South Australia · Attraction
South Australian Museum
Wonders of the natural world
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Sitting prominently on North Terrace, the South Australian Museum holds one of the world's most significant natural history and anthropology collections under one roof. Its free permanent galleries explore everything from ancient megafauna and Antarctic exploration to one of the largest collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander material culture held anywhere in the world.
The Opal Fossils Gallery is a standout, displaying spectacular opalized dinosaur and marine reptile specimens found only in Australia. The Ancient Egypt gallery brings mummies and artefacts to life for younger visitors, while the Human Evolution displays trace millions of years of our species' development. The Discovery Centre lets children and curious adults handle real specimens and ask questions of the museum's scientists.
The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery is one of the largest of its kind in the world, with thousands of objects telling the stories of Aboriginal peoples across the continent. The museum works closely with communities to present these collections respectfully and with living context.
Entry to the museum is free every day of the year except Christmas Day and Good Friday. The museum cafe is open daily and the shop is well stocked with natural history books, gifts, and locally made items.
Scenic views
