The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory has three permanent galleries and four temporary galleries that host special exhibitions throughout the year, while the Discovery Centre offers interactive displays suitable for the whole family. The museum is featured in a range of Darwin sightseeing tours, including a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, a half-day city highlights tour, and another itinerary that combines major sights with an optional sunset cruise.
Entrance to the museum is free, although there is sometimes a fee for temporary exhibitions.
Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom—lockers are available for a small deposit.
The museum has a café, drinking fountains, and plenty of picnic spots.
The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users and strollers.
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is located on the seafront Bullocky Point, a 10-minute drive north of downtown Darwin. Bus No. 6 runs from downtown and stops right outside the museum.
The museum is open daily, year-round, and weekday mornings are typically the quietest time to visit. From April to October, visit on a Thursday or Sunday afternoon, then make your way to the nearby Mindil Beach Sunset Market for dinner and shopping.
Among the many highlights of the MAGNT are a range of Aboriginal artworks, a Maritime Gallery with numerous Australian and Southeast Asian vessels on display, and a moving exhibition on the devasting 1974 Cyclone Tracy. One of the most famous specimens of the natural history collection is “Sweetheart,” a 50-year-old saltwater crocodile who died during a rescue attempt in 1979 and measures 16.7 feet (5.1 meters) long.