Want to up your Instagram game while you’re in Adelaide? Here is a selection of the most Instagrammable places in Adelaide to help you do just that. Make your friends jealous and wish they were here with you too.
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TL;DR? Here's the outline
- Tips for Getting Great Holiday Shots
- The Most Instagarmmable Places in Adelaide
- Glenelg Beach
- Adelaide Botanic Garden
- Mount Lofty Summit
- Adelaide Central Market
- Rundle Mall
- Adelaide Oval
- Henley Beach Jetty
- Largs Pier Hotel
- Himeji Garden
- State Library of South Australia
- Port Adelaide
- Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens
- Mirra Bar
- Second Valley Beach
- Carrick Hill
- Windy Point Lookout
- Adelaide Railway Station
- Semaphore Beach and Jetty
- Art Gallery of South Australia
- The d’Arenberg Cube
- Cleland Wildlife Park
- Waterfall Gully
- Lake Bumbunga
- Hahndorf
- Mount Osmond Lookout
- Adelaide Street Art
- Morialta Conservation Park
- Onkaparinga River Mouth
- Festival Plaza
Discover the charm of Adelaide through your lens as we take you to its most captivating spots. We’ll unveil the must-see places that make for the perfect Instagram backdrop. From gardens to beaches and markets, Adelaide has something to offer for every photography enthusiast, so add these places to your Adelaide itinerary now.
Tips for Getting Great Holiday Shots
Before you get started, keep these tips in mind to help you get those great shots
- Don’t be scared to get up early or stay up late. You will avoid the crowds and take advantage of the morning and evening light
- Get down low or up high to take photos from less obvious angles
- Sometimes bad weather can give interesting and dramatic shots, even if they are not what you first expected
- Remember your phone can now do some great things – like long exposure
- Think about some photography rules, like the rule of thirds or leading lines, when composing your photo
- If you’re by yourself, use the timer so you don’t always take selfies
The Most Instagarmmable Places in Adelaide
Grab your camera and get ready to explore the city’s hidden gems that are sure to add a touch of magic to your Instagram feed!
Glenelg Beach
Arguably Adelaide’s most well-known beach, Glenelg is awash with great spots to get that perfect Insta photo.
Start with the beach or jetty itself, but in summer you will find the photogenic Moseley Beach Bar on the sand and the Ferris Wheel in the foreshore plaza. in winter look out for the cosy igloos in Moseley Square.
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Adelaide Botanic Gardens has an Instagram location around almost every corner.
The wisteria arbour is its best in spring, but look out for the Bicentennial Conservatory, the Palm House and the Waterlilly Pavillion.
Quirky opportunities come up when the Corpse Flowers come into bloom or there are events such as during Illuminate Adelaide.
Mount Lofty Summit
With great views over the metropolitan area towards the sea, Mount Lofty Summit is perfect for sunset photos. Take them with the city in the background, or use the light to your advantage for photos with Flinders Column like this one.
Adelaide Central Market
I love the Adelaide Central Market. There is so much colour and fun here. You can grab some photos amongst all the awesome South Australian produce, tasting some of the best (donut anyone?) or with the street art that adorns many of the walls.
Rundle Mall
Rundle Mall is synonymous with the Mall’s Balls, a favourite location for an Instagram shot. The Pigs in the Mall and the Pigeon and also popular backdrops, and the Adelaide Arcade with its fountain are photogenic too.
Nighttime photos on a crisp winter night or sunset shots looking west down the mall are some of my personal favourites.
Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval is considered one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world. Evening matches often provide a stunning sunset over the Members Stand.
It’s lit up at night time so makes a great night photo from the other side of the River Torrens.
But for the true iconic photo, you need to sign up to do the Adelaide Oval Roofclimb and get a shot leaning back over the field itself.
Henley Beach Jetty
Henley Beach is another popular beachside suburb with great food options, pleasant beachfront areas and good walking paths. This is another good sunset location, but it can also be great for those under-jetty photos too.
Largs Pier Hotel
Another seaside suburb, but this time look away from the beach to the historic Largs Pier Hotel.
The building itself is pretty as a picture, but you can also stay in one of the rooms on the front balcony and get some great sunset shots over the foreshore and jetty.
Himeji Garden
The Himeji Garden is a serene and picturesque Japanese garden, providing an enchanting backdrop for capturing stunning photos.
State Library of South Australia
Head into the Mortlock Wing of the State Library of South Australia for those Harry Potter vibes. Often listed as one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, this will be a worthy addition to your feed.
Port Adelaide
The suburb of Port Adelaide is an easy train ride from the city centre and offers all sorts of photo opportunities. This area is a maritime hub and has an industrial edge to it.
Some of the popular Instagram locations include the wharf, amongst the warehouses and with the many street art murals throughout the area.
Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens
Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens are the place to go in autumn as beautiful golds and reds spread through the foliage. If you can get a day with crisp blue skies your photos will really pop.
Mirra Bar
If you are looking for a high tea with pastel hues and photo-friendly vibes, Mirra Bar is the place! They do the cutest fingerfood, desserts and mocktails, and will brighten up any day.
Second Valley Beach
You’ll need to take a drive down to the Fleurieu Peninsula for this one, but Second Valley is so picturesque that it’s worth the effort.
There are multiple places to get a good shot with the rolling green hills falling into sparkling blue water. Combine that with stunning sunsets and you will learn why this is a favourite with locals too.
Carrick Hill
Carrick Hill is Adelaide’s very own picturebook mansion. The manicured gardens and stately buildings lead to many options for the ‘gram. Look out for the fairytale characters and the cutest “hobbit house”.
Windy Point Lookout
Windy Point Lookout is another scenic point overlooking the city. Snap a photo enjoying the view, or dine at the Windy Point Restaurant for a real treat and include the gourmet food and wine in your shot.
Adelaide Railway Station
The historic concourse of the Adelaide Railway Station makes a great Instagram photo, but walk on through to the rear entrance and see this new and unique entrance toward the riverbank for an even better shot.
Semaphore Beach and Jetty
Adelaide is spoilt for amazing beachside locations and Semaphore is another one of them.
Of course, you can get some great photos of the sunset, the jetty, the beach, the iconic Semaphore Palais, or perhaps the Semaphore Carousel will add something special to your Instagram feed.
Art Gallery of South Australia
There are so many photo opportunities at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
I love this red room, but you can also find some interesting contemporary art pieces (like the statues with pins sticking out of them and the hanging horse) to photograph.
Or take a traditional contemplating-a-classical-painting shot in one of the larger galleries.
The d’Arenberg Cube
There are dozens of cellar doors across the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale that are totally insta-worthy, but I had to choose just one and that crown has to go to the distinctive and quirky d’Arenberg Cube.
It’s not just the outside you will love here, but the inside too. Even the toilets are worthy of a quick snap.
Cleland Wildlife Park
Looking for somewhere to get that iconic photo with some of the Australian wildlife?
Head to Cleland Wildlife Park, just twenty minutes from the city centre and enjoy interacting with koalas, kangaroos, emus, quokkas and more.
You can even book in for a special koala cuddle if you wish.
Waterfall Gully
At Waterfall Gully there is a restaurant called Utopia, and I think they got that name right. This beautiful area is filled with lovely gardens, a waterfall (or two) and if you are lucky, there will be koalas in the trees around the place too.
Lake Bumbunga
North of Adelaide, near the town of Lochiel, you will find one of South Australia’s best pink lakes. The pink hues can vary from barely pink to a vibrant colour, but it’s always pretty to explore.
Look out for the Lochiel Monster who lurks in the lake – get a photo with him while you are here too.
Hahndorf
Take a day trip up into the Adelaide Hills and enjoy taking photos all over Hahndorf. I don’t think there is a single piece of this pretty town that wouldn’t make a good Instagram photo.
It’s particularly special in autumn, when all the trees along the main street turn red.
Mount Osmond Lookout
Another stunning city lookout. Adelaide is blessed to be ringed with hills on one side and sea on the other which means so many great places to get the perfect photo.
Adelaide Street Art
Street art can be found all over the city centre. Take advantage of it for an edgy and colourful photo or two. Look out for some of the murals of famous singers, such as Sia, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, amongst others.
Morialta Conservation Park
Morialta is home to not one, but three, waterfalls that really come into their own after some rain. There’s also the Giant’s Cave, many viewpoints over the hills and city, and more than likely, some koalas hanging out in the trees.
Onkaparinga River Mouth
The Onkaparinga River Mouth seems to look good in any weather. Come here for the pink hues of sunset, orange mornings or even for angry stormy skies – the results are always dramatic.
Festival Plaza
For so long the Festival Plaza has been under reconstruction, but finally, it is emerging as a new and interesting space with some great art pieces and beautiful views over the River Torrens, Adelaide Oval and beyond.
Want even more things to do in Adelaide? Read these posts next
100 Adelaide Experiences
Things to do in Adelaide in the Rain
Fun Tours in Adelaide City Centre
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