The mass exodus from the old Royal Adelaide Hospital to the new is complete.
Patient 297, Ronald Thomas, was farewelled on Wednesday with an emotional cheer as the old site was officially emptied.
Health Minister Jack Snelling thanked the state ambulance service for completing the move safely to the $2.4 billion facility.
He said it was a "masterclass" in planning and logistics, which saw patients shifted around the state in the two weeks leading up to the move to manage staff loads and available beds.
"Patients have gone as far away as Renmark, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, and that's been principally co-ordinated by the South Australian Ambulance Service," Mr Snelling said.
"They really have done an absolutely magnificent job."
He admitted having a tear in his eye as staff farewelled the old hospital, of which a large portion will be given to the adjacent botanic gardens.
Tearing down its eastern buildings will be the largest project of its kind in SA's history, costing $150 million and creating 95 jobs, Urban Development Minister Stephen Mullighan says.
"Its transformation will open up this closed site making it accessible space for all South Australians to use," he said.
Under the plan, 70 per cent of the site will be opened to the public including the two hectares given to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
The garden's chair Judy Potter says this will make way for a new entrance, links and vistas.
"The botanic gardens and state herbarium is in a unique position to lead the way in activating the area upon the hospital's relocation," Ms Potter said.
The three staged demolition of the nearly 70-year-old buildings is likely to uncover contaminated materials including asbestos.
The first stage has been contracted to McMahon Services and will start in November.
The site's heritage-listed buildings will be retained and refurbished.
