Upstairs in the Museum of Central Australia there's a display on the work of Professor TGH Strehlow, a linguist and anthropologist born at the Hermannsburg Mission among the Arrernte people. During his lifetime he gathered one of the world's most documented collections of Australian Aboriginal artefacts, songs, genealogies, film and sound recordings. It's an epic collection, one of the best of its kind on earth, but it's largely off-limits for cultural reasons.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Museum of Central Australia

The natural history collection at this compact museum is beautifully displayed, with geological exhibits such as meteorite fragments and fossils, as well…

2. Araluen Arts Centre

0.1 MILES

For a small town, Alice Springs has a thriving arts scene and the Araluen Arts Centre is at its heart. There is a 500-seat theatre and four galleries with…

3. Central Australia Aviation Museum

0.11 MILES

In the Connellan Airways Hangar, Alice's original aerodrome, displays on pioneer aviation in the Territory include Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)…

4. Araluen Cultural Precinct

0.15 MILES

The Araluen Cultural Precinct is Alice Springs' cultural hub; leave a couple of hours aside for exploration of its excellent sights which include the…

5. Alice Springs Memorial Cemetery

0.15 MILES

The cemetery contains the graves of some prominent locals, including artist Albert Namatjira (1902–59) and Harold Lasseter (1880–1931), the eccentric…

6. National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame

0.82 MILES

This tribute to Australia’s pioneering women is in the former Alice Springs Gaol, very near the Royal Flying Doctor Service base. Behind the high walls…

7. Alice Springs Reptile Centre

0.88 MILES

It may be small, but this reptile centre packs a poisonous punch with its impressive collection of venomous snakes, thorny devils and bearded dragons…

8. Royal Flying Doctor Service Base

0.92 MILES

This excellent museum, filled with interactive information portals, is the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, whose dedicated health workers provide…