Muesums In The Port

Museums in the Port

For one weekend only, travel old-school style in the Port.

Boatfest is coming to the Port on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October. This event will bring back wooden and heritage boats, working shipwrights, steam engines, parades of sail on the inner harbour, kids’ activities and street markets.

Port Adelaide’s museums are throwing open our doors — celebrating everything that sails, chugs, and soars. We are offering free admission to children under 15 and discounted adult tickets to just $5 at each museum.

There will also be a special program of events for the weekend. Bring the whole family and join us in the Port!

South Australian Maritime Museum

126 LIPSON STREET, PORT ADELAIDE

The Maritime Museum will ring with the sound of smithies’ hammers and coopers’ adzes in a display of rare trades, while our galleries will echo with shanties and songs from the sea. Come and try your hand at the Institute of Backyard studies’ impressive Toroidal Smoke Ring machine. See our exhibition Leviathan on the history of whaling, and watch Aboriginal artists from Ceduna create stunning works of art inspired by the story of Jidera the whale. Admire the craftsmanship in Uncle Moogy’s Yuki (bark canoe) and a selection of sir James Hardy’s famous sail craft, before boarding the state’s oldest steam tug Yelta

National Railway Museum

76 LIPSON STREET, PORT ADELAIDE

At the National Railway Museum, just down the street, get steamed up on terra firma with a ride on 99-year-old Steam Locomotive, 20 minute shuttles between NRM and SAAM and go retro on a Redhen railcar (Adults $3/ride and children under 15 years are free), or take the kids on the miniature steam loco Bub for free.

South Australian Aviation Museum

66 LIPSON STREET, PORT ADELAIDE

Prepare to don your ear muffs as the South Australian Aviation Museum revs up vintage aircraft engines (11am, 1pm and 3pm) and go a bit Biggles by clambering into the cockpit of an F-111 (fees apply). Get a bird’s eye view of the festivities from a Barossa Helicopter (fees apply) or just kick back and listen to the sounds of the Torrens and Henley Big Band with a cup of coffee and a sausage sizzle.

Museums In The Port is proudly supported by Port Adelaide Enfield Council and Channel 9.