Looking for the best things to do in Port Adelaide? As someone who has spent most of my life in the area, I’ve watched the Port change enormously over the years.
Once known mainly for its working docks, old pubs and industrial buildings, Port Adelaide has become one of Adelaide’s most interesting places to explore.
These days you’ll find colourful street art, fascinating museums, waterfront cafés, historic ships and plenty of reminders of its maritime past.
There’s also the chance to spot dolphins in the Port River, explore the waterways by kayak or simply wander through the historic streets.
And, of course, there’s the Port Adelaide Football Club. As a lifelong supporter, I couldn’t possibly write about the area without mentioning the Power!
Many of Port Adelaide’s attractions are within walking distance of each other, making this an easy day trip from central Adelaide.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re an Adelaide local who hasn’t explored the Port for a while, here are my favourite things to do in Port Adelaide.
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Best Things to do in Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide is about 14 kilometres northwest of Adelaide’s city centre, on the banks of the Port River.
European settlement began here in 1837, and for much of South Australia’s early history the Port was the main gateway for people and goods arriving by sea.
Today, historic warehouses and old pubs sit alongside cafés, galleries and colourful street art. There are also several excellent museums, making Port Adelaide particularly interesting if you enjoy history.
You can easily spend a full day exploring, especially if you include a river cruise or a couple of museums.
South Australian Maritime Museum
One of the best places to start exploring Port Adelaide’s history is the South Australian Maritime Museum, housed in a historic bond store on Lipson Street.
Spread across three floors, the museum tells the stories of South Australia’s maritime past, from immigration and shipbuilding to naval history and life around the Port River.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed was exploring the basement, where displays about migration show what travelling to Australia by ship was like.
Seeing the recreated accommodation gives you an idea of just how different those journeys were from travelling today.
I also liked that the historic building itself is part of the experience, with its exposed beams and original features adding to the atmosphere.
The museum also operates cruises along the Port River aboard the historic Archie Badenoch on selected dates.
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, except Christmas Day. Check the South Australian Maritime Museum website for current admission prices, exhibitions and cruise availability.
Torrens Island Quarantine Station Tour
One of the more unusual things to do near Port Adelaide is a guided tour of the historic Torrens Island Quarantine Station.
Located on an island in the Port River, the quarantine station was established in the nineteenth century to help prevent infectious diseases from spreading into South Australia. Much of the surviving complex dates from 1879.
I visited in 2021, not long after our own experiences with COVID restrictions, and found it fascinating to compare quarantine procedures from more than a century ago with what we’d recently experienced.
The 90-minute guided tour takes you through the historic buildings, including bathing and disinfection facilities, the boiler house and mortuary.
Tours are run seasonally by the South Australian Maritime Museum. You’ll need your own vehicle because visitors travel in convoy through the restricted Torrens Island Power Station site, and closed shoes are required.
Tickets include same-day admission to the Maritime Museum, making it easy to combine the two attractions.
Check current Torrens Island Quarantine Station tour dates and book here.
National Railway Museum
If you’re visiting Port Adelaide with kids, the National Railway Museum is a great place to spend a couple of hours – but you certainly don’t need to be a train enthusiast to enjoy it.
The museum has a huge collection of historic locomotives, railway carriages and memorabilia from across Australia.
You can wander between steam engines, see old passenger carriages and discover how important the railways were in connecting Australia’s towns and cities.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the old railway signs, station equipment and departure boards, including one that once displayed train times at Adelaide Railway Station.
There’s also a model railway and a miniature train that takes visitors around the museum grounds.
Allow around 90 minutes, although railway enthusiasts could easily spend longer. Check the National Railway Museum website for current opening hours, admission prices and special events.
Take a Dolphin Cruise on the Port River
One of the best ways to experience Port Adelaide is from the water.
Port River Cruises runs a 90-minute cruise through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Garden Island Ships’ Graveyard.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the area’s maritime history, see mangroves and birdlife and, hopefully, spot some of the wild dolphins that live in the Port River.
Of course, they’re wild animals, so sightings can’t be guaranteed. There’s still plenty to see along the river if they don’t make an appearance.
The 90-minute Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise currently runs daily, with other cruises available on selected days.
Check availability and book your Port River dolphin cruise below.
South Australian Aviation Museum
Right near the National Railway Museum is another excellent Port Adelaide attraction, the South Australian Aviation Museum.
Two large hangars are filled with military and civilian aircraft, engines, rockets and aviation memorabilia.
One of the highlights is the enormous F-111, but you’ll also see aircraft including an F/A-18 Hornet and Spitfire, along with displays about South Australia’s role in Australia’s aviation, rocket and weapons-testing history.
Some aircraft are open for visitors to climb inside, which makes the museum particularly fun if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to sit in a cockpit.
I particularly enjoyed looking at the older passenger aircraft. They might not have had all the comforts we expect today, but some certainly seemed to have more legroom!
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm except Christmas Day. Allow around one to two hours.
Sail on the One & All Tall Ship
For something completely different, step aboard the One & All, a traditional-style tall ship built in South Australia.
Although it’s a relatively modern vessel, it was designed in the style of the sailing ships of the past, complete with tall masts, rigging and sails.
I sailed on the One & All years ago, and one of my strongest memories is climbing the mast while the ship rocked gently beneath me.
That was challenging enough in calm conditions, so I can’t imagine what sailors experienced in rough seas without modern safety equipment!
The ship offers different sailing experiences throughout the year, ranging from shorter sails to longer voyages and special events.
Check the One & All website for current sailing dates and bookings.
Take a Guided Walking Tour
If you’d prefer to explore with a local guide, Flamboyance Tours runs a walking tour through historic Port Adelaide.
You’ll hear stories from the Port’s maritime and working-class past, learn about its early reputation as “Port Misery” and discover some of the characters who helped shape the area.
There’s street art along the way too, making this a good introduction if you only have a few hours and want to experience several sides of Port Adelaide at once.
Check availability and book the Port Adelaide walking tour below.
Explore the City of Adelaide Clipper
Another fascinating piece of Port Adelaide’s maritime history can be found at Dock 2.
Built in 1864, the City of Adelaide is the world’s oldest surviving composite clipper ship. It carried passengers between Britain and Australia and played an important role in bringing settlers to South Australia.
After spending years in Scotland, the ship arrived in Port Adelaide in 2014. In June 2026 it reached another major milestone when it was finally moved from its barge onto land at Dock 2.
You can tour the ship and learn about the people who travelled aboard her, as well as the huge effort involved in preserving her.
This isn’t a polished museum exhibit – it’s an ongoing preservation project, which is part of what makes it so interesting.
The ship is currently open daily, weather permitting. Check the City of Adelaide website for current tour information before visiting.
Discover the Port Adelaide Street Art
One of my favourite free things to do in Port Adelaide is simply wander the streets looking for street art.
You’ll find huge murals covering the sides of buildings, smaller pieces tucked down laneways and plenty of artwork you might completely miss if you’re not looking for it.
Port Adelaide became well known for its street art after hosting the Wonderwalls festivals, which brought local, Australian and international artists to the area.
You don’t really need a plan – you’ll stumble across plenty as you explore – but following a street art trail will help you find some of the pieces hidden away from the main streets.
I’ve put together a separate guide to the street art of Port Adelaide with more photos and information to help you find the murals.
Take a Port Adelaide Ghost Crime Tour
For a very different look at Port Adelaide’s history, head back after dark for a Port Adelaide Ghost Crime Tour.
I haven’t done this one myself yet, but it’s still firmly on my list.
The evening walking tour explores some of the darker stories from the Port’s past, including crimes, mysterious deaths and plenty of reported ghost sightings.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, I think the real history behind the stories is what makes this an interesting way to experience the Port.
Tours are usually held on Saturday evenings, with additional dates at certain times of the year. Check the website for current dates and bookings.
Eat and Drink in Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide’s food and drink scene has changed enormously over the years, and you’ll find plenty of places to stop while you’re exploring.
One of my favourites is The Banksia Tree on St Vincent Street. It’s a great spot for breakfast or brunch, with a focus on seasonal South Australian produce.
The Port also has a long pub history. The Port Admiral Hotel and Commercial Hotel are among the historic pubs dotted around the streets.
But it’s not all traditional pubs. Small bars have also popped up around the Port, including 10 Gallon Hat on St Vincent Street, with its quirky old-school saloon feel, courtyard and regular live music and events.
If craft beer is more your thing, Pirate Life Brewing has a huge brewery venue on Baker Street, with food, brewery tours and regular events.
My suggestion is not to plan every meal and drink before you arrive. Wander around and see what catches your eye – the Port’s hospitality scene continues to change.
Port Adelaide is getting more and more cafes and restaurants. The older places are refurbishing, and new places are opening.
The dining is spilling out onto the sidewalks so that the diners can enjoy the atmosphere. It is possible to find almost any food type, with some vegan options too.
My favourite is The Banksia Tree, a cafe that makes arguably the best breakfast – and coffee – in Adelaide.
This area is also starting to blossom with boutiques, so if a little shopping is on your list, it’s great to wander after your meal.
During your Port Adelaide visit check out the new Port Adelaide Plaza shopping centre. There are a whole pile of great restaurants and cafes here too.
Take a Self-Guided Walk
Port Adelaide is a great place to explore on foot, and you don’t necessarily need a guided tour to discover some of its history.
The historic centre is compact, so you can easily wander between the waterfront, museums, heritage buildings and street art.
If you’d like a little more direction, the free Visit Port Adelaide app includes interactive maps and self-guided walks.
You can also call into the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre for maps and local advice.
I’d allow at least an hour just to wander, although it’s very easy to spend much longer once you start stopping at murals, museums and historic buildings along the way.
Visit Yitpi Yartapuultiku
One of the newest places to visit in Port Adelaide is Yitpi Yartapuultiku, a Kaurna cultural centre that opened in 2025.
Its name means “Soul of Port Adelaide” in Kaurna, and the centre was co-designed with Kaurna Custodians as a place for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to come together to learn, share and connect.
There are indoor and outdoor spaces, exhibitions, public art, landscaped areas and a waterfront setting, with tours, workshops, performances and other events held throughout the year.
Yitpi Yartapuultiku is around two kilometres from the main Port Adelaide waterfront precinct, so it’s a little further to walk than most of the attractions in this guide.
Entry to the centre is free. Check the website for current opening hours and upcoming events.
Things to Do Close to Port Adelaide
A few more attractions just outside the historic centre are easy to combine with your Port Adelaide visit.
Visit the Port Adelaide Football Club
Okay, I might be slightly biased here – I’m a one-eyed Port Adelaide supporter – but footy fans should consider making the short trip to Alberton Oval, the historic home of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Founded in 1870, Port Adelaide is one of Australia’s oldest football clubs, and Alberton has been its home for well over a century.
The Port Adelaide Football Club Museum celebrates that history with premiership trophies, photographs, memorabilia and stories from more than 150 years of football.
There’s a free self-guided tour using QR codes around the Alberton Oval precinct, while guided museum tours are offered on selected dates.
Alberton is still very much a working football ground and the club’s training base, so check what’s happening before you visit. Depending on the time of year, there may also be AFLW, SANFL, training or other events taking place.
Kayak in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
If you’d rather get closer to the water, kayaking through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is one of my favourite things to do near Port Adelaide.
I went on one of those cold, windy days when rain was threatening. I got soaking wet, my hands were freezing, we didn’t see any dolphins – and I still had the best time!
The tour takes you through the mangroves around Garden Island and past the remains of old vessels in the Ships’ Graveyard. All the while, you’ll be keeping an eye on the water hoping to spot one of the dolphins that live in the Port River.
Of course, these are wild dolphins, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see them. Luckily, I live nearby and see them reasonably often, so missing them that day wasn’t a deal-breaker for me.
For me, paddling through the mangrove creeks was just as much a highlight as the possibility of seeing dolphins.
Check prices and availability for an Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary kayaking tour below.
Head to Semaphore Beach
Port Adelaide might be on the water, but it’s the sheltered Port River rather than the open coast. If you’d like to add some beach time to your day, head a few kilometres west to Semaphore.
Semaphore has a long sandy beach and wide foreshore that’s perfect for a walk, picnic or simply some time by the sea.
It’s particularly good for families, with playgrounds, the historic Semaphore Carousel and the Semaphore to Fort Glanville Tourist Railway, which operates on selected Sundays, public holidays and during some school holiday periods.
Semaphore Road stretches inland from the beach and is lined with cafés, restaurants and independent shops. There’s even an old-fashioned cinema if the weather isn’t cooperating.
I particularly like combining Port Adelaide and Semaphore because you get two very different sides of this part of Adelaide in one day – maritime history and street art in the Port, followed by a walk along the beach and perhaps sunset at Semaphore.
Getting to Port Adelaide
CPort Adelaide is around 14 kilometres northwest of Adelaide’s city centre, and getting there by public transport is easy.
Adelaide to Port Adelaide by Train
For most visitors, I recommend catching the train from Adelaide Railway Station to Port Dock Railway Station.
Port Dock puts you right in the historic precinct, within easy walking distance of the waterfront, lighthouse and museums.
Just make sure you catch a train marked Port Dock. The Outer Harbor line also passes through the area but stops at Port Adelaide Railway Station, which is further from many of the main attractions.
The journey takes around 25 minutes.
You can pay using a metroCARD, the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app, or simply tap on with a contactless debit or credit card or digital wallet.
Check the Adelaide Metro website for current timetables and fares.
Adelaide to Port Adelaide by Bus
There are also buses between central Adelaide and Port Adelaide, although I generally find the train the easiest option for visitors.
Buses can be useful if you’re coming from elsewhere in Adelaide. Use the Adelaide Metro journey planner to find the best option.
Driving to Port Adelaide
Driving from central Adelaide usually takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
There is street and off-street parking around the Port, and having a car is particularly useful if you’re planning to combine your visit with Semaphore, Alberton or attractions further along the Port River.
Once you’ve parked, leave the car behind for a while. Most of the main Port Adelaide attractions are close enough together to explore on foot.
Planning Your Visit to Port Adelaide
If this is your first visit, allow at least half a day. A full day will give you time to visit one or two museums, wander through the historic streets and street art, stop for lunch and perhaps take a cruise on the Port River.
If you only have a few hours, I’d concentrate on the waterfront, street art and one attraction that particularly interests you.
For maps, current events and local advice, call into the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre.
Where to Stay in Port Adelaide
Most visitors will explore Port Adelaide as a day trip from central Adelaide, but staying locally can make sense if you want more time around the Port and nearby beaches.
Quest Port Adelaide is the most convenient option for sightseeing. It’s right on the waterfront and within walking distance of many of the attractions in this guide.
For something with more history, consider the Largs Pier Hotel, a few kilometres away on the beachfront at Largs Bay. The heritage hotel dates back to the 1880s and puts you in a great position for an evening walk and sunset by the sea.
If you’re primarily visiting Adelaide and only planning one day in Port Adelaide, I’d stay in the city centre instead and catch the train to Port Dock.
Is Port Adelaide Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. I may be biased because I’ve spent most of my life in the area, but I think Port Adelaide is one of Adelaide’s most interesting places to explore.
Come for the maritime history, museums and street art, get out on the river if you can, and leave some time just to wander. The Port has changed enormously over the years – and it continues to change every time I visit.
Looking for more places to visit in South Australia? Read these posts for ideas
Things to Do in Adelaide
Things to Do in Victor Harbor for a Weekend
Things to Do in Mount Gambier, South Australia
Want even more? – I have created a Facebook Group to answer any questions you may have about travel in South Australia. We can help with any queries you have, make further suggestions and provide the latest information. Click here to join now.
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“Unfortunately I will be travelling…”
Not words I expect to hear from you, Josie!
Hahaha…now that you mention it, you are right! Don’t know how I managed to put those words in a sentence! It’s all in the context. It’s only unfortunate I will not get to see the new street art for twelve months. ?
I love that Port Adelaide has a lot of attractions that a tourist can choose from. The place is so rich in history and culture. My partner, Gian, is so fond of air crafts and he would really love the Aviation Museum.
Thanks Sheila. I hope more people realise Port Adelaide is worth a visit ?
Love it! I will never get tired of the Rail Museum! And all these years I never knew there was an aviation museum, next time I’m there I’ll have to check it out 🙂
Thanks Hayley. I only found out a year or two ago there was an Aviation Museum too, so you are not alone.
Ooooh, I´d like to see that street art! I´ve never been to Australia but it looks like such an interesting place to discover!
So many museums to visit! I will be interested in the railway and plane one. The train departure board looks gorgeous! The words look unique and really lovely, are they handwritten text?
Thanks Karin. I hope you get a chance to visit one day.
Thanks Kristine. I don’t know if it is handwritten, but it could be. I’m not sure when it was made, but it stopped being in use probably in the 80’s – my hubby remembers it as a kid, but I wasn’t living in Adelaide then.
Oh Josie makes me want to visit again. I haven’t been over gee since 2012. We have friends there. I will share on my personal fb page as I have a friend in Perth who is visiting Adelaide in June this year.
I had no idea there was so much to do there. I would love to do a street art tour!
Thanks Bree. You would probably find some differences in Adelaide now – it’s really starting to “grow up”!
Thanks Kristina 🙂
We drove past it 10 years ago, and while we admired the area, we never realized there was so much on offer there. Hopefully I’ll be back one day and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Alma. It’s actually surprising that even local people who have grown up here are not aware of some of the things to do. I was only recently talking to someone in his fifties who has lived here all his life and he did not know there was an aviation museum. I’m trying to get the word out 🙂
I’d like to do a shout out for Sunset on Semaphore. A luxury 3 bedroom apartment overlooking Semaphore beach. Close to Semi Rd And The Port.
Thanks Brian. Looks like a good suggestion for local accommodation.