Most of Cleland's animals live in open bushland rather than cages. A small bag of food from the gate lets kids feed kangaroos, wallabies and potoroos. Bird flu precautions have closed some aviaries and paused bird feeding, and a family day pass was $94 in October 2026.

Koala sessions at this family-run park in Cudlee Creek run daily at 11.30am and 2.30pm, for an extra fee. On days forecast to reach 32 degrees, only koala close-ups run and there is no holding. Kids can also feed the kangaroos and see meerkats, otters and alligators, and family entry was $72 in October 2026.

Kids can climb to the top of the 18-metre rocking horse at Gumeracha and add a certificate for $1. Next door are an animal park with kangaroos, goats and alpacas to feed, nine-hole mini golf and free playgrounds. It opens 9am to 5pm every day, except Christmas, Boxing Day and catastrophic fire days.

More than 300 vehicles fill the museum in Birdwood, about an hour's drive from Adelaide. Younger kids get trail sheets that send them searching every corner, and anyone can sit in the 1928 Chevrolet Tourer for a photo. It opens 10am to 5pm daily and takes card payments only.

From March to November, the Highlander heritage train runs on most Sundays to Strathalbyn, up to 50 minutes each way. Ride straight back, or explore the town and catch the afternoon train home. A family fare for two adults and two kids was $124 in October 2026, and under-4s ride free.

The summit rises more than 710 metres, with views across Adelaide's skyline to the coast. Entry is free, though the summit car park charges a fee, and there is a café and visitor information outlet at the top. Families who want a walk can come up from Cleland Wildlife Park on the Steub Trail, which climbs at a gentle gradient.

From the lower car park, a flat sealed trail circles the main lake for 1km past a series of sculptures. The rest of the garden is steep in the gullies, which is hard going with a pram. Parking is paid by card only, and bikes, scooters and dogs aren't allowed inside.

The First Falls walk follows a creek through Morialta Gorge, takes prams, and is a good place to count koalas. A detour of 89 steps leads to Giant's Cave, big enough for several people to sit in the cool and look over the gorge. Near the Stradbroke Road car park, the Mukanthi playspace has giant nests to climb and a secret tunnel.

Warrawong says it is the only place on mainland South Australia where you may see the shy platypus. Koalas, kangaroos, bandicoots and bettongs live safe behind its feral-proof fence, along with more than 100 bird species. Day entry is open on weekends and school and public holidays, and a guided 90-minute dusk tour gives the best chance of a platypus.