Heritage sites

Adelaide's beaches are dotted with some of South Australia’s most important heritage sites.

As well as the significant sites of the Kaurna people, visit beautiful heritage-listed buildings, bunkers, forts and the old gum tree where the colony of South Australia was once proclaimed.

Aboriginal culture and history

The Kaurna people are acknowledged as the traditional owners and custodians of this land. We respect their spiritual relationship with country that has developed over thousands of years and the cultural heritage and beliefs that remain important to Kaurna people today. The Kaurna people are the original people of Adelaide and the surrounding plains, whose country stretches from Crystal Brook in the north to Cape Jervis in the south. The coastal plains between Glenelg and Kingston Park provided a hospitable summer camp environment with rolling sand dunes, freshwater lagoons and natural springs for the Kaurna people, where food and water was plentiful. Learn more about Aboriginal culture and history here.

Fort Glanville - Semaphore Park

Fort Glanville is both a state and federal registered heritage site. Dating from 1880 it is the most complete and authentic colonial fort in Australia. It has all of its 19th century large cannons, three restored to their fire-able condition. A barracks, guardhouse, ammunitions store and other features ensure the fort was a self-contained defensible site.

Fort Glanville Historical Association provides guided tours and demonstrates what fort life was like 120 years ago. Demonstrations include marching drills, parade ground exercises, and canon and carbine firing. The modern visitor centre incorporates a souvenir shop and refreshment areas which are open to the public on fort open days or for group visits.
charlessturt.sa.gov.au
Semaphore Park SA 5018

Port Adelaide State Heritage Area - Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide is South Australia's first state heritage area and contains the state's most substantial and continuous group of colonial buildings. Many of these buildings were directly associated with Port Adelaide's function as the state's major port. The state heritage area includes the commercial and administrative core of early Port Adelaide. It is situated between St Vincent Street and the waterfront on North Parade, and extends from Nelson Street on the west to Jubilee Street on the east.

The Port was the principal gateway to the colony for immigrants and supplies, developing rapidly as a shipping, transport and industrial hub. The historic government and commercial buildings are evidence of the Port's prosperity and importance during the mid and late 1800s. The heritage precinct contains more buildings of continuous historic character than anywhere else in South Australia. This group is an excellent example of colonial architecture that is rare in South Australia.
ourport.com.au

Adelaide Gaol - Adelaide

Visit the Adelaide Gaol for a guided tour of a different kind. The Gaol is a major part of Adelaide’s heritage and its history extends from the time of the early European settlers to the late 20th century. As one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide, it is said to be the most haunted site in South Australia. Book into a night visit or one of the regular ghost tours where you will hear about many of the Gaol’s haunted activities.
adelaidegaol.sa.gov.au
18 Gaol Road, Adelaide SA 5000

Tjilbruke Spring - Kingston Park

The Tjilbruke Spring site located along the Kingston Park Coastal Reserve is of great cultural importance and spiritual significance to the Kaurna people and to the wider indigenous population. For thousands of years the permanent freshwater spring has been bubbling away in the sand and once formed a freshwater coastal lagoon. The sacred spring site is part of the extensive Tjilbruke Dreaming Story. Tjilbruke is an important Dreaming ancestor to Kaurna people and the Tjilbruke spring site along with the Dreaming Story remains sacred to the Kaurna people today.
holdfast.sa.gov.au
Kingston Park SA 5049

Vickers Vimy Interactive Trail - Adelaide Airport

If you're an aviation history buff, explore the Vickers Vimy Interactive Trail at Adelaide Airport and learn about the first flight from England to Australia in 1919 - an epic 20,000km journey! To begin the trail scan the QR code at the North Western terminal entrance.

adelaideairport.com.au

Adelaide Airport Terminal

Cummins House - Novar Gardens

History buffs can visit Cummins House for a taste of the 19th century. Cummins House is a grand residence built in 1842 for Sir John Morphett - one of the colony's founding pioneers. The house and grounds are lovingly preserved with much original furniture, fittings and decorations. A visit provides a strong sense of the daily life of one of Adelaide’s founding families. Tours are held every first and third Sunday of the month, from 2pm - 4pm, with the exception of December, January and Easter Sunday.
environment.sa.gov.au
23 Sheoak Avenue, Novar Gardens SA 5040

Glenelg Air-Raid Shelter - Glenelg

The Glenelg Air-Raid Shelter was built in 1942 as part of a World War 2 communications network. It now houses exhibitions and memorabilia. These displays tell the stories of Holdfast Bay and its residents during various wars. Opening times: every third Sunday of the month 1pm - 4pm. 25 April, Anzac Day 1pm - 4pm. 11 November, Remembrance Day 1pm - 4pm.
holdfast.sa.gov.au
Rugless Terrace, Glenelg East SA 5045

Old Gum Tree - Glenelg

Glenelg is recognised as the oldest European settlement on mainland South Australia. Each year on 28 December, the Proclamation document is read at the site of the Old Gum Tree. It all began on 28 December 1836 when a flotilla of ships had already landed along with the Colonial Secretary Robert Gouger. A makeshift camp of tents and transportable huts had been established just beyond the sand dunes, near a freshwater creek now known as the Patawalonga. At 2pm and with the temperature hovering around 40°c, the Cygnet and Buffalo vessels sailed into Holdfast Bay against a backdrop of fires in the Mount Lofty Ranges. In the first boat sat Governor Hindmarsh, his Secretary George Stevenson, the Resident Commissioner Hurtle Fisher and their families.
holdfast.sa.gov.au
MacFarlane Street, Glenelg North SA 5045