Alice Springs contains many fascinating museums and appealing art galleries, based mainly within the town centre. Housing important collections of paintings, sculptures, local artefacts and historic Northern Territory exhibits, the museums of Alice Springs are extremely diverse.The Aviation Museum of Central Australia, the Strehlow Research Centre and the Araluen Art Centre all lie within the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct, where a single entrance fee allows you to enter each of these attractions, together with the Yeperenye Sculpture. Visitors may also like to pay a visit to the Old Ghan Heritage Railway and learn about its important past.
Aviation Museum of Central Australia
Address: Cultural Precinct, Memorial Avenue, Alice Springs, Northern Territory (NT), Australia AU
Tel: +61 (0)8 8951 5532
The Aviation Museum of Central Australia can be found within the former Connellan hanger at the old Alice Springs Airport, on Memorial Avenue, just off Larapinta Drive and close to the Frank McEllister Community Park. Onsite attractions include a number of small planes and aviation artefacts, together with some interesting collections comprising local artefacts and historic exhibits, including fossils, meteorites and Aboriginal relics.
Open: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free
Strehlow Research Centre
Address: Cultural Precinct, Corner of Memorial Avenue and Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs, Northern Territory (NT), Australia AU
Tel: +61 (0)8 8951 1111
The Strehlow Research Centre in Alice Springs celebrates the life of Professor Strehlow, who worked closely with Arrernte people in this area of Australia. Many ancient Aboriginal treasures are housed here, including more than 1,000 sacred ceremonial objects, some 8,000 photographs and a collection of family trees. The professional library is filled with books relating to anthropology and linguistics in Australia.
Open: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free
Old Ghan Heritage Railway and MuseumAddress: Norris Bell Avenue, Alice Springs, Northern Territory (NT), Australia AU
Tel: +61 (0)8 8955 5047
Home to a collection of lovingly restored locomotives, the Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum is full of interesting train memorabilia. The famous Old Ghan Heritage Railway features a popular tourist line, with Sunday morning trips to the MacDonnell Siding, while the carriages are used as a tea room by day, and as a restaurant in the evening. You may also like to pop next-door and check out the National Road Transport Hall of Fame.
Open: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children
Alice Springs Art Galleries: Araluen Art Centre
Address: 870 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs, Northern Territory (NT), Australia AU
Tel: +61 (0)8 8951 1120
Housing four large art galleries and regular exhibitions, the Araluen Art Centre is one of the main art galleries in town and incorporates the Albert Namatjira Gallery. Attractions at the Araluen Art Centre include contemporary paintings by local Australian artists, Aboriginal art work and a sculpture garden, where a 300-year-old Corkwood tree takes pride of place.
Open: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free
