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Destinations: GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

Old Qantas Hangar, Darwin
Off the beaten track but well worth a visit is the old heritage listed Qantas hangar at Parap. It houses a collection of old cars and aviation memorabilia that is not a museum as such, but rather a workshop for club members to work on their vintage vehicles. The hangar stands on the site of Darwin's first civil aerodrome - the entrance driveway is in fact the original runway on which Ross and Keith Smith landed in December 1919 when they won the first England to Australia air contest and a $10,000 prize. The hangar was built in time for the famous 1934 Centenary Air race. Used by the first Australia-Europe air service (operated by Qantas) and the first Adelaide-Darwin service, it was nearly destroyed by Japanese bombers in 1942. The scars of this are still visible as bullet holes in the steel beams of the hangar.
By 1946, a new airfield had been built in Darwin and the hangar was used as a mechanical workshop. These days it is the home of the Darwin Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club and is used by members to display and restore their vehicles. Club members are happy to share their experiences with fellow enthusiasts and visitors who are always welcome.
Contact: (08) 8942 0758. Website. Location: Macdonald St, Parap. How to get there: by car, proceed out of Darwin via Smith St, right into Gilruth Ave., follow the street signs on East Point Rd, Fannie Bay.

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