Tag Archives: #historicadelaide

The South Australian Maritime Museum

We recently visited Port Adelaide and experienced some of the fabulous things they have on offer. From dolphin cruises, ghost tours, and the museums, Port Adelaide’s history is available to be experienced by everyone. Actually, there is an interesting write up by our partner site Josie Wanders regarding “Things to do in Port Adelaide”. So, after reading this article, head over and find out what other things are on offer. One of those ideal places to visit is the South Australian Maritime Museum.

Located in a historic building in Port Adelaide the South Australian Maritime Museum is three levels of displays and interactive education. Entry via the main entrance leads into the museums shop with fun and exciting things for those people who are awestruck by the prospect of maritime life and history.

Maritime Museum
Entrance and exit through the museum’s shop

South Australia’s colourful maritime history is completely on display as you investigate the various areas within the museum. As soon as you walk through the two big sliding doors you are greeted with a full-sized ketch. Active II is a replica of the original working vessel the Active. The museum gives it visitors a chance to climb on-board and investigate the areas around a ketch. Climb into the hold and get a feel for the cargo space and how the stevedores would have had to manoeuvre around the hold to discharge and load the goods. Then check out the forecastle for crew accommodation and compare it with the Captain’s cabin. Also, see if you can fit in the ship’s galley where the meals were prepared.

Maritime Museum's Ketch
Climb aboard the Active II and check out what a working ketch looks like.

You will notice on some walls the various figureheads that used to be mounted on the bow of vessel to ward off evil spirits or to ram and scare rival vessels. It is amazing how much work goes into the carving of these figureheads and sculpting that perfect showcase.

Maritime Museum
Vessel figureheads, amazing craftsmanship!

Moving through the doors the next exhibit is about the importance of the Australian Navy in our maritime history. The models of naval ships, the uniforms and some of the equipment used to measure distance, time, location and direction are all on display.

Maritime Museum
Where was Captain Matthew Flinders on a certain date?

If you work your way downstairs the museum has an area dedicated to the migration of people into South Australia. They have some computers set up if you wish to discover if any of your relatives migrated to South Australia by ship. This area also gives the visitors an idea about what it was like on those vessels from the early 1800’s to the mid 1900’s. Climb into an old sleeping bunk to see how comfortable it is…..or isn’t!

Maritime Museum
Hop in and test out the beds the first colonists used to travel from England.

Now head on up to the top floor, here you will find exhibits about life on the LeFevre Peninsula. Check out the old surfboards, jump on the spring-loaded surfboard and test your balance, but be careful. Look at the old carnival sideshow clowns, or the range of old fishing rods.

Maritime Museum
Surf’s Up!
Martime Museum
Fishing anyone?

Keep on moving and you will discover the shipwreck area of items found from various shipwrecks around South Australia. Finally walk around and discover the ships and families that serviced Port Adelaide and some memorabilia donated by these proud family members.

Maritime Museum
Entry to the lighthouse is included with your museum entry.

Another unique thing about the South Australian Maritime Museum is that once you leave, the Port has other exhibits associated with the museum. Your entry ticket also gives you the opportunity to visit the lighthouse on fisherman’s wharf and look at the retired tugboat the Yelta moored alongside.

Maritime Musuem
A tugboat called Yelta moored alongside the lighthouse

Overall the South Australian Maritime Museum is the most known museum in the Port. And although it is not huge, it offers a good few hours of discovery. I really like the museum, but that may be due to my family’s maritime background. I’ve always been drawn to the Maritime Museum, so hopefully you and your family will be too. Once again I recommend incorporating the South Australian Maritime Museum with another fun activity like the Railway or Aviation Museums. So, enjoy your day, enjoy the museums and tell them, Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!

Additional Information for the South Australian Maritime Museum

126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Ph. (08) 82407 6255
Website: www.maritime.history.sa.gov.au

Trading Hours

Daily 10:00am – 05:00pm

Entry Fee

Adult: $12.50
Concession: $8
Child: $6
Family $29.50

Accommodation is available around the Port Adelaide area

Book now with Booking.com

*Post contains affiliate links

The Union Hotel, Adelaide – A slice of Adelaide History

The city of Adelaide is not short of a pub or two, or three, or even four. This means that with so many places to have a drink in a city of approximately 1.3 million people the publicans have to find something that sets them apart from the rest. The Kent Town Hotel created the jungle room by building an indoor jungle canopy. The Largs Pier Hotel has a unique rock and roll history offering their patrons a luxury experience with heritage accommodation. Recently the Ourworldinreview team went to the Union Hotel to discover what they have done to make themselves stand out.

The Union Hotel is located at 70 Waymouth Street and is marketed as Adelaide’s original Gastropub. A Gastropub is a trendy bar that serves high quality food and the Union Hotel puts a lot of effort into maintaining a modern contemporary menu.

The building exterior showcases one of Adelaide’s classic historic buildings. The Union Hotel was established in 1855 and has continued to faithfully served Adelaide’s population. When you enter, you can see the hotel has had some modern renovations and updated interior design. They also have this beautiful stain glass skylight letting in the morning sun.

Stain glass skylight
Skylight letting in the morning sun

The corner entrance of the hotel leads into Bar Cuba a small front bar and positive introduction into this modern gastropub. From there the bar separates into three different room types, a casual informal area, a lounge dining room and the more formal dining area.

Casual drinking area
The casual drinking area with the alcove at the back.

The casual drinking area has long benches with stools and a private alcove table where large work groups can mingle for that after work drink and quick pizza.

Pizza Time
It’s Pizza Time, woo hoo!

The major dining area is neatly set out with standard tables and chairs, and has a more formal dining atmosphere.

Formal Dining Room
Formal dining room

Between these two main rooms there is also a small lounge dining area which has a door leading into the small gaming room.

Lounge Dining Area
Lounge Dining Area
Poker Machines at Union Hotel
The Gaming Room

The Union Hotel’s menu gives its customers a good selection of modern contemporary dishes to choose from. After you have selected your meal, head over to the bar and place your order. We opted for the Chorizo Bucatini Pasta for AUD$22  and the Marinated Pork Scotch for AUD$28.

The Chorizo Bucatini Pasta was durum wheat bucatini, mixed with chorizo, chilli, garlic, roasted capsicum, baby spinach and a white wine creamy pesto sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the flavours were well balanced with that little extra kick from the chilli.

Chorizo Bucatini Pasta
Chorizo Bucatini Pasta

The presentation of the marinated pork scotch was picturesque. It consisted of a rectangle block of fried polenta, spicy chorizo, a broccoli floret, caramelised apple and a superbly cooked pork scotch. The meal was covered in a subtle fruit gastrique & red wine jus. Carving into the scotch was fantastic exposing succulent white meat. This entwined with sweet and spicy flavour combination was excellent.

Marinated Pork Scotch
Marinated Pork Scotch

Overall the Union Hotel lives up to its marketing and is truly an excellent gastropub. I commend the Union Hotel for putting so much effort in to provide good quality meals for its customers. The Union Hotel’s offering doesn’t stop there either. They have a good range of craft beers on tap, as well as your more common beers and an excellent wine selection.

For more information on what’s  happening at the Union Hotel or what they can provide, visit them here. The Union Hotel is perfect place to relax after work, or enjoy a special occasion with a good meal. So next time you are in the city, make sure you pop into the Union Hotel. Stay for a drink, have a meal and tell them, Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!

Union Hotel Rating: 1-10 (1=very poor, 10 = excellent)

Decor = 8
Atmosphere = 8
Service = 8
Price = 8
Food = 9

Overall = 8

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