Tours/Adelaide/Around the Square Adelaide Walking Tour
Viator · group up to 20 pax

Around the Square Adelaide Walking Tour

5.0(50)Adelaide1 hour
VIATOR5.0(32)TRIPADVISOR5.0(18)

Description

Join an easy-paced 2 hour small-group walking tours around Victoria Square in the city of Adelaide. The focus of this tour is on history, heritage and culture and covers not only the architecture and history of the varying buildings but also the people who have been associated with them, and the stories about Adelaide's development from colonial times to today. Most of the sites visited are public institutions, statues and monuments and tour participants, whether locals, interstate or from overseas get to experience the essence of what Adelaide is all about.

Tour Options

Around the Square Adelaide Walking Tour

Itinerary

15 min

• Sir Francis Xavier Cathedral - mention its significance, history, architecture, relevance today (10 min) • Mother Mary Mackillop Statue - Story of Mackillop - her sainthood, order of nuns, charity work (5 min)

10 min

• Adelaide Town Hall - Introduction including brief history of Adelaide and its development, route of tour, duration and other housekeeping. Talk about early local government in South Australia and ground-breaking activities occurring in Adelaide Town Hall. Discuss previous use of buildings and current use. (10 min)

23 min

• Victoria Square - talk about history of square, indigenous connections, development of square (10 min) • Queen Victoria Statue - discuss significance of statue (3 min) • Charles Cameron Kingston Statue - overview of Kingston's career, personality, contribution, legacy ( 10 min)

4 min

• Torrens Building - overview of history of building, inhabitants including Sir Richard Torrens, Land title system( 4 min)

10 min

• Adina Apartments/Previously Treasury Building - Discuss history of building, tunnels, courtyard, famous people who have visited, role of Cabinet prior to 1968 (10 min)

7 min

• John McDouall Stuart Statue - story of Stuart, role he played in exploration, his legacy ( 5 min) • State Admin Centre - Brief overview of buildings and current use for State Government ministers and staff ( 2 min)

15 min

• SA Water Building - Talk about usage of building - educational focus (2 min) • Dame Roma Mitchell Commonwealth Law Courts - outline usage of building and its inhabitants - types of courts contained in building(3 min) • Magistrates Court - brief overview and history of court building, usage, stories of noted lawyers attached, subsequent and current use of site (5 min) • Supreme Court - history of court building, architecture, usage (5 min)

19 min

• Sir Samuel Way Court Building - history including its previous life as a department store and legacy of marble staircase, usage (10 min) • Three Rivers Fountain - story regarding erection of fountain, history, significance (4 min) • Transport - history of trams, trains in area(5 min)

17 min

• Former SGIC Building - history, architecture and associated stories (2 min) • Former Harbour Board Building - engineering feat, architecture, history (5 min) • Former MLC Building - significance in our history (3 min) • GPO Building - history including clock tower and notable citizens connected with building (7 min)

Highlights

Local guide

What's included

Included
Local guide
Not included
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation to/from attractions

Traveller Ratings

5.0
50 reviews
5
49
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • A maximum of 15 people per booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Reviews(50)

T
tinos663
July 11, 2025
Recommend

Very enjoyable and interesting. Good to better understand some of the history of Adelaide. Graeme was excellent and his knowledge of history of Adelaide was very impressive. A well spent couple of hours.

Operator response

Thanks Tino for booking with me and coming along on our tour. So pleased you enjoyed the experience and also thanks for posting your review.

M
Mark R
April 6, 2025
Knowledgeable and entertaining

Graham was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the history of his hometown Adelaide. I would highly recommend it.

Operator response

Thanks Mark for both booking our tour and posting your review. Enjoyed hosting you both and so pleased that you thought the experience was to your liking!

M
Marlene W
March 19, 2025
The story of Adelaide delivered with insight, humour and passion.

Graeme’s tour was excellent. He was generous with time and information, pointing out places and things we would never have noticed, giving us the historical and cultural backgrounds to what we were seeing and telling stories of colourful characters and events, all with great passion for his subject. We’ve already recommended this tour to a fellow traveller.

Operator response

Thanks Marlene for posting your review. Highly appreciate your comments and so pleased that you both enjoyed the experience. Thanks again for booking with us.

V
vivianaA8533JQ
February 18, 2025
History comes to life

A wonderful tour! Graeme really brought history to life and made it engaging and entertaining! I highly recommend it! Thanks Graeme

Operator response

Thanks Vivian for posting your review and for booking on our tour. So pleased you all enjoyed the experience and hopefully the rest of your time in Adelaide!

M
madeupname666
January 24, 2025
Genuine Aussie local

Graeme is a great guide, full of local knowledge. Would definitely try and get on one of his tours next time I'm in Adelaide!

Operator response

Thanks so much for posting your review and very pleased you enjoyed the experience. Enjoyed hosting around parts of our fair city.

E
Eileen_S
October 23, 2024
An excellent tour.

It was such an informative tour. Graham was very passionate about Adelaide’s history and added a lot of color.

Operator response

Thanks Eileen for posting your review of our experience. Thanks also for booking with us and so pleased you enjoyed the tour.

D
Demi_H
October 23, 2024
Interesting tour

Graeme was very friendly and knowledgeable. Adelaide has an interesting history and some beautiful architecture.

Operator response

Thanks Demi for posting your review of our tour. So pleased you both enjoyed the experience. It was great to meet you and to host you around parts of Adelaide - thanks for booking with us!

S
Sandra_K
May 24, 2024
The story behind many buildings and much more

Loved hearing the history of many buildings in the area, it added so much to my Adelaide visit. Graeme was a wealth of knowledge and conveyed this via memorable tales. I learnt so much in the couple of hours walking around. It’s a great introduction to the city.

Operator response

Thanks Sandra for posting your review as well as booking with me. So pleased that you enjoyed the experience during your stay in Adelaide and added to your knowledge about our city.

M
Mario_M
April 26, 2024
An Adelaide must do!

Easy meeting place. A world of knowledge gained by our guide. Wonderfully organised. Overall would highly recommend the experience. Just enhanced our Adelaide holiday.

Operator response

Thanks Mario for booking the tour as well as posting your review. So pleased you both enjoyed the experience and that it added to your time spent in Adelaide.

J
James_N
April 14, 2024
A History Lesson With Charm

Graeme was a terrific guide; a native of Adelaide with a passion for its rich history. An easy two hour stroll with many stories of the founding of South Australia. Highly recommend.

Operator response

Thanks James for posting your kind review. So pleased you both enjoyed your tour, which hopefully helped you to gain a wider understanding of Adelaide and South Australia. Thanks again for booking with me.

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