Local Favourites

Discovering Aboriginal art and craft is a fascinating and rewarding way to spend time in the Northern Territory. The region has a vibrant creative scene and is home to many galleries presenting authentic, ethically sourced, traditional and contemporary art. From traditional museums to smaller art studios, we’ve rounded up seven must see places for your cultural fix.

Mbantua

With locations in Darwin and Alice Springs, Mbantua is a long established and well known gallery displaying beautiful Aboriginal art mainly from the Utopia region. Mbantua Darwin has a shop front in Darwin Mall and Mbantua Alice Springs includes a Cultural Museum (free entry) where visitors can sit and enjoy reading about Aboriginal people and their customs.

Sister 7 Gallery

Sister7 is an ethical Aboriginal women’s gallery studio in Darwin on Larrakia Country. This is a lovely, relaxed studio that welcomes female artists to come and paint and share their important stories. 17 professional Aboriginal female artists have works displayed and promoted at Sister7.

Mason Gallery

Mason Gallery is a premium gallery displaying an extensive selection of authentic Aboriginal art collected primarily from throughout the Northern Territory, including Papunya, Kintore, Kiwirrkurra, Utopia, the Eastern desert, Arnhem Land and across the Top End. Situated on Cavanagh Street in Darwin’s CBD, Mason Gallery also sells beautiful giftware, weavings and carvings.

Starwin

Starwin Shopfront, located in Darwin’s CBD, sells uniquely designed and handmade homeware, clothing, art, souvenirs, jewellery, books and bags, which are created by over 30 community enterprises. Starwin Shopfront is the leading social enterprise exchange in Northern Australia with a focus on supporting Aboriginal women.

Aboriginal Bush Traders

Aboriginal Bush Traders is a 100% not-for-profit business committed to selling ethically sourced and sustainable products that directly support local Indigenous communities. Located on the beautiful Esplanade in Darwin CBD, the hub contains a vibrant retail shop, gallery exhibition space and bushfood inspired cafe. All profits generated are returned through targeted community development initiatives. 

Aboriginal Fine Art Gallery

Aboriginal Fine Art Gallery has supported, promoted and sold Aboriginal art in Darwin for over 15 years. The gallery is internationally renowned and trusted as an online source for authentic, ethically traded Aboriginal art, and has strong relationships with the Aboriginal artists they represent. All artworks at the gallery come with information on the artist and the story behind the painting.

Karen Brown Art Gallery

Karen Brown Fine Art Gallery is an established contemporary art gallery that has operated in Darwin for over 30 years. Over this time, Karen has nurtured and built the profiles of innovative artists from across the Northern Territory. The gallery presents fine quality art from established and emerging artists, and celebrates new creations through collections and exhibitions.