Elder Park is a large and easily accessible park in the centre of Adelaide. It provides a lovely spot to have lunch or a picnic, and is a gateway to some of the facilities along the River Torrens.
Elder Park Along the River Torrens
Elder Park is characterised by its large sloping lawns, allowing a good view that looks out over the River Torrens and to the other side of the river bank. Behind Elder Park the Festival Centre lies. Elder Park can be a good spot for a stroll before viewing a matinee performance at the festival centre, or somewhere to grab some fresh air after a night time performance.
Elder Park also hosts some performances of its own. It has been the spot for the Adelaide City Council's big new year celebrations, as well as being host to performances and events during the Adelaide Festival of Arts and the Fringe. During
OzAsia celebrations Elder Park lights up with the gorgeous glow of the Moon Lantern Festival.
If you're just looking for a nice place to relax and enjoy your surroundings then Elder Park is the spot for that too. The Elder Park Rotunda is an elegantly decorated undercover area that sits atop Elder Park, looking out to the grassy park around it. This can be a nice place to sit in the shade, otherwise enjoy the sun and spread a picnic blanket on the ground. Kids will have plenty of space to run around, just make sure you keep a close eye on them. There is no fencing around the River Torrens, so make sure the kids aren't getting too close to the water's edge.
The Elder Park Rotunda
If you're watching to catch a bite to eat nearby you can also visit the
Elder Park Cafe, which serves up salads, breads, cakes, and pastries. Just make sure you're not feeding any of your leftovers to the birds. Elder Park is home to the gorgeous black native swans that swim along the Torrens, as well as the introduced white swans from England. While it is tempting to feed them, things like bread and cake can be quite bad for them. It is still a great experience to watch the birds interact around the river. Other birds such as seagulls and pelicans are becoming more common around the park.
Swans On Elder Park
While the River Torrens is one of the places in Adelaide you'd least like to go for a dip, it still hosts some fun water activities. From Elder Park you can hop aboard on one of the River Torrens paddle-boats. These brightly coloured boats are fun for people of all ages, and can be a fun way to see the River Torrens. You can also check out the iconic PopEye boat that delivers tours along the river.
Grab a Paddle-boat From Elder Park
Elder Park is a lovely piece of open space for the public to use. Start here to follow the River Torrens walking or jogging paths, or just sit back and relax in the sunshine. It is a great location to enjoy some of Adelaide's natural beauty.
