From calm water to crashing waves the top 5 best beaches in Adelaide have something for everyone on a hot Aussie day.
Beaches in Adelaide? Yes, if you haven’t been there, you may not realise that Adelaide actually does have beaches.
It’s not all churches and wine.
This wide and buzzing strip of sand holds the title of the most popular beach in Adelaide, and for good reason. On a good day, the foreshore of Glenelg beach is littered with brightly coloured umbrellas and patterned beach towels, a statement to all the wonderful aspects of this beach.
The beach itself is beautiful, with calm and clear water. Just under 400-metres long, the Glenelg jetty juts out in the middle of it, creating the perfect vantage point for families to watch the sunset on the horizon.
Back on shore, there is a lot of fun to be had. The Glenelg Beachhouse is a family entertainment complex built right on the foreshore of the beach. The aqua dodgem cars and three swirling waterslides are a hit. For the little ones, try the carousel, the 5-storey castle or the 18-hole putt-putt golf course.
Entry is free, you simply pay for rides as you go using a tap-card system. To check out the beach from above, take a ride on the Ferris wheel outside.
Just in front of the beach house lies the Glenelg Foreshore Playspace, a free outdoor playground perfect for kids of all ages. Kids can indulge in hours of fun with water and sand play, the wide slide, in-ground trampolines and the hammock swing, just to name a few. There are grassy mounds surrounding the park, making a great picnic spot for parents to watch on from. After some fun in the sun, the beach is only a glance away, ready to cool everyone down.
Open until March 2021, the Moseley Beach Club is a summer-time haven for the whole family. Drop-in for a beach-side feed at the restaurant and bar and let the children run wild at the kid’s zone. There are day beds and sun loungers to relax on, and entry into the club is free.
With so much kid-friendly fun, Glenelg beach has to be one of the best beaches in Adelaide.
Another one of the best beaches in Adelaide, Port Noarlunga is just 34-kilometres south of the city.
This is a pristine and safe swimming spot, protected by a thin strip of stunning, green reef. During low-tide, the heritage-listed reef becomes exposed; a beautiful and unforgettable sight.
The shores of the beach are sheltered by gorgeous rock formations and spread along to the Port Noarlunga Jetty. Make sure you take fishing rods, you could be there for a while. Port Noarlunga is also a great place to take the kids snorkelling. They can marvel at the huge range of underwater plants and animals that call this marine reserve home.
Close to the beach, you will find cafes for snacks and coffee. Don’t miss the nearby adventure playground either, with mazes, forts and towers for the kids to enjoy.
Just down the road from Port Noarlunga, Southport beach offers a unique swimming experience. If you’re willing to walk the 100-200-metre walk down to the shore, you’ll be rewarded with seclusion and versatility.
On the western side of the beach, the surf is great. Perfect for kids keen to get amongst the waves or even practice a bit of surfing.
However, behind the beach, the Onkaparinga river meets the sea. The mouth of the river offers up a calm, clear and gentle swimming spot for families. It is perfect for wading about in the shallows and splashing on the shore with the little ones. You try your hand at stand-up paddle-boarding; there is no threat of big waves to knock you overboard.
The combination of both calm water and pumping surf makes this one of the best beaches in Adelaide for families.
Semaphore beach is a summer paradise. Around 20-minutes from Adelaide, this beach is popular for its grassy foreshore and extensive stretch of sand.
Similarly to Glenelg beach, there’s a fun-filled pavilion close-by offering waterslides, a Ferris wheel, putt-putt golf and a carousel. Along the boulevard in Semaphore, have lunch at one of the many cafes, pubs or restaurants.
However, what makes this beach unique is that it hosts the annual International Kite Festival, a great family event held on one of the best beaches in Adelaide.
Along the Easter Weekend, between the 3rd of April and the 5th of April, kite-flyers come together from around the world to showcase their big, colourful creations. The best place to view these amazing kites is from the Semaphore Jetty.
One of Australia’s best beaches is about an hour and a half drive from Adelaide. Rapid Bay beach is the epitome of seclusion, perfect for families looking to have an entire beach to themselves.
Nestled between towering cliffs, this beach is great for a day-trip. Pack the car with picnic goodies and inflatable devices for a fun yet relaxing day on the shores of Rapid Bay beach.
The water is known to be calm and safe, with the deeper water offering a great opportunity for snorkelling with older kids. View ancient shipwrecks and colourful marine life up close. If we’re talking about the best beaches in Adelaide, Rapid Bay is definitely a strong contender.
Note: this beach is not patrolled by lifeguards.
After a swim at the oasis that is Rapid Bay, drive another 20-minutes south-east and you can visit Kangaroo Island by jumping on a ferry at the Cape Jervis SeaLink Ferry Terminal.
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