MAGNT Darwin
Set in a scenic location overlooking Fannie Bay, MAGNT Darwin on Larrakia Country is home to internationally renowned artistic, cultural and scientific collections and research programs.
Each year MAGNT 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) — Australia's richest art awards.
Image: Colin Jack-Hinton Maritime Gallery. Photo: Shaana McNaught
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, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
* excludes touring exhibitions
Getting Here
By public transport
Public buses in Darwin cost $3 for 3 hours or $7 for a day trip. 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.
