Collection SummaryKnown to the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land, as Yartapuulti, Port Adelaide was originally a land covered with mangrove swamps and tidal mud flats. Port Adelaide was one of the first areas of South Australia to be occupied by European settlers.
Colonel William Light, the first surveyor of what would become Adelaide, decided to use this area to create the settlement’s first Port. There was talk of Port Adelaide also being the location of the city, but this was vetoed due to the lack of fresh water.
Port Adelaide is now the location of the most colonial buildings in South Australia, with the oldest building dating back to 1849.
The History Trust of South Australia holds photos and objects documenting the history of Port Adelaide, and the changes that have taken place over time.