Are the Adelaide museums free?

The main museum and gallery are free to enter, though special exhibitions may cost extra. Check each listing for what is included.

Are these places suitable for toddlers?

Many are, as long as you keep the visit short and let them move at their own pace. Prams are generally welcome, but check the listing.

What is the Space Discovery Centre?

It is a free centre that explores space science and technology, and it suits curious primary-age children and teens. The listing explains what is on display.

Is the Bradman Collection worth visiting with kids?

If your child likes cricket, yes. It is compact and easy to visit, so it works well as part of a larger outing.

Rain-safe: free museums, galleries and libraries in Adelaide

Adelaide's wet days are fewer than in many cities, but when the rain comes in winter it comes properly, and the state's cultural institutions are ready. North Terrace holds the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum side by side, both free to enter and big enough to fill a morning. The Australian Space Discovery Centre brings rockets and satellites to life for curious children, and the Bradman Collection in North Adelaide is a draw for cricket-minded families. The Vickers Vimy Exhibition adds something for aviation fans, and the Museum of Economic Botany shows how plants shape human life. All of these are free, though special exhibitions may charge, so check the listing. The best approach to a rainy day is to choose one and give it time, rather than rushing through several. Children tend to remember the one thing they touched, spotted or drew. Bring a small notebook for sketching or a scavenger hunt idea to give the visit a purpose. Cafes inside these buildings can be pricey, so a packed snack and a drink bottle save money. Check opening arrangements before you travel, since some smaller collections open on limited days.

Our picks

Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide
The Art Gallery of South Australia at 490 North Terrace, Adelaide, holds a collection of almost 47,000 works, including Aboriginal, South Australian, contemporary,…

★ 4.7 (4,353)
South Australian Museum Adelaide
The South Australian Museum on North Terrace, Adelaide has five floors of natural history and cultural galleries, including what it describes as the world's most…

★ 4.6 (5,225)
Australian Space Discovery Centre Adelaide
The Australian Space Discovery Centre is run by the Australian Space Agency on the ground floor of the McEwin Building at Lot Fourteen, 364-370 North Terrace, Adelaide.

★ 4.7 (201)
Vickers Vimy Exhibition
The Vickers Vimy exhibition at Adelaide Airport displays the restored Vickers Vimy converted bomber (registration G-EAOU) that Adelaide brothers Ross and Keith Smith…

★ 4.8 (61)
The Bradman Collection North Adelaide
The Bradman Collection is a museum in the Riverbank Stand at Adelaide Oval dedicated to cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.

★ 4.6 (165)
Unley Museum Unley
Unley Museum is run by the City of Unley and is at its interim premises at 39 Oxford Terrace, Unley, while the museum is redeveloped.

Before you go

Best for which ages

The Museum and Art Gallery suit all ages, with room for little legs and plenty to look at. Primary-age children enjoy the Space Discovery Centre, while teens may find the art and history more interesting than expected. Smaller collections suit short visits.

What to bring

A small bag with snacks, water and a notebook. An umbrella for the walk between buildings, and a light jacket, since indoor spaces can be cool. A pram or carrier helps with younger children. A change of dry socks helps if you got caught in the rain on the way in.

Parking and facilities

North Terrace is close to public transport, and parking in the city can be limited and costly. Toilets, lifts and cafes are generally available, but the listing says what each venue has. Smaller collections may have fewer facilities. On a wet day, the shelter of the museums and the nearby tram or train stops makes travel easier.

Prams and accessibility

Major venues are generally accessible, with lifts and ramps, and prams are usually welcome. Smaller or heritage sites may have steps or tight spaces, so check the listing before you go if access matters. Ask at the front desk about lifts and quiet spaces if you have a baby, as staff are used to the question.

How to make a day of it

Pick one or two venues and give them time. A scavenger hunt or a drawing challenge keeps children engaged, and a snack break halfway helps. Finish with a short walk in the Botanic Garden if the rain clears. A pencil and a sketchbook give a restless child a job, and a quiet corner is never far away.

Free museums, galleries and science

Permanent collections with free entry. Special exhibitions can be ticketed; the listing says so.

Art Gallery of South Australia Adelaide
The Art Gallery of South Australia at 490 North Terrace, Adelaide, holds a collection of almost 47,000 works, including Aboriginal, South Australian, contemporary,…

★ 4.7 (4,353)
South Australian Museum Adelaide
The South Australian Museum on North Terrace, Adelaide has five floors of natural history and cultural galleries, including what it describes as the world's most…

★ 4.6 (5,225)
Australian Space Discovery Centre Adelaide
The Australian Space Discovery Centre is run by the Australian Space Agency on the ground floor of the McEwin Building at Lot Fourteen, 364-370 North Terrace, Adelaide.

★ 4.7 (201)
Vickers Vimy Exhibition
The Vickers Vimy exhibition at Adelaide Airport displays the restored Vickers Vimy converted bomber (registration G-EAOU) that Adelaide brothers Ross and Keith Smith…

★ 4.8 (61)
The Bradman Collection North Adelaide
The Bradman Collection is a museum in the Riverbank Stand at Adelaide Oval dedicated to cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.

★ 4.6 (165)
Unley Museum Unley
Unley Museum is run by the City of Unley and is at its interim premises at 39 Oxford Terrace, Unley, while the museum is redeveloped.
Museum of Economic Botany Adelaide
The Museum of Economic Botany is in Adelaide Botanic Garden and shows how plants are used, with specimens, models and creations from across the globe.

Questions parents ask

Are the Adelaide museums free?: The main museum and gallery are free to enter, though special exhibitions may cost extra. Check each listing for what is included.
Are these places suitable for toddlers?: Many are, as long as you keep the visit short and let them move at their own pace. Prams are generally welcome, but check the listing.
What is the Space Discovery Centre?: It is a free centre that explores space science and technology, and it suits curious primary-age children and teens. The listing explains what is on display.
Is the Bradman Collection worth visiting with kids?: If your child likes cricket, yes. It is compact and easy to visit, so it works well as part of a larger outing.