Love Trains at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, South Australia

A visit to Adelaide wouldn’t be complete without visiting more of South Australia’s Rail past at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide.

If you love trains and their history then the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide is the place to come. Bring the kids and everyone can learn about how the railway has grown and influenced South Australia.

An invaluable free app to download is the Visit Port Adelaide App. Here you can find all there is to see in Port Adelaide right in the palm of your hand. Here are the links to Google and Apple.

While in Adelaide you can catch the train to Port Adelaide. It is an easy walk to the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. Alternatively, you can drive as there is a large car park.

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All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.

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The National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide

The National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide is a time capsule of the history of rail in South Australia and how it is linked around Australia.

Take a walk through two large pavilions full of not only trains of all descriptions but exhibits detailing the history and how the rail has affected people’s lives.

Upon entry, you are given a map with information on the pavilions, Fitch and Fluck, with what trains they house, as well as general information to get the most out of your stay.

Into the Pavilions

Information boards are beside the trains and carriages detailing the names of trains, comfort for passengers in carriages as well as what they were made of. There is also a short 1952 movie titled “Richard Takes the Train.” This was an educational tool showing children how to purchase tickets and how to catch a train back then.

For safety reasons, not all the trains can be accessed, but there is one that you can go on board to see how you would have travelled. It’s the Wegmann Lounge Carriage and at the time I visited, is designated for people who may have sensory needs and wish to go somewhere quieter.

If you’re into Model Trains, a room is set aside for a large layout with twists and turns, tunnels, stations and two trains going in opposite directions.

There is a Cab Simulator as well for the young and young at heart to experience.

There are more trains for the enthusiast at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, which you will see outside as you move from the Fitch Pavilion and the Fluck.

Bob the Railway Dog

It’s not only trains that are at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, but the stories that have built the network as well.

One of the most heartwarming stories is of Bob the Railway Dog. Bob started his life in a pub in Strathalbyn but soon found his heart belonged on the railway line.

It took a few years and a couple of owners later, but he ended up in Peterborough S.A. and rode the rails with a hearty bark and a wag of the tail in the late 1800s. You can read more about his life by clicking on Wikipedia.

Train Rides

At the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide

Approximately every half hour, you can take a ride on the small train that goes around the museum twice, which is included in your entrance price. An announcement is made over the P.A. giving you a five-minute warning of a train departing.

There is a great spot near the entrance where you can get photos of the train going past.

Visit the Steam Train at Semaphore Waterfront

If you are down on the Semaphore Waterfront, you can take a ride on the steam train between Semaphore Jetty and Fort Glanville on certain days.

You take a ride along the foreshore with great views over the water.

Operating Times

• Every Sunday & Public Holiday from October to April (inclusive)
• Daily during school holidays in October and April, except Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Daily from 26th December to the end of January school holidays

Steam trains will depart between 11 am and 4 pm, roughly every hour or at frequencies varied according to demand.

Prices

• Adult $10
• Child (3-15 years) $5
• Family (4 people including 1 child) $27

Please note that it’s EFTPOS ONLY, no cash.

What’s on

Different events happen throughout the year. To see if there is an event when you’re visiting click here.

Hours

Open Daily 10 am – 4:30 pm

• Open from noon on ANZAC Day
• Closed Christmas Day

Prices

• Adult $17
• Concession $10
• Child (5-15 years with an adult) $7
• Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) $40

Prices may vary for special events. EFTPOS is the preferred payment method.

Click here to book online.

Where It Is

The National Rail Museum in Port Adelaide is located at 76 Lipson Street.

It is very easy to get there on either bus or train, car, walking or cycling.

Bus

Buses that service Commercial Road, parallel to Lipson Street, include Routes 117, 118, 150, 230, 232, 252, 254, 254X, 350, 261 and 361. Of these, Route 150 is the most direct.

Train

The National Railway Museum is about a 15-minute walk from the Port Adelaide Railway Station on the Outer Harbor Line. From the Station, walk north along Commercial Road, and turn right into Godfrey or Butler Street, the Museum is directly ahead on Lipson Street.

Car

• From Adelaide via Port Road (Route A7)
• From Glenelg via Tapleys Hill Road (Route A15) or Military Road
• From northern suburbs via Port River Expressway (A9)

There is free parking adjacent to the National Railway Museum and on nearby streets.

Walk or Cycle

The Museum is located in central Port Adelaide and the route is well-signposted. Cycling or walking is an ideal way to see the many attractions in Port Adelaide, including the Hart’s Mill Cycle and Walk Loop Path that provides a 3.5km circuit around the Port Adelaide Inner Harbour.

Conclusion

The National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide is a great place to visit with the kids. Not only will they learn a lot about trains, but the young ones will enjoy going around the grounds on the little train.

There are plenty of interactive exhibits to keep everyone entertained and learn about the rail system from the early days, right through to today.

I visited the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide as their guest. That has in no way influenced my opinion of promoting this fantastic resource about the rail history and network in South Australia.

It’s a fun day out for the family and an interesting place to visit whether you’re a railway enthusiast or not as there is so much more to learn.

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Disclaimer: I was a guest of The National Railway Museum. I was not asked to write a positive review; opinions are mine from visiting this attraction. 

Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
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• Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe – Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and train travel in the UK and Europe.
• Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are invaluable in keeping you insured during your travels.
• Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
• Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

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