School visits to the South Australian Aviation Museum
Educational group visits at SAAM in Port Adelaide
Bring aviation history, aircraft, engineering and South Australian heritage to life with a school visit to the South Australian Aviation Museum.
SAAM welcomes school and educational groups of many kinds, including preschool and daycare groups, primary schools, secondary schools and special needs colleges. Students can explore real aircraft, historic displays, rockets, engines, interactive exhibits and aviation stories across two undercover hangars in Port Adelaide.
A museum visit for different year levels
SAAM can welcome students across a wide range of ages.
The museum regularly supports visits from:
- preschool and daycare groups
- primary school groups
- secondary school groups
- special needs colleges
- other educational and community learning groups
Not every display is suited to every age group, but the museum provides a rich environment for students to observe, ask questions, explore history and connect classroom learning with real aircraft and aviation displays.
Learning themes for school groups
A visit to SAAM can support learning across several subject areas and themes.
These may include:
- aviation history
- South Australian history
- Australian military and transport history
- science and technology
- engineering and design
- flight and aircraft development
- space-race and Woomera rocket history
- restoration, preservation and museum collections
Schools are welcome to create their own learning focus around the visit. SAAM provides the museum setting, aircraft, displays and historical information, while teachers can connect the visit to classroom topics and student learning outcomes.
What students can see and experience
Students can explore two undercover hangars filled with aircraft, engines, rockets, memorabilia and aviation displays.
Depending on the visit, students may see:
- historic aircraft and jet displays
- the F-111, F/A-18 and Spitfire
- the Rockets in the Desert collection
- aircraft engines and aviation technology
- interactive displays with buttons, videos and moving parts
- selected aircraft that visitors can enter
- restoration work visible to visitors, including the Anson
- aviation stories shared through displays and volunteers
The museum also has a visitor guide map showing the aircraft on display in both hangars.
Guided educational tours
Guided educational tours may be available for school groups, usually for groups larger than 10, depending on guide availability.
Tours are led by trained museum guides from the SAAM membership. A guided tour can give students a deeper understanding of the aircraft, displays and stories behind the museum collection.
Guides may share historical details, aviation knowledge and personal insights that students may not discover during a self-guided visit.
Please book ahead if your school would like a guided tour so SAAM can check guide availability.
Self-guided school visits
Schools may also visit SAAM as a self-guided group.
This can work well when teachers have their own lesson plan, worksheet, theme or learning activity prepared. The museum provides a rich setting for observation and discussion, with written information available throughout the displays and on the website.
Teachers, carers and school staff remain responsible for student supervision during the visit.
Facilities for school groups
SAAM is located in Port Adelaide and has practical facilities to support school and educational visits.
Facilities include:
- two undercover hangars
- free onsite parking
- accessible toilet facilities
- seating and rest areas
- refreshments available onsite
- designated food and drink areas
- outdoor picnic tables in fine weather
- visitor guide map
- gift and memorabilia shop
Food and drinks are not permitted in the display hangars.
The museum floor is wheelchair accessible, although aircraft interiors cannot be accessed by wheelchair.
Planning your school visit
To help SAAM prepare for your group, please contact the museum before your visit.
When enquiring, it is helpful to include:
- school or organisation name
- preferred visit date and time
- year level or age group
- number of students
- number of teachers, carers or support staff
- whether you would like a guided tour
- any accessibility or support needs
- whether your group has a specific learning focus
Guides need to be arranged in advance and are subject to volunteer availability.
Book a school visit to SAAM
Give students the opportunity to explore real aircraft, aviation history, rockets, engineering, restoration work and South Australian heritage in an engaging museum environment.
South Australian Aviation Museum
- 16 Bedford Street, Port Adelaide SA 5015
- Open 10am to 4pm daily, except Christmas Day
- Phone: 08 8240 1230, between 10am and 4pm