Adelaide Museums

(Adelaide, South Australia - SA, Australia)

The museums of Adelaide add another element to the city's thriving tourism industry and provide something quite different to the beaches and glorious coastline. Established as far back as 1856, the South Australian Museum is one to look out for and this important complex stands along the North Terrace, close to the Parliament House and within the neighbourhood known as North Parklands.

Encompassing the Port Dock Station, the National Railway Museum, in the northwesterly suburb of Port Adelaide, is especially impressive and is the official site of the enormous Australian Railway Collection, comprising numerous historical steam locomotives and passenger trains. Also available are museums specialising in topics such as archaeology, aviation, childhood, costumes, migration, the Oval cricket ground, the St. Kilda Tramway and classic vehicles.

South Australian Museum

Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8207 7500
Located in the city centre, the South Australian Museum is home to many important heritage items from this part of Australia. Attractions of particular interest include a vast collection of Aboriginal finds, Egyptology exhibits, large collections of historical significance, lively seasonal events, holiday activities for children, interactive displays, a café area and a well-stocked gift shop selling Aboriginal souvenirs.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Migration Museum

Address: 82 Kintore Avenue, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8226 8555
The Migration Museum stands within the Kilburn district and specialises in the history of more than 100 different nationalities who have migrated to South Australia. Housed in a grand, old hospital, this attraction comes with models of the city's earliest housing and huts, original brochures, early photographs and displays about the long journeys endured by immigrants on their way to South Australia, which often took up to four months.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations suggested

Australian Museum of Childhood

Address: 95 Dale Street, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5015, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8478 8403
Full of nostalgia and fond memories, the Australian Museum of Childhood features numerous large toy collections and general childhood memorabilia. Close to the Port Adelaide train station, highlights include dolls houses, teddy bears, games, wooden toys and wind-up action figures.
Open hours: Wednesday to Friday - 11:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

South Australian Maritime Museum

Address: 126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5015, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8207 6255
Situated in Port Adelaide and just off Divett Street, the South Australian Maritime Museum is full of nautical memorabilia. With detailed exhibitions displaying the history of the arrival of early immigrants by sea, items of particular interest include large boats, a lighthouse dating back to the mid-19th century, detailed models and a gift shop. Just a short distance away is the Port Dock Brewery Hotel and the Naval Association of Australia.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Birdwood National Motor Museum

Address: Shannon Street, Birdwood, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5234, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8568 5006
The National Motor Museum stands just over 55 km / 34 to the east of the city and within the neighbouring town of Birdwood, being home to a magnificent collection of vintage and classic vehicles of all descriptions. In total there are more than 350 vehicles onsite, including cars and motorcycles, a steam car dating back in excess of 100 years and many early examples of vehicles with origins in the early 19th century.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Classic Jets Fighter Museum

Address: Hangar 52, Anderson Drive, Parafield Airport, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5106, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8258 2277
The Classic Jets Fighter Museum specialises in military aircraft and is situated in Parafield Airport, in the non-residential suburb of Parafield. With a selection of renovated war planes and aviation displays, the Classic Jets Fighter attraction is conveniently close to the Parafield train station, with regular trains travelling to and from the city centre.
Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Museum of Classical Archaeology

Address: Mitchell Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8303 5638
The Museum of Classical Archaeology, in the heart of the city centre, stands within the university's Mitchell Building, where it is home to a wealth of important, historic archaeological finds. Highlights include artefacts dating back thousands of years, important collections of coins and pottery, and exhibits about ancient Greece and other past cultures with significant heritage interest. Guided tours are available upon request. Nearby places of interest include the Botanic Park, Rundle Park and the National Wine Centre of Australia.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: free

National Costume Museum

Address: Onkaparinga Enterprise Centre, Lenswood Road, Lobethal, South Australia (SA), 5241, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8389 6996
Situated within the easterly town of Lobethal, the National Costume Museum celebrates fashion in this region over the last 200 years. Featuring many historic costumes and important outfits, originating from leading fashion houses all over the world, the National Costume Museum is just a short commute from the city and stands near to the Lobethal Bowling Club. Guided tours can be arranged if required and will certainly enhance your time spent here. Those with children may also like to pay a visit to the nearby Fairyland Village and take a walk around this imaginative world of fairytales.
Open hours: daily - 14:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, children 12 years old and under are free

Old Treasury Building

Address: Old Treasury Building Museum, 144 King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8226 4130
The Old Treasury Building on King William Street houses a large number of historic items from the area. With a lavishly decorated interior, many period features and unusual tours of the tunnels and treasury rooms underground, the Central train station is conveniently close by, as is Victoria Square and the Town Hall.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Port Dock Station National Railway Museum

Address: Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5015, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8341 1690
Situated in the Port Adelaide area, the Port Dock Station National Railway Museum features a vast collection of lovingly restored steam locomotives, diesel trains and wooden carriages. Other attractions include a host of railway artefacts, short steam-train rides and a gift-shop, stocked with train-related souvenirs.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

South Australian Aviation Museum

Address: Honey Street, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5015, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8240 1230
The South Australian Aviation Museum is sited within the Port Adelaide region and is home to an enormous and important collection of aircraft and aviation equipment. Celebrating the history of flight in South Australia, highlights include large engines, small rockets, historic aircraft memorabilia and impressive aviation exhibits. The onsite shop sells a variety of aviation-related goodies, which range from model planes and books, to aviation paintings and framed prints.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, children five years old and under are free

St. Kilda Tramway Museum

Address: St. Kilda Road, St. Kilda, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5110, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8280 8188
The St. Kilda Tramway Museum, on the outskirts of the city, celebrates the history of electric trams in this part of Australia. Trams were a popular form of transport during the early 20th century and the Tramway features many restored, early trams and buses, some of which date back around 100 years. Highly recommended are the unlimited tram rides, while children will also enjoy the adventure playground and the nearby sands of St. Kilda Beach. Guided tours are available by arrangement.
Open hours: Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

West Terrace Cemetery Museum

Address: West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8262 1321
Situated in the city centre, the West Terrace Cemetery Museum is a small and fascinating place, dedicated to the history of politics in South Australia. Attractions at the West Terrace Cemetery include regular temporary exhibitions, a number of important political artefacts and well-designed, informative displays. The adjoining Kingston Gardens provide further interest.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Adelaide Oval Museum

Address: War Memorial Drive, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, South Australia (SA), 5000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)8 8300 3800
The world-famous Adelaide Oval is home to an interesting cricket museum, celebrating the city's rich cricketing heritage. Full of local cricket artefacts, photographs and related memorabilia, the Oval is located on the northern side of city centre, close to the Pioneer Women's Memorial Gardens and the Festival Centre. Regular guided tours are available.
Open hours: Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 to 12:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors