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More than 128,000 drivers were caught parking illegally in the Adelaide CBD last financial year, with Hindmarsh Square being the biggest hotspot for offences.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, 4,318 drivers were fined for a parking illegally at Hindmarsh Square – including for failing to display a valid ticket (2,062) and overstaying past their ticket’s expiry (1,836).
Pirie Street ranked second with 4,104 offences, again mostly for failing to display a valid ticket (1,404) or tickets expiring (1,369).
Halifax Street came in at third with 3,980 offences, including for stopping in a permit zone (1,760) and overstaying the time limit (1,561).
Pulteney Street was next on the list with 3,882 offences, including stopping in a bus lane (3,077) and contravening a no stopping sign (282).
RAA Senior Manager Road Safety Charles Mountain is reminding motorists to check signs carefully before parking – particularly if they’re in the CBD for last-minute Christmas shopping – as illegal parking can disrupt traffic flow and potentially put other road users at risk.
“No one wants to find an unwanted Christmas gift in the mail or when they return to their car at this time of year,” Mr Mountain said.
“A lot of these offences happen when drivers are rushing or assuming they’ll only be gone for a minute, but even short stops can cause congestion or safety implications, and will risk a fine.”
Mr Mountain said stopping when the bus lanes are in operation, even for a short period, adds to congestion and can significantly impede bus movements along busy corridors.
“With the CBD busier than ever in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s important for drivers to slow down and read parking signs carefully.
“Many fines can be avoided simply by checking time limits, days of operation and whether a permit or payment is required.
“Drivers should also be mindful of intersections, because parking too close can reduce visibility and increase the risk of crashes.
“Using parking apps or setting a reminder on your phone can help avoid overstaying and getting caught out – and if signs are confusing or you’re unsure, the safest option is to move on and find another spot.
“A few extra minutes finding the right park is far better than risking a fine or putting other road users in danger.”
There’s also been sharp shift in the types of parking fines being issued compared to pre-COVID levels – with offences in bus lanes and zones, taxi zones, mail zones and no stopping areas all increasing.
For more information on parking in the CBD visit the City of Adelaide website.
Top 5 CBD locations by Parking Offences (FY25)
Top 5 offences for each road location shown (not all offences included, hence why sum of these top 5 offences types is different to the total offences for the FY)
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