Travelling with kids isn’t a walk in the park. Parents often find themselves scrolling through endless accommodation listings, unsure if the “family-friendly” label really means safe spaces, enough beds, or anything to keep the kids busy.
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Adelaide for families, you’ll find three main options: city hotels with pools and family packages, serviced apartments with kitchens and room to move, or eco cabins in the nearby hills.
This article explores all three. From our experience hosting families at CABN, we’ve seen parents light up when they realise how much easier it feels. Less rushing, more exploring and plenty of options that suit, whether you’re a family of three looking for a quick weekend, or a crew of five planning a school holiday escape.
Why Adelaide Works So Well For Families
Adelaide suits parents who want less stress and more time with the kids.
• The heart of the city is walkable. Trams and trains are simple.
• Beaches like Glenelg and Henley sit 20 to 30 minutes from the city centre.
• Big green spaces circle the city, which means playgrounds in every corner.
• Day trips are quick. Adelaide Hills, Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Clare all sit within an easy drive.
This is why many families are looking at the best places to stay in Adelaide, Australia, across both the CBD and the nearby regions. A good approach is to split your time: spend a couple of nights in the city for easy access to attractions, then head out for a few nights in nature. It gives you the best of both worlds.
Best Places to Stay in Adelaide for Families
You have three strong options. Pick based on space, budget, and how you like to travel.
Nature Cabins for Space, Silence, and Real Downtime
If you need some quiet time to rest your head or want your whole family to slow down, off-grid cabin accommodations in Adelaide give you privacy, safe space, and a soft adventure. CABN offers cabins that put you in the vines, the forest, or on a coastal edge. You still have a proper bed, a shower, a stovetop, and an outdoor BBQ.
Benefits:
• Children sleep well after bush walks and star spotting.
• Parents enjoy sunsets with local wine while kids toast marshmallows.
• You hear magpies in the morning and crickets at night. Simple. Restful.
Tips: Make sure you pack some head torches, a deck of cards, and easy meals. Think of pasta, sausages, wraps, fruit, and water. Finally, to soak up the experience, keep the evenings slow and device-free.
Hotels with Pools and Family Packages
While sharing one hotel room with restless kids can test your patience, hotels are still an option for families who want on-site perks and within-the-city access. Here’s what to look for:
• A pool to keep the kids happy while adults recharge.
• Interconnecting room options for bigger families.
• Buffet breakfast deals or a kids eat free package.
• Cots, high chairs, and late check-out on request.
You can move light. Towels, toiletries, and daily cleaning are already sorted. You stay close to attractions, museums, and river walks.
When booking, email the hotel and ask for their current family package. Ask if children eat free with two paying adults. Ask if the second room discounts apply during school holidays. You often get unlisted deals when you ask nicely.
Where this makes sense:
• Short city breaks where you want more time at the Zoo, the Museum, and the Botanic Garden.
• First trips with toddlers when routine matters and you need quick back to base comfort.
Apartments with Kitchens and Extra Space
Serviced apartments are also some of the best places to stay in Adelaide if you want breathing room.
Here’s what you get:
• Separate bedrooms so babies sleep while you talk.
• A kitchen to cook eggs and toast before you head out.
• A washer for sandy clothes after the beach.
• A lounge so grandparents can join as extra guests.
Benefits:
• Costs drop when you self-cater even one meal per day.
• Picky eaters stay happy because you control food.
• Everyone rests better because no one shares a single room.
Tip: Book near a major supermarket or market hall. Stock fruit, yoghurt, and snacks on arrival. The first morning then runs smoothly. Less rush. Fewer meltdowns.
When this makes sense:
• You need longer stays.
• You have families with babies who need naps and floor space.
• Trips where you host friends for dinner like a little home.
Unique Family-Friendly Options Near Adelaide
These CABN stays sit within easy reach of the city. Each allows your family to reset in nature without losing comfort.
CABN Kangaroo Island — A Nature-Filled Getaway for Families
• Travel: 1.5 hours to Cape Jervis, 45-minute ferry, plus island driving.
• Nearby fun: Kangaroo Island is a wildlife wonderland. You get a chance to walk among sea lions at Seal Bay, sandboard at Little Sahara, or watch fur seals laze at Admirals Arch. Flinders Chase National Park delivers the iconic Remarkable Rocks. Families often spend mornings beachcombing rock pools at Stokes Bay before an afternoon wildlife show at Raptor Domain.
• Why families love it: Wildlife encounters thrill the kids, while the island’s slower pace helps parents unwind. Nights are quiet, with only waves and bush sounds in the background.
• Tips: Plan ahead. Fuel, snacks, and ferry bookings are essential. CABN Kangaroo Island stays book fast during the school holidays. So, check availability and book ahead. Carry a windproof jacket for everyone. The island’s weather can turn quickly.
CABN Hahndorf — Family Stays Close to the Hills
• Drive time: about 30 minutes from the CBD.
• Nearby fun: Hahndorf Farm Barn for animal feeding. Beerenberg Farm for seasonal strawberry picking. Gorge Wildlife Park and Cleland for hand feeding kangaroos.
• Why families love it: You can spend the morning on a short bush walk, lunch in the village, and nap time back at the cabin. You can make a quick drive to the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm for picking. Picnic at a hillside playground and back for a rest, dinner on the Weber. At nightfall, star-watch with the kids before bed.
CABN Barossa Valley — Wine Country for Parents, Nature for Kids
• Drive time: 60–75 minutes north of Adelaide.
• Nearby fun: Beyond cellar doors, Barossa is full of family stops. Whistler Wines sets up treasure hunts and cricket pitches, while Yalumba offers sprawling lawns where children can run safely. Barossa Adventure Station in Angaston offers climbing towers and slides, and the Whispering Wall always gets kids whispering and giggling across the dam.
• Why families love it: Parents get their glass of Shiraz in peace while the kids kick the footy on the grass. Everyone comes together over hearty regional food and one long, relaxed lunch.
• Tip: Aim for an early lunch sitting; children eat before naps, and you get more time to linger without stress.
CABN Kuitpo Forest — Adventure in the Pines
• Drive time: About 45 minutes south.
• Nearby fun: Kuitpo’s tall Radiata pines and trails feel like a natural playground. The Chookarloo Walk is an easy 1 km loop where younger children can ride balance bikes. Families often picnic in clearings, collect pine cones, or try spotting colourful mushrooms after rain. Older kids might enjoy a detour to TreeClimb for zipline fun.
• Why families love it: Forest air calms everyone down. Days are filled with simple wanders, wildlife spotting, and free play. When night falls, the dark skies put on a show of stars you’ll never see back in town.
• Safety tip: Give kids clear rules. Choose a landmark or “base corner” as home ground. Teach them to call out if they can’t see you. Pack plenty of water; walking through the pine forest can easily dehydrate you.
CABN McLaren Vale — Vineyard Views and Coastal Escapes
• Drive time: Around 45 minutes south.
• Nearby fun: The d’Arenberg Cube doubles as a quirky art gallery that even kids enjoy. Woodstock Wine Estate has kangaroos feeding every morning, while Maxwell Wines hides a giant maze that keeps children entertained. Beaches like Port Noarlunga and Aldinga are close by for a swim or sandy afternoon.
• Why families love it: It’s a best-of-both-worlds trip: vineyards and tastings by day, golden beaches and fish-and-chip dinners by sunset. Parents get their coastal fix without giving up on wine country.
• Actionable tip: Pack some bathers and beach towels even if you’re wine touring. A quick dip at Port Willunga or a beachside dinner breaks up the day for the kids.
CABN Clare Valley — Countryside Charm and Wide Skies
• Drive time: 1.5 to 2 hours north.
• Nearby fun: The Riesling Trail is perfect for family cycling. Hire trailers or tag-alongs for smaller children and pedal between cellar doors. Sevenhill Cellars welcomes families with open lawns and picnic space. The Mintaro maze challenges everyone, while Martindale Hall gives kids a “mini castle” to explore.
• Why families love it: Days move more slowly. Kids can play safely in open spaces while adults enjoy country hospitality. Nights bring wide skies and a peaceful quiet only the countryside delivers.
• Tips: Bring or hire bikes to make the most of the Riesling Trail. Stop regularly for breaks. The joy here is in taking your time, not racing from point to point.
What Families Love Most About Adelaide Getaways
Patterns we’ve seen across guest feedback:
• The city is easy. Short hops mean less car time and more play time.
• Parks and beaches are free and frequent, which helps the budget.
• Wineries welcome children with lawns, games, and easy food.
• Cabins give privacy and quiet, so tired brains reset.
• Mornings feel fresh. Evenings feel calm. Everyone sleeps better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to stay in Adelaide for families?
Hotels with a pool and family package in the city centre work well for short breaks. Apartments with kitchens help for longer trips and picky eaters. CABN cabins near Adelaide suit families who want safe space, stars, and simple outdoor joy.
Are CABN cabins safe for kids?
Yes. Cabins are perfectly safe, lockable, and private. Parents supervise outside as they would in any bush setting. Bring closed shoes, torches, and teach simple bush rules.
Do CABN stays have space for large families?
Some cabins sleep up to four guests. These include family CABNs and couple CABNs at Hahndorf. Bigger groups often book two cabins side by side. Ask the team about layouts and the best pairing for your family size.
How close are CABNs to the city centre?
Hahndorf is about 30 minutes away. McLaren Vale about 45 minutes. Barossa about 60 to 75 minutes. Clare about 90 to 120 minutes. Kangaroo Island requires a ferry or short flight.
What activities can families enjoy near CABN stays?
Hahndorf for farm animals and berries. Barossa for lawns and playgrounds at cellar doors. Kuitpo is great for forest loops, and Kangaroo Island for wildlife. McLaren Vale for beaches and games. Clare for bikes and maze fun.
Why Choose a CABN for a Family-Friendly Stay in Adelaide?
When you book a CABN, you’re giving your family more than a bed for the night. These cabins are private and spacious. Wildlife, trees, and open skies are right outside the door, turning every walk into an adventure. Inside, you’ll still have the comforts you need: proper beds that sleep up to four, hot showers, and a stovetop for easy meals. Because they’re eco-designed with solar power and smart water use, you can also feel good knowing your stay treads lightly.
If you’re planning the best places to stay in Adelaide for families, check availability early, especially during school holidays. Think about which region excites you most: the Hills, Barossa, McLaren Vale, or further afield on Kangaroo Island. Finally, check the CABN capacity before booking. Choose and book your CABN family getaway today and experience South Australia with the people you love.
