South Australian Museum - North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Imagine life in a different time with Herbert Basedow's photographs of early 20th-century expeditions into central and northern Australia. 

Ponga Ponga woman carrying a pet possum, Northern Territory, 1922. Photograph by Herbert Basedow.

Herbert Basedow — anthropologist, geologist, scientist, explorer and medical practitioner — was a remarkable Australian. He was renowned for the breadth of his work across central and northern Australia in the early decades of the 20th century. His extensive knowledge of the country and his opinions were highly valued by scientists, politicians and businessmen of his era.

Part of his great legacy is the National Museum of Australia's collection of more than 2200 negatives created during his many expeditions in remote Australia. His photographs reveal his diverse interests and provide poignant reflections of expeditionary and frontier life — a window into a different time.

A Different Time: The Expedition Photographs of Herbert Basedow 1903–1928 draws on the National Museum of Australia's rich collection of Basedow's photographic work.

WARNING: This exhibition contains images of nudity and people in distressing circumstances. Visitors should also be aware that the exhibition and website include names and images of deceased people that may cause sadness or distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Image above: Herbert Basedow on Buxton, a riding camel, near present-day Granite Downs station, South Australia, 1903. Photograph by Alfred Treloar using Basedow's camera.

This is a travelling exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia.