Never got enough of Horrible Histories? Then join us for Gory Stories from the Putrid Past these summer holidays!
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!

Add-on Talk:
Vile Voyages: A Chilling Journey Below Deck

Step into the dark, cramped world of 19th-century sea travel. After witnessing the gory performance, join us for a deeper dive into the ghastly conditions passengers faced onboard long-haul sailing vessels. Descend into our basement cabin display, where our expert guide will lead you through the horrifying realities of overcrowded steerage, disease outbreaks, and the brutal hardships of life at sea. Vile Voyages is not for the faint of heart—come learn what it truly meant to sail the treacherous seas of the 1800s.

Dates: 16-19 January 2025
First session: Performance 11.00am with talk 11.45am
Second session: Performance 1.00pm with talk 1.45pm
Duration: Performance 30 mins, talk 20 mins
FREE with museum entry

Come to the South Australian Maritime Museum for an afternoon of folk, americana and blues with Vetter og Villskap, Courtney Robb and Snooks La Vie.

Deeply engaged with new traditions and old innovations, the music of Vetter og villskap (‘Spirits and wildness’) comprises genre-blending and bending conversations between Scandinavian Folk, Americana and a touch of Eastern influences. In this performance, Vetter og villskap brings along a mixed repertoire of seafaring and other tunes from Scandinavia and beyond.

Courtney and Snooks move between the lines of country, folk and blues. Robb’s charged vocal delivery demands something of her listener as the imperfections and fragility of her stories reveal themselves. Together with La Vie’s soaring harmonica and captivating vocals, they create a unique and compelling sound, encompassing a soulful pop sensibility that has seen the duo attract the attention of local and interstate music festivals and music lovers alike.

Date & time
Saturday 7 December: 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Cost
Adult: $25
Concession: $15
Child (up to 12): Free

Bookings
Book online here, call 08 8151 3260 or email maritime@history.sa.gov.au

Click here to view the event poster

At the beginning of the 20th century, a photographic portrait was a luxury few could afford. They were exotic, expensive, and far too time-consuming for the average working class Portonian. It all changed with the arrival of portrait photographer Mr Albert Ernest Bond… 

Mr Bond’s Studio: Port Adelaide Through the Lens showcases some of the 2,000 glass plate negatives that were discovered on the old premises of Bond’s St Vincent Street studio. Spanning the 1900s to the 1940s, the portraits are an evolving snapshot of the people of the Port and the events that shaped their community. Subjects include children, sailors, soldiers, brides, graduates, sporting heroes, dance troupes, and even some nuns!  

Within the exhibition explore some of the stories that lie behind the glass and discover a different side to Port Adelaide’s past. Make sure to take your own portrait in our re-creation of Mr Bond’s Studio before you leave! 

Keen for more Mr Bond? You can also view the full collection here. 

Banner photograph: Four sailors, round rig, leggings, Royal Australian Navy Reserve. The name “Heaft” has been written on the negative and “555”. ML588

FREE with Museum entry.

Explore the South Australian Maritime Museum in the October school holidays with our Seafarers LEGO® Trail!

Follow the clues to learn fun facts about various sailing vessels featured within the museum and the people who sailed them. Find the hidden LEGO® minifigures, solve the secret word and enter the draw for a chance to win an amazing prize!

Prize Draw One: LEGO® City Seaside Harbour with Cargo Ship (60422) (8+), valued at $179.99
Prize Draw Two: LEGO® Friends Heartlake City Water Park (42630) (8+), valued at $129.99

What visitors say about the trail and visiting the museum:
“Enjoyable for young and old.”
“It was amazing – 5 stars!”
“Extremely fun and interactive for young children.”
“We love doing the trail every school holidays.”

To celebrate the completion of the Port Dock Railway Line Project and to thank the community, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport are inviting the public to a Community Open Day.

The main works for the new Port Dock railway station include a 120-metre-long platform, a new carpark and bus interchange plus a shelter canopy for passengers, murals and upgraded green spaces. There will be a 30-minute service on weekdays and weekends.

The new station provides improved public transport access to the Museums in Port – with SA Maritime Museum, SA Aviation Museum and the National Railway Museum all within easy walking distance.

Event details:

Saturday 24 August, 11am – 2pm
Lipson Street carpark & Port Dock railway station
FREE ENTRY to Museums in Port – shuttle bus available between venues

• Welcome to Country
• Junction Community Centre workshop
• Local dance performance
• Emergency Services vehicle displays
• Free sausage sizzles (gold coin donation for drinks)
• Free face painting
• Coffee and food trucks
• Local business raffle and voucher prizes – drawn at the main pavilion at 1.30pm
• Stationary train located at the new Port Dock Railway Station – be one of the first to board a train at the new station

Click here for further event information.
Click here for a map of the area.

This is a rare opportunity to hear Ngarrindjeri Elder, Uncle Major ‘Moogy’ Sumner in conversation with members of the Yuki project team.  The panel discussion will centre around the yuki, its stories and significance in Ngarrindjeri culture, and how the exhibition captures the wonder and AWE of the natural world through film and animation. 

The Yuki (bark canoe): Sharing Ngarrindjeri culture is a new multimedia, immersive display which helps the Museum tell important stories of South Australia’s waterways and embed First Nations culture in the Museum’s narrative. “In our culture, we made this for thousands of years. It was taking the bark off the tree, treating it, drying it, shaping it. The yuki, the bark canoe, that’s something that we are very proud of, that it was a part of our culture – the Ngarrindjeri” Ngarrindjeri Elder, Uncle Major ‘Moogy’ Sumner. 

Join us for this special event to listen, learn and engage with the AWE of the yuki

Book Tickets HERE
SA Maritime Museum entrance fee includes talk

Speakers:
MC: HTSA Manager Curatorial, Dr Adam Paterson
Ngarrindjeri Elder, Uncle Major ‘Moogy’ Sumner
Digital Artist, Arthur Ah Chee (Wangkangurru man)
HTSA Curator, Dr Birgit Heilmann

Image: Uncle Moogy using the yuki at the Dolphin Sanctuary, Garden Island, Kaurna Country, April 2024. Photographer: Ethan White. History Trust of South Australia 

 

Wander along the wharf and through the historic streets of Port Adelaide with our new Caught in the Port Scavenger Trail!

Perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and adventurers of all ages, this interactive scavenger hunt invites you to explore the rich maritime heritage of our vibrant waterfront district – not all of our collection items are indoors!

Armed with signal flag clues, you’ll navigate landmarks and uncover hidden gems, all while piecing together a special word for a chance to win a Family Pass for a Port River heritage tour on the MV Archie Badenoch (valued at $88).

Dive into the past, solve nautical puzzles, and enjoy a fun-filled exploration of Port Adelaide’s storied streets.

FREE activity with SA Maritime Museum entry.

Entries will be drawn on 31 October 2024.

In late 2023, RV Investigator completed its 100th research voyage. From Antarctica to the Equator, this state-of-the-art vessel has racked up over half a million kilometres in the name of marine science.  

Join us at the South Australian Maritime Museum to hear Dr Ben Arthur share stories of storm chasing, finding the largest animal on Earth, discovering new species of the deep, and uncovering lost shipwrecks. Dr Arthur will share insights about this very special ship, the places it’s been, and what it’s taught us about our vast marine estate.  

Speakers

Dr Ben Arthur
MC: Dr Adam Paterson  

Date: Sunday, 4 August 2024
Time: 2.00 – 3.00pm 
Location: South Australia Maritime Museum 
126 Lipson St., Port Adelaide 

Talk is included in SA Maritime Museum entrance fee. 

Bio:

Dr Ben Arthur

Ben is a marine ecologist and science communicator who has worked in the marine sciences for 15 years. He completed his PhD in animal movement ecology at the University of Tasmania in 2016 and has led field research programs in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic, including Macquarie Island, with the Australian, French and South African national Antarctic programs. Ben has circumnavigated the Australian continent on RV Investigator, the nation’s blue water research vessel. He currently coordinates marine science engagement at the CSIRO Marine National Facility, where he also acts as a voyage manager coordinating complex, multi-million-dollar research voyages. Ben is a passionate communicator of science and its importance to our everyday lives. 

Header Image: Dr Ben Arthur, CSIRO, Hobart. 

It is time for a new Gilbert & Sullivan adventure on the high seas with Emma Knights Productions!

After 11 years of Pirates of Penzance (and never fear, the merry band of Pirates are not going anywhere!), they have decided to branch out and become rulers of the Queen’s Navee!

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, maximizing all the silliness in their usual way!

Join us for this immersive experience, up close at the South Australian Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide!

1.5 hour running time with a 10-minute interval!

Dates:
Friday 16 August, 7.00pm – 8.40pm
Saturday 17 August, 5.00pm – 6.40pm *SOLD OUT*

Tickets:
Adults $40.00
Concession $37.00
Children (U12) $20.00

Discover the enchanting history of South Australia’s historic port with our captivating new tour.

Begin your journey at the SA Maritime Museum, where our expert guides will take you through fascinating collections, intriguing exhibitions, and the vibrant maritime legacy of the state.  As the tour continues with a guided stroll to the wharf, be immersed in the timeless charm and storied heritage of numerous state heritage-listed buildings along the way. The group then experiences the magic of the iconic lighthouse, first illuminated in 1869. Ascend the 83 steps to witness the lantern mechanism in action and enjoy unique views of the river and Port Adelaide.

Join us for an unforgettable exploration of the past!

Details:
11.00am – 12.30pm
A smaller tour group (max. 10) allows for plenty of interaction.
Return to the museum for further exploration at your own leisure.

2025 Dates:
Friday 24 January
Saturday 15 February

Duration:
Allow 90 mins

Pricing:
Adult: $29.50
Adult Concession: $23.50
Child (5-15): $15.50
Family: $63.50
Family Concession: $53.50
Member Single: $14.75

Bookings:
Book online here, call 08 8151 3260 or email maritime@history.sa.gov.au

IMPORTANT – Please note:
The tour involves steep stairs, tight spaces, and heights.
All participants are required to sign a health and safety waiver.
Not suitable for children under 5.
In the event of inclement weather, the tour may be rescheduled in which case your tickets can be reissued or refunded.