How to pick the right seaside suburb for you in Adelaide

Did you know South Australia’s coastline stretches 5,059 kilometres? 

It is double the length of Victoria’s and NSW’s coastlines and you might be surprised to learn that South Australia, is home to Australia’s longest continuous beach! The Coorong at around 200 kilometres. 

Our coastline is rugged and majestic. It has 3 significant peninsulas, spectacular cliff faces, calm and protected bays and 1,755 beaches! Dotted amongst this, especially as you draw closer to Adelaide, are some fantastic beachside suburbs offering irresistible seaside living. 

Whether you are looking for a sea change or a beach house, there will be a suburb that is right for you. You can choose from quiet and sleepy to non-stop activity and entertainment, from high-end with big prices to up-and-comers with affordable entry points. 

And many of these suburbs provide short commutes into the city. So don’t choose between the city and the beach, choose both! 

We looked at just 5 of these suburbs, each different but each great. Maybe one is the perfect fit for you?

1 Tourist Destination

Glenelg

Now, most people that think of Adelaide beaches are familiar with or have heard of popular Glenelg. 

At less than 10 kilometres from the CBD it can be reached easily by tram or bus. Jetty Road is a busy vibrant strip with plenty of eateries, boutique stores, and the jetty just waiting to be explored. There are activities for all ages from paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, the historic tram ride or just hanging on the white sandy coastline and enjoying the crystal-clear waters. 

The are several local schools for families to choose from and it is an easy commute in and out of the CBD on the tram. In the centre of Glenelg, you get a real mixed bag of old and new properties and mostly on smaller blocks. 

It is a popular tourist destination so you will be sharing your streets and activities with excited visitors. Especially during the peak summer season! 

2 Prestige

Henley

Like Glenelg, Henley Beach, is favoured by those with larger budgets with its median house price of $1,350,000. 

It has a mellow, seaside feel and a vibrant food scene, with upscale seafood restaurants and cool Modern Australian eateries sharing space with fish and chip shops, long-established pubs, and ice cream parlours.  

A long stretch of fine sand draws swimmers, paddleboarders and walkers, and the jetty is a popular fishing spot. Quirky shops sell beachwear, indie fashion, and stylish homeware. Surrounded by a range of restaurants and centring around the bustling grassed Henley Square.

Whether you are after dinner with a view, a swim, or a glass of wine by the beach the shoreline that stretches as far as the eye can see provides plenty of opportunity. 

For families, there are local schools including public options Henley Beach Primary and Henley Secondary and catholic options Star of the Sea Primary and St Michael’s High School. There are kindergartens and early learning centres and another short commute into town for any work. 

This suburb is full of high-quality new builds. Older homes from the 70s and 80s are being knocked down to make way for premium homes with high-end features. 

3 Family Friendly

Semaphore

The next two coastal suburbs we look at are neighbours and both family-friendly suburbs. 

Semaphore is one of the oldest suburbs in Adelaide. It started as a working-class suburb just outside of Port Adelaide and about 10 years ago families started buying up the old-character homes and renovating them. 

And why wouldn’t they, Semaphore has a long stretch of sandy beach where families can enjoy swimming or beachside activities like cricket or volleyball. The main street is Semaphore Road and has a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs and at its end is popular Semaphore Jetty with beautiful views and a chance to try to catch a fish for dinner. For more shopping options you can head to West Lakes, 7 minutes away where there is a Westfield. 

There are several schooling options close by, including Semaphore Primary and Le Fevre High School. Running down the back of Semaphore and Largs Bay is a train line which can you into the city or up to Outer Harbor. 

Once a year around Easter time you can enjoy the spectucular Adelaide International Kite Festival on the Semaphore foreshore. You can see kites of every shape and size.

4 Undervalued

Largs Bay

Just one stop further on the train line from Semaphore is Largs Bay and we think this suburb is currently undervalued and as Semaphore becomes more expensive, we think Largs Bay will become more attractive to buyers and prices will creep north as the bridesmaid suburb effect takes hold.

Largs Bay is excellent for families has local kindergartens, primary and secondary options. It has its own train station, Largs Bay, which can get you to the city in about 30 minutes. And is positioned adjacent to the major $2 billion re-development of the historical Port Adelaide Harbour and close by the Techport facility where there are up to 5000 maritime jobs being created via the Submarine and Naval contracts.

It of course has its own beaches and jetty with boutique shops and cafes. Or you can go next door and enjoy Semaphore’s retail and restaurant precinct. It also has beautiful turn-of-the-century character homes in wide tree-lined streets.

5 Up and Comer

Aldinga Beach

Aldinga Beach is a little patch of seaside bliss less than an hour from Adelaide and minutes away from McClaren Vale home to over 80 cellar door. Due to a rare reef formation, Aldinga Beach is one of Adelaide’s best dive spots and a popular day trip destination for swimmers and surfers! However, we think it is worth more than a visit and so do its 10,000 residents.  

Not only does it have long stretches of sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, it is also home to the Aldinga Conservation Park. Over 340 hectares of diverse plants, flora and fauna which can be explored on one of its many walking trials. 

The dining and shop scene is relaxed and consists of cafes, pubs, and fish-and-chip shops, many dotted along the coastline. Aldinga Central Plaza can fulfill all your everyday shopping needs and services. Or 15 minutes, come rain, hail, or shine you can explore Willunga Farmers Market for all your fruit and veg from 8am to 12pm every day. 

During the 80s and 90s older fibro/concrete sheet houses on 600/700sqm were replaced with newer homes and nowadays people are buying up the larger blocks and subdividing and building quality homes. 

For families, there is a local kindergarten, childcare centre, and schools. Aldinga Beach Primary School was the recent beneficiary of a $5 million dollar upgrade and nearby is Seaford School for secondary students. 

The popularity of our seaside suburbs just grows and grows. People love that you can be in the city during the day and watching the sunset on the water in the evening.

All of these suburbs have experienced at least 10%+ growth in the 12 months leading up to January but no matter if you have $500,000 or $2 million you can find the home or beach house to suit your budget and lifestyle. 

And if you need more information or more suburbs feel free to contact us and have a chat.