SA Maritime Museum

Purchase your South Australian Maritime Museum Membership and enjoy unlimited free admission all year. You will also receive a huge 50% discount on off-site tours, including Archie Badenoch Port River heritage tours, Port Adelaide Lighthouse tours, and Torrens Island Quarantine Station tours, plus 10% discount on purchases at the museum gift shop. Memberships can also make a great gift for someone special - just provide the relevant details for the recipient, including their full name, address, email and contact number.

​Book your tickets today! While we provide the option to book tickets in advance, you can also buy tickets at the door. Please note, we are a cashless organisation. With online admission tickets you can come in at any time during the selected date. If you have any queries please contact the Museum on 08 8151 3260, or email us at maritime@history.sa.gov.au. SA Maritime Museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Take a tour along the Port River on the historic vessel Archie Badenoch. Built during WWII by General Motors Holden for the Royal Australian Navy, the vessel was commissioned by the SA Police in December 1946. Named in honour of Constable Archibald Badenoch, the first South Australian Police Officer killed in action during WW II. Archie served the SA Police as the Number 1 Water Police Launch until 1978. The vessel is now owned and operated by the South Australian Maritime Museum. The Port River heritage tour will take approximately 1 hour with stops along the way at many of the historical areas and points of interest. All marine activities are conducted in accordance with Marine Safety Guidelines. We respect the environment and wildlife in the Port River & 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.

Hop on board for Drawn Aboard! A one-of-a kind animation 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 voyage through maritime history. Then, join our expert staff for a guided exploration of our full-sized replica trading vessel, Active II, housed within the museum. Perfect for kids from 5-15 - no experience needed, just imagination!

Torrens Island Quarantine Station was built in 1879 to stop passengers bringing diseases such as smallpox into Adelaide. Today, the site is remarkably intact and evokes the experiences of passengers placed in quarantine from the 1880s to the 1960s. This fully guided tour visits the many areas of the Quarantine Station, including the bathing blocks that separated first and second class passengers, the boiler house used to power fumigation, the morgue and the isolation hospital. The character of the buildings, the history of the site and the ambience of the natural environment make visiting the Quarantine Station a moving experience. Ticket price includes entry to the SA Maritime Museum. Please note: Access to the site is by your own vehicle and includes an unsealed portion of road. There is uneven ground on site and some buildings require a small step up to access. There are no accessible toilets on site.

Discover the enchanting history of South Australia’s historic port with our new captivating 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. The tour continues with a guided stroll to the wharf, immersing yourself in the timeless charm and storied heritage of numerous state heritage-listed buildings along the way. We then experience the magic of the iconic lighthouse, first illuminated in 1869. Ascend the 83 steps to witness the lantern in action and enjoy unique views of the river and Port Adelaide. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of the past!