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Visiting Port Adelaide State Heritage Area

Visitor Information Centre, Port Adelaide
Visitor Information Centre, Port Adelaide

The Port Adelaide State Heritage Area is only 20 minutes from Adelaide and is easily accessible by car or public transport. It is one of the city's popular suburban tourist spots, and offers a variety of visitor experiences related to its colonial and maritime past.

One of the Area's most significant characteristics is its fine collection of nineteenth century commercial and civic buildings. These are best appreciated by following one of the self-guided walking trails, or by joining a volunteer tour guide. The Area also contains many other attractions, including the renowned SA Maritime Museum, art galleries, antique shops, cafes and heritage pubs. The Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre provides detailed information about all of Port Adelaide's attractions and visitor programs.

The State Heritage Area is adjacent to the Port Adelaide waterfront and so visitors to the Area can also experience the city's maritime flavour. A stroll along the wharves, past the relocated Port Adelaide Lighthouse, will reveal a working port with its associated industries and infrastructure. The waterfront is changing though, and so modern housing and waterfront cafes are also becoming part of the visitor experience.

View detailed information about the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area.

Virtual Tour

  State Heritage Area boundary Port Adelaide State Heritage Area boundary
Arrow symbol Click on the arrows to see the photograph of each view or access links below

Map of Port Adelaide State Heritage Area Looking towards Petticoat Lane along the western boundary of the Penola State Heritage Area (Portland Street) View east, from the top of the Port Adelaide Lighthouse No.1 wharf shed and these relocated rail cars are now used for the Fisherman's Wharf Markets The northern Port Adelaide State Heritage Area boundary runs along the centre of McLaren Parade, with the historic (former) Britannia Hotel within the State Heritage Area (right of photo) and new development on the waterfront opposite The northern Port Adelaide State Heritage Area boundary runs along the centre of McLaren Parade, with the historic precinct to the south (left of photo) and new development along the waterfront (to the right) The rear of a converted warehouse, which faces onto Divett Street Western block of the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area - Nile, Nelson and St Vincent Streets Seafarers' Centre, with flag pole and decorative bollards Port Adelaide Council Offices in Nile Street, incorporating the rear of the former Town Hall Port Adelaide's former Institute and Customs buildings are significant features along Commercial Road Former Port Adelaide Courthouse (note decorative urns and other features) and the former Police Station, now the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre Eastern section of Divett Chambers (formerly Advertiser Building) - note the neo-Gothic decorative effects View along Divett Street towards the former Institute Building - note the streetscape of colonial architecture on the northern (right hand) side Note the cobble-stoned driveway beside the Port Admiral Hotel The former Weman's shop, loft and warehouse are now part of the South Australian Maritime Museum complex The former Bank of Adelaide is one of Port Adelaide's most ornate nineteenth century buildings The Port Dock Brewery Hotel is one of Port Adelaide's most popular tourist spots for dining and entertainment The grey corrugated iron building, with a lower brick section 'disappearing' below street level, is a reminder of an aspect of Port Adelaide's unique character View along the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area's southern boundary (St Vincent Street) - note the 1866 Town Hall, with belfry and clock tower The former Port Adelaide Town Hall, with clock tower and belfry, was opened in 1866 to accommodate 1000 people One of Port Adelaide's most outstanding group of colonial buildings - the former Police Station (now Visitor Information Centre), Courthouse, Institute and Customs House This view is typical of Port Adelaide's nineteenth century streetscape, with hotels, warehouses and commercial premises Warehouses in Calton Street, Port Adelaide State Heritage Area - note the beams for loading and unloading goods using block and tackle Warehouses in Jubilee Street, Port Adelaide State Heritage Area Approaching the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area along Commercial Road

NB. This map is a diagrammatical representation of the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area.

  1. View south along Commercial Road from the top of the lighthouse
  2. View east, from the top of the Port Adelaide Lighthouse
  3. No.1 wharf shed and these relocated rail cars are now used for the Fisherman's Wharf Markets
  4. McLaren ParadeT is the northern boundary of the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
  5. The northern Port Adelaide State Heritage Area boundary runs along the centre of McLaren Parade
  6. The rear of a converted warehouse, which faces onto Divett Street
  7. Western block of the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
  8. Seafarers' Centre, Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
  9. Port Adelaide Council Offices in Nile Street
  10. Port Adelaide's former Institute and Customs buildings
  11. Former Port Adelaide Courthouse
  12. Eastern section of Divett Chambers (formerly Advertiser Building)
  13. View along Divett Street towards the former Institute Building
  14. Note the cobble-stoned driveway beside the Port Admiral Hotel
  15. The former Weman's shop, loft and warehouse are now part of the South Australian Maritime Museum complex
  16. The former Bank of Adelaide is one of Port Adelaide's most ornate nineteenth century buildings
  17. The Port Dock Brewery Hotel is one of Port Adelaide's most popular tourist spots
  18. This old stone warehouse is a typical feature of Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
  19. View along the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area's southern boundary (St Vincent Street)
  20. The former Port Adelaide Town Hall
  21. One of Port Adelaide's most outstanding group of colonial buildings
  22. This view is typical of Port Adelaide's nineteenth century streetscape
  23. Warehouses in Calton Street, Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
  24. Warehouses in Jubilee Street, Port Adelaide State Heritage Area
  25. Approaching the Port Adelaide State Heritage Area along Commercial Road