Girt by stories
Ever wondered how Australia’s oldest collection of maritime artifacts was created? The answer: Vernon Spottiswoode Smith.
In this exclusive History Festival event, hear from expert panelists who will explore the legacy of Vernon Smith and how his passion for maritime history laid the foundations for the South Australian Maritime Museum we know today.
Bookings required online. Ticket price includes museum entry and talk.
Sunday 4 May, 2pm – 3pm
Vernon Spottiswoode Smith, the ‘grandfather’ of the SA Maritime Museum, is turning 150! Take a guided tour through our museum and discover Australia’s oldest collection of nautical artefacts and the visionary who made it happen.
The first 150 visitors get a free birthday cupcake!
Bookings required online. Ticketing price includes entry to the museum, tour, and birthday cupcake.
Friday 2 May, 11am – 11.45am & 2pm – 2.45pm
Salty Sessions: Click! is a celebration of the rich photographic history of the Port and the local scene that thrives today.
At Click! dress up and strike a pose in a 1930’s inspired photo studio.
You’ll hear from expert speakers (listed below), munch on treats from local businesses, sip ice cold drinks and boogie to tunes spun by DJ Ruby Chew.
This event coincides with the exhibition Mr Bond’s Studio: Port Adelaide Through the Lens. The exhibition showcases some of the 2,000 glass plate negatives that were discovered on the old premises of photographer A.E. Bond’s St Vincent Street studio.
Tickets include finger food and a complimentary drink.
Emma Haddy, Curator of Mr Bond’s Studio Exhibition
Lachlan Haig, Port Adelaidean and previous trainee of Cliff Howes; a ventriloquist whose photograph is featured in the exhibition
Dr Andrew Dearman, Artist, Writer, Photographer, Educator and Vintage Camera Collector
This event is proudly supported by a City of PAE grant
Sat 8 and Sun 9 Feb 2025
Dockside Festival returns in February 2025 at the historic Hart’s Mill in Port Adelaide, bringing the Port’s unique character and riverfront heritage to life. Over two vibrant days, celebrate the Port River with water sports, and live music on the wharf. Dive into interactive workshops, delicious street food, and creative installations that showcase the area’s thriving arts scene. From family-friendly activities to living history exhibits and local makers, Dockside Festival is free and offers something for everyone, making it the perfect celebration of the Port, the river, and its people.
* FREE Port River Heritage Tours on MV Archie Badenoch*
30-minute return trip from Hart’s Mill to Dock Two.
Morning departures: 10.00, 10.45 & 11.30
Afternoon departures: 1.30, 2.15, 3.00 & 3.45
Experience history on the water! Come on board the former Water Police Launch for a tour along the Port River. Learn about the history of the vessel and its namesake, Constable Archibald Badenoch, and hear stories about key heritage sites of Port Adelaide as you cruise by.
For further details check the Dockside Festival website.
This is a City of Port Adelaide Enfield event.
It’s time for a Gilbert & Sullivan season on the high seas with Emma Knights Productions!
Pirates of Penzance:
This hilarious adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operetta is staged in one hour, with an amazing cast featuring some of South Australia’s best local performers with live piano accompaniment. Come on this riotous journey across all types of venues and see why we are one of the longest running sell out shows of the Adelaide Fringe!
Friday 21 Mar: 6.00pm -7.00pm & 8.00pm – 9.00pm
H.M.S. Pinafore:
H.M.S. Pinafore or The Lass That Loved a Sailor, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. Directed by Andy Turner, a small and wonderful cast of Adelaide performers will be bringing Pinafore to life, maximising all the silliness in our usual way!
Saturday 22 Mar: 6.00pm – 7.10pm SOLD OUT
*New performance added: 8.00pm – 9.10pm*
Book now to avoid disappointment!
Experience the South Australian Maritime Museum like never before with an exclusive after-hours visit!
Join a curator from the History Trust of South Australia for an immersive, expert-led tour.
Explore the museum’s collection, uncover fascinating stories, and gain deeper insights into the exhibitions and the rich maritime history of South Australia.
Friday 14 March, 6.00pm
Check the Adelaide Fringe website for pricing and booking details.
Pianist Tim Barton returns with a new ‘Rhapsody in Chicago Blues’ 2025 program. This year hear ragtime, classical, original jazz and lots of boogie n’ blues as well as old favorites Rhapsody in Blue, Claire de Lune and the Maple Leaf Rag.
His professional career, now spanning 55 years, has taken Tim around the world as a performer; Ravinia Festival, Orchestra Hall Chicago, House of Blues, Ragtime pianist – Nickelodeon Theatre, Chicago jazz clubs Andy’s and The Green Mill.
On Saturday, 18 January 2025, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield will transform the historic streets of Port Adelaide into a dynamic celebration of music and culture with the return of live music discovery event, New Found Sound.
Back by popular demand after its debut in 2024, the FREE, one-night-only event offers an unforgettable opportunity to explore the precinct and enjoy performances from over 30 of South Australia’s most exciting emerging acts. From the historic SA Maritime Museum to the iconic Clipper Ship, this year’s music discovery event presented in 10 unique venues and spaces, promises a night filled with great music, delicious food and drink, and an unbeatable community spirit to kick off Adelaide’s 2025 summer festival season!
On the evening, visitors to the museum will receive a voucher for local gin distillery, McGregor & Young – FREE first gin & mixer or $15 off any bottle of gin – to be used during the event only.
SA Maritime Museum performances will be live on the ketch:
7.30pm Pascoe/Martin
8.30pm San Ureshi
9.30pm David Kotlowy
Check the New Found Sound website for full details.
Gory Stories from the Putrid Past Performances
Limited Season by Heaps Good Productions
You won’t want to miss meeting eminent barber surgeon, Mr Bartholomew Buglebottom and the most famous actor of the times, Mary Poopins, plus somebody else called Greg! Join them as they sail through history on-board the HMS Rancid in search of a cure for your favourite ailments such as boils, the bubonic plague, scurvy and scarlet fever. Learn about the most up-to-date cures – from flesh eating maggots and blood slurping leeches to stinky smells in jars! Along the way discover why now, and not the olden days, is a pretty good time to be alive!
Dates: 16-19 January 2025
Times: 11.00am & 1.00pm
Duration: 30 mins
FREE with museum entry.
FREE with museum entry.
Set sail into the murky depths of history with the Gory Stories LEGO® Trail at the SA Maritime Museum. Uncover gruesome tales from the high seas and discover the dark, smelly, and sometimes downright disgusting side of maritime history. It’s a thrilling (and a little bit gross) way to learn about the past. Can you brave the trail and survive the stench of history? The museum’s unsavoury secrets are waiting to be unlocked—if you dare!
Follow the clues, find the hidden LEGO® minifigures, solve the secret word and enter the draw for a chance to win an amazing prize!
What visitors say about the trail and visiting the museum:
“Enjoyable for young and old.”
“It was amazing – 5 stars!”
“It was hard work to find all of the LEGO, but it was worth it if I get the prize!”
“We love doing the trail every school holidays.”
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