State Library of South Australia
State Library of South Australia
State Library of South Australia
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
471 reviews
Excellent
306
Very good
135
Average
25
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,719 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The historic State Library of South Australia is located in North Terrace, near Kintore Avenue in Adelaide. The library has specialist collections, digital collections and general collections. Beautiful Mortlock Building is a well-known location with knowledgeable critiques of the State of South Australia. Entry is free.
Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madeline H
Cairns Region, Australia137 contributions
Aug 2022
The State Library of South Australia is extraordinary. Before entering the old library there is a large exhibition which is changed regularly (when I visited it was about the 100 years of football). After recruting some help from a very helpful librarian in the new section of the library I was able to find the old library. Upon entering the 2 storey old library it was very overwhelming & beautiful to see so many old books. There are small nooks with tables where you can often see university students studying. Before leaving (at the main enterance) there is a section of the original Sate Library which is off limites to the public, but can be easily seen. The State Library is easily accessable when staying in the city & is a short tram ride.
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,719 contributions
Jun 2021
The State Library of South Australia (SLSA) is a repository of the state's history. South Australia was developed under the Wakefield Scheme, which was a form of free enterprise colonisation. South Australia has a very interesting history which is well worth researching. The SLSA is located in a heritage building; if you want help finding something, ask the reference desk.
Written 5 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geographyguy_11
Brisbane, Queensland517 contributions
Mar 2020
One of the main reasons I visited Adelaide was to see the exhibition on the Smith Brothers and the 1919 Great Air Race flight from England to Australia. My journey from Brisbane was well worth it as the exhibition exceeded all of my expectations. Seeing so many documents from Sirs Ross and Keith from before, during and after the famous flight of the Vickers Vimy brought them to life as people and gave me a much better appreciation of how great an achievement it was. I would gladly have paid to see such a well put together exhibition. That said, the rest of the library didn't pique my interest at all.
Written 11 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RLA1016
Charleston, SC83 contributions
Jan 2023
It's a lovely library! Pretty to wander around, although the signage is not very good. Seemed to be quite a few people doing research and there is a nice exhibit of various times in the life of the city. Also, the Royal Geographic Society has space upstairs and will give you a tour of their collecction. Very interesting
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KeithHewitt
Macclesfield, UK240 contributions
Feb 2020
Spent ages here reading about the Smith brothers flight from UK to Australia. Also some old film of the places they landed on their incredible journey exactly 100 years ago.
It took them 30 days - it took me less than one day to return to Manchester. Some progress!
The only thing a bit confusing was its exhibited in the State Library. I don't normally visit libraries, but came here on the suggestion of a local. So glad I did.
Entrance is free, as are the trams
I encorage all who read this post to go to the exhibition.
It took them 30 days - it took me less than one day to return to Manchester. Some progress!
The only thing a bit confusing was its exhibited in the State Library. I don't normally visit libraries, but came here on the suggestion of a local. So glad I did.
Entrance is free, as are the trams
I encorage all who read this post to go to the exhibition.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nigel T
Rossendale, UK712 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Worth a visit to this historic building off North Terrace. Apart from holding a collection of rare books there are permanent exhibitions. Also used as a research facilities with work areas on the first floor. Close to the Art Gallery and Museum of Migration.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan H
Victor Harbor, Australia55 contributions
Dec 2020
I just love the State Library. In particular the Mortlock Wing. It is just the most amazing place. The atmosphere and history is wonderful. Took me back to Harry Potter or old British movie. The architecture and the books!!! Love the ladders that slide along the height of the bookcases. Just fabulous.
Written 10 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peta255097
Hobart, Australia11 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
We were passing the library building and as we are interested in older buildings, we wandered in to have a look. We discovered that a tour was just about to start and decided to join the tour. As it turns out, we were the only people so we had a personal tour of the library with 'Bob' who was great. The buildings are so interesting, especially the Mortlock? building which took my breath away. Who would of known that existed. We are so glad that we took the time to take the tour and best of all- it was free!
Written 27 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
artroomali
Adelaide, Australia695 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Quiet spot in the city.
The Mortlock wing is a photo opportunity. I believe people get married there. Exhibitions on immigration and football and human rights.
Hush though as people are studying.
The Mortlock wing is a photo opportunity. I believe people get married there. Exhibitions on immigration and football and human rights.
Hush though as people are studying.
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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