This guide covers everything you need to visit the South Australian Museum in Adelaide: admission prices (spoiler: it’s free), opening hours, what galleries to prioritise, and how to see the world-renowned Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery. I explain the museum’s natural history collections, Egyptian mummies, and why this Adelaide institution ranks among Australia’s most important museums. Here’s what first-time visitors should know.
Why the South Australian Museum matters
The South Australian Museum opened in 1856, making it one of Australia’s oldest museums. The grand building on North Terrace houses over 5 million objects and specimens spanning natural history, cultural heritage, and Aboriginal Australian cultures. The museum operates under the South Australian state government and serves both research and public education functions.
The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery holds the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of Aboriginal artefacts. This collection includes approximately 30,000 objects documenting 50,000 years of continuous culture. Many items were collected during the 19th and early 20th centuries when Aboriginal cultures faced existential threats from colonisation.
The museum also houses significant collections in natural history including minerals, fossils, and biodiversity specimens. The Pacific Cultures collection ranks among the world’s finest, whilst the Ancient Egyptian collection includes genuine mummies and burial artefacts.
Five great things to do while you’re in Adelaide
- Kayak with dolphins – at the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.
- Take wildlife-packed day tour to Kangaroo Island.
- Combine an Adelaide Hills tour with a lunch cruise on the Murray River.
- Enjoy a tasting tour of four Barossa Valley wineries – with a gourmet lunch.
- See incredible sunsets on a twilight cruise from Glenelg.
South Australian Museum admission prices and opening hours
South Australian Museum admission for 2025:
Entry to the South Australian Museum is completely free for all visitors. This has been museum policy for decades. No tickets are required. Simply walk through the main entrance on North Terrace and explore at your leisure. Donations are welcome and help support the museum’s operations, but they are voluntary.
The museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm throughout the year. The museum closes on Christmas Day and Good Friday but operates on all other public holidays. Last entry is at 4:45pm. These consistent hours make planning straightforward regardless of when you visit Adelaide.
Special exhibitions occasionally require separate admission fees. These temporary displays complement the permanent collections and typically cost $10 to $20 for adults, with concessions available. Check the museum website for current special exhibition details and pricing.
The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery
The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery occupies the entire ground floor and represents the museum’s crown jewel. This extensive permanent exhibition presents Aboriginal cultures from across Australia through objects, photographs, audio recordings, and interactive displays.
The gallery is organised geographically, showcasing the diverse cultures of different Aboriginal nations. The collection includes ceremonial objects, hunting tools, rock art reproductions, bark paintings, contemporary Aboriginal art, and everyday items that document traditional life before and after European colonisation.
Significant items include didgeridoos from Arnhem Land, boomerangs from multiple regions demonstrating design variations, intricate woven baskets from northern Australia, and ceremonial body decorations. Many objects hold deep spiritual significance and are displayed respectfully with appropriate cultural context provided.
Audio recordings allow visitors to hear Aboriginal languages, songs, and oral histories. These recordings preserve voices and knowledge that might otherwise be lost. The gallery acknowledges that some content may be culturally sensitive and provides warnings where appropriate.
Photography policies in the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery require careful attention. Some items are marked as culturally sensitive with photography prohibited. Always check signage before photographing objects. When in doubt, ask museum staff.
Natural history galleries
The Biodiversity Gallery displays thousands of specimens including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. South Australia‘s unique fauna receives particular emphasis. You’ll see extinct species including the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) and specimens collected during early European exploration of the continent.
The gallery includes numerous complete skeletons of Australian megafauna. These giant marsupials, including the Diprotodon (a wombat relative the size of a hippopotamus), became extinct roughly 40,000 years ago. The extinction timing coincides with human arrival in Australia, though debate continues about the exact causes.
The Opal Fossil Gallery showcases South Australia’s status as the world’s opal capital. Coober Pedy and other South Australian opal fields produce 95 percent of the world’s precious opal. The gallery displays opalized fossils including complete marine reptile skeletons where bone has been replaced by precious opal.
These opalized fossils are extraordinarily rare and valuable. The museum’s collection includes an opalized plesiosaur (marine reptile) that ranks among the world’s most spectacular fossil specimens. The combination of paleontological significance and gemstone beauty makes these exhibits unique.
The Earth Sciences Gallery presents minerals, rocks, and meteorites from South Australia and worldwide. The state’s geology includes some of Earth’s oldest rocks and unique mineral formations. Interactive displays explain geological processes, plate tectonics, and how South Australia’s landscape formed over billions of years.
Pacific Cultures and World Cultures galleries
The Pacific Cultures Gallery explores the diverse societies of Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia. The collection includes carved ceremonial objects from Papua New Guinea, Māori artefacts from New Zealand, navigation instruments from Polynesian voyagers, and contemporary Pacific art.
These collections document the sophisticated maritime cultures that colonised Pacific islands over thousands of years. The navigation section explains how Polynesian sailors crossed vast ocean distances using star paths, wave patterns, and bird behaviour rather than written charts or instruments.
The World Cultures sections include smaller collections from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The Ancient Egyptian collection features mummies, coffins, burial goods, and everyday objects from pharaonic Egypt. Two complete mummies in their original coffins provide insights into Egyptian burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife.
Getting to the museum
The South Australian Museum is located at North Terrace, Adelaide, in the city’s cultural precinct. The museum sits between the State Library of South Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia, making it easy to visit multiple institutions in one day.
On foot: The museum is approximately 700 metres from Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s main shopping street. Walking from Rundle Mall takes 8 to 10 minutes west along North Terrace. The route passes the Adelaide Casino and Parliament House. Adelaide’s flat terrain and wide pavements make walking pleasant year-round except during extreme summer heat.
By tram: The Adelaide Metro tram stops at several locations along North Terrace. The Festival Centre stop is closest to the museum, approximately 200 metres east. The tram is free within the city centre, making it an economical transport option. Trams run every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day.
By bus: Numerous bus routes serve North Terrace. The free City Loop bus (Route 99C) stops directly outside the museum. Standard Adelaide Metro buses also stop on North Terrace within easy walking distance.
By car: Parking on North Terrace is limited with strict time limits (usually 2 hours maximum). Commercial parking stations are available on nearby streets. The Wilson Parking station on Morphett Street is approximately 400 metres from the museum. Parking typically costs $15 to $25 for several hours.
Special exhibitions and events
The museum hosts 2 to 3 temporary exhibitions annually. These special exhibitions explore specific themes, showcase travelling collections, or highlight particular aspects of the permanent collection. Recent exhibitions have covered topics including Antarctic exploration, dinosaur discoveries, and contemporary Aboriginal art.
Public programmes include lectures, workshops, and guided tours. Museum scientists and curators occasionally give talks about their research or specific collection items. These events are usually free or low-cost. Check the museum’s events calendar when planning your visit.
School holiday programmes provide activities for families with children. These workshops combine education with hands-on experiences. Typical activities include fossil casting, Aboriginal craft demonstrations, and interactive science sessions.
How long to spend at the museum
A quick highlights tour requires approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours. This allows viewing the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, seeing the megafauna skeletons, and visiting one or two other galleries that interest you.
Visitors with serious interest in Aboriginal cultures, natural history, or specific collections can easily spend 3 to 4 hours. The Aboriginal Cultures Gallery alone could occupy 90 minutes for anyone genuinely interested in the material. Reading all interpretive texts and engaging with interactive displays takes time.
Families with young children typically spend 2 to 2.5 hours. Children often enjoy the biodiversity displays, particularly the large skeletons and taxidermy specimens. However, much of the content requires reading comprehension that younger children lack.
What to bring and museum facilities
The museum is fully air-conditioned, providing comfortable viewing conditions regardless of Adelaide’s weather. Summer temperatures outside can exceed 40°C (104°F), making the museum an appealing refuge during heat waves.
Photography is permitted in most galleries for personal use. Flash photography and tripods are prohibited. Some objects in the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery cannot be photographed due to cultural protocols. Always observe signage and ask staff if uncertain.
Large bags and backpacks should be stored in free lockers near the entrance. Coats and excess items also require storage. The lockers use returnable coin systems. Museum staff can provide change if needed.
The museum shop sells books, Aboriginal art, educational materials, and souvenirs. Purchases support the museum’s operations. The shop specialises in Aboriginal-made products, with portions of sales going directly to artists and communities.
A café operates on the ground floor near the entrance. It serves coffee, light meals, sandwiches, and snacks. The café provides convenient refreshment options, though prices reflect museum venue positioning. Outside food cannot be consumed inside galleries but eating is permitted in designated areas.
Accessibility and facilities
The South Australian Museum provides full wheelchair access throughout all public galleries. Lifts connect all floors. Wide gallery spaces accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters easily. Accessible toilets are available on multiple levels.
Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge from the information desk. Limited numbers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Manual wheelchairs only; motorised scooters are not provided though visitors may bring their own.
Auslan tours for deaf visitors can be arranged in advance by contacting the museum. Audio guides are not currently available, though interpretive texts throughout galleries provide comprehensive information.
Baby change facilities are available in accessible toilets. Strollers are permitted in galleries, though storage is recommended in busier sections where they can obstruct pathways and viewing areas.
Combining with other North Terrace attractions
North Terrace is Adelaide’s cultural boulevard. Multiple significant institutions cluster along this historic street, making it practical to visit several in one day.
The Art Gallery of South Australia is immediately west of the museum. This gallery houses Australian and international art spanning colonial times to contemporary works. Admission is free to permanent collections. The two institutions share a forecourt, making transitions between them effortless.
The State Library of South Australia is immediately east of the museum. The library’s historic Mortlock Wing features a stunning Victorian reading room with ornate ironwork and soaring ceilings. Visitors can enter and photograph the reading room without library membership.
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are 300 metres east along North Terrace. These historic gardens contain significant plant collections including rare palms and cycads. The conservatory houses tropical plants in a magnificent Victorian glasshouse. Garden entry is free.
Adelaide Zoo is approximately 2 kilometres north. You can walk there in 20 to 25 minutes or take the Popeye river cruise from Elder Park. Combining the museum with the zoo creates a nice balance of education and entertainment.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry really free? Yes, completely free for permanent collections. No hidden fees or required donations. Special temporary exhibitions occasionally charge admission, but the vast majority of the museum is free to all visitors.
How long should we spend there? Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for a highlights tour, or 3 to 4 hours if you’re genuinely interested in the collections. Families with young children typically spend 2 to 2.5 hours.
Can we take photos? Photography for personal use is permitted in most areas. Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited. Some objects in the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery cannot be photographed. Always check signage or ask staff.
Are there guided tours? Not at the time of writing, alas.
Is it suitable for young children? Children often enjoy the large skeletons, minerals, and animal specimens. However, much content requires reading comprehension. Children under 8 may find it less engaging than more interactive children’s museums. The free admission makes it low-risk to try.
How does it compare to the Australian Museum in Sydney? Both museums hold world-class Aboriginal collections and natural history specimens. The South Australian Museum’s Aboriginal Cultures Gallery is more extensive. The Australian Museum covers broader topics. Both merit visits if you’re passionate about Australian natural and cultural history.
Are the Egyptian mummies real? Yes, they are genuine ancient Egyptian mummies approximately 2,000 to 3,000 years old. The museum acquired them in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modern CT scanning has revealed details about the individuals including age, health conditions, and mummification techniques.
Can we see everything in one visit? Yes, though not thoroughly. The museum’s size is manageable compared to major national museums. You can walk through all main galleries in 2 to 3 hours, though reading every label and engaging deeply with content would require multiple visits.
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