Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Tours and Activities

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory showing interior views and art
Choose two or more items and save on your trip:
Learn the stories behind Aboriginal paintings, local wildlife, regional archaeology and the cyclone that flattened Darwin in this gallery that has free admission.

One of the best places to escape the blazing sun and humidity of the “Top End” is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Enter a world of art, history and culture in this building, which is surrounded by lush tropical gardens on Darwin’s harbor. Learn about Darwin’s natural and maritime history, experience its living culture and study art of the indigenous Australian and Southeast Asian traditions.

MAGNT includes five permanent galleries, as well as a number of temporary displays and a theater. View contemporary and traditional art from the indigenous people of the Northern Territory. The MAGNT holds an annual National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, and the winning artworks are displayed in the gallery.

Head to the Southeast Asia Link Gallery to admire beadwork from tribes in East Malaysia and carvings, woodwork and ceramics from Australia’s other close neighbors.

To understand why there is a relatively low number of heritage buildings in Darwin, visit an impressive display dedicated to Cyclone Tracy. On Christmas Day in 1974, Tracy flattened the city, destroying the original art museum in the old Town Hall. Watch footage of the destructive tropical storm, see photographs of iconic buildings that were lost and listen to audio recordings that provide insight into the experiences of locals during this disastrous event.  

For seafaring history, visit the Maritime Gallery, which displays a large collection of watercraft from Southeast Asia and the Northern Territory. Nearby is the preserved and mounted skeleton of the enormous crocodile known as “Sweetheart,” which was captured in 1979 because it kept attacking small boats in a local river.

Sweetheart is not the only representative of the Territory’s natural riches. One of the museum exhibitions focuses on local flora, fauna and geology. Here you can see anything from molluscs, reptiles and birds, to sparkling minerals.

Enjoy a traditional Australian meat pie or a fresh seafood salad for lunch in the museum’s Cornucopia Café, which has a terrace overlooking the harbor.

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is located at Bullocky Point on Darwin Harbour. This free attraction is open every day, except for major public holidays. An entry fee may apply for the temporary exhibits.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Mindil Beach Casino Resort
Mindil Beach Casino Resort
4 out of 5
Gilruth Avenue, The Gardens, NT
Mindil Beach Casino Resort
Darwin City Hotel
Darwin City Hotel
4 out of 5
59 Smith Street, Darwin, NT
Darwin City Hotel
Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin
Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin
4 out of 5
6 Carey Street, Darwin, NT
Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin
Argus Hotel Darwin
Argus Hotel Darwin
3.5 out of 5
13 Shepherd Street, Darwin, NT
Argus Hotel Darwin
Mantra on the Esplanade
Mantra on the Esplanade
4.5 out of 5
88 The Esplanade, Darwin, NT
Mantra on the Esplanade
Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
4 out of 5
122 The Esplanade, Darwin, NT
Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade
DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade
4 out of 5
116 The Esplanade, Darwin, NT
DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade
Capricornia Motel
Capricornia Motel
2.5 out of 5
3 Kellaway Street, Fannie Bay, NT
Capricornia Motel
Palms City Resort
Palms City Resort
3.5 out of 5
64 Esplanade, Darwin, NT
Palms City Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.