Self-guided tour of the South Australian Maritime Museum
Self-guided tour of the South Australian Maritime Museum
Plan your visit to the South Australian Maritime Museum. Explore each exhibition, experience historic maritime settings and step back in history. We offer lots of great resources and activities in our Teachers Guide. There are suggested questions for discussion and activities which can be used to support a self-guided museum visit or explored right in your own classroom.
Booking Information
Years: Pre-school to Year 12
Cost: $7 per student or $5 for government category 1-4, rural or regional schools.
Maximum class size: 96 (including parents & supervisors)
Teacher/student ratio:
- 1:6 for Pre-school to Year 2
- 1:10 for Years 3 to 7
- 1:15 for Years 8 to 12
Teachers and supervisors attend free of charge at these ratios.
Education at the South Australian Maritime Museum
The South Australian Maritime Museum offers a wide variety of education programs encompassing a variety of year levels and learning outcomes. Located in the historic Port Adelaide precinct, the South Australian Maritime
Museum preserves, explores and celebrates the human history of our oceans and rivers.
Renowned for its innovative approach to maritime history and education, the Museum incorporates the historic Bond Store with three levels of exhibitions, the Port Adelaide Lighthouse from South Neptune Island, and the much-loved steam tug, Yelta.
Guide for Teachers
Take a look at our Guide for Teachers to find out more about the learning opportunities in the South Australian Maritime Museum
Where to Next?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students can attend?
Because of the space limitation of the areas used for our education programs, and of our historic vessel Archie Badenoch (max. capacity 24), our programs are run in smaller groups that rotate between the activities. The maximum number that can be accommodated in a four-hour visit undertaking a one-hour program is 96 (including adults). Larger school groups may need to plan their visit across several days.
How will the schedule for my visit be arranged?
Once a booking is made with us, we will create a schedule for your visit including recess and lunch breaks, which allows all students to participate in the chosen activities. This schedule is based on the program and activities booked, other school groups visiting that day, and staff availability. For this reason, it may be difficult to change this schedule on the day of your visit. We ask that you check your schedule prior to your visit, and ensure all staff and adults follow it to ensure your visit runs smoothly.
The museum doors opens at 10am and most schools aim to leave around 2pm.
Where can students gather for recess and lunch?
Food and drink are not permitted in any part of the museum. Suggested areas for gathering and eating include the tables outside the museum (under cover), or the shaded area adjacent to the lighthouse.
Is there somewhere to store bags?
There is a secure storage area across the road from the museum, where students can leave bags on shelves. We will show you the area on arrival and provide you with a key for easy access during your excursion. Please return the key before departing.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the museum building is accessible via a lift to all levels and has an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
However, the police launch Archie Badenoch is not wheelchair accessible.
Where can we park while we visit?
Parking in Port Adelaide requires pre-planning. Buses are able to park in the loading bay for embarking/disembarking on the corner of Divett and Lipson St, near the museum. It is not recommended that buses plan to park in the Port area without prior arrangement. Possible bus parking can be negotiated with the nearby Railway or Aviation museums, or Hart’s Mill. Private cars can park in metered car parks in the streets surrounding the museum.
Check the Port Adelaide council information on parking here.
Do you have a hot weather policy?
If the temperature forecast on local news or the Bureau of Meteorology website the day before the excursion is 38 degrees or above, all port river cruises will be cancelled.
The South Australian Maritime Museum will remain open and is air conditioned inside. Shared spaces for eating are outdoors, so please consider this if the weather is very hot.
How do we pay?
The South Australian Maritime Museum is cashless. Schools can either pay on the day with a credit card or a Tax Invoice can be sent to the school for the cost of the visit.
We will only invoice for the number of people who visit on the day, so we do not issue invoices in advance of the visit. Please provide an appropriate email address for payment of the invoice.
Are younger siblings allowed to accompany the school group?
Children under 5 years of age can enter the museum free of charge, and teachers may use discretion whether younger siblings can accompany the group.
Please note, infants and toddlers under 2 years of age are not permitted on board the Archie Badenoch.