Wildlife Tours in Adelaide: The 10 We Would Pay For

1.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 560 reviews · 3 hours · from $55Our pick

Set out from Angas Inlet Boat Club with guides such as Alex, Paddy, Mark, or Kendall for a gentle kayak trip through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll receive a safety lesson, kayak through 10,000-year-old mangroves, look for dolphins and birds, and may reach historic shipwrecks. No kayaking experience is required, but children must be at least 10.

“Brayden and Paddy were amazing guides. 3hrs, multiple dolphin sightings, mangroves and some ship wrecks - all of our expectations were met if not exceeded. :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · from $56

Kayak through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary from Garden Island on a roughly three-hour small-group tour. Guides such as Alex, Paddy, Fiona, and Lewis lead beginners through mangroves, estuary water, bird habitat, and sometimes shipwrecks. Dolphins are wild and sightings are possible, not promised. Gear and a dry bag are included.

“Didn’t see any dolphins - they aren’t a guarantee. Would be great if the website gave the rough odds of seeing dolphins as it turned out to be an expensive kayaking tour. Otherwise was well organised and lovely views. Paddling was mostly eRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 275 reviews · from $55Top rated

From Garden Island, you’ll learn the basics before paddling through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and the Ships’ Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail. Guides such as Luke, Phil, Pippa, and Tim have led outings through the mangroves, where you may spot dolphins, birds, and abandoned vessels. The calm water suits first-time kayakers, though dolphin sightings depend on nature.

“We loved the mangrove part from the tour, it’s like being on an another planet! We haven’t seen dolphins but it’s the game!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 143 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Paddle the sheltered Port River with an English-speaking guide, passing mangrove creeks and the remains of up to 20 ships. Guides such as Tom, Aaron, Oliver, and Kelahn have brought the area’s wildlife and maritime past to life. Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed. Bring water, sun protection, insect repellent, and shoes that can get wet.

“It was a great adventure & the guides have plenty of experience & knowledge of the area. I would highly recommend this to people travelling sole or in a group. Head to Port Adelaide after for a cold beverage and the Museums/ history of the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Cleland Wildlife Park Experience – from Adelaide including Mt Lofty Summit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · from $88

Travel from Adelaide by air-conditioned minivan to Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can feed kangaroos, wallabies, and potoroos and enjoy a koala close-up. A guide such as Mike or Marie joins the early part of the visit, then you explore independently. Finish with a short stop at Mt Lofty Summit.

“Enjoyed the day with an excellent guide, looked after us superbly. The park was spread out a little too much with out animals in some areas. Didnt have much time at Mount lofty, just time for aquick photo. It was rather chilly and breezy.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · from $39

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA on Garden Island Road, gear up with a kayak, paddle, life vest, and waterproof container, then follow your guide through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The easy-paced 90-minute trip focuses on mangroves, birds, local stories, and wild Port River dolphins. Guides such as Lydia help keep the group moving safely.

“It was a very interesting experience and the scenery was amazing. I would highly recommend doing this. We also saw a few dolphins along the way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 54 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA on Garden Island for a 90-minute paddle through Adelaide’s sheltered mangrove creeks. Your guide provides a safety lesson, kayak, paddle, and life jacket, then leads you in search of Port River Dolphins, seals, sea lions, and birdlife. Guides including Keenan, Darla, Keilan, and Will have helped make this a friendly first kayaking outing.

“Great experience, great for kids and adults, Keenan and Darla were fantastic. Overall we would do it again - remember water bottles and a hat”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dolphin Sanctuary Single or Double Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 51 reviews · 2 hours · from $27Best value

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA at the Garden Island Boat Ramp for a safety briefing, map, life vest, and a single or double kayak. Paddle through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary at your own pace, watching for dolphins in the mangrove creeks. This is an independent rental, not a guided tour, and the ship graveyard is off-limits.

“good although i didn’t see any dolphins as there was only 13 in the whole lake”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Cleland Wildlife Park Experience with Mount Lofty Summit

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 41 reviews · 5h 30m · from $87

Spend about five and a half hours with a small English-speaking group visiting Mount Lofty Summit and Cleland Wildlife Park. You can meet a koala, feed kangaroos and wallabies, follow bush trails, and explore wetlands, reptiles, and nocturnal animals. Hotel pickup, entry, a park map, and animal food are included.

“Only four on our 10:30 tour so very personal. Guide was somewhat soft spoken but very pleasant and informative. Offered to walk with us through Cleland (until his lunchtime) or leave us to explore alone. Took us to koala photo op line first, just in time before afternoon close. Saw big, active joey in, out and partially (just feet!) out of mama’s pouch. Definite highlight! We also loved watching pen full of hungry echidnas enthusiastically working over log slices searching for food. So so cute!! Nice view of entire city from Mt Lofty— could see green space around perimeter, Oval. Guide suggested walking across river to Oval after drop off…”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Premium Adelaide Hills Cleland Wildlife and Hahndorf Minibus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $179

Spend about eight hours with guide Liz Green or another Discover Adelaide guide, visiting Mount Lofty, Cleland Wildlife Park, Hahndorf, Melba’s Chocolate, and Cobb’s Hill Estate. Feed kangaroos, enjoy free time for lunch, taste local chocolate, and share cheese with optional wine tasting. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“This tour was absolutely second to none! Liz (tour operator) was funny and engaging throughout and ensured that this trip was amazing for everyone, I would highly recommend this to anybody visiting Adelaide as it is an absolute gem of a day trip/venture 😁”

Check availability →Read our full review