Image Credit: Carney Sim
Adelaide is bursting with colour and culture. Home to incredible local artists and an abundance of heritage murals, our city’s beauty and personality extends well beyond its fabulous inhabitants!
Rather than relying on a lucky chance encounter, we’ve mapped out the 6 must-see spots where art and history shine.
It’s no secret that the Western suburbs are layered with beautiful 20th-century architecture, eclectic street art, and deep cultural roots, so you’ll want to cruise by the coast to find these hidden gems.
EXPLORE SA HISTORY AT THE TIATI WANGKANTHI KUMANGKA (TRUTH-TELLING TOGETHER)
Tiati Wangkanthi Kumangka is a powerful permanent exhibition housed inside the Bay Discovery Centre at Glenelg Town Hall.
Curated in partnership with the Kaurna Nation, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on colonisation through a First Nations lens, offering a compelling and honest exploration of the state’s founding.
It’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal history and the complexities of South Australia’s past – and a rare opportunity to see South Australia’s founding document, the Letters Patent of 1836, which acknowledges the rights of Aboriginal people to occupy and live on the land.
Winner of the prestigious MAGNA award in 2020, this exhibition offers a culturally rich layer to your arts and culture itinerary.
Where: Moseley Square, Glenelg
When: Monday to Sunday 10-4pm
Tickets: Gold coin donation
For more info, click here.
OR AT THE NEW YIPTI YARTAPUULTIKU ABORIGINAL CULTURAL CENTRE
For a bit more of an upscale cultural experience, check out the newly opened Yitpi Yartapuultiku. Labelled “The Soul of Port Adelaide,” the expansive space is deeply rooted in Kaurna Country.
Explore exhibitions, self-guided cultural trails, artworks, and a curated retail space featuring authentic Aboriginal products. The beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces host a wide range of cultural and community events, from intimate gatherings to vibrant festivals. Check out the program to see what’s coming up.
Where: 1300 Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide. The site is on the corner of Old Port Rd and Bower Rd and is located just 2 km northwest of the Port Adelaide town centre.
When: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 2pm
For more info and specific programs, click here.
STROLL THE HOLDFAST BAY ABORIGINAL CULTURAL WALK
Discover the deep cultural and historical layers of Holdfast Bay through the Kaurna Yarta-ana map, a self-guided journey across sites of Kaurna significance.
Stretching from Crystal Brook to Cape Jervis, this coastal plain was once rich in freshwater springs, wetlands, and woodlands that sustained the Kaurna people for thousands of years before European settlement in 1836.
The walk covers key locations including Tjilbruke Spring at Kingston Park, sacred ceremonial grounds in Glenelg, ancient camp and burial sites, and the Dreaming trail of the Ancestor Being, Tjilbruke. There’s also interpretive signage and restored native gardens that give insight into traditional land use, Kaurna language placenames, and the background of the plants along the coast.
Where: City of Holdfast Bay
For the Cultural Map, click here.
OR THE WONDERWALLS STREET ART TRAIL
Soak up the outdoorsy beauty with walk along Port Adelaide’s Wonderwalls Trail, the suburb’s larger-than-life outdoor gallery. With over 80 murals by local and international artists, this self-guided tour immerses you in the vibrant street art scene that’s transformed the Port into one of South Australia’s most creative neighbourhoods.
Wander at your own pace, uncovering colourful works and hidden laneway gems that bring the historic streets to life.
Download the Visit Port Adelaide app or pick up a trail map from the Visitor Centre, and make your own path through the boldest corners of the Port.
Here’s a sneak peak:
Where: Start at the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre, 66 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide
How: Download the Visit Port Adelaide app or pick up a map from the Visitor Centre.
JOIN THE BROCAS YOUTH SPACE COMMUNITY
As the name suggests, this spot is reserved for youngsters aged between twelve and twenty-five. Brocas is a dedicated, creative and community space that offers a welcoming environment for youth to connect, create, and grow. Housed in a heritage villa, the centre hosts youth art exhibitions, weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions, school holiday programs, and a variety of workshops and activities.
Whether you’re looking for a space to hang out, explore your creativity, or launch your own community project, The Brocas will facilitate. There’s also free Wi-Fi, visiting services, and affordable room hire.
Where: 111 Woodville Road, St Clair
When: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri
For more info, click here.
RELAX AT THE PIRATE LIFE BREWING CREATIVE PRECINCT
Okay, so this one’s for the parents and the kids. Pirate Life Brewing offers the ultimate backdrop for a day out with mates – an industrial-style venue with 24 beers on tap that doubles as a music hub and creative precinct.
The popular spot has played host to major live acts, including Adelaide legends Hilltop Hoods, and features a sprawling mural across its exterior, blending beer, beats, and bold street art in one lively destination.
Where: 18 Baker St, Port Adelaide
When: Sun to Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-12am
For more info, click here.
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