Upmarket at Bowden

Down to Earth Tours

Cultural and Theme Tours
Half Day or Less
Walking and Biking Tours
  • History & Heritage

Highlights

  • Explore Adelaide's rich history on six engaging walking tours that unveil captivating stories and local heritage.
  • Stroll through North Adelaide's grand mansions and villas, discovering the lives of early colonial families from the 1880s.
  • Wander the cultural boulevard of North Terrace, passing iconic landmarks like Parliament House and the State Library.
  • Experience the charm of Adelaide's architecture while enjoying easy-paced walks led by knowledgeable local guides.
Today's Weather
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Down to Earth Tours provide a choice of six walking tours around both Adelaide central business district and North Adelaide encompassing history, heritage and culture.

The two-hour easy paced walks bring to life stories of the past incorporating characters that have lived behind the facades of varying infrastructure. The walks also trace the development of Adelaide from early beginnings to today.

A locally born and bred tour guide with a good knowledge about Adelaide and South Australia who has a passion for history and heritage.

If you enjoy hearing interesting stories about the history, heritage and culture of Adelaide, along with its interesting characters, then these tours will suit you.

17°C Partly cloudy

Images and Video

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Tour/s

Stately Swagger

Stately Swagger

Stately Swagger – Upper North Adelaide – This tour takes individuals and groups through the western part of North Adelaide which features villas and semi-detached houses built during the boom period of the 1880’s – learn about some of the early colonial families of Adelaide who lived here.

Operates: Daily 10am to 12pm or at other times subject to availability.

Hills, Squares and Parklands

Hills, Squares and Parklands

Hills, Squares and Parklands – Upper North Adelaide – This walk features Montefiore Hill, Brougham Place and Palmer Place well known for their large mansions including Christ Church and Bishop’s Court, which date from the early 1850’s.

An opportunity exists to view eye-catching heritage including some of the larger mansions, who used to live in them and how they made their money.

Stories are relayed regarding early pioneering explorers, justice systems, artists, educators, business people and women’s suffrage amongst others.

Operates: 7 days of the week from 10am to 12pm or at other times dependant upon availability.

East End Escapade

East End Escapade

The East End Escapade tour highlights the wealthy occupied mansions of East and South Terrace and the growing middle class who lived in Victorian Villas in Halifax and Gilles Street.

Operates: Daily 10am to 12pm or at other times subject to availability.

Grand Mansions and Sub-Divisions

Grand Mansions and Sub-Divisions

Grand Mansions and Subdivisions – Lower North Adelaide – This walk highlights the grand mansions of Brougham Place built to address the Parklands setting and in contrast continues to Lower North Adelaide which features the Chichester Gardens Subdivisions between Stanley, Melbourne and Jerningham Streets.

Places visited include 2 churches, an old brewery, gardens as well as heritage listed private properties dating from the 19th Century.

Operates: Daily 10am to 12pm or at other times subject to availability.

Around the Square

Around the Square

Around the Square – City of Adelaide (Victoria Square) – This tour highlights the important infrastructure surrounding the central square of Adelaide including Law Courts, General Post Office, Treasury Building and Adelaide Town Hall and tells the stories behind the facades.

Stories are weaved into the tour relating to the discovery of Gold in Victoria during the 1850’s, women’s suffrage, justice systems, retail entrepreneurs, early pioneer explorers, and religion.

Operates: Daily 10am to 12pm or at other times subject to availability.

Cultural Caper

Cultural Caper

Cultural Caper – City of Adelaide (North Terrace and Environs) – This tour highlights the cultural boulevard of Adelaide and the foundation for development of Adelaide, socially and culturally.

We walk past many iconic institutions including Parliament House, Government House, War Memorial, State Library, Museum, Art Gallery, Old Mounted Police Barracks and Old Destitute Asylum.

Operates: Daily 10am to 12pm or at other times subject to availability.

Social Justice Tour of Adelaide

Social Justice Tour of Adelaide

This walking tour traces both the history and comtemporary social justice relating to South Australia as it ambles down North Terrace in the city of Adelaide. Some examples include Women’s Franchise, Secret Ballot, Indigenous Voice to SA Parliament, First Female Governor in Australia, Recycling, Homosexual reforms, First Female Police in the British Empire, Early organised centrally controlled Police Force, and many more.

We also discuss early educational reform and how important literacy was for the development of South Australia as well as Religious freedoms.

Accreditations

  • Quality Tourism Accreditation
  • Sustainable Tourism Accreditation by ATIC

Memberships

  • National Trust
  • Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
  • Tourism Industry Council of SA

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