South Australian Museum — Attraction in Adelaide

I took my kids because I wanted them to enjoy the same experiences I did when I was a child. I was disappointed. The museum has gone backwards Then after we walked through entire museum I wanted to buy them lunch. The place on ground floor caters more for elderly or middle aged people than children. Look at the amount of space given to selling alcohol. I'm not against alcohol sales but more space to selling drinks kids can have. Make it more kids friendly . Then I wanted to buy the kids a gift in gift shop. The goods on sale did not align with what I expected to see but more towards marketing either cheap rubbish or goods aimed at middle of older population. I was hoping educational goods for kids promoting history and building a desire in kids to know about museum items so the kids desire to expand their knowledge and desire to come back. Overall my kids were not given or left the museum desiring to come back. On the bright side the museum was better for kids that the disappointment I had after taking them to art gallery. The art gallery is not a place the kids will every ask to go to again. The Botanic Gardens appears to get it right making all ages want to go there. The kids middle ages and old. The museum needs to cater for all ages. The idea that a person sits nearly asleep on a chair gives the impression even the people who work there are not interested. Perhaps they could walk the floors and encourage and engage the public so all ages learn and embrace the values of what the museum is there for. It's time change occurred at the museum it is situated in prime part of Adelaide and should be one of the central attractions. Parking is an issue and this needs addressing. I would suggest this could be overcome reasonably quickly with a bit of thought combining the use of buses trames and studying peoples use of existing parking both in commercial, public service, retail, educational and recreational space. Opening hours of museum needs to be explored to suit the current environment and prime opening hours the museum is open to captivate the largest audience...

Viking Exhibition felt like a scam.

This review is specifically for the latest ‘Treasures of the Viking Age - The Galloway Hoard’ exhibition. Upon arrival the front desk staff were holding up a long line for 10-15 minutes while trying to facilitate an older visitor attempting to pay with cash. They encouraged us waiting behind to leave the line and buy our tickets online instead, forgoing mentioning a $2.50 online ticketek booking fee. We spent $50 as a couple. The staff at the entry of the exhibit were dismissive and unhelpful when asked about loading the ticketek tickets. The exhibit was very small. We had initially explored it within 25 minutes - as had the groups of people who entered with us. Attached is a picture (sourced online) of the entire hoard placed on a small table which may help people set their expectations if they do intend to visit. The exhibit was fluffed up and littered by small lego dioramas which felt childish and unexpected. Some pieces of notable ‘treasure’ were in fact just 3D printed recreations. One interactive screen wasn’t working at all, with not even an ‘out of order’ sign on it. The objects were often too dimly lit. On the museum website it’s marketed as the “richest find of rare and unique Viking-age objects ever made in Britain or Ireland” which may make it sound more interesting or vast than it is. Other Viking hoard’s in the UK have had up to 8600 objects. Disappointed by our experience, and the small size of the exhibit, it felt comical that the final section just by the exit was dedicated to a large video on “dirt balls”. Unfortunately would not recommend for your...

would have given 5 stars, phenomenal information about oceanic and aboriginal culture with numerous artifacts. That said the lack of overallchild ettiquette was distressing and in my opinion as a museum worker dangerous for everyone. Maybe it was just the day, but children under 6 running around, beating the exhibit glass, some toddlers screaming at high pitches and stumbling all over the place unsupervised was astonishing. Ive worked in museums my entire career and there is a very simple formula (actually applies to anywhere in public but for some reason its not so at this museum) supervise you your kid hold their hand if they dont listen dont touch the stuff, including the protective glass to mark it up dont run, you run into other guests below their eye level while they are enjoying an exhibit. inside voices, its difficult to enjoy and learn when your kid is screaming SHARK! BIRD! MOANA! really basics all over the world. the museum isnt just airconditioned child care for you to catch up about holiday while your child treats it as a playground. There is museum edcuation areas for a reason and I would really hope the staff would encourage that as a playground rather than climbing all over exhibits. I was shocked to hear some kids insult aboriginal culture of their own country with words i wont repeat here. Yes i blame the parents, but the museum should set the tone. and a stronger one is needed for the protection of the artifacts and the sake of other...