Bay Discovery Centre: At Glenelg, in the Adelaide Coast region of South Australia

Many people visit Glenelg for its excellent shopping, superb restaurants and stunning beach, however, did you know that you can also go on a historical journey that is entertaining, educational, interactive and free of charge?

The interior of Glenelg's historic town hall has been transformed into the Bay Discovery Centre - a tourist attraction, museum and art gallery rolled into one.

Celebrating Holdfast Bay's place in state and national history, the Bay Discovery Centre, now almost two years old, highlights the important events and prominent people of the Holdfast Bay area and South Australia.

Manager of the Bay Discovery Centre, Marianne Norman, says the Centre, which is supported by the Commonwealth Government through the Federation Fund, explores Holdfast Bay's role as the site of early European settlement in South Australia, its links with Federation and beachside lifestyle.

"Visitors can expect a fascinating journey into the past of Holdfast Bay, which is very interactive, multimedia based and uses a combination of audio visual exhibits and re-creations of Glenelg's famous icons," Marianne said.

Covering five themes including Voyage & Arrival; Federation; Glenelg & Brighton; Transport and The Beach, Surf & Sand, and Diving into the Past, the exhibits combine historic artefacts, photographs, costumes, documents, film and video. A new exhibit “The Golden Seahorse - Discovering the Great South Land - 1627” celebrates the role of the Dutch in the early exploration of Australia.

"The Bay Discovery Centre appeals to everyone - tourists, families, school groups and whoever wants to learn about culture and history. South Australian’s first holidays were spent at “The Bay” and it has such a rich past full of fascinating characters and stories - for many people, the centre offers a trip down memory lane," Marianne said.

At the “Beach, Surf & Sand” exhibit visitors can enjoy rare video footage of a roller-coaster ride from the 1930s. Showcasing the excitement and thrill of the Bay's seaside lifestyle, this exhibit features other reminders of times gone by including a carnival facade, bathing box, caricatures in historic bathing costumes and sideshow banners.

Visitors are treated to a new exhibition every few weeks on the mezzanine level, where a program of visual art and social history exhibitions will appeal to just about everyone. A new exhibition 'The Old Gum Tree - A Curious Life' will feature during December 2002 - March 2003, and tells the fascinating story behind the unusual tree which has been long used as a state symbol of European settlement.

The Bay Discovery Centre isn't the only exciting new addition to the Town Hall. It also houses the incredible Rodney Fox Shark Experience museum and Thai Jasmine, a superb authentic Thai restaurant facing the esplanade.

You can also tie in a walk on the Proclamation Trail highlighting Glenelg's history or tune your car radio into 92MH on the FM band and follow the Federation Trail which takes you past some of Holdfast Bay's historically significant sites between Glenelg and Kingston Park. The Town Hall is the starting point for both trails. Make sure you ask one of the friendly volunteers for handy trail tips or local knowledge about “The Bay”.

The Bay Discovery Centre is located on the first floor of Glenelg Town Hall, opposite the end of the tram line, at the end of Jetty Road. There are many things go do in the area any day of the week, and a visit to the Bay Discovery Centre is the perfect start to a full day of fun

Bay Discovery Centre
Address: Glenelg Town Hall, Moseley Square, Glenelg, 5045.
Phone: 8179 9500
Fax: 8294 0901
Email: mnorman@holdfast.sa.gov.au
Web: www.holdfast.sa.gov.au