Adelaide Museums and Galleries To Explore

For a small city Adelaide has serious cultural clout.

Adelaide punches above its weight with an array of museums and galleries from cutting-edge space innovation to spooky cells. Along North Terrace is the perfect place to kickstart a day of arts experiences before continuing toward the West End for more museums.

Here’s a guide to a few of the must-visit Adelaide art galleries and museums to visit during your stay in the city of churches.

1. Art Gallery of South Australia

Just a 10-minute walk from the Botanic Gardens on North Terrace, the Art Gallery of South Australia showcases an exciting range of rotating visual arts exhibitions.

the front facade of the Art Gallery of South Australia — Pop into the Art Gallery of South Australia. (Image: Leo Hiraga)

Tarnanthi Festival of Indigenous Arts is a highlight in AGSA’s cultural calendar. AGSA is home to one of Australia’s largest collections comprising 47,000 works of art spanning 2000 years.

a look inside the Art Gallery of South Australia — AGSA features over 47,000 works of art. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The immersive site-specific commission by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota weaves a spellbinding web for visitors so don’t miss a visit to the Melrose Wing. Join the Tuesday lunchtime talks where experts delve deeper into the current exhibitions. Time a visit on the first Friday of the month when AGSA opens late and you can welcome the weekend with live music and the local arts crowd.

people flock outside the light-filled Art Gallery of South Australia during the Tarnanthi Festival of Indigenous Arts — Tarnanthi Festival of Indigenous Arts is one of AGSA’s main drawcards. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: North Terrace, Adelaide

2. MOD Museum of Discovery

Further down North Terrace on Adelaide’s cultural corridor is MOD Museum of Discovery , a future-focused space at the intersection of science, art and innovation.

guests looking at an interactive future exhibition at MOD Museum of Discovery — MOD Museum of Discovery takes on a futuristic approach.

Ideal for older children 12+ and curious adults, MOD features interactive exhibitions on big topics from climate crisis to democracy inviting visitors to engage their imagination and critical thinking.

people exploring a planetarium inside the MOD Museum of Discovery — Play with your imagination at MOD Museum of Discovery.

Address: Kaurna Country, University of South Australia, North Tce adjacent to the Morphett St Bridge, Adelaide

3. Australian Space Discovery Centre

The small but mighty Australia Space Discovery Centre is found in Lot 14, Adelaide’s technology and innovation district next to the Botanic Gardens and Art Gallery of South Australia.

Talks from astronauts and space scientists will spark visitors’ curiosity, showing how much we rely on space in our day-to-day lives. Drive a Mars Rover simulator or track space junk with hands-on exhibits that combine technology and play. Visitors can also sneak a peek into the first publicly viewable Mission Control Centre in Australia.

Address: Lot Fourteen Ground floor, McEwin Building Cnr Frome Road and, North Terrace, Adelaide

4. Adelaide Gaol

For lovers of dark histories, the Adelaide Gaol built in 1881 is the perfect window into South Australia’s criminal past. An easy walk from Bonython Park tram stop, visitors can choose a self-guided experience or a tour.

the front facade of Adelaide Gaol — Adelaide Gaol is one of the country’s oldest prisons with the most horrifying history.

Are you brave enough for a night-time paranormal investigation? Or maybe an Escape Cell adventure, with three levels of difficulty on offer.

between the walls of the hanging tower at Adelaide Gaol — Glimpse into South Australia’s criminal past.

The new Mugshots exhibition will bring the ghosts to life with a moving insight into inmates’ lives.

the exterior of Adelaide Gaol — Explore the iconic Adelaide Gaol on a self-guided tour.

Address: 18 Gaol Rd, Adelaide

5. JamFactory

This contemporary art and design space has two galleries showcasing a revolving selection of artists from silversmiths to furniture makers.

ceramics on display at Jam Factory, Adelaide — JamFactory showcases high-quality ceramics in different patterns and designs.

Go during the week to see artists at work, including their impressive glassblowing or peruse the gift shop for exquisite designer objects. If you want to stretch your own creative muscles why not enrol in a workshop.

pottery making at Jam Factory, Adelaide — Get your hands dirty at the pottery wheel.

Opposite the Jamfactory is Nexus Art Gallery a multi-cultural visual arts and music space that is well worth exploring too.

a gallery inside JamFactory, Adelaide — This contemporary museum has two galleries worth exploring.

Address: 19 Morphett St, Adelaide

6. ILA | Immersive Light and Art

Immersive Light Adelaide , or ILA, fuses creativity and technology to create immersive experiences in gallery exhibitions that rotate throughout the year. Downstairs in the Lab, you might catch a live musician or late-night DJ, making ILA a truly multi-art form space.

The Aurora restaurant next door offers seasonal sharing plates in an elegant setting or for something more casual, drinks and snacks are available in the Lab Garden.

Address: 63 Light Square, Adelaide

Museums in Port Adelaide

Whether you’re curious about boats, trains or planes, Port Adelaide has something for everyone, with a range of museums within easy walking distance. A 30-minute train ride from the CBD makes Port Adelaide an accessible and inspiring day trip.

South Australia’s rich seafaring history is celebrated at the Maritime Museum situated in an 1850s bond store while the Railway Museum has over 100 exhibits and a ride-on train for kids, and big kids at heart. Aviation enthusiasts will love seeing a Spitfire up close while listening to passionate tour guides at the SA Aviation Museum. Discounts are available if you visit more than one museum within a month.

Maritime Museum

National Railway Museum

South Australian Aviation Museum

a statue of a seafarer in Maritime Museum, Adelaide — The Maritime Museum has historic seafarer collections. (Image: City of Port Adelaide Enfield)

Discover Adelaide accommodation for every budget.

No matter your age and no matter your interests, Victoria’s coastal Bellarine region makes for a memorable getaway for the whole family.

Curving into Port Phillip Bay and extending south from Geelong, The Bellarine is a gorgeous coast-meets-country destination. It’s a captivating mix of beachside towns, rolling farms and vineyards, effortlessly cool eating and drinking spots and coastal vistas that seem to stretch beyond the horizon.

Among its many highlights is a plethora of family-friendly activities to suit all ages and all interests. Here’s your guide to the ultimate Bellarine getaway guaranteed to keep every generation happy.

1. Tuckerberry Hill Farm

There may be no better way to spend an early morning than by foraging and feasting on your own bounty of berries. At Tuckerberry Hill Farm , you can pick blueberries, strawberries and stone fruit from November through March. Take them home or enjoy on the farm’s sun-dappled grounds.

Tuckerberry also has a regular market selling farm-fresh produce, plus an inviting on-site cafe doing light lunches, drinks, home-baked treats and condiments – many of which incorporate the farm’s own harvest.

2. The Oxley Estate

A memorable holiday starts with a memorable place to stay, and The Oxley Estate delivers. Situated in the relaxed coastal town of Portarlington, the sprawling site offers thoughtfully styled rooms and activities that’ll keep both parents and kids entertained.

Wander the fragrant rose gardens, olive grove and fruit-laden orchards. Meet the resident alpacas, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks. Challenge your crew to a round of giant chess or mini golf. Or cool off in the shimmering saltwater pool after a busy day of exploring.

Different room types cater to different groups, with the largest able to comfortably sleep eight.

3. Oneday Estate

Oneday Estate is a must-visit. The winery lets you try small-batch, estate-grown shiraz, pinot noir and riesling. It’s also a vibrant and character-filled Sunday lunch spot.

The on-site eatery and bar hosts weekly Sunday Sessions accompanied by tunes from local musicians, a buzzy atmosphere and flavour-packed food and drink. Order a round of delicious woodfired pizzas with toppings to suit all tastes, alongside a glass of Oneday’s signature wine.

The restaurant is also a sight to behold, an eclectic stone-and-timber hall crafted from recycled materials and 100-year-old relics repurposed from the surrounding region.

4. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon

BIG4 holiday parks are renowned for their all-ages appeal, and BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon in the coastal enclave of Queenscliff is no different. The pool and gym are a given, but there’s also a playground, pickleball and basketball courts, a jumbo-sized jump pad, an interactive games arena and an indoor games room equipped with toys, activities and entertainment.

The diverse range of accommodation spans compact studios designed for three guests, all the way up to expansive beach houses accommodating up to 10, providing comfort and flexibility to suit every size of family.

5. Bellarine Railway

If your entourage includes any locomotive enthusiasts, book a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway . The more than 100-year-old steam train transports you to a bygone era and takes you through the rolling farmland and windswept coastal landscapes that make The Bellarine so beautiful.

The Swan Bay Express is an easy 45-minute ride perfect for younger passengers (and even allows dogs on board), or you could opt for a themed trip. There are seasonal events like the Polar Express (a festive favourite in the lead-up to Christmas), along with the Blues Train (a high-energy experience of live music and dancing) and the Q Train (a roving fine-dining feast celebrating regional produce).

6. The Dunes

waiter holding desserts at The Dunes, the bellarine — Save room for dessert. (Image: Visit Vic)

The Dunes offers the perfect balance of polished and playful, a breezy beachside bar and restaurant that appeals to adults and kids alike.

Feast on moreish snacks, share plates and mains from the Italian-inspired menu, or a selection of San Marzano-topped pizzas fresh from the wood-fired oven. Pair your meal with a classic cocktail, an ice-cold beer or a glass from the generous drinks menu, which brims with local drops. Little ones are well catered for with a line-up of kid-approved meals for breakfast and lunch.

If you’re simply swinging by en route to the family-friendly beach, grab a bite at The Dunes’ beachside kiosk before strolling down for a paddle or surf.

7. Sea All Dolphin Swims

dolphins playing in The Bellarine — Spot the locals with Sea All Dolphin Swims. (Image: Visit Vic)

The sparkling waters around The Bellarine are home to dolphins, fur seals, little penguins, humpback and southern right whales, plus a flurry of seabirds. Sea All Dolphin Swims lets you see some of these magnificent animals up close aboard one of their small-group vessels.

Head out on a sightseeing tour and spot local wildlife darting around the boat, or dive right in with a swim adventure tour. You’ll be swimming alongside dolphins and seals in their natural habitat – a bucket-list experience you won’t forget fast.

Swimming and snorkelling gear is provided, and guides are trained to ensure a gentle, eco-friendly encounter for both swimmers and sea creatures.

8. Jack Rabbit

aerial of jack rabbit winery and vineyard — Everyone has a menu to enjoy at Jack Rabbit. (Image: Visit Vic)

Jack Rabbit is a one-stop dining destination, with a casual cafe and refined restaurant in one place.

If your mood leans laid-back, the House of Jack Rabbit is a lovely spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. The cafe serves a produce-driven all-day menu filled with seasonal mains, generous sharing platters and a playful kids menu to suit even the pickiest of eaters.

If you’re after something more elevated, Jack Rabbit Restaurant does plates that change with the seasons and incorporate plenty of local produce. Even younger guests are well catered to, with a considered yet familiar kids’ menu that’s just as vibrant as the grown-up one.

To start planning your trip or for more inspiration, head to visitgeelongbellarine.com.au

A guide to the must-visit Adelaide art galleries and museums