Hermannsburg was originally a Lutheran mission and was the first town in Central Australia. It was also home to the famous Aboriginal watercolour artist, Albert Namatjira.

In 1982 the area was returned to the Aboriginal people and in 1988, the German style whitewashed buildings were restored to their original 19th century condition. Tearooms, a museum and an art gallery featuring some of Namatjira's original works, are found within the historic precinct.