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State Library of South Australia (SLSA)
Library

State Library of South Australia (SLSA)

Australia
4.7
(850 reviews)
7
Tours Available
Free
Adult Entry
2-3 hours
Recommended Duration
March-May, September-November
Best Time

Overview

The State Library of South Australia (SLSA) is a historic and significant cultural institution that houses an extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, and historical documents. It's a must-visit for history enthusiasts and researchers.

The SLSA is the oldest library in South Australia and holds important collections that document the state's history and culture.

Historical Educational

Location

Address

North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia

Neighborhood: Adelaide city center

Coordinates

-34.921800, 138.600800

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
saturday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
sunday Closed

Admission

Adults
Free
Children
Free

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

March-May, September-November

Best Time of Day

Early morning

Fewer crowds and cooler temperatures

Duration Recommendations

Minimum
1 hour
Recommended
2-3 hours
Full Experience
Half day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

Mild to warm

  • • Historical exhibitions
  • • Guided tours

summer

Hot

  • • Extended opening hours
  • • Outdoor reading areas

autumn

Mild to cool

  • • New exhibitions
  • • Workshops

winter

Cool to cold

  • • Holiday displays
  • • Winter reading programs

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

  • Free entry
  • Bring ID for certain collections
  • Check for special exhibitions

What to Bring

essential

ID Comfortable shoes

recommended

Camera Notebook

seasonal

Jacket in winter Water bottle in summer

not allowed

Large bags Food and drink in certain areas

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: Low

  • • Some areas have steep stairs

Medical facilities: First aid available

Payment Information

Accepted

Cash, Credit cards

Currency

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Typical Costs

entry Free
parking $5-$10
food $10-$20
souvenirs $5-$30

Dress Code

Casual, Comfortable shoes for walking, Walking shoes, Inappropriate clothing

Booking Tips

  • • Not usually required, but recommended for special tours
  • • Official website
  • • Flexible
  • • Not usually needed

Amenities

Restrooms
Gift shop
Atm
Wifi
Lockers
Wheelchair rental
Stroller rental
On site restaurant
Cafe
Picnic areas
Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

SLSA App

Size: 30 MB

Features: Map, Event calendar, Digital collections

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Throughout the library

Charging Stations: Available in common areas

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Adelaide Airport

Distance: 6 km

Travel Time: 20 minutes

taxi
$30-$40 20 min
public_transport
$5 30 min

From City Center

Distance: 1 km

tram
$2 5 min
bus
$2 10 min
taxi
$10 5 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Historic significance, free access to cultural resources

Historical Significance: Oldest library in South Australia, holds important historical documents

Insider Tips

  • Free guided tours on Wednesdays
  • Best spots for photography are the reading rooms

Local Recommendations

  • • Try the café in the library
  • • Ask about hidden historical gems

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello G'day
thank_you Ta
where_is Where's
how_much How much?
beautiful Beautiful
ticket Entry

Guide Languages: English, Mandarin, Italian

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Reading room

Best Time: Golden hour

Tips: Capture the historic architecture

Result: Stunning shots of the interior

#StateLibrarySA #AdelaideHistory

Photography Rules

allowed areas Public areas, Outdoor spaces
prohibited areas Special collections, certain exhibitions
flash photography Not allowed in some areas
commercial photography Permit needed
drone policy Prohibited
tripod policy Restricted
selfie sticks Allowed

Nearby Attractions

Art Gallery of South Australia

Distance: 300m

Walking: 5 min

Type: Art Gallery

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Distance: 500m

Walking: 7 min

Type: Botanic Garden

Reviews

4.7

Based on 850 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

  • "Visit early for quiet time"
  • "Check out the special exhibitions"
  • "Don't miss the café"

Contact Information

Related Tours & Activities (2)

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Quick Info

Available Tours

7

Rating

4.7 / 5.0

Reviews

850

Adult Entry

Free

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