10 of Adelaide’s best museums, galleries and theatres

By Leah Dobihal

Adelaide is a city of creativity. Awesome festivals, exciting museums and epic outdoor murals make for a lively art and culture scene. Check out a collection of Adelaide’s unmissable art galleries, museums and theatres to add to your itinerary.

South Australian Museum

Where: North Terrace

The South Australian Museum is the city’s premier museum of natural history. Find collections of fossils, exhibits of Aboriginal artefacts and stories of Antarctic expeditions. Kids will love the Shadow Initiation, a digital adventure game that challenges you to solve puzzles and unlock the secrets of the museum.

Art Gallery of South Australia

Where: North Terrace

Housing one of Australia’s greatest art collections, the Art Gallery of South Australia is stunning both inside and out. Enter through its towering pillars on North Terrace to browse more than 45,000 works spanning 2,000 years. The gallery showcases a range of mediums from paintings to metalwork, so there’s always a surprise just around the corner.

ACE Open

Where: North Terrace

One of the city’s most engaging modern art galleries, ACE Open aims to be as challenging as it is welcoming. ACE Open is a place where both artist and audience can take risks, so expect your ideas to be transformed and your perceptions challenged. The gallery’s exhibitions are constantly changing, so check out what’s on.

Tandanya

Where: City Centre

A space dedicated to the cultural expressions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, Tandanya is a gallery not to be missed. The gallery sits on Kaurna (pronounced ‘Garna’) land, and is named after the Kaurna word for ‘place of the red kangaroo.’ Beyond incredible works of visual arts, Tandanya also showcases live music and performing art programs.

JamFactory

Where: West End

Located in Adelaide’s trendy West End creative precinct, JamFactory is all about the value of craft and design. The gallery houses four studios – ceramics, glass, furniture and metal – as well as an exhibition space that showcases a range of collectable craft and design. View a glass blowing demonstration before wandering through the exhibitions.

Adelaide’s street art

Where: Adelaide and surrounds

Some of South Australia’s most fascinating art doesn’t lie behind museum doors; it’s painted in laneways, on street corners and even across massive grain silos. Adelaide’s street art is diverse, reflecting artistic expression ranging from traditional graffiti-style to detailed portraits. Follow the Adelaide Street Art Trail to see some of the city’s best outdoor art. A trip out of the city will reward you with enormous murals painted onto water towers and grain silos along the Australian Silo Art Trail.

MOD.

Where: Adelaide city centre

MOD. is a museum that sits somewhere between art and science. Located at the University of South Australia, MOD. is a place to discover, learn and be inspired by futuristic exhibits about science and technology (and the way they shape our understanding of the world). The museum is suitable for all ages, though exhibits are aimed at visitors 15 years old and above.

National Railway Museum

Where: Port Adelaide

One for history and train buffs, the National Railway Museum is Australia’s largest undercover railway museum. Here, you’ll find over 100 exhibits where you can learn about the history of railways in Australia. Walk through elegant train carriages, marvel at huge steam engines and even enjoy a train ride.

Adelaide Festival Centre

Where: City Centre

Sometimes called the ‘heart of the arts’ in Adelaide, the Adelaide Festival Centre is the city’s premier presenter of theatre, dance, music and exhibitions. There’s something for everyone on the venue’s jam-packed calendar – think jazz nights, classic operas and performances for kids. Plus, the theatre spaces are jaw-dropping; the Festival Theatre seats close to 2,000 people over three levels.