Put on your party hat! Our vessel MV Archie Badenoch is turning 80. To celebrate, we are offering a day of Port River Heritage Tours at a half-price.

Built during WWII by General Motors Holden for the Royal Australian Navy, the vessel was commissioned by the SA Police in December 1946. It was named in honour of Constable Archibald Badenoch, the first SA Police Officer killed in action during WWII. Archie served as the No. 1 Water Police Launch until 1978. The vessel is now owned and operated by the SA Maritime Museum.

Our special birthday tours will take approx. 45 minutes. Passengers will learn about the history of the vessel and sites along the Port River. Included in your ticket is same-day admission to the SA Maritime Museum.

Dates & times
Sunday 16 November, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm & 3.00pm

Duration
45 mins

Cost including same-day admission to SA Maritime Museum
Adult: $16.75
Concession: $14.00
Child: $9.75
Family: $45.25
Family Concession: $34.25
Member Single: $8.38
Member Family: $22.63

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

Meeting Point
** Please note a temporary change in location to the pontoon at Hart’s Mill (in front of the playground). Access via Mundy Street. Free all-day parking available on site. The museum is a short drive or approx 15 mins walk. **

Code of practice
All South Australian Maritime Museum boating and marine activities on the Port River are conducted in accordance with Marine Safety Guidelines. We respect the environment and wildlife in the Port River area and operate in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals – Marine Mammals) Regulation 2010 and viewing marine mammals regulations.

Image below: Archie Badenoch under way at Port Adelaide while in police service, date unknown. Image courtesy of the South Australia Police Historical Society. CC BY-NC 2.0.

Experience the Port Adelaide lighthouse as the sun sets!

Join us for an enchanting evening tour through Port Adelaide’s heritage precinct and iconic lighthouse. Your journey begins with a guided stroll from Lipson Street to the wharf, discovering the storied history of some of the state heritage-listed buildings along the way.

The group then experiences the magic of the lighthouse, first illuminated in 1869. Learn about the history of the building and explore its ground floor displays before ascending the 83 steps to the top. There, you will witness the lantern mechanism in action and enjoy unique views of the river and Port Adelaide as night takes over.

Tickets include voucher for admission to the SA Maritime Museum, valid for one month from the day of the tour.

Dates & times:
Friday 24 October, 7pm-8pm
Saturday 15 November, 7pm-8pm

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

Location:
Meet outside the SA Maritime Museum, 126 Lipson St, Port Adelaide. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the start time.

Bookings:
Book online using the links above, email maritime@history.sa.gov.au, or call us on 08 8151 3260

IMPORTANT – Please note:
The tour involves steep stairs, tight spaces, and heights.
All participants are required to sign a health and safety waiver at the start of the tour.
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.

FREE with museum entry – please book online.

Hop on board for Drawn Aboard! Archie to the Rescue

In this creative workshop, kids and parents can design and colour their very own Archie Badenoch, the museum’s former police vessel, then watch it set sail in a magical animation. Their artwork comes to life on screen, joining a fleet of colourful Archies from around the world. Blending art, imagination, and technology, this workshop is perfect for curious kids who love to draw, dream, and explore. Set your course for creativity and let your Archie adventure begin!

Why it’s awesome:

• Learn about maritime history
• Be part of a real animation project
• Watch your ship sail the seas on screen!

Who’s it for:

Perfect for kids aged 5 – 18 and parents too! No experience needed, just imagination.

When is it:

Wednesday 1 October, 10.30am & 11.30am – book now
Thursday 2 October, 10.30am & 11.30am – book now
Monday 6 October, 10.30am & 11.30am – book now
Thursday 9 October, 10.30am & 11.30am – book now

Workshops run for approximately 30 minutes.

Check out our other school holiday activities.

Let your imagination set sail these July school holidays with the Around the World LEGO® Trail at the SA Maritime Museum. Designed especially for children aged 5-13, this exciting activity brings the museum to life with a fun and interactive twist.

South Australia has connections to many different countries through our seafaring history. Go globetrotting through our Museum to experience stories and objects from across the world. Can you find the LEGO® minifigures hidden between our objects? Collect the letters they hold to reveal a secret winning word. Once you’ve cracked the code, enter the draw to win an awesome LEGO® prize!

A great way to explore, learn and have fun at the SA Maritime Museum these school holidays.

Check out our other school holiday activities.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorise, or endorse this site. 

For Nature Festival 2025, immerse yourself in a nautical world with Musewood as they celebrate the music of the ocean in the surrounds of the SA Maritime Museum.

Sail away with music from Enya, Split Enz, and original compositions. In this performance, hear tales of mermaids and sea shanties and reflect on how our oceans and waterways have influenced music across cultures.

Don’t miss the stunning soundscape of two harps, guitars, mandolin, violin, and recorders with the beautiful voices of Emma Horwood and Visnja, performed onboard the unique setting of the museum’s replica ketch Active II.

Musewood

Emma Horwood – pedal harp, voice and violin
Visnja – Celtic harp, voice and tin whistles
Ashley Hill – harp guitar and mandolin
Michael Castronini – guitar

Dates & times:
Sunday 28 Sept, 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Sunday 5 Oct, 3.30pm – 5.00pm

Ticket price:
Adult: $35.00
Concession $30.00
Child $15.00

Tickets include entry to explore the museum galleries during interval. Seating is limited, book early.

*Please be advised that filming and photography of audience members may occur during this event. If you do not consent to being filmed or photographed, please inform staff.

Free with museum entry.

Step aboard the full-size trading ketch Active II for a guided exploration.

Investigate how a crew lived and worked — from sleeping and eating to navigating the seas. Peek into the past, handle real equipment, and imagine the sights, sounds, and challenges of life on board. It’s a hands-on glimpse into seafaring stories — all without ever leaving dry land!

Session times:
July 5 – 20
Daily at 11.00am & 12.00pm.
Duration 30 mins.
Bookings not required.

Check out our other school holiday activities.

FREE with museum entry.

Let your imagination set sail these July school holidays with the Ship Shape LEGO® Trail at the SA Maritime Museum.
Designed especially for children aged 5-13, this exciting activity brings the museum to life with a fun and interactive twist.

Explore the exhibits, hunt down hidden LEGO® figures, and collect the letters they hold to reveal a secret winning word.
Once you’ve cracked the code, enter the draw to win an awesome LEGO® prize!

A great way to explore, learn and have fun at the SA Maritime Museum these school holidays.

Check out our other school holiday activities.

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.”

FREE with museum entry – please book online.

Hop on board for Drawn Aboard! A one-of-a-kind workshop where kids bring history to life, one frame at a time.

Each child will draw their own historic sailing ship, and their art will become part of a collaborative animated film to be projected onto the sails of our replica ketch, Active II!

Perfect for curious minds and creative hands, Drawn Aboard blends art, history, and technology in a fun and memorable experience. Set your course for creativity and come aboard!

Session Times:
Saturday 5 & 12 July, 10.30am & 11.30am
Wednesday 9 & 16 July, 10.30am & 11.30am
Thursday 17 July, 10.30am & 11.30am

Duration: 1 hour
Animation workshop 30 mins followed by Ketch Close-Up 30 mins

Check out our other school holiday activities.

FREE with museum entry.

Explore the South Australian Maritime Museum in the April school holidays with our Navigation LEGO® Trail!

Follow the clues to learn fun facts about navigational tools featured within the museum and the people who used them.

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.”

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

Image: Vernon Smith, Curator of the Port Adelaide Nautical Museum, SA Maritime Museum Photographic Collection