Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory The home of all things art, history, science and culture in the Northern Territory. It was opened on the 10 September 1981.
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The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is northern Australia's premier cultural institution. Our vision is to be a world-class museum connecting people and stories of the Northern Territory. We are both a museum and art gallery with collections, exhibitions and programs across our core areas of Aboriginal culture, natural sciences, history and art focusing on Northern and Central Aus

tralia and our near neighbours. We are known for our collections and expertise in:
• Aboriginal art, culture and stories
• Marine, earth and terrestrial sciences
• Northern and Central Australian history
• Australian art
• Asian and Oceanic art and material culture

OUR HISTORY

MAGNT was born in 1966, with the introduction of a Bill into the Legislative Council of the Northern Territory. Dr Colin Jack-Hinton was appointed the MAGNT's first director, taking up the position in 1970. It was first housed in the renovated old Town Hall (originally known as the Palmerston Town Hall) in Darwin’s central business district

But on that fateful evening, Christmas Eve 1974, Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, destroying the old Town Hall and damaging much of the MAGNT collection. For the next few years both the staff and collection were housed in multiple buildings around Darwin, coming together for lunchtime lectures in the ruins of the Old Town Hall. After much deliberation, approval was finally granted for the construction of a new purpose-built museum and art gallery at Bullocky Point, on the site of the old Vestey's Meatworks. Over the last few decades, the MAGNT portfolio has grown to include regional museums and heritage sites across Darwin and Alice Springs. The MAGNT became an independent statutory body on 1 July 2014. The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) has been held annually at MAGNT in Darwin since 1984 and aims to showcase the very best contemporary Indigenous art production in urban, regional and remote Australia.

🖤 National Threatened Species Day | 7 SeptemberMarking the anniversary of the death of the last living Thylacine, today ...
07/09/2026

🖤 National Threatened Species Day | 7 September

Marking the anniversary of the death of the last living Thylacine, today is a day to reflect on the species we have lost, those at risk and how we can help protect Australia’s unique wildlife into the future.

The desert rat-kangaroo (Caloprymnus campestris), known as ngudlukanta to the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi people, was last recorded in 1935 and is now listed as extinct.

In 1931, a ngudlukanta specimen was collected by Herbert Finlayson with the assistance of First Nations people in South Australia. Today, this invaluable specimen is held in the MAGNT collection — providing an important physical record of a species that has been lost.

🔎 Natural history collections help us understand not only what the world has, but what it has lost. These collections continue to help us interpret the past and understand our place in safeguarding the future of our unique species.

📷Painting of desert rat kangaroos from John Gould’s Mammals of Australia
Image: John Gould
© John Gould [Image in public domain]

Exhibition in Focus | TransformationsExplore “Transformations: The Changing Nature of the Territory” at the Museum with ...
04/09/2026

Exhibition in Focus | Transformations

Explore “Transformations: The Changing Nature of the Territory” at the Museum with MAGNT Curator Emeritus of Molluscs, Dr Richard Willan.

The environment of the Northern Territory cycles through what the Larrakia people distinguish as seven seasons. However, a part of the year is dominated by water during a ‘Wet’ season and April to November is dominated by sunny ‘Dry’ days.

Come along and join Dr Willan for a closer look and explore seasonality in the Top End.

📅 8 September | 11am–12pm
📍Transformations Gallery, MAGNT

👉Check out our What’s On for more information and to book https://www.magnt.net.au/whatsondarwin

🛍️ A quick update on MAGNT online shop purchasesFrom Wednesday 2 September – Wednesday 9 September, purchases at Megafau...
01/09/2026

🛍️ A quick update on MAGNT online shop purchases

From Wednesday 2 September – Wednesday 9 September, purchases at Megafauna Central Alice Springs, the online MAGNT Shop and the MAGNT Darwin Information Desk will be temporarily unavailable while we implement an exciting new retail system.

Purchases at The Store at the Museum remain available as usual.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we make these improvements.

🎬✨ Six films. Six incredible stories.MAGNT can’t wait to share DIFF with you! 🌏❤️Join us for an incredible lineup of awa...
01/09/2026

🎬✨ Six films. Six incredible stories.
MAGNT can’t wait to share DIFF with you! 🌏❤️
Join us for an incredible lineup of award-winning films, powerful stories and cinema from Australia and around the world — all in the comfort of our refurbished Theatrette!
🎟️ Explore the program and book your tickets!

✨ A refreshed Discovery Centre is coming!Our Discovery Centre is getting a refresh over the coming weeks.While the work ...
31/08/2026

✨ A refreshed Discovery Centre is coming!

Our Discovery Centre is getting a refresh over the coming weeks.

While the work is underway, our STEAM activities will pop up in other areas around the MAGNT grounds, including the Theatrette, Maritime Gallery and Amphitheatre.

📍 Please check the activity location when booking via the MAGNT What’s On so you know where to go.
👋 Weekly Mini Makers from 10:30am on Fridays, for ages 2–5 years, will be held in the Theatrette during this time.

Thanks for your patience while the refurbishment is underway.

Keep an eye on our social media for further updates.

We can’t wait to welcome you back to our refreshed Discovery Centre soon!

🎉Wow what a month, celebrating our incredible NATSIAA winners and finalists!!!🙌While visiting the exhibition on site at ...
28/08/2026

🎉Wow what a month, celebrating our incredible NATSIAA winners and finalists!!!🙌

While visiting the exhibition on site at MAGNT or online via our virtual gallery, don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Decided by public vote, this is your chance to celebrate your favourite artist or artwork.

The winner will be announced in early 2027 following the closure of the exhibition.

The exhibition spans two galleries — start on the ground floor, then continue up the ramp past Sweetheart the crocodile to the upper gallery to explore the work of all 64 finalists.

👉Check out the NATSIAA Virtual Gallery to see the finalists’ work and find out more about their stories or cast your vote for in the People’s Choice Award on the MAGNT website: www.magnt.net.au/telstra-natsiaa-2026

📷 Some of the artworks on display as part of the 2026 Telstra NATSIAA from left: Justine Anderson, Magic birds 2026, Julie Nangala Robertson, Mina Mina Jukurrpa 2026, Kenan Namunjdja, Kabbari Ngalyod 2026, Walter Brooks, Wangatunga Jirtaka Jilamara (Folded bark basket with sawfish design) 2026, Semeria Wurrkidj, Milmingkan 2025, Wulu Marawili, Garraŋali – Sanctuary 2026, LeShaye Swan, Bucket Well 2026, Cameron Kawurlkku Djomi 2025, Kevin ‘Sooty’ Welsh, Scarred 2026.

We have a special free screening of Watandar, My Countryman at the Museum and Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) ...
25/08/2026

We have a special free screening of Watandar, My Countryman at the Museum and Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) this Monday (31st) at 2pm, followed by an audience Q&A with special guests Muzafar Ali and filmmaker Jolyon Hoff.

This special matinee accompanies the evening screening of Muzafar and Jolyon’s latest documentary, We Are Not Powerless, at Deckchair Cinema at 7pm.

Watandar, My Countryman follows former Afghan refugee and photographer Muzafar Ali as he sets out to photograph the descendants of the country’s Afghan cameleers. His journey becomes a deeply personal exploration of history, belonging and his emerging Afghan-Australian identity.

Following the screening, Muzafar and Jolyon will stay for a special audience Q&A, offering the opportunity to hear more about the story, its subjects and the making of the film.

- 2pm, Monday 31 August at the MAGNT Theatrette
- Free, but bookings recommended: www.deckchaircinema.com/watandar
film DASSAN Anglicare NT Multicultural Council of the NT We Are Not Powerless with Special Guests Muzafar Ali and Joylon Hoff - Screening at Deckchair Cinema

Remembering Leo IzodMAGNT staff were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Leo Izod and would like to extend our dee...
19/08/2026

Remembering Leo Izod

MAGNT staff were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Leo Izod and would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Leo at this difficult time.

Leo joined MAGNT in 1988 from the Department of Education and went on to serve as a Technical Officer in the Territory History section until his retirement in 1999.

Leo’s passion was the retrieval, restoration and preservation of historic industrial technology. From trucks and stationary engines to pumps and countless other pieces of machinery, his skills helped bring the Territory’s history to life.

His hands-on abilities were legendary, and he was a valued member of the Regional Museums team, travelling throughout the NT to help revitalise regional museums for locals and visitors alike.

Leo’s knowledge of Northern Territory history was second to none, and his contribution to preserving the Territory’s industrial heritage will be remembered with great appreciation.

He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

Vale, Leo. Thank you for helping preserve the machinery and associated stories of the Territory for generations to come.

Only a few tickets left for Relawati 🌿This Thursday, join MAGNT for an immersive encounter with the increasingly rare Ri...
18/08/2026

Only a few tickets left for Relawati 🌿

This Thursday, join MAGNT for an immersive encounter with the increasingly rare Rifa’iyah batik tradition of Batang, Central Java (Indonesia).

Featuring a short documentary screening and Q&A, the event explores Rifa’iyah batik through the eyes of women artists, exploring their work as both a cultural expression and a living botanical archive.

Hear from documentary director Sarah Rennie, batik artists Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati and Ibu Nandiroh and Emily Collins, Curator of Southeast Asian Art and Material Culture at MAGNT.

This program is part of Pencelupan – Immersion, a multi-arts project for Darwin Festival featuring a Rifa’iyah batik exhibition, live performance, hands-on workshops and a living botanical batik walk at George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

📅Thursday 20 August I 5:30pm
🎟️ Only a few tickets remain — don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the stories behind this living tradition.
👉Visit the MAGNT What’s On to book https://www.magnt.net.au/whatsondarwin

Address

19 Conacher Street
Darwin, NT
0820

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

61889998264

Website

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