History

Darwin

 Aboriginal people have lived for 65,000 years in the Top End, hunting, fishing and foraging.

In the 1700’s Macassans from Sulawesi sailed to Arnhem Land to collect sea cucumbers. In 1862 John McDouall Stuart made the first European crossing of Australia from South to North and in 1869 a permanent white settlement was established and the grid for a new town (Darwin) laid out.

In 1872 the Overland Telegraph Line which follows Stuart’s route between Adelaide and Darwin was completed. During its construction gold was found at Pine Creek and several thousand Chinese came to find their fortune. The telegraph line and the track (now the Stuart Highway) that followed it opened up the country and towns such as Katherine, Pine Creek, Mataranka and Batchelor sprung up along the line. The Top End was seen as adventurous and so were the people who populated it. Waves of immigration saw Europeans, in particular Greeks; Vietnamese and Indonesians,and 60 nationalities now make up a very multi-national land.

Wander through National Trust Heritage listed houses, take the Darwin City Heritage Walk, explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, marvel at the NT Chinese Temple and Museum, the Roadmaster's House and take it in on heritage tours. During WWII, Darwin became the first mainland site in Australia to come under direct attack from the enemy when it was the target of over 64 Japanese air raids, causing huge devastation and many civilian casualties. The Top End played a key strategic role in the defence of Northern Australia and much of its unique military heritage is well preserved. Gun emplacements, oil storage tunnels, bunkers, military airstrips and lookout posts are scattered in and around the city. Most are easily accessible and many are free of charge. Visitors are encouraged to explore this fascinating (and often overlooked) chapter in Australia’s history either independently or on a tour.