Darwin City Geotrail

This section passes the edge of Darwin Waterfront Precinct. It passes the exposed road cuttings on the side of Stokes Hill that features the almost vertical bedding of the  Burrell Creek Formation . This Paleoprotozoic aged rock unit is the foundation upon which Darwin sits and it represents a period of earth’s history from around 1870 million years ago. This means Site 1 is chronologically representative of the ‘oldest’ part of Darwin's history as experienced in this Geotrail.

As shown in the diagram below and map to the right, Darwin has has isolated outcrops with most of the Burrell Creek Formation (brown) occurring to the south on the other side of the harbour. It is believed this rock formed from the erosion of even older materials, extending back to the Neo-archean age, around 2500 million years ago.

The closest known representative of these extremely old formations (dark red) are located around 65km to the east, but buried under 40-120m of sediments of the Money Shoal Basin, or over 50km south, where isolated outcrops occur near the township of Batchelor. The  Darwin Formation  (green) in contrast is 'only' 100 to 125 million years old.

Leaving the first site, the trail leads on to a popular and intriguing attraction.

Air Raids by Japanese forces during World War 2 forced some ingenious thinking concerning the protection and safeguarding of military supplies. A series of tunnels were dug into the Hills around Darwin City which formed part of the significant wartime infrastructure around the Greater Darwin area. Many of these sites can be seen around Darwin.

Section 1 of the Darwin City Geotrail concludes with the World War 2 Oil Storage Tunnels. Tours are available and offer a fascinating glimpse into Darwin's wartime history.

Anyone starting the Darwin City Geotrail from a cruise ship can join at Site 2 or Site 3.

This section continues from the WW2 Oil Tunnels at Site 2 and continues along Kitchener drive with the Darwin Waterfront Precinct to the left and the small cliff and monsoon forest to the right. This remnant monsoon forest features heavily around Darwin, and you may encounter some of it's residents such as Scrub Fowls or Curlews during the walk. Please be respectful of them and their habitat.

Site 3 is a monument commemorating Survey General Goyder’s first survey camp, the ‘missing’ Fort Hill to the left is conspicuous by its absence, as this hill has been completely removed. It was the source of construction material used in the development of Darwin and the Wharf. A publication from the Bureau of Mineral Resources (now Geoscience Australia) from 1957, show the hill and the carpark that this Geotrail originated from.

For those wishing to look back an additional 87 years, the button below links to the original survey plans of Darwin.

The grassed area ahead offers the first glimpse of Darwin Harbour. Also prominent is the pink colour ballast stone used as a sea wall. This rock is known as the  Mount Goyder Syenite  and features prominently around Darwin. It is also the Northern Territory's Federation stone and represented at the  National Rock Garden  in Canberra.

The Mount Goyder Syenite is sourced from 100km to the east and used extensively around Darwin for bulk materials such as this sea wall. However, when polished, it is often used for decorative purposes as evident in some of the buildings encountered later in this Geotrail such as the Parliament House and Supreme Court.

The trail passes more oil storage tunnels and concludes at the Deckchair Cinema – an icon of contemporary Darwin. 

The Deckchair cinema operates during the cooler dry season and session times can be seen below. A movie, under the open sky is a great experience.

Section 3: Damoe-Ra Walk – Celebrating Northern Territory Women

The Damoe-Ra walk is a picturesque walk through the monsoon forest from the back of the Deckchair cinema up elongated and shallow-grade stairs that lead to Bennett Park.

This section is characterised by the signage that celebrates prominent women of the Northern Territory and the influence they had on the development and evolution of Darwin.

This path also involves a 20-30m increase in elevation from the Deckchair cinema so enjoy the coolness and beauty of the Monsoon forest pathway and take your time. It is the steepest component of the Geotrail.

An optional extension is offered for those interested in Geology, with a 40m walk at the rear of the Deckchair Cinema. This site will only be visible at low tide and for your own safety please do not climb over the rocks or attempt to access the site directly.

Looking down at this point, you will see a small creek draining into the harbour, while a few meters further on, a small section of the Burrell Creek Formation is evident by its vertical bedding. Surrounding these are fragments of the brightly coloured  Darwin Formation  which have broken off from the cliff-face behind.

These two distinct rock types, from different periods infer the presence of a geological unconformity - a break in the geological record - between the Burrell Creek Formation and the cretaceous aged Darwin Formation.

The image below highlights this from the vantage point near the waters edge.

Section 4: Bennett Park to Lyons Cottage Shortcut

The section details some of the Aboriginal, early European, maritime, and military history aspects of Darwin and offers the first - and arguably best - elevated views of Darwin harbour.

It is known that the sea level has fluctuated significantly over the last few thousand years but has been stable for around 7000 years. Information about Darwin, the Larrakia people, the harbour and past and present industries are detailed on the signboards at Site 11.

This section finishes with a convenient point in which to Bypass sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 which are focused on the environment, early European history and World War 2 history. The bypass continues to the heritage registered Lyons cottage and sections 10-13 which focuses on the built environment and contemporary Darwin.

Section 5: Lyons Cottage Shortcut to Leichhardt’s Monument

This short section of the Geotrail allows users to appreciate Bicentennial Park and the views of the harbour to the left. Bicentennial Park is often used for many of the local festivals and events which occur during the year.

If undertaking the Geotrail during the late afternoon, you may be rewarded with a glorious sunset as the sun sets behind Mandorah on the other side of Darwin Harbour.

The conclusion of this section is the monument celebrating the 17-month journey of Ludwig Leichhardt and his team across 4200km from Brisbane to Port Essington, located around 200km north-east of Darwin.

While Port Essington was ultimately unsuccessful, Leichhardt's trek identified and documented much of the lands between Brisbane and the Top End of the Northern Territory. These early exploration efforts were invaluable in the subsequent development of the Northern Territory.

An optional extension is the descent via a sealed pathway to Lameroo Beach is available and the pathway passes a wonderful example of the giant Banyan trees that typically grow in the monsoon forest and are prominent features in many of the parks and reserves around Darwin. This particular Banyan is impressive, covering a large section of the cliff-face with its extensive root system.

It is not recommended that Lameroo beach be accessed during high tides for your own safety.

Section 6: Leichhardt’s monument to Harbour Viewing Deck

This section details several sites of interest from the perspective of early settlement of Darwin and the military history of Darwin, including the loss of the USS Peary where nearly 100 perished during the Bombing raids of Darwin. Signage at this location detail other examples of bravery during world war 2 and well worth the time to read. For those needing a short rest, the chair offers a great place to relax and enjoy the views of Darwin Harbour and Cox Peninsula beyond.

The harbour viewing deck offers another view of Darwin Harbour and the distant Cox Peninsula and Mandorah. It is also the first indication of the Arafura Sea beyond Darwin harbour. Darwin is a busy port, and you may see Oil and Gas ships, passenger cruise ships, or any manner of other vessels that utilise the harbour.

Section 7: Harbour Viewing Deck to Aquascene

This short stretch of the trail descends via a sealed pathway and a few stairs to the Doctors Gully Carpark. This section concludes at Aquascene - a Darwin icon, where high tide brings a unique experience.

For you own safety, please do not attempt this extension at high tide.

An optional 50m walk to the left leads to an interesting Geological feature – a pegmatite – which is unique in the Darwin CBD and uncommon in other parts of the Greater Darwin Area north and east of the harbour.

The 50m walk to the quartz-mica pegmatite offers some offers some interesting insight and examples of geological processes.

As a basin, sediments were deposited into the Pine Creek Area over millions of years. Over time, as heat and pressure increase at depth, these loose sediments formed into sedimentary rocks, such as the Burrell Creek Formation.

However, intrusive magmas from deep in the earth and other forces changed these sedimentary rocks, deforming (by compressing and stretching them without breaking the rock), causing faulting (where forces overcome the strength of the rock, breaking it) and changing the rocks through a process called  metamorphism .

As part of the titanic forces involved in these processes, hot fluids were injected along faults, joints and other weaknesses. As these fluids cooled, minerals crystalized. The large crystals and diverse range of minerals in the pegmatite tell us these were emplaced deep within the earth, the rate of cooling was very slow and the chemical composition of the fluids were rich in many elements.

The pegmatites of the Burrell Creek Formation are of interest south of the harbour, as they contain minerals rich in  Lithium  and being assessed for their commercial viability.

The site is of interest for other geological processes which are taking place. Looking around you may see examples of different quartz fragments that have broken away from the pegmatite. They appear angular and 'blocky' close to the pegmatite, but are smooth and rounded closer to the water-line. These have been smoothed by many years of weathering, assisted by the large tides that Darwin experiences.

Other things you may see are fragments of various rocks being glued together into new rocks. An iron-rich 'glue' binds these fragments together into new rocks called conglomerates.

Section 8: Doctors Gully Walk

Doctors Gully has had a fascinating history which is detailed by sections of this walk. The area was significant for Goyder's original survey of the fledgling township and later served as a market garden, providing fresh fruit and vegetables to the growing community.

At the edge of the carpark, on the way to the boardwalk, a rusty relic tells an interesting story from World War Two. It is a buoy from the anti submarine net that extended from East Point to Mandorah - a distance of around 6.5km.

The Doctors Gully boardwalk is a short walk through cool shady trees which are nestled between the houses and units of the Larrakeyah suburb above. This site is a cool refuge from the sun and chance to enjoy the peace and quiet. 

The boardwalk passes Peels well, a registered historical site and location of Darwin’s first fresh water supply.

This 1.1km section of the Geotrail passes some informational signage, numerous hotels, and the northern end of the Stuart Highway. If you travel along the highway from this point without turning left or right, you will eventually reach Port Augusta, 2700km away to the south. Strange but true.

For those contemplating this drive, look no further than the  Explorers Way , which details more of the route and side-tracks and the attractions experienced along the way.

During Section 9 you'll encounter the following.

A distinctive triangular shaped hotel that survived Cyclone Tracey and dominated the Darwin skyline for many years until the early 1990's when several high-rises started to change the profile of the city.

The  Darwin Entertainment Centre  a little further on is an iconic building and site of many concerts and events over the years ranging from classical music, art exhibitions to rock and roll concerts.

 Hanumans restaurant  in located in the Darwin Entertainment Centre building on and specialises in Asian cuisine. It is a favourite of the locals and for those wanting to experience the authentic flavours of Darwin with an exotic touch, it is highly recommended.

An example of an early Darwin house and prominent use of Darwin Formation stonework in the walls, the first of several buildings of this style that are featured later in the Darwin City Geotrail.

 Lyons Cottage , also built in the same manner, is a heritage listed building originally built to support the British Australian Telegraph. It is now a art gallery and features a great coffee shop. After the walk from Doctors Gully, it is a recommended rest stop and great place to enjoy a coffee while taking in the harbour views.

This short section passes through Knuckey Street to the northern end of the Mall and the nearby monument celebrating John McDowell Stuarts successful crossing of the Country through its interior in 1862.

There is an eclectic mix of the old and new in this area with the single-story buildings reminiscent of 'old Darwin' which has over time given way to progressively larger and more modern high-rise buildings over time such as Mitchell Plaza or Darwin Central.

As you pass through Section 10 and 11, keep an eye out for the many murals that are prominent on the buildings around Darwin. Another walking tour shows these sites and more information can be found on the  Darwin City Council website .

The Mitchell Street extension offers Geotrail users the option of exploring Crocosaurus Cove and the various bars, pubs and tourism-focused shops of Mitchell Street. For those with more time to see more of the Top End, why not arrange a tour while here - there are plenty of choices.

If your visiting Crocosaurus Cove - beware! You may have an experience like.....

Smith Street Mall is the main shopping precinct in the Darwin CBD. It features the Galleria Complex and the eatery for those needing refreshments or restrooms. Other shops and arcades in the mall offer a range of services and products. The Mall also features pavement plaques which detail aspects of Darwin’s history.

At the southern end of the mall, the Charles Darwin building dominates the skyline.  Paspaley  have their show room showcasing many of their world renowned South Sea pearls. The show room is well worth a look.

The Hop on Hop Off bus departure point is located on the opposite side of Bennett Street. It offers the visitor a chance to experience other parts of Darwin not experienced on this Geotrail. 

For those with interests in Military history, an alternative to the Hop On Hop Off bus is the Darwin History and Wartime Experience.

Right beside the Hop on Hop Off and wartime experience departure points is the  Tourism Top End Visitor Information Centre .

You can obtain additional information about Darwin and further afield, as there are certainly many things to do and experience outside of Darwin City, including the  World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park , located 2 to 3 hours drive from Darwin.

Darwin’s historical building are featured in the next section along with a tantalizing glimpse of a future development which will transform this part of Darwin.

Many historical buildings are clustered between the Smith Street Mall and the Darwin Waterfront, and this section of the Darwin City Geotrail focuses on those sites.

The State Square redevelopment is a $200M collaboratively funded project between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments and Darwin City Council. It is one of several projects in the  Darwin City Deal  announced in 2018 that are planned to transform Darwin over the next decade.  

The Darwin City Geotrail concludes with exploration of the  Darwin Waterfront Precinct  and the sites, features, and experiences available. 

The Darwin City Geotrail concludes near its starting point. After the 6km or so of this Geotrail the wave pool and lagoon offers the opportunity to cool down with safe swimming options. If you wander around the paths of the lagoons, keep an eye out, as the curious Barramundi are often swimming around. From here, explore the parklands, lagoon and various restaurants and specialty shops in the area.

The Stokes Hill Wharf is an optional - but highly recommended - extension of the Darwin City Geotrail. It details the history of the wharf and some of the experiences that are available such as the Indo-Pacific Marine exhibition and tours, the Flying Doctors and Bombing of Darwin experience, and harbour cruises options that both offer unique experiences.

Some further details are below.