Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the NT's premier cultural institution. Enjoy permanent exhibition highlights such as Cyclone Tracy, Natural History and Sweetheart, a famous croc as well as exciting temporary exhibitions. Enjoy a meal at the picturesque Saltwater cafe overlooking the sea or purchase a book or gift at the Store at the Museum. Entry is free. MAGNT runs an engaging series of talks, public programs, workshops and school holiday programs. Check out the website for details
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Robert D4,655 contributionsExcellent museumThis museum has many interesting exhibits on Darwin's natural and human history. I enjoyed the megafauna and the Cyclone Tracy exhibits. The highlight for me had to be the Aboriginal art. Two of the galleries featured winners of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. One gallery focused on this year's winners while another featured past winners. I was impressed by the diversity and quality of the artworks. You can spend several hours here.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 1 November 2023
- MaranaRonMarana, Arizona352 contributionsBig thumbs up!Wow, I did not expect such a great museum. Aboriginal artwork was wonderful. Huge famous stuffed crocodile and all kinds of other animals. History of cyclone Tracy. You could easily spend a couple hours here on a rainy day. Nice to cool off on a hot, humid day. Great for kids or adults. Free! Plus a nice gift shop. Highly recommended.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 February 2024
- Niccers16Bundaberg, Australia914 contributionsA must do when in Darwin with free entrySome of the best animal displays I have ever seen in Australia. Great place to visit with a good variety of animals, artworks and Cyclone Tracy information. Free to visit and allow 1-2 hrs to complete.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 March 2024
- geoffdemanserWarrnambool, Australia758 contributionsReally interesting way to pass a couple of hours.This is a must see when you’re in Darwin. Brilliant exhibits and lots of local and indigenous history. Well worth stopping in to see. Great bookshop as well and a lovely cafe attached. Awesome.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 March 2024
- PaHaC1989Vancouver, Canada56 contributionsHighly recommend a visit to MAGNTMAGNT was recommended to us by someone in Sydney and we are so happy we made a visit to see it. It was a good introduction to the history, flora, fauna and culture of the Northern Territories. The display on the Cyclone Tracy (the cyclone that hit Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974) was well done. The gift shop had some quality souvenirs and the cafe was well worth a visit for a refreshing cold drink. Definitely a place to go on a hot, humid Darwin day.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 April 2024
- Linda S1 contributionPut this museum on your must see listThe displays well presented and informative. Very clean, easy to move through to each area. Information was very interesting and not too long. The area about cyclone Tracy bought back memories of watching this as a family in NSW just wishing we could help. The gift shop was lovely with a mix of different cultures. Our group of 8 absolutely loved it and we are a very diverse group and found something that intrigued each of usVisited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 20 June 2024
- FosseboyWestern Australia, Australia642 contributionsWorth visitingVisited from hop on bus. Opens at 10 am. Lots to see. Cyclone Tracy exhibit very evocative. Lot of interesting exhibits. Great cafe as well with wonderful views and food. Very helpful staff in museum showed us where to store rucksacks.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 June 2024
- AglassortwoMelbourne, Australia263 contributionsPut this on you itinerary.Really good place to visit for an overview of all things relating to birds, animals and insects of NT. Find out about the bombing of Darwin, Cyclone Tracy and general life over the history and development of Darwin. Very good section on indigenous life and art. Good gift shop and cafe also. Best of all, it has free entry.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 23 July 2024
- Nicholas CCanberra, Australia34 contributionsWe enjoyed what we saw, we just arrived a bit late. High quality Aboriginal Art, too.We didn't really have enough time here, they close at 4:00PM, but it was worth the time we did spend there. High quality art pieces and an excellent display concerning Cyclone Tracy and Sweetheart, a very famous crocodile whose remains are on display here. We will definitely come back for a longer visit next time. Beautiful grounds and location very close to the sea.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 6 August 2024
- Diana MHatfield, United Kingdom62 contributionsA MUST visit while in DarwinOur first day in Darwin we got the Hop-on-Bus and got off at the stop of this amazing museum a place you must not miss ! The Aboriginal Art was beautiful and other exhibits were educational and stunning not forgetting the insight of the lives of the Northern Territory people in the past. I could go on and on, but definitely worth a visit and all free.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 August 2024
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Popular mentions
4.5
3,634 reviews
Excellent
2,186
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jjumpstart
Sydney, Australia2,191 contributions
Jun 2021
Free entry (gold coin donation appreciated)
Easy to get around … just a few steps, and handrails are provided in most areas
Various free displays including: Cyclone Tracy (before/during/and after), Maritime Museum, plus other artistic, cultural and scientific displays. Well worth a visit.
PS. We noted that the soft toys on sale in the gift shop were about half the price of those in the souvenir shops in Smith St Mall :-)
Easy to get around … just a few steps, and handrails are provided in most areas
Various free displays including: Cyclone Tracy (before/during/and after), Maritime Museum, plus other artistic, cultural and scientific displays. Well worth a visit.
PS. We noted that the soft toys on sale in the gift shop were about half the price of those in the souvenir shops in Smith St Mall :-)
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chiaramaqueda
Alice Springs, Australia32 contributions
Dec 2019
Reflecting no doubt the small size of the city, this is indeed a museum and art gallery, with displays of natural history, science, maritime history and fine art and craft rolled into one. While it is perhaps best know for its Aboriginal art, it also has a superb collection of work from Bali and other parts of south east Asia. If you make it there before June 2020 don't miss Therese Ritchie's superb "Bleeding Hearts" exhibition--a real tour de force from one of the Northern Territory's most prominent artists ... in fact this show alone is worth visiting Darwin to see!
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZenDark30
Portland, OR4,488 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
For a city that has rebuilt itself every 50 years or so due to cyclones this museum exemplifies the peoples commitment to preserving their history.
The first exhibit is on how the universe began with the moon and stars. What makes this exhibit unique is the perspective and juxtaposition of the aboriginal creation stories and western science.
The next room takes you through the now fossilized flora, fauna, and prehistoric creatures. All tastefully done.
The next several rooms move you through northwestern Australia’s history including the entanglement of racism between white, Asian and aboriginal peoples.
One exhibit that you probably won’t see elsewhere is the one of Cyclone Tracy on Christmas 1974. To see the “then and now” images is testimony to the people’s fortitude and relationship to the land.
The final exhibit is by Therese Ritchie. Her photos speak to her passion for the plight of the aboriginal people and politics of Australia.
Definitely spend time here.
The first exhibit is on how the universe began with the moon and stars. What makes this exhibit unique is the perspective and juxtaposition of the aboriginal creation stories and western science.
The next room takes you through the now fossilized flora, fauna, and prehistoric creatures. All tastefully done.
The next several rooms move you through northwestern Australia’s history including the entanglement of racism between white, Asian and aboriginal peoples.
One exhibit that you probably won’t see elsewhere is the one of Cyclone Tracy on Christmas 1974. To see the “then and now” images is testimony to the people’s fortitude and relationship to the land.
The final exhibit is by Therese Ritchie. Her photos speak to her passion for the plight of the aboriginal people and politics of Australia.
Definitely spend time here.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadamJosephine
Melbourne, Australia1,353 contributions
Aug 2021
We took the Bus from CBD Darwin which conveniently dropped us at the door. With the 2021 Telstra Aboriginal Art Prize long listed works on display until next February, one can spend a good hour looking at Aboriginal art in its varied forms - videos, paintings, embroidery, pottery, sewing, totems and metal work. The Cyclone Tracy exhibit can take up at least another hour and then its upstairs where you will find a very interesting potted history of Darwin and a wonderful display of Top End sailing vessels. My favourite was a boat that brought a family of Vietnamese boat people to Australia. There is an excellent cafe with a wonderful menu, so allow plenty of time to visit the Gallery / Museum and stop for morning tea or lunch. Service in the cafe was very good and they make fantastic coffee. The Ski Club is a short walk if you want to visit later in the day and drop by for a drink watching the sunset.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mbf_traveller1
Paris31 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
I missed out seeing the Sidney Nolan exhibition by a day! But I wasn’t disappointed with the rest. The Cyclone Tracey exhibit was very informative and interesting. As was the history of the area including artefacts.
Felt the art gallery part was lacking a little - I know it’s a small town but feel this is one area they could focus on. Especially with so many great local Aboriginal artists around.
Good coffee in the cafe with views over the beach.
I got here using the hop on hop off red bus which worked out perfectly!
Felt the art gallery part was lacking a little - I know it’s a small town but feel this is one area they could focus on. Especially with so many great local Aboriginal artists around.
Good coffee in the cafe with views over the beach.
I got here using the hop on hop off red bus which worked out perfectly!
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John F
Auckland Central, New Zealand213 contributions
Sept 2022
To get a comprehensive overview of life in the top end you must visit this museum. The exhibits tell the stories of indigenous people, the loss of land and culture, the efforts to retain identity and influence and the successes and failures along the way. The geography, geology, flora and fauna of the area is well covered and the display of art work is breathtaking.
Allow a half day to really appreciate the site, it is worth it.
We accessed it through the hop-on-hop-off bus which is also a great way to see Darwin.
There is a cafe at the Museum but lines are often really long and service slow. The best thing to do is to go across the road from the museum to the Darwin Ski Club (yes!) where you get good food and drink, right on the waterfront. You do not need to be a member to access the service there.
Allow a half day to really appreciate the site, it is worth it.
We accessed it through the hop-on-hop-off bus which is also a great way to see Darwin.
There is a cafe at the Museum but lines are often really long and service slow. The best thing to do is to go across the road from the museum to the Darwin Ski Club (yes!) where you get good food and drink, right on the waterfront. You do not need to be a member to access the service there.
Written 24 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HC2015
Baulkham Hills, Australia100 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We planned just for an hour to spend in here but ended up staying more than half day enjoying and learning a lot in the museum. It is free most of the place except some special section for the time. The place is very kid/family friendly and many sections are full of useful display for any generation but mostly for kids. My primary school children enjoyed every section of the museum from history to drawing including war and cultural items.
It is very northern territory suitable museum and what to expect to see in NT.
It is very northern territory suitable museum and what to expect to see in NT.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter C
Dunsborough, Australia312 contributions
Sept 2021
The Museum is on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus route, and we had a late breakfast in the cafeteria and then explored the venue.
The indigenous art display was fabulous, the Tracy display also very good, in fact it all was. I could have spent another hour there easily.
The indigenous art display was fabulous, the Tracy display also very good, in fact it all was. I could have spent another hour there easily.
Written 15 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katrina Magnus
64 contributions
May 2023 • Family
What an amazing place! One of the best museum/ galleries in Australia. The exhibits and displays are too many to name and the quality is excellent, we went in and came out 4 hours later without any clue that we had been there that long. Unbelievably it is free although we did pay the small entry fee to see the Archibald 100 exhibit which had a free guide! The Cyclone Tracey exhibit was excellent. Although warm due to it being outside the display of different sailing vessels were amazing. The way all of the animals are preserved and displayed is excellent. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClotildeBlanchet
Melbourne, Australia226 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Three reasons to visit the museum.
1 - it’s free
2 - it’s air conditioned and dry
3 - there are some really good exhibitions including ancient and modern aboriginal art, Ă Darwin typons interactive expo that is really well done, all sorts of life size boats that came to Australia from canoes to veteran refugee boats. There is also a nature / animal expo showing various creatures in their natural surroundings.
Easy to get to by bus number 4 at a cost of $3 from the central bus station. Your ticket lasts 3 hours so if you time it right you should be able to get there and back on one ticket.
1 - it’s free
2 - it’s air conditioned and dry
3 - there are some really good exhibitions including ancient and modern aboriginal art, Ă Darwin typons interactive expo that is really well done, all sorts of life size boats that came to Australia from canoes to veteran refugee boats. There is also a nature / animal expo showing various creatures in their natural surroundings.
Easy to get to by bus number 4 at a cost of $3 from the central bus station. Your ticket lasts 3 hours so if you time it right you should be able to get there and back on one ticket.
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrissee D
Blackburn, Australia
Is there an entry fee? If do
Cost for adults and children?
Written 11 August 2019
Free entry but worth giving a donation to support their great work.
Written 19 August 2019
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