HMA ships CANBERRA and ADELAIDE draw the crowds. Long queues were the order of the day.

More than 8000 people immersed themselves in the spectacle of Navy Week in South Australia with two of the RAN's guided missile frigates, HMA Ships ADELAIDE and CANBERRA, visiting for the celebrations.

Once word was out of ADELAIDE and CANBERRA's arrival at Port Adelaide, the public came out in force for one of the most successful open days ever seen in South Australia.

Defence recruiting officers were also on hand and many people asked questions about a Naval career.

Peter and John Gill get a hands on feel for the Minimi 5.56mm machine gun from HMAS ADELAIDE's SMNBM Aaron Davy.

South Australia's senior naval officer, CMDR Neill Phillips said it was "wonderfully encouraging to have so many people come out and visit the ships and welcome back HMAS ADELAIDE after two years".

A highlight was HMAS ADELAIDE exercising its right of Freedom of Entry to the city of Adelaide.

The ship's company of HMAS ADELAIDE pose with a cheque for $4000 which was presented to the Women's and Children's Hospital. The SA Government plans to match dollar for dollar all money raised by the hospital.

Several hundred people watched members of the ship's company march from the Torrens Parade Ground to Adelaide Town Hall where South Australian Police Superintendent Tom Osborne challenged them.

Following the Freedom of Entry, the Lord Mayor and councillors invited the ship's company to a reception at the Adelaide Town Hall.

A Ceremonial Sunset and Beating Retreat capped off the week, viewed by more than 200 people attending a reception aboard ADELAIDE and CANBERRA.

Veterans remember fallen mates during the Naval Association of Australia (SA Section) service. More than 250 people attended.

Memorial services also drew large crowds, with 250 people attending the Naval Association of Australia (SA section) service, dedicated to Navy personnel lost in war.

The Navy Week Church Service, attended by Governor of South Australia Sir Eric Neal and Lady Neal, was also well patronised.

Along with the sunshine and blue skies, an AFL star in former Adelaide Crows' player Andrew Jarman visited HMAS ADELAIDE where he received advice on his footy tips from CMDR Norman Banks, a man very keen to show off his black and white (Collingwood) blood.