South Australian Maritime Museum Tours

Cruises, Sailing and Water Tours

At the South Australian Maritime Museum, experience life on the water and track the voyages of navigators who charted unknown waters, seafarers who traded over the oceans and migrants who sailed into new lives.

Located in the historic precinct of Port Adelaide, the Museum offers regular Port River heritage tours on the historic police launch, MV Archie Badenoch, sailing from the wharf at Hart’s Mill. Other visitor experiences include the Portside Museum and Lighthouse Discovery Tour as well as an off-site walking tour of the Torrens Island Quarantine Station.

All tours include same-day admission to the SA Maritime Museum.
Visit the website for tour times and admission pricing.

Services

From $30.5 to $94.5

Take a tour along the Port River on historic vessel MV Archie Badenoch. Learn about the history of the waterfront, the changing impacts to the river environment, and its role as a dolphin sanctuary. Sites include Hart’s Mill, the lifting Tom ‘Diver’ Derrick Bridge, the 1864 clipper ship City of Adelaide – and perhaps a dolphin!

Built during WWII by General Motors Holden for the Royal Australian Navy, the vessel was commissioned by the South Australian Police in December 1946. Named in honour of Constable Archibald Badenoch, the first South Australian Police Officer killed in action during World War II.  Archie served the South Australian Police as the Number 1 Water Police Launch until 1978.

Ticket includes same-day admission to the SA Maritime Museum.

Check website for upcoming tour dates.

Disabled Access

Carpark Family Friendly Non Smoking

From $24.5 to $66.5

Discover the enchanting history of South Australia’s historic port on this captivating tour.

Begin your journey at the SA Maritime Museum, where expert guides will show you through fascinating collections, intriguing exhibitions, and the vibrant maritime legacy of the state.

As the tour continues with a guided stroll to the wharf, be immersed in the timeless charm and storied heritage of numerous state heritage-listed buildings along the way. Then experience the magic of the iconic Port Adelaide lighthouse, first illuminated in 1869. Ascend the 83 steps to witness the lantern mechanism in action and enjoy unique views over the river and across the city to the hills.

Join in an unforgettable exploration of the past!

Tours are approximately 90-minutes. Please check website for session times.

Disabled Access

Family Friendly Non Smoking

$36.5

Torrens Island Quarantine Station was built in 1879 to stop passengers bringing diseases such as smallpox into Adelaide. Today, the site remains remarkably intact and evokes the experiences of passengers placed in quarantine from the 1880s to the 1960s.

On this fully guided tour visitors will explore the bathing blocks that separated first and second class passengers, the boiler house used to power fumigation, the morgue and the isolation hospital. The character of the buildings, the history of the site and the ambience of the natural environment make visiting the Quarantine Station a moving experience.

Ticket price includes same-day entry to the SA Maritime Museum.

Tours operate from May to September. Check the website for session times.

Please note:
Access to the site is by your own vehicle and includes an unsealed portion of road.
There is uneven ground on site and some buildings require a small step up to access. There are no accessible toilets on site.

Disabled Access

Carpark Non Smoking Public Toilet

From $23.5 to $63.5

Experience the Port Adelaide lighthouse as the sun sets!

Join us for an enchanting evening tour through Port Adelaide’s heritage precinct and iconic lighthouse. Your journey begins with a guided stroll from Lipson Street to the wharf, discovering the storied history of some of the state heritage-listed buildings along the way.

The group then experiences the magic of the lighthouse, first illuminated in 1869. Learn about the history of the building and explore its ground floor displays before ascending the 83 steps to the top. There, you will witness the lantern mechanism in action and enjoy unique views of the river and Port Adelaide as night takes over.

Check the website for the next tour dates.

Disabled Access

Family Friendly Non Smoking

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