By Elisabeth Marie

Spring has sprung, which means it is time to go out and enjoy the emerging sunshine and blooming flowers. There is no better way to spend a day with family and friends than by soaking up the sunshine with a delicious picnic and a perfect place to play.

Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens
Located half an hour drive from the Adelaide CBD, the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens is a beautiful, 97-hectare garden in the splendid Adelaide Hills. The Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens are a gorgeous mixture of manicured garden beds and incredible wildlife. There are plenty of trails and tours for those looking for a short walk or those who want to challenge themselves with a hike. You can also indulge your artistic side with signature artworks and themed sculptures scattered between the beautiful flowers and trees. With lots of open spaces, the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens are perfect for having a picnic with the family and throwing the frisbee around. It is also a lovely spot for a romantic walk and picnic amongst the flowers with your significant other.

Morialta Falls
Morialta Falls is one of Adelaide’s most popular hiking locations, which isn’t surprising when you see the natural beauty of the place. The area is made up of rich wildlife, and it’s common to see Australian marsupials up in the trees. With both casual paths and hiking treks, there are walks for every person to enjoy. Historical ruins make Morialta Falls a great place to learn about the history of Adelaide and add to the spectacular scenery of the hikes. There is also a huge, nature-themed adventure playground before the hiking trails where families can play and enjoy the sunshine. Pack a picnic and find a lookout to enjoy mid-hike, or bring the whole family to the playground and enjoy a spread on your picnic mat while the kids play.

St Kilda Adventure Playground
The St Kilda Adventure Playground is well worth the 45 minute drive from the Adelaide CBD for an epic playground and picnic location. The massive playground is situated right on the beachfront so you can enjoy the gorgeous ocean breezes while spending the day with family and friends. The incredible playground features flying foxes, swing sets, basketball courts, massive slides, mazes and even a pirate ship on the waterfront! This park is the perfect picnic spot for kids big and small, and the whole family is bound to have a great time.

Adelaide Botanical Gardens
The Adelaide Botanical Gardens are located right in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, but it feels like entering a whole new world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This 51-hectare public garden features many beautiful spaces surrounded with nature and manicured gardens. You can enjoy walks through the gardens, greenhouses with exotic plants, daily guided tours, and a gorgeous garden shop where you can purchase seeds, books and gardening wares. The Adelaide Botanical Gardens are the perfect place for impromptu picnics with friends. Grab some takeaway from town or pack your own picnic and enjoy this little oasis in the Adelaide CBD.

Southport Beach
Located in Port Noarlunga, Southport Beach is a gorgeous strip of beach connected to the river mouth and surrounded by little coves. Coming down the twisting staircase, you emerge in front of the river mouth where people play, kayak and cliff-jump (but this is not recommended!) in the sunshine. Choose one of the beachside coves to hide your things away and enjoy some shade before heading out into the ocean to frolic in the waves or practice your surfing skills. Bring the family for a picnic and watch the kids from the shore while you sunbathe, or come along with your mates and enjoy some fish and chips on the seaside between riding the waves.

Be sure to make the most of this spring by enjoying your favourite picnic spots around Adelaide with your family and friends. All these locations are free and have enough entertainment to keep the family having fun all-day long, so don’t be afraid to splurge on some snacks and sodas to enjoy in the sunshine!