Things to do in Brighton, SA

Attractions and Activities near Brighton Holiday Park, South Australia!

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PLANNING A HOLIDAY TO BRIGHTON BEACH, ADELAIDE AND LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO?

Glenelg, Kingston Park, Brighton & surrounds is the hub for great events, entertainment and beachside fun. Our beachfront location makes us the ideal base to enjoy an abundance of water based activities – swimming, sailing, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, diving and sea kayaking. There’s a wide variety of attractions and activities to suit all ages and interests from historic sites to markets and galleries. See below for a range of activities to enjoy throughout your holiday.

If you’re looking for family friendly events, activities, local playgrounds, places to visit and eat you can’t go past the Kids in Adelaide website. It’s full of great ideas and our #1 resource for finding things to do in Adelaide with kids.

www.kidsinadelaide.com.au

Kingston Park Cliff Face Reserve

Image via: Holdfast Bay

The cliff face, rising behind our caravan park, contains some of the last examples of the original vegetation of the metropolitan coast. The Kaurna people used a lot of the plants found here for food, tools and weapons. There are 76 original plant species remaining on the cliff face, some of which are endangered.

Tjilbruke Spring

At the end of the caravan park and beside the old kiosk is a natural spring which still fills the reedy area with fresh water. The water is not suitable for human consumption today due to the high mineral content. In former times, the spring formed a coastal lagoon. Today, because of landfill between the spring and the ocean, it is difficult to see the spring water bubbling on the sand at the water line. The spring is of great importance to the Kaurna people, and is now listed as an aboriginal heritage site. IT is where the Ancestor Being, Tjilbruke, stopped with his dead nephew, Kulultuwi to complete the smoking of his body before continuing his long journey south. This area is known as Tulukutangga and was a camp and ceremonial site.

Kingston House

Image via: Kingston’s Historic House

Kingston House is located directly above the park. Kingston Historic House (c1840) is the oldest historic building in Holdfast Bay and was owned by George Strickland Kingston, who came out on the Cygnet as Deputy Surveyor to Colonel Light. He was an architect and designed many of the early colonial buildings in Adelaide.

Jetty Road/Moseley Square

Glenelg is known for its stunning turquoise water and spectacular sunsets. Actually the sunsets from our park are just as sensational. Only 20 mins from the CBD, ‘The Bay’ (as Glenelg is affectionately known) is home to some amazing restaurants, shops & is an entertainment hub connecting shopping, food & a stunning beachfront setting. Don’t forget to also visit the Bay Discovery Centre for some fabulous art/historical displays.

Bay Discovery Centre

Bay Discovery Centre is an exhibition and interpretive facility, which is located in the Glenelg Town Hall. Browse through the interactive multimedia exhibitions and learn about the early days of Foundation and life by the sea. There is also a mezzanine gallery which features a changing program of visual art exhibitions supporting and promoting the work of South Australian artists.

Glenelg Air-Raid Shelter

Image via: Holdfast Bay

Well before the Japanese attacks on Darwin, Broome and other parts of Northern Australia, a series of air-raid shelters were built by the South Australian government. They were built in preparation should World War 2 come to Adelaide. Glenelg Air-Raid Control Shelter 1707 was built in Rugless Terrace, next to the Glenelg Football Oval. It was built by the Engineering and Water Supply Department (as it was known then) for the Civil Defence Authorities as one of a number of shelters that formed part of a communication network.

Botanic Gardens of Adelaide

Image via: Glam Adelaide

The three gardens that make up the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide have served South Australians for over 150 years. The three gardens, Adelaide, Mount Lofty (located at Piccadilly) and Wittunga (located at Blackwood) offer visitors an exceptional range of cultural, recreational, educational and scientific facilities. They enhance the community’s enjoyment and understanding of the plant world.

National Wine Centre

The National Wine Centre is an architectural treat, but what it holds inside is the real attraction. Visitors to the centre can experience the winemaking process from the vine up through our interactive, free entry, Wine Discovery Journey located on the first floor. Guests can complete their experience by tasting fine Australian wines, or enjoying a meal from the seasonal tapas menu in the ground floor Cellar Door. The National Wine Centre experience is perfect for everyone from the complete novice to the wine connoisseur. Open 9am until 5pm daily, allow us the opportunity to extend and heighten your appreciation of Australian wine. Tour and Tastings 10am – 5pm and free daily tours 11.30am.

Absolute Fishing Charters

Absolute Fishing Charters operate unforgettable fishing adventures out of the Holdfast Shores Marina, Glenelg, just 10 kilometres from Adelaide City. It’s the perfect way to test out your casting skills as you try catching a South Aussie King George Whiting.

Adelaide Hills

Just a short drive from Adelaide city, the Adelaide Hills is a great place to spend a day touring cellar doors. Some wineries include Shaw and Smith, The Mojo Barn and Yangoora Estate. {Image} McLaren Vale Wine District At Adelaide’s back door is the McLaren Vale Wine district , a beautiful part of the Fleurieu Peninsula tucked between the Mount Lofty Ranges and placid waters of Gulf St Vincent. Forty kilometres from the city centre, the area has been a wine-producing district since the very early days of South Australian settlement. Its climate is moderate, and especially suited to grape-growing. There are some 40 wineries in the district, many of them around McLaren Vale. Many wineries have attractive settings and BBQ facilities for visitors; all offer cellar-door sales.

Burial site and artefacts

In the 1950s, burial sites were uncovered on beach in front of our caravan park. A circular heap of stones believed to be the remains of traditional ovens, was also discovered here.

Tjilbruke Monument

On the headland above the spring, at the end of Strickland Road, the Tjilbruke Monument rises majestically above the sea and looks down over the freshwater spring known as Tulukutangga. Made of massive stones, the monument represents Tjilbruke carrying his dead nephew, Kulultuwi, on his long journey south.

Arch of Remembrance

Image via: Monument Australia

The landmark Arch of Remembrance is the gateway to Brighton’s infamous Jetty; the start and finish of South Australia’s largest ocean swim starts/finishes here. Brighton has a relaxed seaside charm offering a blend of family entertainment, unique cafes and relaxation by the beach.

Art Gallery of South Australia

The Art Gallery was officially opened in 1881. The entire collection is divided into four areas: prints and drawings, Australian decorative arts, European and Asian decorative arts, painting and sculpture. Highlights of the collection include Australian art from the 18th century (with an emphasis on the art of South Australians) and European and British art from the 16th century to the present day.

Glenelg Markets

Image via: CityMag

The Glenelg Markets offers a variety of products ranging from temporary tattoos, jewellery, embroidery and knitted items, decoupage creations, sun catchers, children’s clothing and much more… Come and find that special something!There are areas in and around the markets to sit in the shade and delightful alfresco cafes and restaurants to have a bite to eat and a refreshing coffee or glass of wine and enjoy the passing parade of vibrant and colourful characters that entertain market patrons. Lively music and street entertainment ensures the children don’t miss out either.The markets are held every Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays from 9am to Dusk at Glenelg Town Hall, Glenelg.

Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo is Australia’s second oldest zoo, and the only major metropolitan zoo in AHahndorfustralia to be owned and operated on a non-profit basis. It is located in the parklands just north of the city centre of Adelaide, South Australia. Aelaide Zoo is home to over 1,800 animals and almost 300 species of exot

Hahndorf

Hahndorf is classified as Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and each year thousands of people, young and old, enjoy its charm and the hospitality. Hahndorf is the jewel of the Adelaide Hills and one of South Australia’s most popular towns. A mere 20 minute drive from the Adelaide CBD, Hahndorf can be easily accessed via the Southern Eastern Freeway. The town is immensely popular with visitors from all over the world as well as locals and many premium businesses have set up their shops in this iconic town. Hahndorf has a unique ‘village feel’ about it and the Main Street is lined with eateries, souvenir and gift shops, clothing and leather goods and craft outlets and galleries. There are two pubs offering authentic German fare and several cafes, restaurants and smallgoods outlets making Hahndorf an ideal place for a day out with family or friends.

SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre (Oaklands Park)

The SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre boasts world class aquatic facilities for all South Australians to play, train and perform. The Centre features: Matt Cowdrey Competition Pool 52m, with moveable boom, windows and pace lights, Dive/ Water Polo Pool 55m, with moveable boom, aircushions and windows, Program Pool 25m, Learners Pool 15m, Leisure Pool with interactive water playground, Toddler Pool, Jet Pool, Waterslides, Big Water Bucket, Steam Room, Sauna Room and Dive boards.

Onkaparinga National Park

Image via: South Australia

City of Adelaide and has been likened to a walk in the Flinders Ranges in micro. The park features a deep gorge (for the Mt Lofty Ranges) with the biggest river flowing west off the Mt Lofty ranges. There are a number of walks which are well maintained and at this time of the year feature native orchids. There is also a waterfall on the river proper with a number of small cascades on the numerous small tributaries running to the river. The river has cut down to glacial deposits that are aged at about 500 million years. These are geological monuments in themselves. There is provision for abseiling and for the more energetic, reasonably fit walker the bottom of the gorge is a challenge; especially when the river is flooding. Currently this park is being rehabilitated by the NPWS and a large volunteer group. The area was originally used for pastoral and logging pursuits and is infested with olives through much of its length. However, because of its relative size it is possible to walk in a bushland setting for three + hours without sighting more than the occasional olive tree. There is a large population of western grey kangaroo, echidna and the occasional koala moves through the area as well. The bird population is large with over 180 different species identified by members of the volunteer group some of whom are members of the RAOA. Reptiles are well represented by brown and red bellied snakes, lizards and skinks of all sizes. This park has a sister park – the Onkaparinga Recreation Park. This park is on the western side of the Main South Road and like the National Park straddles the river. In this case the park is the estuary; making the Onkaparinga park systems the only system in the Adelaide region where a walker can walk from the Mt Lofty range ecosystem to the sea. A feature of the Recreation park are the person made wetland lakes of which there are five. The largest complex has an island and a duckboard trail through the swamp areas. The river itself is a haven for birds and fish. Apart from walking the visitor can picnic, fish etc.