Adelaide Historic Buildings & Places

Adelaide is known as the ‘city of churches’ providing lots of historic buildings and places for visitors to explore.

The best way to discover the city’s historic spots is to join one of Adelaide’s walking tours and learn about the city’s most significant buildings and places.

Below are just some of the historic bulidings that line the streets of Adelaide:

The Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841. Along with Government House, it is recognised as the oldest public building in South Australia. 

The Adelaide Gaol operated as a working prison for 147 years and is the longest serving prison in Australia. Prisoners faced corporal punishment, solitary confinement and hard labour. Of the 66 prisoners executed in South Australia, 45 were hanged in the Adelaide Gaol.

A recent archaeological dig in the Gaol grounds discovered it to be the location of the very first white settlers in South Australia. They would have camped on the Gaol site by the Torrens River while waiting for their houses to be built in the city of Adelaide. 

During the archaeological excavation, a variety of ceramics, glass and metals were discovered. These are now on display in the Gaol.

The Adelaide Goal is a valuable historic site and an integral part of South Australia’s heritage.

The Gaol offers Self Guided or Guided History Tours and for those who dare, a night time Ghost Tour!

On the corner of King William and Rundle Streets sits Beehive corner.

Built in 1895, this gothic style building has been home to the popular Haigh’s Chocolates since 1915 and now opens into Rundell Mall.

This English-style manor was built in 1939 and eloquently allows visitors to step back in time.

Handcrafted with decorative oak panelling and boasting an impressive master staircase, this home is furnished with original pieces and tells a story of this early period.

Surrounded by beautiful English gardens, this early manor contains the lifetime works of 2 artists.

Adelaide’s Old Government House is one of the oldest heritage buildings in Australia, dating back to 1839.

Built originally as a summer house for Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell, this 19^th century Victorian style building is to be admired.

Twice a year the Governor opens the gates to this beautiful property, giving visitors the opportunity to tour the building and its gardens.

Now the Captain Charles Sturt Museum, Adelaide’s Grange House was formerly home to this renowned pioneer, and is of great historical significance to Australia.

This home still has its original furniture and other historic items which date back to the mid 1800's and offers a great insight into the life of the Sturt family.

Adelaide’s Magistrates Court is a working monument that has been preserved in its original condition.

Visitors to this heritage building will notice the building’s golden exterior comprised of sandstone and decorative architecture which depicts the mid 19^th century.

Many of Adelaide’s key historical documents are housed in the State Library of South Australia, one of Australia’s most admired buildings.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church is one of Adelaide’s earliest buildings, built in the year of 1872.

A place of worship, this building features its original organ, and its old horse stables still remain behind the church.

Inside, the churches interior features beautiful stained glass windows.

Victoria Square sits in the centre of Adelaide and is the departure point for the city tram which takes travellers through to the vibrant suburb of Glenelg.

The center point of Victoria Square is a water fountain put into action by the Duke of Edinburg in 1963.

The fountain was originally designed to represent Adelaide’s 3 rivers and commemorate Queen Elizabeth 2^nd’s visit to Adelaide.