Our Story

Our

story

Our

story

Darwin Waterfront

Our story

When we reflect on the Darwin Waterfront and harbour over time, we think of it as a place that people came and went, a ‘maritime hub’.


Water is a prominent theme of Darwin Waterfront's history, environment, culture through Larrakia stories, recreational spaces and leisure activities.


The Larrakia people travelled the harbour, fishing, hunting and gathering food, conducting ceremonies and visiting sacred sites and countrymen.


Early surveyors, adventurers, settlers and gold seekers arrived by sea and crossed and re-crossed the harbour from this point to access the interior, carve a home out of the harsh tropical landscape or seek their fame and fortune. The railway also started and finished here. 

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    From the 1930s, the spectacular flying boats landed and took off, and the pearling fleet was based nearby. 


    For many years cattle were loaded at what was then known as Darwin Town Wharf, with a small side jetty used as the flying boat terminal.


    Right up until World War II, it was the place where everyone who was coming from and going to Darwin passed through. Stokes Hill Wharf, that you can see today, was completed in 1956 and was the main wharf until East Arm Darwin Port was completed in 2000 and Fort Hill Wharf was refurbished in 2005. 


    Cruise ships soon became a distinctive feature and as the Waterfront was the first view international visitors had of Darwin the area was developed as a place to walk, sit by the water, swim in the lagoon, dine at world-class restaurants and enjoy spectacular sunsets. 


    Today, it is a tropical lifestyle destination that attracts over a million people each year