Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum
Discover the origins and evolution of the Royal Flying Doctor Service through interactive exhibits, including a replica Pilatus PC-12 aircraft and a holographic presentation by founder John Flynn.
Planning your visit
John Flynn, a Presbyterian minister, founded the Aerial Medical Service in 1928 to bring doctors to people scattered across an outback where the nearest hospital could be a thousand kilometres away. It worked because of two other inventions: the pedal-powered radio, which let remote stations call for help, and the aircraft itself.
The museum in Alice Springs occupies the original 1939 base, and covers the service's history with a replica Pilatus PC-12 fitted out as a flying intensive care unit, which visitors board, and a holographic presentation of Flynn.
The RFDS still operates, flying tens of thousands of patients annually across an area larger than western Europe, and the museum is clear that this is a working service rather than heritage.
Flynn's grave sits west of Alice Springs beneath a boulder from the Devil's Marbles.
Allow ninety minutes. The main booking is an entry ticket. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum?
Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum is in Alice Springs, Australia.
How long should I allow for Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum?
Allow ninety minutes. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.