See history in the making at this multi-faceted, multi-floor natural history museum.
South Australia is a place that embraces its rich history and cultural diversity and the South Australian Museum showcases the country's past and present with exhibitions spanning five floors. The museum is located on North Terrace, Adelaide's cultural epicentre. The area is very easily accessible with trains, trams and buses stopping nearby. Guided museum tours are available and staff are always ready to offer assistance. Or, if you'd prefer, grab a map and take a self-guided tour at your own pace.The first floor houses Australia's largest collection of Aboriginal culture. With over 3,000 artefacts on display you could spend hours here discovering how the indigenous population survived on this harsh continent. You'll find boomerangs, maps, paintings and other artwork demonstrating the Aboriginal people's innovation and creativity.Other permanent exhibits include the very popular Ancient Egyptian Room, the fossil galleries and the Biodiversity Gallery, which tells the story of the country's natural assets, from the harsh desert to the oceanic coastline, using touch screen resources, interactive elements, wildlife displays and film clips. You'll be awestruck by the 11-metre-long model of the giant squid with its 25cm eyes, the largest of any animal on the planet.The museum also has a dedicated science division called the Science Centre where visitors can see how our history is collated as scientists, curators and other staff manage specimens and record historical materials. The centre was opened in 2003 with the aim of promoting education and individual research, the rest is history!There are often temporary and travelling exhibitions that vary throughout the year, so ask staff at the information centre or pick up a brochure to find out what exactly is on show while you're in Adelaide. Visit the museum shop for souvenirs or have a well-deserved snack at the café. The museum is open all year round except for Good Friday and Christmas Day and admission is free!
