Daly Waters Things to Do

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I am not sure since I have not been able to find a map of the Aerodrome layout, but I think that the two buildings near the Daly Waters Aerodrome gate northwest of the hanger were terminal buildings. One is now collapsed. They were behind a separate fence. It is also possible that they were barracks for servicemen during World War II. There was another piece of airplane wreckage outside the fence.

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The 1930 Qantas hanger at Daly Waters opens to the northeast and looks across a large bitumen parking area toward the ~2.2 km runway, which runs northwest to southeast. Access to the runway is via a ~500 meter bitumen taxiway. A door and a small unused office are located on the southeast side of the hanger. The former Aeradio Annex is in the south corner of the hanger and now contains historical displays by the National Trust. Zig (1+1) and I did not see anyone else at the Aerodrome while we were there on 25 Aug 2010. Although some writeups online say that the gate will be locked and that the key must be picked up at the Daly Waters Pub, the gate and all doors were open when we arrived. There were no admission fees.

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The Qantas hanger at Daly Waters is the oldest hanger in the Northern Territory. From the signboards in the Aeradio Annex, we know that the site for a landing ground at Daly Waters was selected in December 1927. Francis Cain commenced contract work in clearing the site the following June, eventually completing the clearing, grubbing and fencing for 1048 GBP. Larkin Aircraft Supply Company (LASCo) under H.S. "Jimmy" Larkin won the contract to provide service between Camooweal and Daly Waters in July 1928. The aerodrome was completed in October 1928. A number of aircraft apparently made use of the new aerodrome. In July 1929 the Shell Oil Company of Australia asked permission to erect a small galvanized iron shed to store fuel and oils for aviation purposes. Larkin also applied to erect a hanger on the site and despite some problems in selecting a suitable location, the Sidney Williams structure was constructed during 1930. Materials for the hanger arrived on 26 Apr 1930, along with the contractor's supervisor, Fred Smith. DCA wanted to locate the hanger in an area usually inundated by wet season flooding. Larkin himself wanted it constructed in the northeast corner with the doors facing southwest. A compromise was reached and the hanger was completed in its current location on 12 June 1930.

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Daly Waters was Australia's first international airfield. The airfield was a center for the London to Sydney Air Race of 1926 and was a refuelling stop for early Qantas flights to Singapore. In the 1930's the aerodrome was one terminal for the air mail service between Perth and Daly Waters. Prior to World War II, Daly Waters was a stop for flights en route to London. Planes were refueled and passengers fed. The trip cost 275 pounds and took 8 days.

In the early months of 1942 during World War II, the airfield was a waypoint on the "Brereton Route" for operations between Australia and Java. It was a staging base for aircraft from Cloncurry, Queensland and then up to Darwin, Northern Territory area airfields. After the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) requisitoned the airfield, it became an operational base known as RAAF Daly Waters on 15 May 1942.

The 64th Bomb Squadron of the USAAF Fifth Air Force 43rd Bombardment Group was based at Daly Waters from 16 May 1942 until 2 August 1942, flying B-17 Flying Fortresses from the airfield. The squadron made numerous attacks on Japanese shipping in the Dutch East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago. Other operations during this period included support for ground forces in New Guinea; attacks on airfields and installations in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Celebes, Halmahera, Yap, Palau, and the southern Philippines; and long-range raids against oil refineries on Ceram and Borneo.

In late 1943 the airfield was returned to civil use. The aerodrome was closed to commercial traffic in 1965. The original Qantas hangar from 1930 was restored in 1992 and houses exhibits of photographs and equipment from the area's aviation past. These days the Daly Waters Aerodrome is in semi-retirement with private aircraft and Air-Med (remote area medical service) constituting the bulk of the traffic. The airfield is still utilized by the RAAF for joint military maneuvers. The Daly Waters Aviation Complex is included in the Register of the National Estate.

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An aeradio station was completed on 7 Dec 1938, was located in the post office, and was operated by the Postmaster. An aeradio operator, Jack Faulkner, arrived on 28 Oct 1939. He and Noel Healey of Dunmarra dismantled the radio masts at the Post Office and re-erected them near the hanger. On 29 Jan 1940 the aeradio system was moved to an annex on the eastern wall of the hanger. See also two travelogues with the current history displays in the Aeradio Annex in the Qantas hanger.

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The historical Daly Waters Pub gets excellent TripAdvisor reviews. They have many accommodation choices: cabins, motel rooms with ensuite, budget pub rooms, and backpackers' rooms. There is also a caravan park. Other amenities include a swimming pool, kids' playground (Rugrats Corner), pool table, fueling station and a souvenir shop. Australia's most remote traffic lights are located outside the Pub. If you want to fish in the "Barramundi Pool" or use the sports equipment, you must plug the parking meter. Your doggie may stay in the Caravan Park, but he/she must be on a leash. Maybe your doggie can go into the Beer Garden if on a leash, but probably should stop at the Pissin Post first. However, elephants are not allowed in the Caravan Park or the Beer Garden under any circumstances.

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Their website says that the Daly Waters Pub is not a roadhouse. It is "THE PUB" and was voted as one of top ten pubs in Australia. It is located ~4 km west of the Stuart Highway. Just remember, if you haven't turned off you're not at The Pub! There are 6 beers on tap and a wide variety of bottled beers, ciders and UDL's. There is an extensive wine list, including a cellar selection. The Pub is open from 07:00 until late. Even during the quieter months it does not close before 23:00. The Pub is decorated throughout with banknotes and other "pubabilia" left by visitors from every corner of the globe. You order your food inside and can eat outside in the Beer Garden (see a separate tip).

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The Daly Waters Overland Telegraph Station was located near The Stuart Tree. Now all that remains at the site are the steps to the main office and some scattered artifacts. Some of the artifacts have been found and placed on the steps; however, the sign reminds people that it is an archaeological site and items should not be removed. Connecting the Continent has a very interesting writeup on the Daly Waters Overland Telegraph Station, especially how in June 1872 a pony express was organized to carry messages over the 430 km gap in the line between Daly Waters and Tennant Creek, then cancelled when the Port Darwin submarine cable went dead.