Dolphin deaths, school holidays and winter warmth: The best family activities in Adelaide this week

Adelaide families looking for something to do this week have a mix of indoor art sessions, outdoor nature walks and hands-on science workshops to choose from, just as news breaks of a spike in dolphin deaths off the South Australian coast.

The recent algal bloom in local waters has decimated food sources for dolphins, according to a Guardian Australia report published July 14. While the bloom’s impact is still being assessed, it’s a reminder that winter wildlife encounters, such as dolphin-spotting at the Port River or Granite Island, should be approached with care. The South Australian Department for Environment and Water advises checking local beach conditions before heading out.

Meanwhile, with school holidays running until the end of the week, several venues have extended their family programs. The South Australian Museum on North Terrace is hosting its popular DinoLab workshop daily from 10am to 3pm, where children can handle real fossils and learn about prehistoric life. Entry is free for kids under 15, though bookings are recommended.

Winter warmers and indoor adventures

For families preferring to stay out of the cold, the Art Gallery of South Australia on North Terrace is running its Winter Art Play sessions every weekday at 11am. Kids can create their own mixed-media artworks inspired by the gallery’s permanent collection. The sessions are free, but spaces are limited to 25 children per session.

Over at the Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Bicentennial Conservatory is hosting a tropical plant scavenger hunt each afternoon until July 17. Children receive a passport-style booklet and are tasked with identifying species from the Amazon and Southeast Asia. The conservatory is heated, making it a popular choice on chilly afternoons.

The City of Adelaide has also turned Rundle Mall’s pop-up space at 68 Rundle Street into a free Lego building zone until Friday. Tables are stocked with thousands of bricks, and staff run building challenges every hour. No booking is required, but masks are recommended under current SA Health guidelines for indoor settings.

Outdoor escapes and nature connection

For families keen to get outside, the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills offers a self-guided Winter Wander trail, with signs explaining how native plants survive the cold. The walk is about 1.5 kilometres and takes roughly 45 minutes. Entry is free, and the car park on Piccadilly Road has ample space.

Closer to the city, the Torrens Lake Linear Park has reopened its weir viewing platform after maintenance. Families can watch the weir’s water flow and spot birdlife including black swans and Pacific black ducks. The park stretches from the city to West Beach, and bikes can be hired from the rental station at Elder Park for $15 per hour.

The spike in dolphin deaths, the state has recorded more than 30 dolphin strandings since the algal bloom began in June, has prompted the South Australian Museum’s marine biology team to offer a free public talk this Saturday, July 18, at 2pm. Staff will explain how families can report stranded marine life and what the museum is doing to study the bloom’s effects.

For most Adelaide families, the key takeaway is simple: winter doesn’t mean staying home. Free and low-cost activities are running across the city and hills, from indoor fossil digs to outdoor weir walks. Just check the weather, and the water quality alerts, before heading out.