Light's Vision Tours and Activities

Light’s Vision, a life-size 1906 bronze statue of Adelaide’s founder Colonel William Light, stands atop grassy Montefiore Hill in North Adelaide, pointing boldly across the city. Laid out in 1938, the area, also known as Colonel Light’s Lookout, offers views over parkland and the city, especially the landmark Adelaide Oval cricket ground.

The Basics
There’s no charge to visit Light’s Vision and take in the views from the lookout, and many travelers drop by the statue as part of a self-guided walking tour of North Adelaide, alongside sights such as Adelaide Oval and the Torrens River (Karrawirra Parri). Time-pressed travelers may prefer to join an Adelaide city tour by bus or in a small group, perhaps one that includes a Torrens River cruise and classic Adelaide sights such as Rundle Mall.

Things to Know Before You Go

• History buffs and architecture fans will particularly appreciate Light’s Vision.
• Mt. Lofty Summit, in the Adelaide Hills, offers more comprehensive views for photographers.
• Light’s Vision is wheelchair-accessible and offers parking for travelers with disabilities.

How to Get There
Light’s Vision stands atop Montefiore Hill, a low rise in North Adelaide, close to the Adelaide Oval and under a 1-mile (1.3-kilometer) walk north of Adelaide Railway Station. The free 98A and 98C City Connector buses stop right at Light’s Vision on their journey through the city center and North Adelaide.

When to Get There
Light’s Vision is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spring and summer are particularly good seasons to visit, with exuberant floral displays in the gardens, while night offers delightful views of the city lights. Adelaide Oval can look particularly spectacular by night on evening match days.

Who Was Colonel Light?
Whether you call it Colonel Light’s Lookout or Light’s Vision, the statue pays tribute to one man, British military officer Colonel William Light (1786–1839). As South Australia’s first surveyor-general, Light chose the site for the city of Adelaide. Far more than that, however, he laid out the attractive blend of parks, terraces, and promenades that makes the city what it is today.