South Australian Museum

The South Australian Museum sits on North Terrace, Adelaide's grand cultural boulevard, alongside the city's gallery, library and university. A much-loved institution, it's renowned for its natural-history and cultural collections — including the world's largest collection of Aboriginal cultural material — and entry is free, making it one of the city's most rewarding stops.

There's a great deal to discover, from the celebrated Aboriginal Cultures Gallery and Pacific cultures to towering whale skeletons, Egyptian artefacts, minerals and the giant squid. It's an engaging, hands-on destination for families, the curious and culture lovers alike, all within a beautiful heritage building in the heart of the cultural precinct.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 5,300 reviews, it's an overwhelmingly admired institution. General admission is free, but opening hours, special exhibitions and any events vary, so it's worth checking current details before you visit — and allowing a good couple of hours, as there's far more across its galleries than you might expect, with the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery a particular highlight.