Yitpi Yartapuultiku

Yitpi Yartapuultiku, meaning ‘Soul of Port Adelaide’ in Kaurna, is a new cultural centre in the heart of Port Adelaide. Opened in 2025, it provides a space for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to come together through learning, ceremony, events and everyday use.

The centre has been shaped through a co-design process with Kaurna Custodians, ensuring that local cultural knowledge guides its design and future use. It also hosts guided tours, workshops, performances and community programs for all ages.

Facilities include indoor and outdoor activity spaces, public amenities, meeting rooms, and landscaped areas connected to the waterfront. Yitpi Yartapuultiku is developed as a place to support cultural practice, build understanding, and strengthen community connections.

Visit the Yitpi Yartapuultiku website

Visit us

Yitpi Yartapuultiku is located at 1300 Old Port Rd, Port Adelaide. The site is on the corner of Old Port Rd and Bower Rd and is located just 2 km northwest of the Port Adelaide town centre.

Following the official opening on 1 June 2025, Yipti Yartapuultiku will commence regular operating hours. The grounds are open from dawn–dusk every day. The Centre building and gallery are open:

10 am–4 pm Monday to Friday
10am–2pm weekends and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday)

Plus other times for bookings and events.

There is no cost to visit the site or enter the buildings at Yitpi Yartapuultiku.

For general enquires please email yitpi.yartapuultiku@cityofpae.sa.gov.au or phone 8423 7007

Facility hire

There are a range of spaces for hire at Yitpi Yartapuultiku, offering a distinctive mix of indoor and outdoor spaces that can be programmed together for large-scale, multi-layered events—welcoming up to 1680 guests across the venue.

Ideal for conferences, festivals, cultural celebrations, corporate functions, exhibitions, tourism activations, education programs, and major community gatherings, whole venue bookings make it easy to run multiple experiences at once: keynotes, workshops, breakouts, performances, networking, exhibitions, catering activations, and outdoor moments.

Choose exclusive hire for private access to all approved spaces, or non-exclusive hire to maintain public access to designated café and outdoor areas during normal operating hours—tailored to your operational needs and event scope.

Hire Yitpi Yartapuultiku

Upcoming events at Yitpi Yartapuultiku

Exhibition: The Nature of the Hidden World: A Mega Story - open now until 3 December 2026
Nunga Week - 9-15 November

On now

Cultural Ranger touring Yitpi Yartapuultiku

Nunga Week at Yitpi Yartapuultiku

Each November during Nunga Week, we celebrate traditional culture, art, knowledge, history, food and most importantly the First Nations Elders who live and work in the City of PAE.

Check out our dedicated Nunga Week page for all the community activities happening at Yitpi Yartapuultiku.

Opening event details

The City of PAE is holding a free community opening event, marking Parnatti (Autumn to Winter) and Waitpi (windy season).

The event includes:

- a Cultural ceremony and performance
- exhibition
- self-guided trail
- Aboriginal maker stalls
- family-friendly activities
- Participate in artefact making and painting
- music from Katie Aspel, Uncle Eddie Peters and Tilly Tjala Thomas
- Talks on the design of Yitpi Yartapuultiku, hosted by Dr Julie Nichols from the School of Architecture at the University of South Australia.

Explore the riverside grounds, nature playspace and trace ancient stories etched in sculpture and art curated by Aboriginal custodians.

Bookings

Bookings are not essential, but will help us manage the event. Please book your free tickets here

Event parking

During the community event there are no parking spots available on site, we encourage you to park in surrounding streets and observe sign posted parking restrictions. Traffic restrictions and a road closure will also be in place.

Port Plaza is making car parks available for the event in the section on the corner of Old Port Road and Hack Street opposite Joyce Snadden Reserve. There are also a large number of parking spaces available on Baynes Place.

View a map of public parking available during the Yitpi Yartapuultiku opening event.

Public transport options are available nearby with the Port Adelaide and Ethelton train stations both a 750m (10 min) walk away, and buses operating along Bower Road.

Event accessibility

An event accessibility guide and a text only event accessibility guide are now available.

The building and main paths around the facility are wheelchair accessible. There are some parts of the nature play area that may be less easy to navigate. The site features a Universal Changing Places facility, parent room and ambulant unisex toilets. There is lift access to mezzanine level.

Image gallery

What happens at Yipti Yartapuultiku?

Yitpi Yartapuultiku offers a unique space where Kaurna traditions and knowledge meet contemporary innovation. It is a place for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to immerse themselves in local culture, nurturing deep respect and connection to Country.

There are indoor and outdoor spaces, nature play space, café, gallery and function rooms. Take some time to explore the spaces, bring a picnic or have a coffee. You can take self-guided tours initially, with guided tours coming soon.

Programs, experiences and performances to come in future.

How do I get there and where can I park?

The site is marked with signage on both the Old Port Rd and Bower Rd sides. For visits after the opening event, there are car parking spaces available via Old Port Rd.

Public transport options are available nearby with the Port Adelaide and Ethelton train stations both a 750m (10 min) walk away, and buses operating along Bower Rd.

What features are part of the self-guided tour?

As you take the self-guided tour, you will discover and interpretive trail that enables you to

- Collect trail maps from the Welcome desk
- Stop at the cafe (coming soon) and retail space
- Explore public artworks
- View the Living Shoreline
- Enjoy the riverfront lawns
- Pass by or stop and play on the playspace

Are there guided tours?

While the Centre is establishing, visitors can follow our self-guided interpretive trail (maps provided). Guided walks and specialised cultural tours are in development—in partnership with Kaurna Elders and accredited guides—to ensure authenticity and capacity. We expect to open bookings and publish tour schedules in October 2025. In the meantime, you’re welcome to register your interest and we’ll be in touch as soon as dates are confirmed.

Are there areas I can’t enter?

All visitors are welcome except during cultural business. Look for temporary “Cultural Ceremony in progress — please use alternate path” signs at the Men’s (Pangkarrila) and Women’s (Ngangkingka) areas; simply choose another path until the signs are removed.

What is the playground like?

It is a nature play space in a natural bushland setting. There are grassed areas and park benches nearby.

Are the public toilets?

Yes, there are toilet facilities and a Changing Place in the Yitpi Yartapuultiku Cultural Centre. There is also one public toilet on the Northern side of the grounds. Outside Public Toilet is available dawn to dusk.

Is the site accessible?

A site accessibility guide will be added to this page shortly.

Can I buy food, drink or souvenirs?

Yes, there is a café available for light refreshments operating from :

10 am–4 pm Monday to Friday
10am–2pm weekends and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday)

There is also a small retail space with gifts and souvenirs available, by local Kaurna and Aboriginal artists, makers and businesses.

Is there access to the foreshore?

Yes, the foreshore is accessible, and you will find native plantings, seating and lighting in the area. Many of the new plants are still establishing; please walk with caution and tread lightly on Country.

Can I fish?

Yes, you can as per any other area of the river. The river is accessible but has been planted up with mangrove seeds to return the river edge to its natural state. Please use the area with caution and tread lightly on Country.

Can I bring my dog?

Registered assistance animals welcome everywhere. Other pets are welcome on leash outside the building.

Can I book or hire Yitpi?

The site includes indoor spaces suitable for 8–240 people, plus outdoor event spaces for up to 2000 people. A full venue guide and rate card will be released soon.

Bookings for meetings, functions and conferences will be available from October 2025. Planning and event or interested in hiring Yitpi Yartapuultiku? Complete an online hire enquiry form here.

Catering and Cultural services will also be available.

For small group bookings such as school visits email yitpi.yartapuultiku@cityofpae.sa.gov.au

How to respect Men's and Women's bsuiness?

The site designates Pangkarrila (Men) and Ngangkingka (Women) areas. They remain open to all except during cultural business—temporary signage and staff guidance will advise visitors.