Places to Visit
If you’re interested in finding out more about civics and citizenship and how it impacts on you as a young person, consider visiting places in your local community. There are dozens of places in South Australia that you can visit to extend your civics and citizenship education.
A large number of these are based in and around North Terrace in Adelaide City, as well as in Adelaide’s central business district. Although the majority do not charge any entry fees, some will require an advance booking.
Some of the key places to visit in Adelaide relating to civics and citizenship include Government House, Parliament House, The Centre of Democracy, South Australia Museum, State Library of South Australia, Migration Museum, Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre and Art Gallery of South Australia, to name a few.
In addition to these, there are many regional organisations who have created places that offer young people information about their local community as it relates to civics and citizenship. Many of these are managed by local councils or community organisations with staff and volunteers who are passionate about ensuring young people have a deeper understanding of who and what has shaped contemporary Australian society, including understanding what role you can play in shaping the future in ways that matter most to you.
Scan the list below and follow the links to those that interest you to find out more.
Then plan your visit!
Adelaide Gaol
Adelaide Gaol offers Guided education tours running for 60 minutes mapped to the Australian Curriculum and SACE.
Adelaide Holocaust Museum
The Adelaide Holocaust Museum’s programs for schools inspire curiosity, encourage critical thought, and develop students’ understanding of the Holocaust and its significance in today’s world.
Adelaide Lithuanian Museum
The Adelaide LIthuanian Museum was established by the hard work and dedication of Jonas Vanagas, and contains photographs, newspapers, documents, artwork and books, in Lithuanian and in English.
Ardrossan Heritage Museum
Gifted to the National Trust of South Australia. Housing what was originally a factory, the Ardrossan Heritage Museum opened in 1973.
Army Museum of South Australia
The Army Museum of South Australia provides members of the armed services and the public with an informative, historically correct and entertaining presentation of South Australia’s military history.
Art Gallery of South Australia
The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) offers a distinctive connection to place and a dynamic curatorial agenda that creates meaningful art experiences for all.
Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is a dynamic source of reliable scientific information and a touchstone for informed debate about some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing Australia today.
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum is a place to explore our relationship to the oceans, rivers and lakes around us and to dive deeper into the rich maritime heritage that binds us all.
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial acts as Australia’s largest museum of military involvement and hosts a variety of educational resources for schools and students.
Balaklava Museum
The Balaklava museum was established in 1972 to display and preserve the local history of the area.
Bay Discovery Centre
The Bay Discovery Centre is a social history museum in the heart of Glenelg, celebrating the cultural heritage of South Australia.
Beachport Old Wool and Grain Store Museum
The Beachport Old Wool and Grain Store Museum features displays about the local fishing industry, agricultural history and the Buandik people.
Bon Accord Mine Complex
The Bon Accord Mine Complex is the site of the original mine office and workshop for one of the then-largest copper mines in the world.
Burra Miners’ Dugouts
The Burra Miners’ Dugouts were used as accommodation for copper miners during the 1800s at one of the worlds then-largest copper mines.
Ceduna School House Museum
The Ceduna School House Museum, which was originally built in 1912, was also the town’s first post office and jail.
Centre of Democracy
The Centre of Democracy showcases the people, ideas and movements that have shaped, and continue to shape, democracy in South Australia.
Clare Old Police Station and Courthouse Museum
The Clare Old Police Station and Courthouse Museum was the first public building in Clare and hosts collections of costumes, furniture, domestic memorabilia and historic photographs of the area and its inhabitants.
Cleve Old Council Chambers
The Old Cleve Council Chambers host the region’s Agricultural and Folk Museum, which exhibits a broad collection of early pioneering artefacts, machinery, photographs and local records.
Cobdogla Irrigation Museum
The Cobdogla Irrigation Museum focuses on the South Australian Riverlands’ irrigation history, particularly the area’s Humphrey pumps.
Courts SA
Courts SA provides access to online and in-person resources about the law and legal proceedings.
Encounter Coast Discovery Centre
Visit the Encounter Coast Discovery Centre and see how early settlers lived and how the visitors holidayed.
Gawler Museum
Built in 1860 from local stone as a telegraph station, the Gawler Museum portrays the local history of Gawler and district
German Migration Museum
The German Migration Museum tells stories of the lives of Hahndorf’s pioneering families, and showcases objects relating to religion and education.
Glencoe Woolshed
Visit the Glencoe Woolshed and journey back to the era of early pastoralists. The shearing/wool shed is unique as it was never converted to mechanised shearing and it has now been converted into a museum of original and historic blade shearing and wool handling processes.
Goolwa Museum
Built around 1872 as a Blacksmiths shop, the Goolwa Museum displays the history of Goolwa, Currency Creek and Hindmarsh Island. A series of permanent and changing exhibitions tell the stories of people and buildings of Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island and Currency Creek from pre-European settlement to the present day.
Government House
Community and school groups are welcome to tour the house and gardens of Government House where visitors will learn about the Governor’s role and priorities and provide a unique insight into the constitutional, ceremonial and community engagement duties of the Governor.
Greek Museum of Adelaide
The Greek Museum of Adelaide was founded in 2019 and features collections of Greek art, artifacts and exhibits designed to promote and preserve Greek culture in Australia.
Hellenic Museum
Founded in 2007, the Hellenic Museum is Australia’s only museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing Greek art, history and culture.
History Trust
The History Trust of South Australia operates three museums – the Migration Museum, the National Motor Museum and the South Australian Maritime Museum.
Hope Cottage
Built around 1857 by brothers Charles and Michael Calnan, Hope Cottage Museum offers a fascinating insight into the unique history and heritage of Kangaroo Island.
Jamestown Local History Centre
The Jamestown Local History Centre displays a large collection of local historical memorabilia, dating as far back as 1878.
Jamestown Railway Station Museum
Built in 1885, the Jamestown Railway Station Museum collection reflects the way of life for farming and town families.
Jewish Museum of Australia
The Jewish Museum of Australia illuminates Jewish life. At the intersection of art and Jewish culture, the Museum is a place for all people to share in the Australian Jewish experience.
Kingston SE National Trust Museum
The museum displays many examples of household items used by early settlers including kitchen and laundry memorabilia
Koppio Smithy Museum
The museum is set in the picturesque Koppio Hills and features the original Blacksmith shop and two bedroom cottage
Maitland Museum
The Maitland Museum is housed in the former school building at the corner of Gardiner and Kilkerran Terraces.
Market Square Museum
Market Square Museum was originally the residence and shop of Andrew Wade, a tailor, and was opened as a museum in 1966.
Migration Museum
The Migration Museum works towards the preservation, understanding and enjoyment of South Australia’s diverse cultures. It is a place to discover the many identities of the people of South Australia through the stories of individuals and communities.
Millicent Museum
The story of Millicent town and district from pre-settlement times is based in a large complex that includes a Shipwreck room, a large machinery shed, some beautiful costumes and arguably the best collection of horse drawn vehicles in Australia.
Minlaton Museum
Built about 1889 the Minlaton Museum reflects the history of the settlement days and pioneering community.
MOD.
MOD. is a futuristic museum of discovery. It’s a place to be and be inspired by ideas at the intersection of science, art, and innovation.
Moonta Family History and Resource Centre
The School of Mines houses the Family History and Resource Centre which assists people with family history research and also researches the history of Moonta and its residents since the establishment of the district.
Moonta Mines Museum
The museum tells the story of Cornish pioneers who came to South Australia for the copper mines 1861-1923. It has 14 rooms and houses thematic displays on the Cornish miners’ lifestyles – mining, lodges and friendly societies, sports and pastimes.
Mount Gambier Courthouse Museum
The Courthouse Museum features established displays, information and interpretive banners which tell the stories of some of the people who worked at the courthouse or whose crimes were judged there.
Mount Laura Station
The Mount Laura Station houses the Gay Street Cottage, garden, Whyalla gaol, telecommunications museum, blacksmith shop and more.
Museo Italiano
Museo Italiano is a permanent exhibition which draws on and displays the records, images and objects from CO.AS.IT.’s Italian Historical Society.
Museum of Australian Democracy
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a living museum of social and political history, located in a nationally listed heritage building in Parkes, Canberra.
Museum of Central Australia
From the big bang to the present day, the Museum of Central Australia follows the geological history of the area.
Museum of Chinese Australian History
The Museum of Chinese Australian History aims to enrich the understanding of Chinese Australians through the presentation and celebration of history, heritage, and culture.
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling objects, ideas and events. They focus on Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and human interaction with the environment.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is the country’s largest collection of portraits of notable Australians.
National Railway Museum
Take in the size of the giant steam engines, walk through elegant carriages, enjoy the fun of train rides and interactive and educational displays.
National Trust of SA
The National Trust of South Australia actively protects and conserves places of heritage significance for future generations to enjoy. Explore the beautiful places around Australia and join the celebration of South Australia’s built, natural and cultural heritage.
Olivewood Historic Homestead and Museum
The Historic Olivewood Estate Homestead, the original home of Canadian Charles Chaffey, who with his brothers George and William established the Renmark and Mildura Irrigation Colonies.
Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum
The Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum occupies the building once known as the Hog Bay Public School, which operated from 1869 to 1967. The current building, erected in 1922, was preceded by a number of other smaller and more modest structures.
The museum comprises three separate rooms, each dedicated to a specific historic theme.
Petticoat Lane
Petticoat Lane still displays original cottages and gardens, allowing visitors to experience the 19th Century cottages and view their stories and experiences. The working herb and vegetable garden produce is open to visitors for a gold coin donation. You can find out...
Port Elliot Railway Station
The Port Elliot Railway Station was part of the original tramway at Port Elliot and now functions as a museum. The museum exhibits information and memorabilia from the area’s port and rail history.
Robe Customs House
The Robe Customs House was built in 1863 and has previously served as the harbormaster’s office, and the council office. Nowadays, the Robe Customs House is a maritime museum and houses exhibits containing items from the port and its history,
Rule of Law Education Centre
Formed in 2009, The Rule of Law Education Centre educates and informs about how the Magna Carta and subsequent rule of law principles have impacted and contributed to the history, culture and legal processes of Australia and to strengthen the rule of law and human rights through education.
South Australian Maritime Museum
The South Australian Maritime Museum preserves, explores and celebrates the human history of our oceans and rivers.
South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum (SAM) is the home of discovery and learning in the Adelaide CBD.
State Library
The South Australian State Library was one of the first institutions established by early colonists, Today, the State Library hosts historical documents and exhibitions.
State Parliament
State Parliament is the centre of democracy in South Australia. The building is open to tours during non-sitting weeks to the public, and by appointment for education groups.
State Records
Strathalbyn and District Heritage Centre is located in the former police station which was built in 1858 with courthouse added in 1867.
Strathalbyn Police Station and Courthouse Museum
Strathalbyn and District Heritage Centre is located in the former police station which was built in 1858 with courthouse added in 1867.
Streaky Bay Museum
The Streaky Bay Museum building was originally built in 1901 and hosts a collection of tools and memorabilia from the 1880s to the 1980s.
Tandanya
Tandanya is a gallery where people experience contemporary and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expressions through the visual and performing arts.
Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum
Find out more about the Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum (it used to be a hotel, meeting space, post office, school room and a house!).
The Farm Shed Museum
The Farm Shed Museum tells the story of Australian dryland farming, the local copper mining industry and the social history of Kadina.
The Sheep’s Back Museum
The Sheep’s Back Museum houses galleries showcasing the history of the Australian wool industry in areas of south eastern Australia.
Tumby Bay Branch Museum
The Tumby Bay Branch museum operates out of a 1950’s pre-fab school building and exhibits artifacts from historical Tumby Bay and surrounds.
Victor Harbor Station Master’s Residence
This former Customs House and Station Master’s Residence displays rooms filled with historical memorabilia and photographs of Victor Harbor.
Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum
The Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum operates out of an 1965 solid limestone building and hosts displays of the copper smelting era.
Willunga Courthouse Museum
The Willunga Courthouse Museum is an authentic courtroom with displays, and family and district records available for research.
Willunga Slate Museum
The Willunga Slate Museum describes how slate is formed, its discovery in the hills and the development of the slate extraction industry.
Wilson’s Cottage
Wilson’s Cottage, built by William Wilson when he returned from the gold fields, provides and insight into life in the 1860’s.
Winns Bakehouse
Winns Bakehouse is a comprehensive museum displaying tools, household items, and other memorabilia from Coromandel Valley’s early days.
Women’s Museum of Australia
The Women’s Museum of Australia aims to inspire everyone to live up to the achievements of the women whose stories they share.
Need more information?
Contact us to find out more: commissionercyp@sa.gov.au