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South Australian Museum

South Australian Museum, Adelaide: Hours, Address, South Australian Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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South Australian Museum

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South Australian Museum
4.5
1,411
#15 of 297 things to do in Adelaide
Natural History Museums • History Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The South Australian Museum has been committed to making Australia’s natural and cultural heritage accessible, engaging and fun for over 150 years. It is a place where families can learn and grow together. Today the Museum is one of the most visited museums in Australia and holds collections of national and international significance, including the world's most comprehensive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material. It is a leader in remote and regional community engagement, and in Australian Aboriginal heritage and scientific research.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Address
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312 within 10 kms
State Library of South Australia
452
79 mLibraries • History Museums
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1,853
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235
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6
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,411 reviews
Excellent
763
Very good
515
Average
113
Poor
12
Terrible
8
LesleynD
Perth, Australia532 contributions
Great value - FREE!
Apr. 2022
What an amazing place to spend a few hours. My favourite exhibits were the Australian Polar Collection, Ancient Egypt (very small) and World Mammals. But there are heaps more endless wonders - five floors worth! We managed to see everything in 4 hours. Best of all it is absolutely free!

Check out the taxidermy lion outside, watch it for a while and you will see it move it's tail! We eventually found out how they made the tail move, fascinating!
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia954 contributions
South Australia Museum
Mar. 2022
This museum was founded in 1856 so is 166 years old. It is owned by the Government of SA. The best part about it that it is free so all people can visit and be educated unlike the Melbourne one where you need to pay an admission which is a lot to poor people. It also is like Melbourne Museum before it moved ion 2001 and has many stuffed animals and has also a very large collection of Aboriginal artifacts.
Written 28 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nalini N
Greater Sydney, Australia414 contributions
Worthwhile and free!
Mar. 2022
I really enjoyed the museum, Pacific collection was extensive and impressive. Free entry is generous with a donation box. An educational place for children with the stuffed animals. A nice cafe is near the entrance serving snacks & light meals. The current exhibition, Illustrating the Antipodes by artist, George Angas was very interesting.
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sherridan S
Australia83 contributions
Great time
Feb. 2022 • Family
A fantastic little museum, tonnes to see and very accessible for prams. 2.5 year old and 1 year old had fun looking at everything
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CJ
Australia14 contributions
Interesting
Jan. 2022
The museum had a huge range of exhibits - I really enjoyed the mammals exhibition and the Ancient Egypt room. These were really unique and I hadn't seen these in other museums that I've visited recently. My only suggestion would be to improve accessibility to the different levels - you have to go through some exhibitions (or double back through) to take the lift to different levels which is confusing.
Written 12 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kerryn72
Melbourne, Australia2,675 contributions
Free entry
Jan. 2022
Nice museum with free entry. The Aboriginal artwork is stunning but i felt that some of the other displays were a bit thrown together- stuffed animals next to minerals etc. It was OK to fill an hour or more out of the scorching sun.
Staff were helpful and museum was fairly quiet at 4pm!
I enjoyed the Mawson exhibit as I've read a bit about him. The Egyptian room is tiny- I'd have loved more of that.
Lots of stuffed animals.....found that a bit creepy!
Written 11 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
1952Steve311
Goolwa, Australia318 contributions
First trip back since High School (50 years ago)
Jun. 2021 • Couples
Spent the week end in Adelaide and decided to go to the SA Museum which is housed in a beautiful Heritage Building and well patronised. The dioramas are well set out and each exhibit well transcribed, unfortunately all of the interactive displays were closed because of COVID, but nether the less it is definitely worth a visit and I should think one of the few museums throughout the world which is still free to enter.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia10,455 contributions
Egyptian gallery is timeless
Jul. 2021
I first recall seeing the Ancient Egyptian Gallery many years ago, and it has changed little since. The Egyptian Gallery displays the religion, burial practices and religion of the Ancient Egyptians. It's a constant in an ever changing world; it has been at the heart of the South Australian Museum since 1939; parents introduce their children to the Egyptian Gallery, as their parents have done. Some things, such as the ancient Egyptian boomerang, never cease to amaze. Some displays have entered the digital age, but some galleries are timeless.
Written 7 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
wombatdavid
Hobart, Australia2,007 contributions
See the megafauna
Apr. 2021
We visited the museum primarily to see the diprotodon display as we had walked in their habitat near Burra. The display was interesting with a juvenile skulls found in Burra area. The museum was very busy due to school holidays. It is free.

We had to laugh at COVID strategy. They closed off all the interactive displays on screens but kids could touch ice and other items in the Antarctic area.... and no social distancing.
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
David Webby
Petersham, Australia362 contributions
Cultural
Apr. 2021 • Solo
I visited this museum on my resent visit to adelaide impressive stone building very good displays of aboriginal life on second floor antarctic display of morsins expedition to antarctica good covit health measures well set out cafe reasonable priced a great way to see things of the past very good displays of stuffed animals very knowledgeable volunteers
Written 16 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about South Australian Museum
South Australian Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking South Australian Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 South Australian Museum tours on Tripadvisor