COVID-Safe Programs 

School groups are welcome at the South Australian Maritime Museum, and we continue to adhere to federal and state government guidelines and an increased and regular cleaning regime.

To make sure our visitors, including school groups, remain safe at all times, we have made some changes to the school programs that are available. The size of rooms and galleries in the museums means some of our education programs have been changed, while others will not be available for the foreseeable future. Some programs use highly interactive displays and we have adapted these where we can.

We will continue to monitor, evaluate and adapt our education programs to fit government COVIDSafe guidelines and align with Department for Education recommendations. If you cannot visit us at one of our museums, we also have a range of education programs, digital and printed resources that can be used within the classroom. We are also developing a series of virtual museum visits where students can engage and interact with our curators via web conferencing platforms – watch this space!

Education programs available in 2021

Encounters (Years 3-5)

This program explores early maritime encounters and how various groups including Aboriginal people, European navigators, and Macassan fishermen engaged and interacted. It unpacks the story of the first European settlers to NSW in 1788 and the famous meeting between British navigator Matthew Flinders and French explorer Nicolas Baudin off our southern shores in 1802.

The new program incorporates key elements from two of our most popular programs – Explorers and First Fleet—with a particular focus on the experiences and perspectives of First Nations people.

Life on Board (Years 4-6)

This program asks students to consider the experience of life on board for migrants voyaging by ship from England to South Australia in 1836; Where did they sleep, what did they eat and drink, how did they cope with illness on board, and how did they while away the long days on deck? We also explore the changing motivations for migrating over time and the evolution of sea travel from sailing ships through to steam and modern cruise liners.

Unfortunately, tours of the Port Adelaide Lighthouse and river trips on the Archie Badenoch are not available at this time due to physical distancing restraints.

Contact us to book on (08) 8207 6255 or email schools.maritime@history.sa.gov.au 

Prepare for your visit and discover resources and activities for the classroom by downloading our Visiting the South Australian Maritime Museum Guide for Teachers.

Frequently asked questions

What are you doing to keep students and other visitors safe?

• Our hygiene program includes regular cleaning of exhibits and ‘touch points’ during the day and supply of hand sanitiser throughout the museum.
• We can allow storage of school bags for school groups only.
• Some rooms and galleries have limited capacity to retain social distancing
• We will provide cleaning in eating locations after use by each school group.
• If required, students can use our disposable gloves after being shown correct use.
• We have an approved COVIDSafe Plan available to view on request.

What do teachers need to do to arrange an excursion?

• Department for Education guidelines require teachers to complete a risk assessment for each excursion – we can provide information to teachers that will assist in completing this form.
• Be aware of our capacity limits, program changes and gallery limits.
• Contact our education team for more information or to book your visit!

Please note: 

In the instance that a facility has a confirmed case of COVID-19 or a confirmed close-contact among staff, students, residents, or team members which requires the facility be closed, HTSA and its museums will delay any bookings made by that facility for a minimum period of 14 days from the date that the case was identified. Should no further cases occur during this period the booking may be rescheduled, subject to availability. Any subsequent cases within that period will extend the period an additional 14 days, starting from the date of the last confirmed case or close contact.

• • The period of 14 days in accordance with current understanding of the COVID-19 incubation period.
  • No cancellation fees will be applied to any bookings cancelled or delayed due to circumstances relating to COVID-19 confirmed cases and all attempts will be made to reschedule within a reasonable timeframe.