The University of Adelaide through my lens

The University of Adelaide – one of the most beautiful universities in Australia – is a must-visit for anyone who loves photography. With its stunning Gothic architecture, sandstone buildings, and artistic academic atmosphere, the campus offers endless inspiration for eye-catching shots. In this post, I’ll be sharing some of the best photo spots at the University of Adelaide through my lens.

Address: Google Map

The University of Adelaide is located right on North Terrace, in the heart of the city, just a 5-minute walk from the State Library of South Australia .

The campus is built in an open, welcoming layout, which made me feel completely at ease as I explored and photographed its historic buildings. So now, let’s dive into some of the best photo spots at the University of Adelaide through my lens!

As soon as you step onto University of Adelaide campus, you’ll be greeted by the Mitchell Building – a historic sandstone structure built in 1882 in the Gothic Revival style. It was the first building to be completed on campus.

In front of the Mitchell Building stands a statue of Sir Walter Watson Hughes – one of the university’s founding figures and a major benefactor who helped establish the University of Adelaide in 1874.

The main entrance of the University of Adelaide is marked by three historic buildings: Mitchell Building, Elder Hall, and Bonython Hall – each with its own unique role and significance. I’ll be exploring and photographing each of these landmarks, then heading deeper into the campus for a full look at this beautiful university.

Right next to the Mitchell Building is Elder Hall – he main hub of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, one of Australia’s leading music institutions.

Its concert hall seats around 660 people and is renowned for its exceptional acoustics, often considered one of the best performance spaces in South Australia.

Elder Hall regularly hosts Elder Hall Lunch Hour Concerts – a long-standing tradition offering free or low-cost midday concerts for students and the public.

The area around these three historic buildings is lined with beautiful jacaranda trees, and springtime (October to November) is the best season to capture their vibrant purple blooms on campus.

For more on jacaranda season in Australia, don’t miss my blog post “Jacarandas at the University of Sydney” here: University of Sydney – Hogwarts in real life – Travel with Minh

The next photo spot on my list is Bonython Hall – the University of Adelaide’s grand hall and one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks.

Built in a majestic Gothic Revival style between 1933 and 1936, the hall was made possible by a generous £50,000 donation from Sir John Langdon Bonython – the largest individual contribution to an educational project at the time.

The building was named Bonython Hall upon its completion in 1936, in honour of Sir John’s remarkable support for the university.

With its golden sandstone façade, dark-tiled roof, and soaring arched windows, Bonython Hall evokes the charm of grand old halls in the UK.

It hosts formal graduation ceremonies and major university events, and is also a must-visit spot for photos when exploring the University of Adelaide campus.

I was truly blown away the moment I stepped through the doors and into the hall. Inside, the space opens up into a grand auditorium, with interiors clad in lightly stained and polished Australian oak, creating an atmosphere that feels both historic and dignified.

Lining both sides of the hall are portraits of former vice-chancellors, prime ministers, and distinguished individuals connected to the University of Adelaide.

I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of the students at the University of Adelaide — getting to graduate in such a stunning space must be unforgettable.

Next, I made my way to Hub Central— the main student learning space at the University of Adelaide. In contrast to the historic buildings I visited earlier, Hub Central is a cluster of modern high-rise structures surrounded by wide open lawns. It’s a popular spot where students gather to study, relax, or work on group projects.

In front of Hub Central is the Lower Napier Building, which houses a number of classrooms, small lecture halls, offices, and student spaces. What makes this building stand out is the massive mural on its exterior — a bold splash of modern art that brings a vibrant energy to the university grounds.

Next to Hub Central is UniBar Adelaide, known for its red brick arches and classic European-style terrace.

It’s also a great photo spot for those who love a vintage aesthetic, with beautiful natural light and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

Just a 2-minute walk from UniBar Adelaide is The Barr Smith Library— the university’s main library and often referred to as the academic heart of the University of Adelaide.

The library is named after Robert Barr Smith, a well-known South Australian philanthropist who played a major role in supporting the university’s growth. Opened in 1932, the building features neoclassical architecture, with a red-brick façade and a spacious, quiet interior perfect for focused study.

This is also my favourite building at the University of Adelaide — from its exterior architecture and colours to the interior design, everything about it captivates me.

The Barr Smith Library holds over 2.5 million resources, including printed books, scholarly journals, rare manuscripts, digital materials, and specialised collections. As the University of Adelaide’s main academic library, it supports the research and study needs of students and staff, while also remaining open to the public as a quiet and inspiring place to visit.

The Barr Smith Library is also one of the three oldest university libraries in Australia, alongside the Fisher Library at the University of Sydney and the Baillieu Library at the University of Melbourne.

See more of my articles about University of Sydney here: University of Sydney – Hogwarts in real life – Travel with Minh

Check out more of my photos from the University of Melbourne here: Best Photo Spots in Melbourne

More than just a place to store books, The Barr Smith Library is known for its beautiful reading rooms, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. It’s the perfect space to study or simply soak up the academic atmosphere in the heart of Adelaide city.

After exploring the Barr Smith Library, I made my way to the Chinese Garden — one of the University of Adelaide’s hidden gems that many visitors tend to overlook.

This quiet garden features a small pond surrounded by graceful willow trees, with a statue of Confucius at its centre — a beautiful symbol of Chinese culture.

I was genuinely impressed by how the University of Adelaide blends classic and modern elements so seamlessly — European-style architecture alongside subtle touches of East Asian influence.

The Chinese Garden was the final stop on my photography journey through the University of Adelaide. Out of all the university campuses I’ve visited across Australia, the University of Adelaide stands out for its perfect balance between old and new — from Gothic sandstone halls to modern learning spaces, all set within a campus where architecture, nature, and people come together beautifully.

It’s not only an ideal learning environment for students, but also a must-visit location for photographers exploring Adelaide.

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