South Australian Maritime Museum, Maritime museum in Port Adelaide, Australia

The South Australian Maritime Museum opened in 1986 in a pair of adjoining stone bond stores built in the 1850s, in the heart of Port Adelaide, the state's first heritage precinct. Its galleries cover exploration of the southern coast, immigrant voyages, medicine at sea, the colonial navy and the Port River dolphins. Visitors can climb the Port Adelaide lighthouse, built in 1869 and originally standing at the entrance to the Port River.

The museum opened in 1986 in two adjoining stone bond stores built in the 1850s, in Port Adelaide, South Australia's first heritage precinct. It builds on a collection founded by the Port Adelaide Institute in 1872, now the oldest nautical collection in Australia. The Port Adelaide lighthouse, built in 1869 and originally at the entrance to the Port River, can be climbed by visitors.

The exhibitions tell stories of sailors and migrants who shaped this port city, from trade routes to personal journeys across the ocean. The collections show how seafaring communities brought different cultures and traditions to Port Adelaide.

The museum sits in a historic port area that is easy to walk around and has clear signs throughout the building. Visitors should expect stairs since exhibits span three floors, but seating areas are available for rest.

The museum holds 17 figureheads, the largest such collection in Australia; the oldest is the Ville de Bourdeaux, built in 1836. Its collection began with the Port Adelaide Institute in 1872 and is now the oldest nautical collection in Australia, counting more than 20,000 objects.