Roof climb walks along Adelaide Oval's stands offer wide city views, serene sunsets and matches' atmosphere

Adelaide Oval roof climb walks take in view from the western and Riverbank stands, with sunsets the bonus on serene twilight tours.
Images courtesy Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval roof climb walks – a 1.5 kilometre purpose-built loop over and under the shells of the western and Riverbank stands – started in 2016, two years after the oval had its redevelopment into a stadium with heritage.

The two-hour climbs (more walking than climbing to 50 metres at highest points) are offered in variations and styles: twilight, day, night and game on, led by a specially-trained leader and guide giving information about the oval and Adelaide. The climbs also give 360-degree views across metropolitan Adelaide to the Mount Lofty Ranges and the coastline.

Contrasts in atmosphere are offered between the serenity of a twilight roof climb, with the chance to see a pink and orange Adelaide sunset from the western grandstand of an empty stadium, to the crowd noise during the game-on experience of watching part of an Australian Football League game or a Test, big bash or one-day international cricket match. The walks also had the world’s first rooftop stadium seats.

An optional bonus experience was the hands-free lean backwards off the southern Riverbank stand. Safety equipment and roof climb suits were provided to climbers, along with a safety briefing and personal secure locker to store belongings.  Climbers could range in age from eight (eight to 15 with an supervising adult per three children) to 75 (those 75 plus needing a medical clearance form). Climbers had to be at least 120 centimetres tall and weigh no more than 136 kilograms.

Each roof climb hosted up to 14 people and departed from the roof climb centre near the Oval Hotel. Climbers couldn't take photographs along the walk but those taken by staff were available at the end.  The roof climb didn’t operate during electrical storms, hail or extremely high wind.