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Daly Waters - Cities, Towns and Localities |
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The small township of Daly Waters is less than 600 km south of Darwin and
approximately 3 km west of the Stuart Highway on the old stock route. Although a
tiny settlement, Daly Waters is one of the Territory’s most famous watering
holes, even more so because of the historic Daly Waters Pub, the Northern
Territory’s oldest pub.
History
The settlement was named by John McDouall Stuart during his epic attempts to
cross the continent. In his attempt in 1860, Stuart only reached the area known
as Tennant Creek. His second attempt in early 1861 saw him get further north,
but having to turn back again. In October, 1861, leaving Adelaide on his third
attempt, his party was to cross the plains under Mount Hay on March 5th, 1862,
just to the north-west of Alice Springs. By the latter half of May...
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We have also seen, on both sides of us, ponds with water
surrounded by gum-trees...
We have now passed some fine holes of water, which will last at least three
months; at five miles the water is becoming more plentiful and the creek
broader and deeper...*
Stuart was to name these series of water holes ‘Daly Waters’, in honour of
his Excellency the Governor-inChief of South Australia, Sir Dominick Daly,
having reached Daly Waters on the 28th May, 1862. His journey was to continue on
northward, finally reaching the coast near Darwin on 24 July 1862, the following
day they officially raised the Union Jack...
“South Australian Great Northern Exploring Expedition.
“The exploring party, under the command of John McDouall Stuart, arrived at
this spot on the 25th day of July, 1862, having crossed the entire Continent
of Australia from the Southern to the Indian Ocean, passing through the
centre. They left the City of Adelaide on the 26th day of October, 1861, and
the most northern station of the Colony on 21st day of January, 1862. To
commemorate this happy event, they have raised this flag bearing his name.
All well. God save the Queen!”*
The Overland Telegraph Line reached Daly Waters in June, 1872 and for a short
period (until the line was completed) a ‘pony express’ bridged
the gap between Daly Waters and
Tennant Creek. The line was finally completed on 22 August, 1872.
The region was a crossroads for three major stock routes, the Barkly Tableland
Route, the Murranji Track and the North-South Route. The area's traditional
owners are the Jingili people, who inhabited the area around Elliott. The area
lies across the important Dreaming tracks of the Emu and the Sun, travelling
through on their way to the southern parts of the Northern Territory. Check out our listing of
Daly Waters
accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information,
contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more
attractions, tours, local maps and other information. |
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Historic Daly Waters Pub
• Stuart St, DALY WATERS NT 0852
• Ph: 08 8975 9927
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• The Northern Territory’s oldest
pub, was once the last watering hole for drovers venturing the perilous Murranji
Stock Route. Here the cattle were rested and the men quenched their thirst..
Today, the traditions continues, except instead of drovers and cattle, the place
is alive with caravans, 4 wheel drives and backpackers.
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Daly Waters Airfield • Daly Waters Airstrip
• The Daly Waters Airstrip was
constructed about 1926, when it was a centre for the London to Sydney air race
of 1926. It became a major staging point for interstate and international
airlines, becoming Australia's first international airfield, a refuelling stop
for the early Qantas flights to Singapore and London. It also played a
significant part in the protecting the northern Australia coastline during World
War II, being declared an RAAF station on the 18 March, 1942, with Australian
and American air forces being based here. It last saw action in 1989 as part of
the military manoeuvres Kangaroo ’89.
The aerodrome is now only used by private aircraft and Air-Med (remote area
medical service). The original Qantas hangar now houses exhibits that include
photographs and equipment from the area’s aviation past.
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The Stuart Tree
• On route into Daly Water is a
dead tree, with a plaque that reads ‘The explorer John McDouall Stuart is
presumed to have carved the initial S on this tree on 23 May 1862 during his
successful journey from Adelaide to Darwin 1861-62. Erected by the Northern
Territory Forces in 1944’.
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Distance to Daly Waters
• Following are some approximate distances by
road to Daly Waters:
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Distances given are only approximation, they should be verified with the appropriate
maps.
The
Australian Automotive Motoring Associations also offer select access to travel trip planners. |
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John McDouall Stuart Society
• The John McDouall Stuart Society
Incorporated was formed in Adelaide in 1964, to perpetuate the name and
achievements of the surveyor and explorer, John McDouall Stuart, and his
Companions.
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Territory
Regional Weekly
• Ph: 08 8992 2028
• Local newspaper for the
Litchfield Shire, that distributes to areas such as Darwin,
Palmerston and the Litchfield Shire, the Coomalie region, Mandorah, Katherine,
Alice Springs, all the way down the Stuart Highway, Daly Waters, Pine Creek,
Gove, Arnhem Hwy, Jabiru, Borroloola, Melville Island, Elcho Island, Bathurst
Island, Cocus Island, Christmas Island as well as outlets down the Victoria Hwy.
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