Adelaide City Walk and River Cruise: 2 hours on land and water

Two hours walking the city's landmarks, then a 45-minute float down the river that runs through its heart

A combined walking tour and river cruise in Adelaide that pairs a 2-hour guided stroll through the city center with a 45-minute heritage boat ride on the River Torrens. The walking portion covers North Terrace, the State Library of South Australia, the Art Gallery, and Parliament House, with stories of Adelaide's settlement and pioneering figures woven through each stop. The cruise follows, drifting past the Festival Centre, Entertainment Centre, SAHMRI, and optionally Adelaide Zoo and the Botanic Gardens.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. State Library of South Australia20m
2. Art Gallery of South Australiapassing by
3. North Terrace15m

Adelaide city walk and river cruise

• Visit Adelaide Town Hall
• Walk along Rundle Mall sights
• Explore Adelaide Arcade
• Pass by University of Adelaide
• Rest at State Library with snacks
• Pass by Art Gallery of South Australia
• Walk along North Terrace
• See old and new State Parliament
• Walk to Torrens River green belt
• Board heritage boat for river cruise

The experience

Start with the walking tour through central Adelaide. Your guide leads a leisurely pace past Adelaide Town Hall (where you'll hear how the city got its name and why it was Australia's only free-settler colony), then down Rundle Mall past the Rundle Mall pigs and other landmarks. The route takes in Adelaide's oldest arcade, the University of Adelaide (the country's third oldest), and North Terrace with its historic buildings and statues. At the State Library of South Australia, you stop for a rest break with South Australian snacks and a drink while the guide shares the building's story. The library holds over 40,000 pieces of art across its galleries. Parliament House comes next, where you'll see both the old and new buildings and hear about South Australia's social reforms.

The walking tour ends at the River Torrens, where you board a heritage boat run by Popeye River Cruises. For 45 minutes you float down the river as it winds through the city's green belt, passing the Adelaide Oval, St Peters Cathedral, and the skyline. The boat passes the Festival Centre, Entertainment Centre, and SAHMRI. You have the option to disembark near the end of the cruise if you want to visit Adelaide Zoo or the Botanic Gardens on foot. The pace is set by the boat and the river, not by walking speed.

You receive a digital map of Adelaide's top spots and personalised recommendations for what to see during the rest of your stay. The guide speaks English and children from age 13 are welcome. A donation to a local charity is included in the price.

What’s included

• A 2-hour guided walking tour through central Adelaide.
• a 45-minute river cruise with Popeye River Cruises on a heritage boat.
• South Australian snacks and a drink at the State Library.
• a digital map of Adelaide's top spots.
• personalised recommendations for things to see and do during your stay.
• and a donation to a local charity.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 97 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Radelaide Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon or morning in Adelaide and want both a ground-level introduction to the city's landmarks and a different perspective from the water. The combination means you see the same river and skyline from two angles without needing to plan separate bookings or transport between them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years). Children under 13 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the State Library of South Australia like, and why do we stop there?

The State Library of South Australia is called one of the most beautiful libraries in the world and houses over 40,000 pieces of art. The tour stops here for a rest break where you can use the facilities, and the guide shares South Australian snacks and a drink while explaining the building's significance.

What attractions do you pass on the River Torrens cruise?

The heritage boat passes the Festival Centre, Entertainment Centre, SAHMRI, Adelaide Oval, and St Peters Cathedral as it winds through the city's green belt. Near the end of the cruise you have the option to disembark and walk to Adelaide Zoo and the Botanic Gardens if you choose.

How does the walking part of the tour cover so much ground in two hours?

The pace is relaxed and informative rather than rushed. The route stays within central Adelaide, linking nearby landmarks like North Terrace, Parliament House, the Art Gallery, and the university, so you move between stops without long distances between them.

What stories does the guide tell about Adelaide's history?

The guide covers how Adelaide was settled only by free settlers (unlike other Australian colonies), the origins of the city's name at Town Hall, South Australia's pioneering social and governmental reforms at Parliament House, and stories of South Australia's pioneering women as you walk North Terrace.

Can you get off the boat early if you want to explore Adelaide Zoo or the Botanic Gardens?

Yes, you have the option to disembark near the end of the cruise if you want to visit Adelaide Zoo or the Botanic Gardens. The boat passes by them, and you can choose to leave the cruise at that point.