picnic lunch by the picturesque Inchiquin Lake, or simply relax and enjoy the playground.
Sixteen flavours of homemade Gelato and Sorbet await you at The Coffee Barn & Gelateria – a quirky oasis tucked away just off the Spencer Highway near Moonta on the beautiful Yorke Peninsula.
Don’t miss their famous Pancakes and Belgian waffles served with all sorts of sumptuous toppings. For something a little different, there’s Italian custard, Milkshakes, and Iced Coffees too.
Open every day from 10am to 5pm during the holidays (12pm on ANZAC Day), The Coffee Barn & Gelateria is the perfect pitstop for a school holiday treat and a unique Moonta experience.
The star of the show at this Eyre Peninsula destination is no doubt the giant climbing tower, complete with a tunnel slide. There are plenty of cool colourful climbing structures, swings, and even a hamster wheel to keep that extra-active kid entertained for hours. It’s the perfect place to burn off some energy for the next leg of your Eyre Peninsula journey.
Sitting right next to the Skate Park and Pump Track, there’s some extra thrills for older kids too. Plus, there’s plenty of green space to set up a picnic and relax.
Secret Messages at Barossa’s Whispering Wall
Barossa Reservoir, with its famous ‘Whispering Wall’, is a free family adventure for the whole family. Experience the magic of hearing whispers from the other end. Found near Williamstown the magic is possible due to the “parabola” effect where the wall’s curve is perfectly constructed to carry sound from one end to the other. But beware, the walk across the wall to the other side isn’t for the faint-hearted with an almighty drop on one side and a reservoir full of water the other.
The Whispering Wall experience is open to the public every day from, 8:30am to 5pm.
Balaklava’s Sounds from the Ground Nature Playspace is a kids’ one-stop shop for climbing, swinging, sliding, and making cool music.
Perfect for kids under 5, they can climb a jungle gym path to a treetop hideout, zoom down a slippery slide or chill out in a giant nest swing.
For rockstars in the making, play funky tunes on a giant wooden xylophone, bang out some beats on metal bongos or take a trip on a guitar-shaped path. Kids can even mix their own musical masterpieces with a magical Touch and Feel Sound Wall.
The perfect addition to the Apex Park precinct which is home to Balaklava’s Swimming Pool, Skate Park, and Community Garden.
Nature lovers are in for a treat with Autumn being the perfect time to pull on the boots and get exploring. The Murray River National Park is the ideal setting to walk, hike, ride, canoe, camp, fish and bird watch as you explore the magnificent landscape, learning about natural and cultural history.
Divided into six separate areas there’s so much to see and do for people of all abilities. There are even designated sections of the park to take your furry friends too!
Stay for the day or make a weekend of it, camping in one of the many campsites dotted throughout the area.
The Fossil Hunters Playground in Naracoorte Caves National Park is a one-of-a-kind playground with a theme inspired by the park’s World Heritage fossils and hidden caverns.
Your mini Indiana Jones can dig for dinosaur bones in the sandpits, navigate a maze of tunnels, or soar down a giant slide. The playground caters to all ages, with climbing structures, balance logs, and even a storytelling chair for sharing local history.
Inclusivity is a key feature of the playground. The entire play area is accessible, with a 360-degree access path, a wheelchair-friendly fossil table, and specially designed picnic tables. It’s a fantastic space for the whole family to explore and learn about the wonders of Naracoorte Caves.
Take a stroll along the Longest Jetty in SA
The charming little town of Port Germein boasts the LONGEST jetty in South Australia – a whopping 1.5km stretch out into the ocean.
Challenge yourself and the kids to reach the end, and soak in the stunning Flinders Ranges in the distance. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins or stingrays cruising in the clear waters below.
Port Germein is a local hotspot for fishing and crabbing, so pack the fishing gear and drop a line. And just across the road, you’ll find a fantastic playground to burn off even more steam.
The best adventures are often the simplest ones. This guide is just a starting point – there’s a whole stack of uniquely South Australian experiences waiting for you and your family. So get out there, have fun, and most importantly, enjoy the school holidays!
