1 / 3South Australian Maritime Museum
📍 Port Adelaide, SA
Three-level museum in a heritage Port Adelaide building housing ship figureheads, immigrant stories, shipwreck exhibits, and a restored ketch visitors can board. Combined discount tickets available with nearby Port Adelaide museums.
They have a whole ship inside you can explore and experience real history on! Lovely collection of figureheads from all abroad the world, two from my home province of Quebec. Made me smile and appreciate how far they have travelled and the people who must have travelled with them. We particularly enjoyed the dress up corner playing captain and cabin boy. The way the indigenous people’s history was incorporated was also very interesting and eye opening.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with primary school-age children and older who engage with hands-on history. The boardable ketch is the centrepiece attraction — kids can explore below deck independently. The dress-up corner appeals to younger visitors.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →831 Google reviews
James Enright
5 months ago
“They have a whole ship inside you can explore and experience real history on! Lovely collection of figureheads from all abroad the world, two from my home province of Quebec. Made me smile and appreciate how far they have travelled and the people who must have travelled with them. We particularly enjoyed the dress up corner playing captain and cabin boy. The way the indigenous people’s history was incorporated was also very interesting and eye opening.”
kerri whitling
5 months ago
“The museum is 3 levels . Stree level entry, a floor above and basement . There is a lift or stairs to get between floors. We did the tour in an hour but that was only because it was closing ( we just had to squeeze it in before our holiday ended and we were so glad we did ) . The displays are well set out and many are interactive . There is plenty of well written information . Great little gift shop as well Plus the added bonus of the staff being super friendly , lovely people .”
john mitchell
2 months ago
“Because we went to the aviation museum first we were entitled to a 25% discount after keeping the validation from the Prior museum also being that I am ex Navy I also got a 25% discount on top of that so wonderful value great air-conditioned building on a hot day and plenty to look at not just about nautical activities in South Australia Australia but Port Adelaide as a Harbour town.”
Nick O'Neill
5 months ago
“A lovely museum to visit in a very beautiful historic building! If you visit multiple of the port Adelaide Museums within two months you can get 25% after the first visit.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
South Australian Maritime Museum spans three levels with lift access, covering First Peoples maritime connections, colonial navigation, windjammers, shipwrecks, and beach and port life. A restored 19th-century ketch sits inside for visitors to board and walk through. Highlights include a global figurehead collection, an 1869 lighthouse, and a well-stocked gift shop. Combined visit discounts apply with the Aviation Museum and other Port Adelaide attractions.
