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Glenelg, Henley Beach and Semaphore are three of Adelaide’s most popular seaside suburbs, all located along the city’s western coastline. They are all close to Adelaide Airport, making them perfect choices for a relaxed start or end to a wonderful South Australian holiday.

Glenelg: Adelaide’s beachside destination

Glenelg is directly connected to Adelaide city centre by tram enabling visitors to reach the seaside resort within 30 minutes. Henley Beach and Semaphore are both easily reached by car or bus and are close enough to combine with other western and northern suburbs, including Port Adelaide.

Glenelg is Adelaide’s most famous beachside destination and a favourite with both locals and visitors. The wide sandy beach is ideal for swimming, relaxing or enjoying a long seaside walk along the foreshore. The coastal path stretches north and south, offering uninterrupted ocean views and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery.

The area was established in 1836 and named after Lord Glenelg, a British Cabinet member and Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, making Glenelg the oldest European settlement on mainland South Australia.

The heart of Glenelg is Moseley Square, where the iconic clock tower stands as a local landmark and meeting point, it’s surrounded by cafés, shops and the beach.

From the square we enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the promenade. The wide, palm-lined path invited us take in views of the sea while also offering glimpses of Glenelg’s past. Historic houses and heritage buildings sit alongside more modern developments telling the story of the suburb’s growth as one of Adelaide’s earliest seaside resorts.

One of the historic homes is called Albert Hall, but I’m unaware of any connection to the one in London. We learnt that in its heyday, it boasted a ballroom that could hold 100 people so it must have been a hub for entertainment during the 1900’s.

Another property was called Stormont, and on further research, I discovered it was built in 1886 and by 2010, was valued as the most expensive property in South Australia with an asking price of around AUD $6.5 million.

After our seaside stroll, we headed back to the historic Town Hall to take a look inside the Bay Discovery Centre which is free to visit. This provided us with an insight into the area’s history, from indigenous heritage through to its development as a seaside resort.

We found the museum to be very interesting and I’d highly recommend popping in for a look around. At the time of our visit a temporary exhibition on Australian toys through the ages was taking place in the basement which was also fun to see.

Jetty Road is Glenelg’s main street and a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. Here we found everything from souvenir shops to boutiques, cafés, pubs and restaurants.

As evening approached, the jetty area became a top location to watch the sunset and we were fortunate to find a table out on the terrace of one the nearby restaurants where we tucked into plates of roast lamb and steak and chips. The perfect way to end our day.

Henley Beach: Upscale Resort

Henley Beach offers a more refined and relaxed atmosphere compared to Glenelg, making it popular with couples and visitors looking for a quieter seaside experience. Often described as an upscale coastal resort, Henley is known for its stylish beachfront developments and excellent dining options.

The beachfront promenade is lined with coffee shops, restaurants and bars many offering outdoor seating with uninterrupted views of the ocean. It’s an ideal place for a leisurely breakfast, long lunch or sunset dinner. The beach itself is very clean and perfect for swimming or simply unwinding by the water.

Along Seaview Road, we found a good mix of shops and even on a late Sunday morning we had no trouble finding a parking space. Henley connects to the coastal walking trail, allowing for a scenic stroll along the shoreline. As we were on our way back to the airport we only had time for a short stroll but it would have been nice to have walked south towards West Beach. Hopefully, another time!

Semaphore: Seaside Resort Near Port Adelaide

The town owes its distinctive name to a striking signal station built there in 1856. Perched near the shoreline, the station used a tall mast with moveable arms known as a semaphore to relay messages between ships in Gulf St Vincent and the colony of South Australia long before telephones and radio existed. As vessels approached Port Adelaide, their details were signalled from station to station.

Today, Semaphore is a charming seaside suburb located close to Port Adelaide, combining beachside relaxation with a strong sense of local character. It was good to note that the resort had retained much of its old fashioned seaside charm, making it a favourite for families.

The beach at Semaphore is wide with a long jetty extending into the gulf. Along the foreshore and nearby streets we came across a mix of cafés, takeaways, shops and independent retailers giving the area a relaxed vibe.

A large annual street fair held each year In late November comes alive with a huge market attracting visitors from across Adelaide with stalls, entertainment and a lively atmosphere. As our visit coincided with the market, we enjoyed a wander through its stalls and couldn’t resist the temptation of some tasty hot-dogs from one of the vendors.

Final thoughts:

Glenelg, Henley Beach and Semaphore each offer a distinct seaside experience, yet are all easily accessible from Adelaide, making for lovely places to visit during a South Australian holiday.

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