West Terrace Cemetery

Situated in the south-western corner of the Adelaide Parklands, lies an iconic attraction of undeniable heritage riches.

Historic West Terrace Cemetery dates back to the foundation of South Australia, its location fixed by Colonel William Light in his 1837 survey of the city of Adelaide. Since then, more than 150,000 burials have taken place.

As Adelaide's main public cemetery for almost 100 years, people from all walks of life have found their final resting place at the cemetery, bringing the many threads of South Australia’s rich heritage together in one place.

Today, West Terrace Cemetery is renowned for its ornate 19th century monuments and funeral symbolism, historic burial sites of South Australia’s pioneer settlers and eminent identities, as well as some of the last remaining indigenous vegetation of the Adelaide Plain. The cemetery is also the site of Australia’s first dedicated military burial ground and for 22 years housed the country’s only modern crematorium.

Testament to the Cemetery’s historic value it was listed as a Place of State Heritage Significance in November 1989.