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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
467 reviews
Excellent
303
Very good
135
Average
24
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Nigel T
Rossendale, UK711 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 January 20, 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.
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 November 12, 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, Australia13,657 contributions
Sep 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 October 6, 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.
RLA1016
Charleston, SC84 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 February 18, 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.
Jan H
Victor Harbor, Australia48 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 December 10, 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 August 27, 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, Australia696 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 October 3, 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.
Bernadette E
Sydney, Australia151 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
This State Library is also a Museum and Art Gallery, giving visitors a wonderful journey through the history of South Australia. Located adjacent to the Art Gallery and the South Australian Museum and with a great cafe outside. Plan to spend a whole morning or afternoon and do all three attractions at once. It's worth it!
Written April 3, 2019
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.
AdelaideTraveller888
Adelaide, Australia431 contributions
May 2017 • Family
We ventured into the city on a very cold weekend and took respite in the library. There was a lovely little toy exhibition with a table to enjoy activities with the kids. Then we ventured into the Mortlock wing. So grand and beautiful. Would love to see an update of displays as I don't recall them changing in the past couple of years (but I do love them still) . A must for visitors into the CBD, along with the museum and art gallery. All are FREE entry. I hope you enjoy a little of our local history.
Written June 14, 2017
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.
AdelaideTraveller888
Adelaide, Australia431 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Well, I was blown away by the beauty of the Mortlock Wing once again. The French Renaissance building with late Victorian interior is exquisite and a must see for any history lover. With its dark majestic ambience and stunning ceiling, my young children and I were transported to another era and place for a few moments ... I'm sure they were secretly waiting to see if the stairs moved across the room, like Hogwarts. Displays of local history and memorabilia can be viewed on the ground floor, then wander upstairs to admire the building all over again. Many beautiful large desks provide a great place for quiet study on the second floor, or sit and flick through the pages of one of thousands of old books on display.
The State Library provides reference only material, so it must be used on site. I must visit again soon to research our family history.
The State Library provides reference only material, so it must be used on site. I must visit again soon to research our family history.
Written February 9, 2016
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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