The historic Stokes Hill Wharf Precinct is a popular multi-purpose harbourside venue located only 5 minutes drive from the Darwin CBD. It features shopping, restaurant and tourist facilities complex on Darwin Harbour. The centrepiece of the complex is a Function Centre, around which are tourism facilities like a cruise ship wharf, alfresco dining areas, recreational fishing platforms and fishing charters, harbour cruises, sightseeing, shopping and live entertainment.

The Wharf remains a working wharf for smaller marine industry users and cruising yachts. Harbour cruise vessels are moored at the wharf and there are facilities to embark and disembark passengers. Location: Stokes Hill Wharf, Kitchener Dve., Darwin.



The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility and Bombing of Darwin Attraction showcases two iconic stories in the one location: the RFDS, which began operations in the NT in 1939 and the Bombing of Darwin in 1942. Both of these historic events helped forge the resolve and resilience of the people who live in Australia s Northern Territory. It features cutting-edge technology including virtual reality and holographic experiences that are the first of its kind in Australia focusing on the history of World War II.

How to get there: walk along Smith Street to Esplanade Ave., follow the steps down the hill to the wharf area. Limited free parking is available on the Wharf especially at its peak, during the afternoon and evenings.

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History of The Wharf
In 1885-86 the Railway Jetty was built of timber construction in the same general position as today s Stokes Hill Wharf but considerably smaller in size. As the railway (Palmerston to Pine Creek) ran onto the wharf it enabled direct transshipment from ship to rail.

The original railway wharf of 1885 didn t last long, since the timbers were eaten by termites. Consequently it was replaced, on virtually the same Stokes Hill site in 1904, by a new wharf which became known as Town Wharf.

Its poor design, allowing only five railway wagons on the wharf at one time and no access for a locomotive, was criticised continually throughout its life, and much of the high cost of goods in Darwin was attributed to it. Nevertheless it gave the Port of Darwin good service until it was severely damaged in the Japanese bombing raids of 1942. During this period 1903-1942 it was Darwin s only wharf, and handled all cargo and passengers.

Some repairs and reconstruction were carried out during World War II but the sunken wrecks were not finally removed until 1961.

Stokes Hill Wharf, as we know it today, was commenced in 1953, completed in 1956 and continually modified until 1972. Up until the commissioning of the New Fort Hill Wharf in 1981, it was the main general cargo wharf for the port.

Stokes Hill was named in November 1838 by John Clements Wickham, expedition leader of HMS Beagle, after John Lort Stokes, Wickham's Lieutenant and Assistant Surveyor. From 1831 to 1836 they sailed on the Beagle's voyage around the world under Captain Robert FitzRoy. Wickham was then appointed commander of the expedition to survey the coast of Australia on the Beagle, with Stokes, his second in charge.

On Christmas Eve 1974 this cyclone hit the town and flattened it with 217km/hr winds. 10,000 houses were destroyed and 1,000 people injured. There were 40 vessels in the harbour, few survived the massive seas and winds. Sixteen seamen lost their lives on ships in the harbour. The largest was the Navy patrol boat Arrow  which disintegrated against Darwin wharf.