While the weather might be touch and go, don’t let it rain on your parade. If you’re staying in Adelaide, we’ve rounded up some of the best inexpensive and easy-to-organise experiences – from entire days out to quick pit stops. Here are nine awesome activities that will only cost you $10 (or less).
Pick up a shatteringly crisp pastry from Prove Patisserie
Prove Patisserie sells some of the cities best croissants, scrolls and seasonal danishes from its Stepney shopfront; and the luminous line-up of buttery baked goods will all set you back less than $10. (Note: the store will be closed from December 25 to January 13.)
Visit an art gallery
When you're working on a budget, one of the best activities you can do to squeeze every penny is to hit an art gallery, and there are plenty of vibrant and stunning works on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Alongside the leading ticketed exhibition Radical Textiles, there's also free entry to Reimagining the Renaissance, which goes beyond the Italian masters to spotlight northern European renaissance art. The colourfully curated permanent collection is always worth a visit, too, and they run a free guided tour daily.
If you want more art, independent spaces such as Ace Gallery and the University of South Australia’s Samstag Museum of Art are both free to enter and just a short walk from each other. (Both galleries reopen in February with new exhibitions.)
Take a guided walk through gardens
To get more out of your garden walk, all of the botanic gardens around Adelaide have free guided tours that run weekly or daily. You’ll be surprised by how these elevate your experience, and next time you visit one of the gardens with friends or family, you’ll be a bit of an expert.
Explore a nature trail
Outside is free, and there are more than a handful of places to make the most of it in and around Adelaide. Go on a relaxing walk at Anstey Hill and explore the ruins of the old nursery, spot the wildflowers at Waite Conservation Reserve, gaze at the coast from the boardwalk at Hallett Cove, or try a more challenging trail at Morialta or Black Hill.
Drink $3 beers at the Cranker
$3 schooners? In this economy? The Crown and Anchor is still pouring cheap beers on Wednesdays between 8pm and 10pm. The beloved pub's been saved from demolition, but it will still have to close for a period of time while student accomodation is built on the site (and its band room gets a soundproofing upgrade). So get there for a Coopers while you still can. The price is right.
Visit the Ebenezer Night Markets
Who decided that only Europe can have vibe-y night markets? The Ebenezer Night Markets run throughout summer, offering a selection of gift-friendly items – mostly by local makers – like jewellery, clothes, food and art. It’s worth a visit for the atmosphere alone, but there are plenty of products on offer that will set you back less than $10, too. (The market runs on select dates through December and February – check its Instagram page for more details.)
Learn how to dance
Swing and jazz-era dance school Swing Out Adelaide runs excellent $10 come-and-try classes at various times during the year. Over the course of an hour, you’ll be taught all of the swing dancing basics you need to know to hold your own in the post-class social dance – the perfect chance to practice your new moves. Keep an eye on their website for details about classes in the new year.
Take a dip at your local pool
There is something so nostalgic about public pools: looking for an empty space to lay your towel on the grass; grabbing an iceblock at the kiosk; diving into the deep end. Most local pools cost less than $10 to enter; for a casual session, the Norwood, Unley and Marion pools cost around $8–$9. Don’t forget to bring your sunblock.
Try coffee and pastries at the market
There’s no shortage of delicious food options costing less than $10 in the Adelaide Central Market – the hard part is choosing. If you haven’t already, try the kaya (coconut jam) buns at Asian bakery Nanna Hot Bake or cannele, croissant pudding or flan patissier at French stall Les Deux Coqs.
Check out the museum
When was the last time you visited the South Australian Museum? Possibly a long time ago, so maybe now is the time for another visit. There are more than a few gems across the collections, and at 166 years old, the museum is older than both the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Natural History Museum in London. Entry is completely free.
