Popular beachside suburb with restaurants, bars, and the Jetty Road shopping strip. Connected to Adelaide by the historic Glenelg tram.

About Glenelg Beach

Glenelg is Adelaide's premier beach suburb, located on the shores of Holdfast Bay where the British colony of South Australia was officially proclaimed in 1836. The main strip, Jetty Road, runs from the beach inland and is lined with cafés, restaurants, ice cream shops, and boutiques — making it a lively destination year-round.

The beach itself stretches for several kilometers of clean white sand, with calm Gulf St Vincent waters that are ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The Glenelg Jetty extends into the bay and is popular for fishing and sunset walks. Between November and April, wild dolphins regularly visit the shore and swimming with them is a popular local experience.

Glenelg is connected to the Adelaide CBD by the historic Glenelg Tram, making it easy to combine a beach visit with city sightseeing. The suburb has a strong dining scene, particularly along Jetty Road where seafood restaurants take advantage of the fresh local catch. Moseley Square, where the tram terminates at the beach, is the social heart of the suburb.

Nearby Landmarks

Glenelg Jetty Moseley Square Jetty Road The Beachouse amusement park

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost AUD $22-28 (~$15-19 USD)
Time 12-18 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost AUD $18-22 (~$12-15 USD)
Time 12-18 min

Ground Transport pickup

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Exit Adelaide Airport arrivals and proceed to the taxi rank or rideshare zone.
2. Take a taxi or Uber south along Tapleys Hill Road toward Glenelg (10-15 min, AUD 18-25).
3. Alternatively, take the JetBus to the city, then transfer to the Glenelg Tram at South Terrace.
4. The tram runs from the CBD to Moseley Square right at Glenelg Beach (25 min tram ride).
5. For direct beach access, ask to be dropped at Moseley Square at the end of Jetty Road.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi AUD $22-28 (~$15-19 USD) 12-18 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare AUD $18-22 (~$12-15 USD) 12-18 min Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

After midnight, taxis and Uber/DiDi are available from the airport (AUD 20-30 to Glenelg). The Glenelg Tram runs until about 11:30 PM on weeknights and midnight on weekends but does not serve the airport directly. Glenelg is safe at night with well-lit streets along Jetty Road.

Luggage Tips

The short journey to Glenelg means any vehicle easily handles luggage. If taking a taxi to Jetty Road, you can be dropped at your accommodation's door. Note that Jetty Road has some pedestrian-priority zones near the beach — confirm your exact drop-off point with the driver.

Accessibility

Glenelg is one of Adelaide's most accessible beach areas. The Glenelg Tram has low-floor accessible carriages. Moseley Square and Jetty Road are flat and wheelchair friendly. The beach has a Mobi-Mat (beach wheelchair access mat) during summer months. The Glenelg Jetty is fully accessible.