Old Timers Traeger Museum

Find out how early Territorians lived, worked, travelled and obtained supplies at the Old Timers Traeger Museum.

Located in Alice Springs, the museum presents a history of settlement in Central Australia from First Nations peoples to the early days of white settlement. Wander through the displays that describe early exploration by new settlers and the opening up of the region after completion of the Overland Telegraph in the late 1800s through to the present day.

As well as an extensive mineral collection, fossils, and Aboriginal artefacts, there are exhibits relating to the development of transport and communications in the outback; the works of John Flynn and his advances in medical care throughout Central and Northern Australia are represented, and materials from the domestic life of pastoralists, drovers, cameleers and miners are on show. An extensive collection of historic photographs is available for perusal.

The museum is situated in the grounds of the Old Timers Village, just South of Alice Springs CBD, and is run on a voluntary basis by the residents. The museum was created by John Blakeman, who began collecting items connected with the people of Central Australia. It opened in 1966 and was named after inventor of the pedal radio, Alfred Traeger. Since then the collection has continued to grow with donations of items from the community.