Adelaide River
Over looking Adelaide River
Is a town where the Stuart Highway crosses the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory of Australia, upstream of the Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains Important Bird Area. At the 2006 census, Adelaide River had a population of 190. It is renowned for the fresh barramundi served at the hotel on the banks of the river.
History
Adelaide River was settled by the telegraph workers who arrived in the area to construct the Overland Telegraph Line. The discovery of gold at Pine Creek in 1892 had a major impact on the settlement. In 1886 a contract was signed to build a railway between Palmerston (Darwin) and the goldfields at Pine Creek, Northern Territory. By April 1888 the railway had reached Adelaide River. During World War II, there were up to 30,000 Australian Army and United States soldiers based near the town. An ammunition dump, including a spur railway line, was established at Snake River, 2 mi (3.2 km) to the north. Whilst the facility became operational towards the end of the war, it was too late to be useful in the war effort. There is a war cemetery near the town in which many of those who died during the Japanese bombing of Darwin in WWII are buried. The 107th Australian General Hospital and 119th Australian General Hospital were set up around Adelaide River.
Primary School
Adelaide River has a very small primary school of only 45 children (2009). It is located 100m from the Adelaide River itself. It has large solar panels on the main buildings roof and they sustain the schools electricity and left over electricity goes into the small towns supply. The school is 52 years old (2011) and is still holding up very well, it has a small canteen and main office. The whole school consists of its canteen, year
Adelaide River Railway Station
3,4,5,6 building and two small buildings for art and lower primary preschool, transition, 1 and 2. The children all agree that it is the best school they have ever been to and that everyone is very friendly.
Adelaide River Railway Station
Corner Stuart Highway and Dorat Road
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory
Australia
The Adelaide River Railway Siding and Railway Bridge, located on the Stuart Highway, were constructed as part of the first leg of the North Australia Railway, or NAR, which operated from 1888 until 1976. The Adelaide River Railway Siding was the first main station complex on the North Australian Railway from Darwin and Pine Creek. During World War II it was of major significance as Adelaide River was an important military centre, with the main hospital situated north of the township along with a number of Australian and Allied bases in the area.
Adelaide River War Cemetery
Open daily from 9am to 4pm.
Adelaide River War Cemetery
105 Memorial Drive
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory
Australia
The Adelaide River War Cemetery is a sobering reminder of the impact World War II had on this part of Australia. There are 434 military burials in total and the adjoining Civil Cemetery honours 63 civilians including the post office workers who were killed in the 19 February 1942 bombing of Darwin. Also visit the Memorial to the Missing, where 292 service personnel are remembered, who lost their lives in Timor and other northern regions.
Robin Falls
Open all day, every day.
Robin Falls
Dorat Road
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory
Australia
Enjoy a refreshing dip into the scenic Robin Falls, located along Dorat Road near Adelaide River township, off the Stuart Highway. The falls are reached by a short walk following a crystal clear creek through scenic bush surrounds. The area is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna unique to the Top End and affords lovely views back over the cascading Falls. Robin Falls is an idyllic spot to get away from the crowds and go swimming.
Tjuwaliyn / Douglas Hot Springs Park
Tjuwaliyn Douglas Hot Springs Park
Hot Springs Road off Oolloo Road
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory
Australia
The popular Tjuwaliyn / Douglas Hot Springs Park, located approximately 130 kilometres from Katherine and 200 kilometres from Darwin, protects part of the Douglas River, where thermal pools create an oasis in the surrounding dry woodland. The water attracts a wide variety of birdlife and mammals such as bandicoots, quolls and flying foxes. Camping is permitted, and caravan access is usually possible depending on seasonal conditions. Swimming is available in some areas of the park, but it is important to test the temperature of the water before entering. The traditional Aboriginal owners, the Wagiman people, jointly manage the park with the Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Wagiman women have the right to close the park on occasion, as it is an important place for women’s ceremonies.
Adelaide River Races
Leaving from Darwin, you have a choice of either taking the scenic drive – the turn off is just over the bridge at Adelaide River, or you can take the turn off which is located half way between Adelaide River and Pine Creek. Open daily, 24 hours. Possible closures during the Tropical Summer, between November and April.
Adelaide River Races
Dorat Road
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory 0846
Australia
Join in the excitement of a traditional country race meeting. The Adelaide River Races, set in beautiful shady grounds, feature a seven-race program, with TAB and bookie facilities on site. Bar and food facilities are available, along with children activities. A concert and dance follow the day’s races, so with free camping available throw in the swag and tent to spend the evening under the stars.
Adelaide River NT Country Music Talent Quest
Adelaide River NT Country Music Talent Quest
Dorat Road
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory 0846
Australia
Enjoy true country hospitality and a toe-tapping day of outback country music. From all over the Territory and interstate, entrants make the trek to Adelaide River, to be part of the only Country Music Association of Australia recognised NT country music talent quest. Entrants from 5 to 70 take part with trophies and prize money. A scholarship to the CMAA Country Music College Tamworth is awarded to one contestant each year, who meets the criteria. From Bush Ballads to Country Rock, it’s all there with great food and bar facilities available. The Adelaide River NT Country Music Talent Quest concludes as the sun sets with a concert that has the showground rocking.
Adelaide River Show
Adelaide River Show
Dorat Road
Adelaide River ( Stuart Highway )
Northern Territory 0846
Australia
Join in the thrill of a rodeo, camp draft and rural show. The Adelaide River Show, in the Adelaide River township south of Darwin, features a rodeo, polocrosse, gymkhana and camp draft as well as competitions in arts and crafts, flora art, cookery, photography, horticulture and agriculture, and farm produce in both adult and children sections. The camp draft consists of 6 head of cattle in a ‘camp’, in which the competitor has to cut only 1 animal out. The competitor must the get the animal to the front of the camp. Once the competitor has the animal up front, they must block and turn the beast a few times to show the judges they have control of the animal. The rider then calls for the gates to be opened, the competitor is required to draft the animal in a figure 8 before guiding it through a gate, the camp draft is then complete. All this is done in less than 45 seconds.
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