Planning Your Visit to the National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is located within the heritage precinct of Lipson Street in Port Adelaide. The Museum features locomotives, railway carriages, a train ride, exhibits and displays housed within two large fully enclosed pavilions and around the extensive Museum grounds. Be sure to check our What's On page for information about our Events and Exhibitions.
Please be advised that for safety and security reasons, many of our locomotives and carriages are locked off.
Train Rides
Take the family on a ride around the Museum site on our free small train ride, included in price of Museum admission. Trains generally run once every half hour.
Ride the Semaphore Train along the beautiful Semaphore coastline, one-way or return from Semaphore foreshore to Port Malcolm.
Ride aboard Peronne steam train and the Red Hens diesels during special events at the Museum. Experience what it’s like to drive one of these trains during our Driver Experience days. Check out our Events Diary for details and conditions.
Archive
The Museum houses an impressive collection of Australian railway heritage items, including photographs, artefacts, documents and ephemera. The Archive is open by appointment and also offers an enquiry service (fees may apply), please visit the Collections page of this website for details.
Museum Shop
The Museum Shop has a range of railway books, DVD’s, souvenirs, toys and ice creams.
Appreciate Art & Design?
- The Museum runs annual events, such as Steampunk, which feature amazing artists from around South Australia. See our What’s On page for more details.
- Check out our Events Diary for Behind the Scenes events featuring cars such as Onkaparinga (Art Nouveau design) and the Vice Regal Car (Art Deco design)
Love All Things Royal?
- The Vice Regal and Murray Cars were designed to be fit for royalty. The Vice Regal Car was used in the Royal Train between Murray Bridge and Adelaide for the carriage of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1974.
- The Museum collection contains two railway seat covers, said to have been specially made for Prince Charles and Diana when they rode aboard the Cockle Train in the 1988.
Like Romance?
- Climb aboard stunning carriages, like the Wegmann Lounge Car, and experience the romance of rail travel past.
- The Museum hosts functions such as weddings and receptions. See our Functions and Commercial page for more details.
Like a Fright?
- Attend one of the Ghost Tours that operate at the Museum.
- See the coffin cart and the funeral trains display.
Want to See Australian Icons?
- See the Bob the Railway Dog collar and display.
- Board the iconic Tea and Sugar train, play with the interactives and learn about the communities it serviced along the Nullarbor Plain.
Love History?
- WWI and II display, learn about the contribution of South Australia’s railways during the world war years.
- Learn about Australia’s railway history and the contribution the people who have worked for the railways made on the development of Australia through our exhibits and displays, such as the Women in Rail display.
- The Museum is housed on the site of the former Port Dock Station Railway Station and Yards. The heritage listed goods shed and platform is still standing today and can be seen during your visit.
Events
Check out our Events Diary or fun family events, like Family Fun Fair, which are happening throughout the year.
Rides
Take the family on a ride around the Museum site on our free small train ride, included in price of Museum admission.
Ride the Semaphore Train along the beautiful Semaphore coastline, one-way or return from Semaphore foreshore to Port Malcolm.
Ride aboard Peronne (steam train) and the Red Hens (diesels) during special events at the Museum. Check out our Events Diary for details.
Party
Host your kid’s next birthday party in the café car, includes free train rides. See the Functions and Commercial page for more information.
Tea and Sugar Train
Climb aboard and play with the interactives on the iconic Tea and Sugar Train and learn about how the train helped and serviced isolated communities along the Nullarbor Plain.
Model Railway
Completely constructed at the Museum by skilled model railway enthusiasts, this display highlights the extensive variety of scenery and terrain through which the railways of this State have operated; sea ports, the open plains, country towns, the Adelaide Hills and suburbia.
Push and Pull
The kids will enjoy playing with interactive bells, levers and buttons around the Museum.
To help you plan your bus or train trip to the Museum visit the Adelaide Metro site, which includes timetables and a journey planner.
By Rail
The 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, turn right into Godfrey or Butler Street, the Museum is directly ahead on Lipson Street.
By 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.
Cycling and Walking
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.
By 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 Museum and in nearby streets.
The Museum has covered outdoor eating areas with tables and chairs, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drink. There are also vending machines onsite containing snack foods, cold and hot drinks.
The Port boasts an impressive and diverse range of cafes, pubs, bars, bakeries and eateries located at the north end of Lipson Street, St Vincent Street, Commercial Road and in the nearby Port Canal and Port Adelaide shopping malls. Nearby Semaphore is also home to many delicious places to eat.
Accessibility Information
- Accessible parking is available in the Museum carpark, near the Museum Shop.
- Wheelchairs are available free of charge, please enquire with the Bookshop.
- We have wheelchair accessible toilets.
- Support dogs are also welcome.
- We provide pass out tickets.
NRM Visual Narrative
- This PDF is a visual narrative of the NRM.
- May be of assistance for our visitors with autism.
Facilities for Parents of Young Children
- A change table is available in the women’s toilets and in the accessible toilet.
- The Museum does not currently have a dedicated breastfeeding area, however breastfeeding is welcome at the Museum. There are seating areas located around the Museum site.
Dogs
- Sorry, only support dogs are allowed on the Museum site.
- Dogs are allowed on the Semaphore Train, but must be on a lead and under full control. Dogs travel free.
Next Stop
Subscribe to eNews
Visit the NRM
Port Adelaide
South Australia 5015
Australia
Open Daily / 10am – 4:30pm
|
Adult |
$17 |
|
Concession |
$10 |
|
Child |
$7 |
|
Family |
$40 |
|
|
Phone: 8341 1690
The National Railway Museum acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country. We aim to respect the cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Indigenous people.