Central Australian Aviation Museum

Visited the site and found a great display. Given that I flew in a DC3 as an eight year old I was transported back to 1960 flying from Innisfail to Townsville. So interesting to see the other aircraft and read the stories. The Kookaburra memorial was something I was not aware of. Great display and the ladies there were wonderful host’s.

Great aeroplane museum. Sadly going the way of many of our museums tho, they're fast running out of volunteers. There's no young ones coming through, consequently its a bit in need of some maintenance.

A terrific place to visit while in Alice Springs. Found enough room for our van. The displays are fascinating
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Walked 40 minutes to attend on a day and time showing as open on both website and Facebook to find museum CLOSED.

I understand that this is run solely by volunteers, and they're lovely and doing their best, but this museum could really benefit from some interactive elements. As it is, it's mostly just a stack of old stuff with too little context to learn anything about it.

Somewhat disappointing for an aviation buff. Looking rather tired and unkept. A nice collection but could use a bit of TLC.

Very interesting airplanes and aviation-related knickknacks. The signage needs an overhaul though. This is a direct quote from one of the signs discussing “populating the Outback”:
“…challenges facing the new settlers … the presence and cultural differences of the Australian Aboriginal people. Despite these hardships Australia achieved a commendable record of nation building. ” I had to check my phone to make sure the date wasn’t sometime in the 1950s! Boy those inconvenient aboriginals sure were a hardship to that heroic, noble nation building! The museum reeked of terra nullius fiction of the triumph of these Europeans over a land that, in truth, has been continuously inhabited for over 60000 years. If the “presence and cultural differences of Aboriginals” was a hardship to those settlers, imagine how the Aboriginals must have felt to have their ancestral homeland stolen and turned into a tasteless cattle farm.

Wonderful tour. Dave was a great guide and we learned so much about the aviation industry and its history in NT.

Awesome museum, gives a real sense of the history of aviation and the outback. Kids loved it and they have a new found interest in aviation after flying the simulator:)

An amazing place full of living history a must for visitors and locals alike a big part of Australian history and not just aviation, but general history also

4 old planes plus a glider on display, both inside & outside, plus a lot of engines & paraphernalia.

Good memories! Daughter 12 yrs old in 1976 travelled to Tennant Creek in Wagga Connair to Tennant Creek to visit friend whose family were managing a pub. She arrived in Australia from the US in 1974. Enjoyed this museum. Especially talking with the lady in the first hanger about life in Alice Springs.

Interesting place. Catch up with Dave. He knows all the history. Aircraft, pilots and flighing doctors. Take time to go through the hangers

Great work for a sleepy museum in Australia's interior. First time I've walked inside a DC3, was a shame the cockpit couldn't be restored. Very interesting place to explore

It was closed 40 minutes before it was supposed to, I bought a ticket for the art precinct which included the museum and it was all closed!

The current Museum Building was erected in 1940/41 and served as the main base of operations for Connellan Airways (later Connair) from 1939 to 1968. Due to the limitations of this Townsite Aerodrome for larger aircraft operations and the expansion of Alice Springs, the move to the present airport was eventually forced upon Connellan Airways. The larger Bellman Hangar, which occupied the site next to the present hangar was moved to the present airport and all operations ceased at Townsite by June 1968. The Townsite Hangar was left derelict and the air strips disappeared under the rapid expansion of Alice Springs. The houses and road fronting the Museum are on the old main runway. By 1977 little trace could be found of the runways, and the Townsite Hangar was in a sad state of repair, having had no maintenance for 9 years. It has become a haven for those without ready accommodation and its interior and exterior had been a target for vandals. The founding of the Central Australian Aviation Museum in 1977 soon changed this situation. A very active voluntary committee was formed following the suicide flight at Alice Springs Airport in January 1977. It was not long before the Hangar was reclaimed and work commenced on its renovation. This early start could not have been made without the support of many people previously associated with Townsite. Many of these people joined the new Museum and willingly paid $50 membership without question or guarantee. This immediate response allowed the Museum to rapidly find its feet and open its doors in May, 1979. Financial assistance from the Northern Territory Government was crucial in establishing the Museum. Since 1979 many more exhibits have been acquired, such as aircraft, engines, components, historical photographs, papers, and videos. In March 1984 the collection was officially handed over to the Northern Territory Museums and Arts Galleries Board who have accepted responsibility for its preservation, presentation and administration. It is now possible for people to visit the Museum free of charge and find out for themselves the story of ‘Townsite Alice Springs’ and the role it played in the development of Central Australia.

Nice aviation museum staffed by friendly volunteers. Lots of interesting exhibits and even some toys/souvenirs. Free!

Very nice little aviation museum that specializes in the way central Australia was settled using aviation to knit the settlers to the services accessible near the coasts. There are two flight simulators, one with rudder pedals. There is free parking. I recommend this place.

Lovely pleasant atmosphere, to have an afternoon tea with our senior locals and visitors. Beautifully catered for, something to suit everyone's tastes. For $2 and choose all you can eat.

Was a visitor to Alice Springs & visited museum a couple of times with Maxine Cook who is a volunteer. Very interesting museum good selection of aircraft etc. Enjoyed visit to museum & Alice Springs & a visit to Anzac hill is a must