Delve into the incredible natural and social history of Alice Springs. Red dust, dot paintings, kangaroos and Dreamtime stories await you.
Red dust, dot paintings, kangaroos, Dreamtime. These are only the beginning of understanding the region’s incredible natural landscape, and history of indigenous peoples and settlers. Alice’s top-notch museums will give you the chance to learn the full story.
The natural world
No matter where you’re from, Central Australia’s ochre landscape, incredible natural formations and native wildlife are certain to amaze and thrill. Find out more at the Museum of Central Australia, located in the Araluen Cultural Precinct. View the progression from the big bang to present day, learn to identify local birds and animals you might see on your visit, and get close to megafauna fossils, a giant freshwater crocodile and a replica waterhole.
Aboriginal artefacts
For the opportunity to gain insight into Aboriginal life, head to the Strehlow Research Centre, in the Museum of Central Australia. The centre houses an impressive and nationally important collection of archival film and audio records, and objects relating to indigenous ceremonial life.
Follow up with a visit to the Mbantua Aboriginal Cultural Museum, where you won’t want to miss displays of bush tucker, incredible Aboriginal landscape paintings, and collections of indigenous artefacts from spears to bowls and boots.
Obstacles overcome
Discover the various solutions to traversing the expansive and challenging desert landscape. Follow the historical trek from early cameleers to modern-day road trains at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame. If you prefer to take to the skies, you’ll be rewarded with two early Flying Doctor planes and other historic craft at the Central Australian Aviation Museum. Then be sure to pay tribute to the contribution of women to the region’s heritage at the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame.
