On the weekend we took the kids to Carrick Hill again. This time the focus was not the castle! Originally we just wanted to take a walk, but unexpectedly found a kid-walking route in the garden that felt like a fairy tale adventure.
The whole garden is very big, with lots of greenery. As you walk, your whole body slowly relaxes.
Carrick Hill Reviews
About a 20-minute drive southeast of Adelaide, outside the CT, hides an English manor.
The scenery is super beautiful, as if instantly arriving in Europe/England. According to the guide, the design of Carrick Hill was based on British style, and many decorations were imported from Europe.
When we went, there were hardly any people at the front of the castle. Behind the castle there is a large lawn and garden, where many families with kids gathered. Kids rolled on the grass and played among the flowers, while adults lay on the lawn chatting. It is very suitable to bring some food for a picnic.
Carrick Hill Gardens
Looking out from the garden, the view is very open, with large areas of greenery and lawns. Walking in a place like this, both body and mind slowly relax. Just walking around the gardens costs nothing at all and has super high value for money.
There is actually a little house hidden in the garden that looks like something from The Hobbit.
The round wooden door is especially cute. Many kids gathered in front and studied the doorway for a long time, seriously “knocking” on the door. Later they even formed a queue, chattering away about their own strange and wonderful ideas.
The little cabins in the forest seem to come with magic for kids, and they always can’t help stopping to explore. Walking along the garden path, you will see several little cabins. Each one has storybooks and tables and chairs inside.
No kid can refuse a place like this. The kids went in and out and played there for a long time.
Carrick Hill Cafe
Rozelle’s lunch is very good! The pizza is traditional Italian thin-crust pizza, the garlic bread is also delicious, and they also have my favourite beef tartare.
From the restaurant terrace you can directly see the garden scenery, and the environment is very comfortable.
Sometimes when taking kids out, you don’t need a playground. A forest path and a little cabin can keep them entertained for a long time.
Address: Carrick Hill House
Main house visit: Adult $20 | Student & seniors $18 | Kids free
Opening hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday (don’t make a wasted trip).
Transport: It’s just a very short drive from Adelaide city, direct and convenient.
It is recommended to come on a sunny day, bring picnic gear, and wander around. Sunbathing on the lawn is quite comfortable, with few people and no crowds. After visiting personally, we feel you can skip buying tickets to go inside, as there isn’t that much to see. You can buy some of their merchandise though.
A niche place in Adelaide that is worth slowly wandering around.