Life Onboard
Life Onboard
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.
Booking Information
School excursions and programs pricing
| Entry only | $8.50 |
| Entry + 1 Education program (Life on Board, or Encounters) | $11.00 |
| Entry + Ketch Talk | $11.00 |
| Entry + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $16.50 |
| Entry + Ketch Talk + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $16.50 |
| Entry + 1 Education program + Ketch Talk | $13.50 |
| Entry + 1 Education program + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $19.00 |
| Entry + 1 Education program + Ketch Talk + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $21.50 |
| Entry + 2 Education programs | $16.50 |
| Entry + 2 Education programs + Ketch Talk | $19.00 |
| Entry + 2 Education programs + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $24.50 |
Cost for government category 1-4, rural or regional schools
| Entry only | $6.00 |
| Entry + 1 Education program (Life on Board, or Encounters) | $8.00 |
| Entry + Ketch Talk | $8.00 |
| Entry + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $11.50 |
| Entry + Ketch Talk + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $13.50 |
| Entry + 1 Education program + Ketch Talk | $10.00 |
| Entry + 1 Education program + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $13.50 |
| Entry + 1 Education program + Ketch Talk + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $15.50 |
| Entry + 2 Education programs | $12.00 |
| Entry + 2 Education programs + Ketch Talk | $13.50 |
| Entry + 2 Education programs + Archie Badenoch Port River Cruise | $17.50 |
Years: 3 to 5
Duration: 1 hour (please allow 15 minutes between sessions if booking for more than one class)
Maximum class size: 30
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 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.
Curriculum
Year 4
AC9HS4K03 – the experiences of individuals and groups, including military and civilian officials, and convicts involved in the establishment of the first British colony
AC9HS4S05 – draw conclusions based on analysis of information
AC9HS4S07 – present descriptions and explanations, using ideas from sources and relevant subject-specific terms
Year 5
AC9HS5K01 – the economic, political and social causes of the establishment of British colonies in Australia after 1800
AC9HS5S05 – develop evidence-based conclusions
AC9HS5S07 – present descriptions and explanations, drawing ideas, findings and viewpoints from sources, and using relevant terms and conventions
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?
Continue the learning in your classroom with these themed resources and find out more about Life Onboard
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.
Home School Visits FAQs
How much does it cost to visit the South Australian Maritime Museum?
Please see the list of pricing options for school excursions and programs above.
Please note, when a class or group consists of multiple age levels, our staff will modify the program to best suit the needs of the group. This may result in some information being too difficult or easy for some children.
Infants may enjoy participating in the Cat Trail exploration of the museum whilst the programs are taking place.
Where can we park while we visit?
Buses are able to park in the loading bay on the corner of Divett St and Lipson St, near the Museum. Private cars can park in nearby public carparks or metered parking spots. Check the Port Adelaide council information on parking here: https://www.cityofpae.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/413488/Map_PortAdelaideFreeParking.pdf.
Is there somewhere to store bags?
There is a secure storage area across the road from the Museum. Our staff 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 there somewhere to have recess or lunch?
There is a covered seating area outside the Museum to use for breaks. In the case of wet weather or extreme temperatures, groups can be accommodated inside the Museum instead. The Port Admiral Hotel offers a lunch delivery service which can be arranged via Port Admiral Museum Lunches (jotform.com).
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 vessel Archie Badenoch is not wheelchair accessible.
Do you have an extreme weather policy?
If the temperature forecast the day before the excursion is 38 degrees or above, all Archie Badenoch cruises will be cancelled. The Museum will remain open and is air conditioned inside. Cruises will still run in the case of rain and light wind.
How do we pay?
The Museum is cashless. Families or groups can pay on the day via card or with the correct entry fee in cash. We are unable to provide change.
Are younger siblings allowed to accompany the school group?
Children under 5 can enter the Museum free of charge. To ensure all students benefit, we remind adult supervisors to use their discretion as to whether infants join an educational session such as Life on Board or Encounters.