Daly Waters
The front of the famous Daly Waters Pub
Is a small town in the Northern Territory in Australia, about 620 kilometres south of Darwin and three kilometres west of the Stuart Highway. The area’s traditional owners, the Jingili people, believe the Dreaming tracks of the Emu and the Sun travelled through here on their way to the southern parts of the Northern Territory.
History
The name Daly Waters was given to a series of natural springs by John McDouall Stuart during his third attempt to cross Australia from south to north, in 1861-2. Stuart named the springs after the new Governor of South Australia, Sir Dominick Daly. Stuart’s first attempt, in 1860, had reached Tennant Creek. The second, in early 1861, pushed further north but again Stuart turned back. The third journey left Adelaide in October 1861 and reached Daly Waters on 28 May. The party had been pushing through difficult lancewood scrub and harsh terrain at a little over a kilometre a day. This journey was successful, reaching the north coast near modern Darwin on 24 July 1862. Stuart’s Tree has an ‘S’ carved into it by Stuart during his journey. The Overland Telegraph Line reached Daly Waters from the north in June 1872 and for two months a ‘pony express’ carried messages the 421 km to Tennant Creek via Renner Springs, Northern Territory.
Daly Waters Airfield was a centre for the London to Sydney air race of 1926, a refuelling stop for early Qantas flights to Singapore, a World War II Airforce base and more recently an operational base for joint military manoeuvres. Although the aerodrome was closed to commercial traffic in 1965 the original Qantas hangar still stands, housing exhibits of photographs and equipment from the area’s aviation past.
Trivia
The main attractions for tourists is the famous pub, which is decorated throughout with banknotes and other memorabilia left by visitors from every corner of the globe. The historic pub was licensed in 1938 to service passengers and crew from the nearby airfield. Other services are available at the Hi-Way Inn roadhouse, at the junction of the Carpentaria Highway. The towns population is 8 people and all of them have the title Lord or Lady after joining with Highland Titles in Scotland www.highlandtitles.com.
Daly Waters
A township which comprises a few houses and the very famous Daly Waters Hotel.
Even people who have never been to the Northern Territory know of the legendary Daly Waters Hotel. Today, with a population of about 23, the town of Daly Waters has little to commend it apart from its historical pub which is like no other pub you’ve ever seen before. The menu at the pub, which has a little local history on the back, records: ‘In the early days the Daly Waters Pub was a drover’s rest, the mob always staging here for stores and a night out for the boys before tackling the Murranji leg of the drove.’ This admirable piece of understatement only hints at the wild times that the pub has seen in its near–century of existence. Daly Waters lies 212 metres above sea level and is located 620 km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway. Now little more than a stopover for people travelling along the Stuart Highway the tiny settlement was named by John McDouall Stuart during his epic attempt to cross Australia from south to north in 1861-2.
The Daly Waters traffic light
By 1862 Stuart had already made two attempts to cross the continent. His first, in 1860, had reached Tennant Creek. The second, in early 1861, pushed further north but again Stuart was forced back. The third journey, which headed out from Adelaide in October 1861 reached the centre in March, 1862. Stuart pushed north making slow progress. He finally arrived at Daly Waters on 28 May having forced their way through difficult lacewood scrub and harsh terrain at a rate of a little over a kilometre a day. Stuart named the springs after the new Governor of South Australia, Sir Dominick Daly. This journey was successful. Stuart reached the northern coast near modern day Darwin on 24 July, 1862. On the way into town (the actual town of Daly Waters is located 7 km to the west of the Stuart Highway – it was built on the old stock route not the road) is the the Stuart Tree. This remarkably dead looking tree has a plaque which 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.’ If you look long and hard you can see a vague S on the eastern side of the tree.
The Overland Telegraph Line reached Daly Waters in June,1872 and for a short time (until the line was completed) a ‘pony express’ was established to bridge the gap between Daly Waters and Tennant Creek. Important telegraphic messages from overseas were actually carried by horse for the 421 km between the two stations. The line was finally completed on 22 August, 1872. At this time conditions in the area were unbelievably harsh. For example, twice each year the telegraphists at Daly Waters would ride across to Roper Bar, a journey of nearly 400 km, to meet the boat Gulnare which brought their stores and ammunition around the coast from Adelaide.
The Daly Waters Hotel
As early as 1893 a hotel, the Daly Waters Hotel, was built in the town. It is now one of the oldest buildings in the Northern Territory. The reason for the construction of the hotel was that Daly Waters was becoming an important stopover point for people travelling from the north to the south as well as for the drovers moving cattle across from the Kimberleys to Queensland. The modern pub, although little changed, is a tourist attraction. Every night there is a steak and barri (ie. Barramundi) barbeque and it boasts air–conditioned rooms.
Daly Water Airstrip
On the way into town is the Daly Water Airstrip. It was constructed initially about 1930 for the Daly Waters Airmail run. It later became a major staging point for interstate and international airlines. It was declared an RAAF station on 18 March 1942 when No: 56 Operational Base Unit, No: 1 Medical Receiving Station and No: 1 Repair and Salvage Unit formed. No: 56 Operational Base Unit moved out in the latter half of 1943 and No: 9 Stores Depot was the last to leave on 6 October 1944. It was used in 1989 as part of the military manoeuvre – Kangaroo ’89.
Daly Waters Aviation Complex
Daly Waters Aviation Complex
Daly Waters Kalala Road
Daly Waters
Northern Territory
Australia
Daly Waters has the distinction of being Australias first international airport. The Daly Waters Aviation Complex, located 3 kilometres off the Stuart Highway, is the oldest aviation structure in the Northern Territory. Built in 1930, the hangar and airstrip played an important role during World War II, and in post war years continued in use as a civil aerodrome, becoming an aviation hub as part of the new international air route between Australia and England. Restoration took place in 1992 and today the complex houses an interesting display. The original Qantas hangar and associated buildings between the airport can easily be explored. This is a registered heritage attraction. To access the site, a key is available from Daly Waters Pub.
Daly Waters Pub
Daly Waters Pub
Stuart Street
Daly Waters
Northern Territory
Australia
The Daly Waters Pub is a colourful pub, clad in corrugated iron, draped with bougainvilleas and crammed with decades of memorabilia. It began its current incarnation serving passengers arriving on the new Qantas airline in 1934 and was the first international runway and airport in the area. As a popular watering hole along the track, the Daly Waters pub holds a liquor licence that has been in continuous use since 1938. The pub is on the old droving track and was a watering hole for the drovers as well as travellers heading north and south on the old track. It was used as a staging post during the Second World War and there is a static historical display housed in the WWII hangar.
An extensive menu includes a range of salads and gourmet sandwiches and wraps, steaks, local wild territory barramundi and chicken. Snacks are available and the house hamburgers are freshly made. Try the damper breads or choose a wine from the extensive wine list which includes a cellar selection. There is entertainment every night from April through to September and is free of charge and their world famous beef and barra meals are served every night during the dry season.
Daly Waters Campdraft, Rodeo and Gymkhana
Daly Waters Campdraft, Rodeo and Gymkhana
Daly Waters Rodeo Grounds
Daly Waters
Northern Territory 0852
Australia
A true Aussie outback experience. The Daly Waters Campdraft, Rodeo and Gymkhana is held in the historic township of Daly Waters, 600 kilometres south of Darwin. This annual event attracts hordes of dusty utes, cowboys and tourists alike and is a fun and entertaining weekend for all. Activities held over the three days range from the station bronc ride and tail tagging, the maiden and ladies draft, a novice draft, ASH open draft and the Campdraft finals. Anyone who is willing to put their body on the line enters the bull ride and bronc ride, the bareback and barrel racing. Live entertainment is provided on the Saturday night, so grab the gang and dance the night away. Bar and catering facilities will be in action all weekend, with camping and clean amenities available.
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