Best Museums in South Australia

"One of the most visited in Australia and definitely among the top 10 things to do in Adelaide. With five floors of exhibits covering fossils, mammals, Ancient Egypt, special exhibition spaces and more plus Aboriginal and Pacific Cultures collections, the SA Museum offers plenty for young and old. With so many interactive hands on activities, Myla absolutely loved it here, she particularly loved checking out the various world mammals, learning about the various South Australian biodiversity and checking out the giant squid which spans across four floors dangling in an elevator shaft!"

"It is located on North Terrace between to State Library and the Art Gallery and it’s the one people mean when they say “The Museum”. The ground floor is always a favourite with kids. For as long as I can remember there has been a display containing full-sized animals from all over the world."

"Adelaide has quite a number of museums that you can visit with kids. Head to our museums in Adelaide resource to discover all the museums you can check off on your adventures."

"The Art Gallery of South Australia is home to a collection of more than 40,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, sketches, photographs, textiles and design masterpieces sourced from every corner of the planet, attracting 780,000 visitors per year. Founded in 1881, this gallery isn’t just the state’s premier collection of art, it’s also one of the most gorgeous buildings on Adelaide’s leafy cultural boulevard — North Terrace — perched right next door to the University of Adelaide. North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, +61 8 8207 7000"

"Explore the Art Gallery of South Australia with the kids in Adelaide, with over 45,000 works of art and changing exhibitions on display, it’s a great way to introduce contemporary and historical art to your children. Start at the Gallery is an exciting introduction to art for children aged 3-12 and their families. Held on the first Sunday of every month from 11am-3pm, Start is a free family-fun day and includes art activities, tours, live performances and entertainment."

"Around the corner from the South Australian Museum is the Migration Museum. Australia is such a young country and we have been very much moulded by immigration, often in waves from various cultures. This museum takes a look at everything from the First Fleet to immigrants of today."

"Adelaide’s Migration Museum was the first museum of its kind to be established in Australia. Built in 1986, the museum is a place to explore the many..."

"Dedicated to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander art & culture, Tandanya showcases stunning pieces from artists across Australia. If you’re tight on time and still want to surround yourself with this magical artwork, then modern technology is here for you. Their ‘Virtual Tandanya’ is a 360 experience where you can ‘walk’ around at your own pace and discover details from pieces."

"It is an aboriginal owned and operated art centre, the oldest of its kind. It has been in operation for almost three decades, and the museum displays interactive exhibition dealing with the stories of the First people."

"Hawke Building at the University of SA|© Bilby / Wikimedia Commons. Occupying the ultra-modern Hawke Building of the University of South Australia’s city west campus, the Samstag Museum is named after a former UniSA professor who bequeathed a number of art scholarships to the university following his death in 1991. Today, the gallery is one of the top university art museums in the country, priding itself on an envelope-pushing program of cutting-edge exhibitions."

"The Samstag Museum of Art is part of the University of South Australia. The gallery cannot be missed, as it lives in the stunningly modern and architectural Hawke Building in UniSA’s city west campus. Samstag is named after a former UniSA professor, who granted a number of art scholarships to the university following his death in 1991."

"Part gallery, part historical museum; the foundation was established in 1999 and holds an exceptional collection of antiques, paintings and objets d’art accumulated and preserved for future generations. Check out the website for the latest exhibition information and for a taste of the antique treats you can expect on your visit. 241 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide"

"Australian largest undercover railway museum is located in Port Adelaide, containing more than 100 exhibits tracing the history of Australia’s state, commonwealth and private railway operators. The museum first opened in 1970 and moved to its current site in 1988, giving visitors the opportunity to climb into the cabs of giant steam engines, stroll through elegant carriages, and learn a little about Australia’s long locomotive tradition."

"Just a friendly reminder that the #NationalRailwayMuseum #PortAdelaide is open every day except Christmas Day, from 10am to 4:30pm. Perfect place to spend some time during the summer break!. #MuseumFun #Railways #FamilyEntertainment"

"They are doing some works on the tram lines while closed, and are looking forward to opening again early in 2021 with more great attractions. Located in the northern suburb of St Kilda, the Tramway Museum is staffed entirely by volunteers. The museum is dedicated to the history of trams in Adelaide, but it does also include some trams from interstate."

"Up until 1957, Adelaide had an extensive network of trams spider-webbing out from the city into the suburbs. Then costs, an ageing fleet and public transport myopia got the better of the politicians and all the..."

"Whilst Rundle Mall is pretty much your run of the mill capital city shopping precinct, it does boast a few little marvels which make it worth visiting on your stay in Adelaide with kids. At the top of our list is the Beehive Corner where Australia’s very first Haigh’s Chocolate store was opened back in 1915 – it still stands there today!. Head in to taste some chocolate and buy some Australia handmade chocolate bliss!"

"Located in the city centre, the Rundle Mall is the prime shopping area of Adelaide. Opened in 1976 it was Australia’s first pedestrian only street mall. The streets a shoppers paradise."

"Leading straight next door to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens though is the Adelaide Botanic Park. A popular spot to hold wedding ceremonies and have photos taken with the multitude of pretty Moreton Bay Fig trees. The area is often used for live music events so some of the park may be cordoned off, and is a nice spot to hold a family picnic so if it’s a nice day, expect a lot of other people using the area while you’re taking photos."

"Hidden amidst the inner Adelaide suburb of Stepney, Little Bang Brewing has everything Adelaidians could ask for in a brewery fit for your next craft-beer drinking session. Its large open-air courtyard is perfect for a sunny day or a starry night. With beers including their debut brew the 10.1% ABV Galactopus, Little Bang Brewing Co.’s range is equally extensive as it is enticing."

"Something to discuss as you sip into a Geezer Pleaser bitter or Naked Objector IPA at this surprising little brewery in suburban Stepney. It's a warehouse set-up, with a sunny beer..."

"Nestled in the scenic Adelaide Hills, the Uraidla Hotel is fast becoming one of the Hills’ best go-to breweries in Adelaide. The Uraidla Brewery runs out of the Uraidla Hotel, and has its own extensive range of craft beers including the likes of the Half Moon Pale Ale, Old Ones IPA, and Half Moon Session Pale to name a few. Priding themselves on operating as an environmentally conscious and highly sustainable business; Uraidla Brewery grow and harvest their produce on site and, if need, they source from local and ethical suppliers."

"This stunning Adelaide Hills pub offers a great selection of drinks from the region and hearty pub food. Uraidla Hotel was renovated adding a bakery, brewery and outdoor dining. Its vintage yet modern interior gives off the traditional pub vibe."

"The Uraidla Hotel has got to be one of our absolute favourite child friendly places to eat in Adelaide. It’s just that good. Don’t get us started on the food for one thing, it’s beyond standard pub fare, it’s straight up next level amaze."

"Situated in historic Port Adelaide, the Pirate Life Brewery is home to a stunning outdoor area and one of Adelaide’s greatest range of beers on tap with 24 varieties on offer. Behind a long-spanning polished concrete bar is Pirate Life’s monstrous brewery with gleaming stainless steel tanks to adore. With entertainment aplenty, including a 22-foot shuffleboard and pinball machines amongst other games, you will never get bored."