Glenelg Beach in Adelaide, South Australia is the perfect beachside holiday destination. Just a short 8km or 20 minute tram ride to Adelaide CBD, Glenelg Beach is the perfect place to base yourself for an Adelaide getaway or South Australian holiday. Glenelg Beach is no secret, probably the most famous beach in South Australia but spend some time in Glenelg Beach you'll be impressed by the perfect holiday experience on offer. So book your Glenelg Beach accommodation on Search and Stay.
Simply wander along Jetty Road, pick a cafe or restaurant for lunch, browse the shops, grab an ice cream and walk along the jetty. Then catch a movie in the afternoon and watch the sun go down while sipping a cocktail in one of the many bars. Whether you're looking for a party beach holiday, dolphin swims, or just a place to relax and unwind, Glenelg Beach has it all.
What to do in Glenelg Beach, South Australia
Shop up a Storm
You will find boutique stores all along Jetty Road and sometimes down the little side streets too. Rather than the big South Australian shopping malls, shopping at Glenelg has a smaller boutique shopping feel, having said that you'll find the big brands and also smaller, independent stores with fun clothing, quirky homewares and some great gifts.
Family Fun at The Beachouse
When you're not hanging on the beach one of the best ways to keep the kids busy in Glenelg Beach is The Beachouse. The amusement centre right on the beach, has dry attraction and wet attractions and everything that kids will love - waterslides, dodgem cars and bumper boats, play mini golf and plenty more. Free to enter The Beachouse, you pay as you go along.
Cost-Free Kid Fun
When you've had enough beach for the day, right on the foreshore between the Beachouse and the jetty is a fabulous free playground young kids will love. The perfect place to drop when your kids need to blow off some steam. There are small trampolines at ground level, things to climb on too. Kids will love playing in the water feature in nearby Moseley Square, with water-squirting jets that shoot up from the ground. Unreal to run through to cool down on a hot Adelaide day. Book your Glenelg family holiday on Search and Stay and the memories will last forever.
The Bay Discovery Centre
The Bay Discovery Centre describes itself as “a Social History Museum celebrating the cultural heritage of South Australia.” This is a small but fun and colourful museum with displays on everything from the first South Australian settlers (who landed here at Glenelg) to swimwear throughout the years, to the Glenelg tram and Magic Mountain (a theme park that was located in the area for many years). If you are spending any time in Glenelg – and you should – then half an hour or so here would be a great inclusion in your day.
See South Australia’s Birth Place at the Old Gum Tree
Dead old trees aren't usually on a holiday bucket list but located in the backstreet of Glenelg is an old bent gum tree that, in 1936, Governor John Hindmarsh stood near and announce the colony of South Australia. The gum tree has been preserved and is the location of South Australia’s official Proclamation Day ceremony on December 28th each year.
Jump on the Giant Wheel
From October to May, you'll find the imposing Skyline Ferris Wheel. The Giant Wheel offers views over Glenelg, the beach and the surrounding suburbs every day during summer. Grab a bird's eye view of the spectacular beach.
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner. Repeat
Anything you could possibly want to eat or drink you will find in Glenelg Beach. If you're a foodie a holiday at Glenelg Beach will keep you plenty busy. From fine dining to fast food, snack spots, cafes, pubs and fabulous beachfront restaurants, it’s all here. The restaurants are scattered all around the place,
If you're travelling with the kids you will not be allowed to walk past Uniqorn Eats - live the rainbow from cafe walls to what you eat. While the kids enjoy a Rainbow Sundae or Uniqorn Shake. Adults can enjoy a psychedelic cocktail - perhaps a hubba bubba sour or a Uniqorn Martini!
Enjoy a Mohito (or whatever your heart desires) at the Moseley Beach Club
This is one of the best Glenelg tourist attractions and more summertime fun. With a real Bali feel, this is one of the first bars in Australia where you could enjoy your bevvie on the sand. The Moseley Beach Club first planted on the sand just north of the Glenelg Jetty in 2017. Now it’s a popular and busy attraction each summer from October to May. This was the first European-style beach club in Australia, the start of a trend that has now spread interstate and to other South Australian beaches.
It costs nothing to visit Moseley Beach Club, unless you want to hire a lounger or a day bed. They offer a huge range of drinks and plenty of food to keep you going. On the weekends they open early for breakfast, and DJs are usually playing later in the day, you'll spend your visit instagramming everything and everyone around.
Take a Cruise and Swim with Dolphins
Dolphins are one of the Earth’s most fascinating, curious and interactive species and the waters of Holdfast Bay around Glenelg and further into the gulf are always filled with dolphins. Take a cruise from Glenelg with Temptation Sailing, swim alongside or watch wild dolphins in their natural habitat. An incredible experience you will never forget. Spend the morning on a catamaran cruising the waters looking for the dolphins – who are said to seek out the boat so it’s not hard to find them. Then, if conditions are right, there are options to get in the water with the dolphins. Best done in summer, although don't let the weather put you off because they'll supply wetsuit if needed in colder weather.
Segway around Glenelg
Enjoy an adventure unique to Adelaide as you ride your Segways on the beautiful Glenelg Beach whilst soaking up the ambience of the pristine beach location. Turn heads as you glide past the many beautiful sights and attractions on a premier beach location. Have a wheelie good time as you take time to ride your segway along the sand.
Where to Stay in Glenelg Beach
When in Glenelg stay right near the exclusive South Esplanade Glenelg in Glenelg Holiday Apartments - Corfu. This well-appointed 2 bedroom apartment is located just 200 meters away from Esplanade and you'll enjoy the luxury of having the beach at your feet, public transport, restaurants and shopping down the road.
Located in Moseley St, Glenelg Beach, the air-conditioned apartment has a master bedroom with a queen bed and a second bedroom with two single beds. You can eat out al the many restaurants and food options or cook in your fully equipped kitchen. All linen is supplied and you'll also enjoy free off street parking.
Book Corfu Apartments, Glenelg Beach now on Search and Stay.
Image credit: South Australian Tourism Commission (Nathan Godwin, Michael Waterhouse Photography, JiaJun See, Mish and Kirk, Megan Crabb, Jase Hickson) and Corfu Apartments, Glenelg Beach