Yankalilla District Historical Museum

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Yankalilla District Historical Museum History museum preserving the history of the local area. A must see for all age groups Themes include agriculture, mining, maritime, domestic life and trades.

The Museum has an extensive collection reflecting rural and social life of the district. There is also an extensive photographic collection. The Museum is run by a dedicated and enthusiastic band of volunteers. The Yankalilla Historical Museum has an extensive collection reflecting rural and social life of the district. Settlement in South Australia began with a mainland landing by Colonel Light at rapid Bay where he planted a garden to provide fresh vegetables after a long voyage. The coast with its rich soil and high rainfall became the grain bowl of Australia in the 1850s and 1860s. It was known as the 'Wheat Era'. Flour was exported to the eastern states from local ports. Yankalilla district has a unique history and has one of the most diverse and extensive collections of memorabilia relating to early country life in the state. Come see out kitchen, bedroom, nursery, shop, church, sheds of farm machinery and much more. We have displays on the farming, mining, and maritime histories of the area as well as a range of memorabilia and photographs depicting early life in the district. The Museum is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Weekends and Public Holidays 10am to 4pm. Located on site with the Yankalilla Bay Visitor Information Centre. For group bookings contact the Visitor Information Centre and we can arrange a tour guide for your group. PH 8558 0240.

05/10/2026

Moving the ladder!

The Cape Jervis old lighthouse ladder has been refurbished by Howard Bennett & donated to the museum.Many thanks but it ...
05/10/2026

The Cape Jervis old lighthouse ladder has been refurbished by Howard Bennett & donated to the museum.Many thanks but it is very heavy!! The men have now shifted it to the gazebo where it will go on display with a story board explaining its history.
The last photo is of the plaque honouring Graham Butttery for his wonderful contribution to help get the paving done around the museum, so that people with walkers & wheelchairs can get around the site more easily.

The paving is finished, looks fantastic & many thanks to all those who made it happen! Now everyone with mobility issues...
23/08/2026

The paving is finished, looks fantastic & many thanks to all those who made it happen! Now everyone with mobility issues can access all of the buildings.
The new shed now has its sign up & named after our secretary Ross Trigg who does a stellar job for the Museum committee.
Come & visit, there is lots of new exhibits to see.

Our member,Don has finished his last 2 tractor models for the museum. The detail is superb, he does magnificent work.
09/08/2026

Our member,Don has finished his last 2 tractor models for the museum. The detail is superb, he does magnificent work.

Hard at work with paving. Nearly finished.
09/08/2026

Hard at work with paving. Nearly finished.

Last Sunday afternoon the Yankalilla Historical Museum held its annual general meeting at the Meander Cottages Community...
29/07/2026

Last Sunday afternoon the Yankalilla Historical Museum held its annual general meeting at the Meander Cottages Community Centre.

Mayor,Daryl Huston, oversaw the election of Officers &Committee.

Our guest speaker was Taylor Luff an amateur historian & metal detectorist,
speaking on “ What’s under the grass at Cape Jervis and Rapid Bay”.
Taylor first used a metal detector at a very early age & became interested in history at about age 10.
She has been interested in the Cape Jervis & Rapid Bay Area & has been visiting the area many times,recovering a great many interesting artefacts.
She has done extensive research on them, tracing the history where possible. Her presentation was very interesting & informative.
Afternoon tea was served at the end of the meeting.

07/07/2026

The AGM of the Yankalilla District Historical Museum will be held on Sunday 26th July at the Meander Cottages Community Centre
( opposite the Museum) at 2pm.
Guest speaker is Taylor Lupp, an amateur historian & keen metal detector.
She will speak on Cape Jervis.
All welcome, afternoon tea provided.

A work in progress, paving looking good!It will make getting around the museum easier for people who have difficulty neg...
07/07/2026

A work in progress, paving looking good!
It will make getting around the museum easier for people who have difficulty negotiating the gravel.

Pavers ready to go at the museum. They will be laid to be wheel chair & walker friendly. Can’t wait for the after photos...
27/06/2026

Pavers ready to go at the museum. They will be laid to be wheel chair & walker friendly. Can’t wait for the after photos!

Our Bridal Fashions display, held last week at the Uniting Church Hall, was a successful history month event, that attra...
26/05/2026

Our Bridal Fashions display, held last week at the Uniting Church Hall, was a successful history month event, that attracted lots of interested people.
Thanks to all those who loaned their outfits & to everyone who helped during the week. Of course also thanks to everyone who came to see the display.

Address

163 Main South Road
Yankalilla, SA
5203

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 2am
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+61885580240

Website

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