European settlers first reached Darwin in 1839, but the city wasn’t always named Darwin.
Darwin is known as the capital city of the Northern Territory. With a population of around 150, 000 the bustling city continues to grow. But how did Darwin become the city that it is today?
When European sailors reached Darwin in 1839 aboard the HMS Beagle, captain Lt. John Lort Stokes named the harbour after his previous shipmate. You probably recognise him as the naturalist, geologist and biologist, Charles Darwin.
However, there is quite a bit more to the story than that!
Darwin’s Original Name
Before European settlers arrived, Darwin was called Garramilla. This was the name given by the local Aboriginal people. The reason for the name Garramilla comes from the translation of “white stone”, which refers to the sea cliffs and stones near the city.
Charles Darwin
Fast forward to 1839 when European sailors arrived in Darwin. Fifty-one years after the first European settlement in Australia, Darwin’s harbour was spotted. After reaching land, the captain and his lieutenant named the port ‘Darwin’ after their former shipmate Charles Darwin. The trio had met when Darwin took a five-year voyage around the globe, observing geology around the world.
Naming The Land
Thirty years after Port Darwin was first found and named by Europeans, they sent the first settlement of people to live there. The settlement was named Palmerston after the then British Prime Minister Lord Palmerston. The first settlement was small, comprising only 135 people.
Keeping Darwin Alive
In the 1870s gold was found about 200km south of Darwin. This caused the city to see an influx of Chinese settlers. They were mostly contracted to work in the goldfields. Later there ended up being lots of work to build railways throughout the Northern Territory.
The influx was well-timed, as several devastating shipwrecks saw the population of Darwin drop significantly. At the same time, the pearling industry invited people from Japan, Timor, and the Philippines. The Asian population in Darwin took a sharp downturn after the implementation of the White Australia policy in the 1890s. However, those who stayed ended up playing a key role in the commercial development of the city. Today, many prominent families in Darwin are descendants of those who came for pearling in the 1800s.
In 1897 a huge cyclone tore through the settlement, destroying everything. It was the worst cyclone to hit the Northern Territory before Cyclone Tracy in 1974. 24 people died in the settlement, and it also killed those working on Darwin Harbour. Only eight buildings survived the cyclone. These buildings were used to house the entire population until the settlement could rebuild.
A New Name
Originally under the control of the South Australian government, Darwin was handed over to the Commonwealth of Australia in 1911. The handover also saw its name officially change from Palmerston to Darwin.
Living History
Just a 15 minute drive from the city of Darwin is Palmerston, a planned satellite city. Darwin and Palmerston are the only recognised cities in the Northern Territory. Together they boast a modest population of less than 200,000.
Since its first settlement, Darwin has had a varied history. From devastating cyclones and war bombings to a thriving tourism hub and modern city, Darwin has the historical significance and modern flare to appeal to everyone.
Visiting Darwin
The gateway to some of the Northern Territory’s best environments, a visit to Darwin should be on everyone’s bucket list!
If you haven’t been to Darwin, now is a great time to do so! There are so many incredible sites to see in and around the city. From delicious restaurants to vibrant markets and me smerising sunsets, Darwin is an absolute must.
This Darwin city and surrounds tour takes you around to see the city’s highlights. You’ll get to learn more about the city’s history through a number of stops. Some highlights include the Aviation Museum and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. In addition to the museums, you’ll also visit the beautiful Botanic Gardens and much more. This is a great way to get a taste of the city for half a day before embarking on your own exploration of Darwin.
Related article: What is Darwin Australia known for?
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.