The largest ship in the Royal Australian Navy has sailed into its namesake city for the second time since it was commissioned in 2015 with thousands set to climb aboard for a close up look.

Commanding officer of the HMAS Adelaide Captain Jonathan Ley said he was very enthusiastic about seeing South Australian shores again.

media_camera Seaman Elly Pretlove, 24, who is originally from the Barossa Valley, on the flight deck of the HMAS Adelaide. Picture: Dean Martin

“I would, hand on heart, say that my primary focus is to show off this ship to the people of Adelaide,” he said.

“We are massively proud of our links to the community, the city of Adelaide and South Australia in general.”

The 4500 tickets to an opening day sold out in a matter of days so for those who missed out, the best chance of a glimpse of the visiting Adelaide will be from a distance.

Medical sailor Elly Pretlove, 24, from the Barossa Valley has never sailed home with the Navy and said it was good to be back after three years of study and training.

Seaman Pretlove has been commissioned for another 12 months of service on the Adelaide and said she felt lucky to be on-board to the impressive vessel.

“This ship is such a good way to learn because there are so many medical staff on board,” she said.

media_camera Senior officer Gordon Jardine overseeing activity on the flight deck. Picture Dean Martin

The vessel holds an on-ship hospital facility including two operating theatres and eight critical care beds, and has a kitchen with the capacity to produce up to 6000 meals per day.

It is 230m long and has the capacity to carry 1400 personnel at one time.

This trip will reinforce important ties between the Navy and Adelaide city but also allows the enormous ship to load up defence vehicles and newly commissioned personnel.

media_camera HMAS Adelaide. Picture: Lawrence Pinder/File

The city is welcoming back the beast with a weekend of celebrations including a freedom of entry parade on King William Street this Saturday and the ship’s opening day at Outer Harbor on Sunday.

media_camera The Bridge of the HMAS Adelaide as it approaches Outer Harbor. Picture Dean Martin

The ship will depart Adelaide for Sydney on Monday morning before heading to Brisbane.