Lesser-known SA museums
South Australia has some excellent museums, including the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, the South Australian Museum on North Terrace, the Tramways Museum at St Kilda and Port Adelaide’s Maritime Museum.
But there also many smaller museums across the state that contain fascinating and occasionally bizarre exhibits. Here are five history hubs to include on your next SA getaway.
Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum, Wallaroo
Housed in the town’s original post office, this must be one of the most eclectic mixes of memorabilia in the country.
Not only will you find an incredible collection of historic photos and artefacts, you’ll also bump into George the giant squid, a stuffed albatross that collided with a ship en route to Australia, and a model sailing ship fashioned from macramé.
There are many other model ships and several model buildings including an excellent re-creation of Wallaroo’s magnificent town hall.
Built in 1902, the hall was completely gutted by fire on 26 December,1917. World War I was in full swing at the time and German saboteurs were suspected of starting the blaze, but the cause was never determined.
Sir Thomas Playford ETSA Museum, Kurralta Park
Located at the former Kurralta Park ETSA depot, the museum is run by the ETSA Past Employees Association.
There’s an impressive collection of household appliances dating from the 1920s to the ′70s, including pastel-coloured refrigerators, washing machines, and a 1939 faux-wood fridge that once graced the boardroom of Kelvinator’s Adelaide office.
There are also art-deco radios, cabinet TVs, a home heater that looks fresh from the set of Lost in Space, and insulators of all sizes, shapes and colours.
The mighty machines that once played their role in power generation and distribution, are also on display, together with evocative photos from the early days of electricity.
The museum also has a Tesla Coil which uses a million volts to generate metre-long sparks. A metal shield known as a Faraday cage surrounds the coil to protect onlookers and prevent wayward pigeons from being toasted, much the same way as mesh in a microwave door keeps the cooking on the inside.
The museum is open Tuesdays with guided tours between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
Unicorn Brewery Cellars, Burra
The discovery of copper at Kapunda and Burra in the early 1840s rescued a struggling South Australian economy. In its heyday, Burra’s Monster Mine was the biggest metal mine in Australia.
So much mining infrastructure remains around Burra that the town itself could be regarded as a museum. In fact, Burra is home to several museums and historic landmarks, including Bon Accord Mining Museum, Morphett’s Enginehouse, Market Square Museum and Redruth Gaol.
Built in 1873, when mining activity was already in decline, Unicorn Brewery benefited from agricultural expansion in the region and all the new pubs that needed grog.
The discovery of silver, lead and zinc across the New South Wales border at Silverton and Broken Hill opened up a whole new market of thirsty miners.
Although much of the plant has been dismantled, the storeroom and network of tunnels beneath the brewery remain. The extent of the storage tunnel system suggests the miners and farmers enjoyed a beer or two.
To access the tunnels and several other locked historic properties, pick up a Burra Heritage Passport and key at the Visitor Information Centre in Market Square.
Hang on to your key overnight for a spooky after-dark tunnel experience.
Axel Stenross Maritime Museum, Port Lincoln
In the late 1800s and early 20th century, large sailing ships known as windjammers would arrive from overseas to load grain.
Finnish sailor and boat builder Axel Stenross left the ship he crewed when it docked in Port Lincoln in 1927. He established boat building workshops and a slipway and later moved his operation to the current site.
He passed away in 1980 and the main section of the museum is attached to his home, which he shared with his wife Norma and Finnish shipmate, Frank Laakso. Stocked with artefacts of the era, the house is part of the museum.
The sheer volume of exhibits is incredible and covers everything from the old windjamming days to modern fishing practices. See intricately detailed models of sailing ships, a fully restored wheelhouse from a fishing boat, and equipment galore.
The museum is staffed by passionate volunteers who are keen to pass on their extensive knowledge.
Old Timers Mine, Coober Pedy
Relive the early days of opal mining, with a self-guided tour of this historic mine (main photo. Image: SATC/Flinders Ranges & Outback). Explore a warren of tunnels, complete with subterranean living quarters and traces of opal still embedded in the ochre-orange walls.
Exhibits include old mining equipment and displays showing mining practices from long ago. If you’re keen on the colourful gemstone, opals can be purchased at the gift shop.