South Australian Museum Tours and Activities

One of the principal attractions of Adelaide’s Cultural Precinct, the South Australian Museum is devoted to the region’s natural and cultural history. The museum is best known for its impressive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural items: the largest collection of its kind in the world.
The Basics
The South Australian Museum has 11 galleries, with exhibits titled Australian Aboriginal Cultures, Pacific Cultures, Megafauna, Ediacaran Fossils, South Australian Biodiversity, and Minerals and Meteorites. There is also a Discovery Center, where interactive exhibits include a microEye video microscope, a live bee hive, and expert talks. Explore the museum on a guided or self-guided tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Entrance to the museum is free, but there is sometimes a charge for special events and temporary exhibits.
- On-site facilities include restrooms, a cloakroom, a café, and a gift shop.
- The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The South Australian Museum is located along the North Terrace in downtown Adelaide, next door to the Art Gallery of South Australia. It’s a short walk from the shopping boulevard of Rundle Mall, and the free City Loop bus 99C stops right outside.
When to Get There
The museum is open daily, year-round. The quietest time to visit is on weekday mornings.
Exhibition Highlights
Marvel at the whale skeleton in the Whale and Dolphin Gallery; see a model of a 36-foot (11-meter) long Architeuthis dux squid; follow Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson in the Australian Polar Collection; and see fossils up to 550 million years old. In the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, the collection includes ancient paintings, maps, boomerangs, and bark canoes, while the Pacific Cultures Gallery has weaponry, masks, and ritual objects.
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
Admission: Free
3 Tours and Activities to Experience South Australian Museum
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Adelaide Scavenger Hunt: Adelaide Adventure
3
Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.
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From
$12.31
From
$12.31

Historic Adelaide & Architecture 90- minute Pedicab Experience
2
The Historic Adelaide Experience is the most remarkable and effortless way to discover where the past meets the present. Cover the entire city in just 90 minutes, on an experience that you will never forget and is great for the environment.
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From
$106.17
per group
From
$106.17
per group

Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour
2
Save money and travel at your own pace at whatever time you’d like on this self-guided audio tour of Adelaide. It’s simply a matter of downloading an mp3 audio guide with a map of the area of your tour. Each point on the audio tour—from markets to beaches, churches, and museums—can be completed at your leisure.
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From
$15.35
From
$15.35
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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