MAGNT Darwin
Located on Larrakia Country, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory's principal site, MAGNT Darwin, is home to internationally renowned artistic, cultural and scientific collections and research programs.
Each year MAGNT Darwin presents a dynamic program of internally -developed exhibitions, carefully curated from the collection and the best travelling exhibitions from around Australia.
MAGNT Darwin is also home to the annual Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA)— the longest running and most prestigious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art awards in the country.
MAGNT Darwin
19 Conacher Street
The Gardens, Darwin
Open daily: 10am – 4pm
FREE ENTRY*
P +61 8 8999 8264
E info@magnt.net.au
Closed New Year's Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day
* excludes touring exhibitions and
ticketed public programs
Discovery Centre
A fun and creative space for families offering parent-led and self-guided activities that relate to MAGNT Collections. Check our What's On program for Sunday Fundays and STEAM programs and school holiday activities in the Discovery Centre.
Open Fri - Sun: 10.30am – 12.30pm during NT School Terms
Open Tues - Thurs: 10.30am - 12.30pm during NT School Holidays
Opening hours are subject to change.
Closed on Public Holidays.
P: (08) 8999 8264
The Store at the Museum
Visit The Store at the Museum for quality souvenirs, local arts and jewellery. Find books on Northern Territory history, Aboriginal art and culture, and children's books by local and Australian authors plus learning kits for curious young minds.
Open daily: 10am – 4pm
Opening hours are subject to change.
P: (08) 8942 3334
Saltwater@Bundilla
Enjoy ocean views and tropical breezes at breakfast, brunch or lunch on the verandah of Saltwater@Bundilla or relax with a coffee in the lounge before heading into our gallery spaces.
Open Mon - Fri: 8.30am – 3:30pm
Open Sat - Sun: 8.00am – 3:30pm
Opening hours are subject to change.
P: 0448 730 238
Getting Here
By public transport
The public bus services in Darwin are currently free of charge. Using Google Maps is the simplest way to find the next bus from where you are.
Number 4 Bus
The #4 runs from Darwin Interchange and from Casuarina Interchange.
It will drop you off on Gilruth Ave, a 10 minute walk from the museum.
Number 6 Bus
The #6 bus departs from the city regularly and will take you directly to the MAGNT entrance.
By bicycle or foot
MAGNT is about a four kilometre ride or walk from the Darwin city centre.
It is best to avoid walking during the heat of the day. Ensure you carry water, wear a hat and use sunscreen.
MAGNT History
MAGNT was founded 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 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. It was opened on the 10 September 1981.
Over the last few decades, MAGNT has grown to include six sites across Darwin and Alice Springs. MAGNT became an independent statutory body on 1 July 2014.
