The Adelaide Coast Sunsets, Shopping and Sharks

Spend some time along Adelaide s gorgeous coastline. Relax in the village atmosphere of our beachside suburbs. 

Swimming, jogging on the sand, dining under a beach umbrella, or just sunning yourself it s hard to leave our coastline behind. 

The Adelaide coastline begins at the tip of the narrow Le Fevre Peninsula and ends at Sellicks Beach. In between are wide sandy beaches and blue waters, reefs, wetlands and estuaries, and the cliffs that glow with the setting sun. 

Glenelg and the City of Holdfast Bay are synonymous with festivals, sandy beaches, stunning sunsets, seven day shopping, great restaurants and cafés, plus fascinating museums, galleries and attractions. You can be here in just five minutes from the airport, or take a trip on a moving icon the City to Bay tram. With its excellent accommodation and facilities, plus easy accessibility to both the airport and Adelaide city centre, Glenelg is a year round coastal holiday. 

The Bay Discovery Centre tracks the history of Holdfast Bay. The Rodney Fox Shark Experience is where the world famous underwater and shark adventurer provides his own piece of living history, while the Town Hall Wine Bar is just the place to kick up your heels at sunset. Nearby is the Beachouse amusement park, while further along the foreshore the new Holdfast Shores marina and complex provides stylish dining and shopping at the water s edge. Temptation Sailing s dolphin cruises operate from the marina. And Jetty Road is Glenelg s main street and an attraction by itself, always buzzing with people browsing through hundreds of shops or dining at sidewalk cafés. 

South along the esplanade is the seaside hamlet of Brighton, then Kingston Park with its spectacular views back across the coast. Jetty Road, Brighton is a quaint village comprising shops, arts and crafts, plus plenty of alfresco dining. At tranquil Kingston Park, don t miss historic Kingston House, built in 1840, and make sure you visit the idyllic Kingston Park Coastal Reserve. 

Marion s coastline provides a stark contrast to the sandy beaches further north. At various points, a coastal walking trail takes hikers along rugged cliff tops, through small coves and past important geological sites, including the world renowned Hallett Cove Conservation Park and Marino Conservation Park. This coastline features prominently in the Tjilbruke legend of the Kaurna people. To discover this ancient Kaurna Aboriginal story, go inland to the peaceful Warriparinga Reserve, where a self guided tour meanders past the tranquil wetlands, and symbolic art gives rise to the Dreamtime character, Tjilbruke and the area s cultural significance. The Kaurna Living Cultural centre in the reserve shares the stories. For many people a visit to Marion means Marion Shopping Centre, South Australia s largest shopping centre. 

Stretching from the border of Adelaide s parklands to the sea, West Torrens includes some of our oldest buildings and settled areas, and its rich multicultural population is reflected in the shopping along such streets as Henley Beach Road. Stroll around Thebarton and discover heritage pubs, cottage architecture and fascinating public artwork. Listen to live local music, with local pubs featuring up and coming bands and the big names appearing at Thebarton Theatre. This is the part of Henley Beach Road to search for quirky gifts, clothes 

Henley Beach, Grange and Semaphore all offer sandy beaches, great fishing jetties, eateries, cafes, restaurants and more. You ll also find fantastic playgrounds for the children, and live entertainment over the summer months. Read about Semaphore Road and its cafes, stores and fun holiday ideas. Or head to Port Adelaide, often called our maritime heart, where you ll find fascinating museums, dolphins in the harbour, and bustling markets on the weekend. 

A spectacular coastal walking trail south of Adelaide takes hikers along rugged cliff tops, through small coves and past important geological sites, including the world renowned Hallett Cove Conservation Park. Black Cliff, The Sugarloaf and The Amphitheatre are just three of the features of this park. 

Towering pine trees mark the line of Christies Beach as you approach from Beach Road. From here you can see distant waves breaking over treacherous Horseshoe Reef. The Esplanade leads on to Witton Bluff, one of the best places on this coast to watch the sun sink below Gulf St Vincent.With its pristine reefs and charming fishing village atmosphere, Port Noarlunga is another of the coast s historic ports and much loved family beaches. The beach is surrounded by sand hills and cliffs and protected by the reef, which is home to an underwater discovery trail making it a diver s paradise. From Moana to Sellicks Beach, the main road takes you further inland. Vine covered vales with golden hills dropping sharply into the blue southern seas fill this landscape. The area is beloved of artists and the beaches of Moana, Maslin, Port Willunga, Aldinga and Sellicks fall between cliffs and outcrops of coloured sandstone.