History & heritage in the Northern Territory

From the Top End to the Red Centre, the Northern Territory tells a unique story of ancient art and culture, wartime heroics and pioneering adventure.

Early settlers

Colonial heritage is remembered in a diverse array of museums and restored sites. Guided tours and audio guides offer rare insights into the early days of the settlers in the Northern Territory.

Discover achievements in modern engineering like the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and the Old Ghan Railway, or learn about the pioneering aviators at the Central Australian Aviation Museum.

Visit a catholic mission in the Tiwi Islands, established in the early 1900s, or walk through one of the Territory’s most important heritage sites, Fannie Bay Gaol in Darwin, and stand in the original stone cells built in 1883.

World at war

For military heritage, Darwin is unparalleled. As Australia’s only location of major battles during World War II, the city is home to many significant sites. Wander through strategic underground oil tunnels built in the 1940s, or join an informative tour of the RAAF explosives store and Strauss airfield.

A centerpiece for World War II history is the newly built Defence of Darwin Experience, a state of the art museum featuring interactive multimedia exhibits that will immerse you in wartime Australia.

History in the Red Centre

Walk in the footsteps of the famous explorer John McDouall Stuart, and explore Old Owen Springs Station and Tennant Creek. Travel further south to the Red Centre to find a unique collection of photographs and memorabilia at the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame.

Wherever you go in the Territory there’s a fascinating social history to explore. Convicts of colonial Australia, soldiers of World War II, and the early pioneers of aviation and transport are just some of the people and stories that populate the unique towns and landscapes of the Northern Territory.