The South Australian Aviation Museum started in 1984 as the South Australian Aviation & Warbirds Restoration Group. Over the years, the name was changed to the South Australian Historical Aviation Museum, and then to the South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM). SAAM started at Glenelg, moved to Mundy Street, Port Adelaide, then to Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide. In 2005, SAAM moved to our current location at 16 Bedford Street, Port Adelaide.




The Museum began as a group of people interested in aviation and the restoration of aircraft in 1984. The group formed into the South Australian Aviation & Warbirds Restoration Group, which was incorporated on 1 August 1984. The group at that time leased premises in the old Ravens Garage behind the former Pier Hotel at Glenelg. The site housed the museum's first aircraft, the Avro Anson as well as the start of our collection of aviation artifacts for two years. The group became The South Australian Historical Aviation Museum Incorporated on 18 March 1985 (later simplified to The South Australian Aviation Museum Inc.).



In October 1986 notice was served to vacate the Glenelg premises and relocate the Museum elsewhere at short notice. After a brief search a request was made to the S.A. Premier's Department for a suitable place to relocate the collection. The museum was invited to inspect the 'S.A. Lion Flour Mill', Munday Street, Port Adelaide, where we relocated in November 1986.



In January 1996 a further move of premises was carried out into a vacated Pentad aircraft hangar, at the corner of Ocean Steamers Road and Honey Street, Port Adelaide. After moving to that location the museum's collection was revitalized, a mezzanine gallery was installed along with modern updated artifact displays including video displays and public entry to some of the aircraft. This site opened for business in January 1997.



With the start of the new Port River Bridges project a further move became necessary and in 2005 the hangar was moved to its present location in Port Adelaide. Refurbishment was undertaken by the S.A. Government Department for Transport, Energy. Offices and a new workshop were constructed. A new hangar was built in 2016 to house our growing collection.

From 2005 until 2023, the museum was accessed from Lipson Street, Port Adelaide. At the end of 2023, the Lipson Street access was permanently closed due to permit the new Port Dock rail project to proceed. A new roadway was construced to 16 Bedford Street, Port Adelaide, by the Dept. Infrastructure & Transport.