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Adelaide Museums

South Australia's flagship museums are easily found on leafy North Terrace in the heart of Adelaide.

At the South Australian Museum , explore the life and science of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. You can see his sled, tools, boots, camel-hair sleeping bag and a model of his Antarctic hut. Find the opalised skeleton of a six-metre-long plesiosaur and other stunning opal fossils in the Fossil Gallery. Wander through six floors of exhibits revealing fascinating stories. See the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, the largest Aboriginal cultural exhibition in the world, with more than 3000 items on display.

There's an exhibition devoted to ancient Egypt, rare fossils of the Flinders Ranges and more. You can even see one of Adelaide astronaut Andy Thomas's space suits. See 40,000 year old megafauna fossils in the Origin Energy Fossil Gallery, as well as 120 million year old opalised fossils and Ediacaran fossils, such as the 550 million year old chordate, possibly the oldest ever found.

See the Bradman Collection , a tribute to Australia's cricketing icon, Sir Donald Bradman at the Adelaide Oval. There are 52 scrapbooks documenting Sir Donald's career from 1925 to 1948, plus more than 140 items including trophies, bats, clothing and oral recordings. Other items from the collection can also be found at the State Library of South Australia. Learn the stories of the many immigrants who helped to shape South Australia at the Migration Museum. And in nearby Prospect, see the RM Williams Outback Heritage Museum for an insight into his life and successes. "Do time" at the old Adelaide Gaol historic site. Take a tour - you can even sleep there overnight on the ghost tour.

Just 20 minutes from the city centre, visit Port Adelaide - it's an amazing hub of museums all within walking distance of each other, including the South Australian Maritime Museum and National Railway Museum. Read on below for more insights into museums and collections throughout South Australia.



R.M. Williams Outback Heritage Museum PDF Print E-mail
outback_museum.jpgRM Williams was a drover, well-digger, bootmaker, miner and more, who became one of South Australia's most successful businessman and an icon. You can discover more about his life and legacy at the RM Williams Outback Heritage Museum in Adelaide.  The museum boasts a unique collection of RM Williams artefacts donated by many long-time customers. You'll find saddlery, hand-plaited bridles, whips and a range of clothing and boots to marvel over and to bring back memories. See displayed the swag, saddlery and equipment used in a bush cattle camp.
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Adelaide Gaol Historic Site and Museum PDF Print E-mail
Take a walk around the Adelaide Gaol and unlock a piece of South Australia's history. On a guided or self-guided tour you will see aspects of prison life as was in South Australia over a period of 147 years - between 1841 and 1988.
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