Roadmasters House

Roadmasters House was built to accommodate the staff of the North Australia Railway (NAR).

The date of construction of the building is not known but was most likely in the 1920s or 1930s. It was built to accommodate staff of the North Australia Railway (NAR) and was known as Roadmasters House. The Roadmaster was the officer responsible for track maintenance. It was occupied by NAR staff until damaged by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

After the railway closed in 1976 the building was leased to the Roman Catholic Stella Maris organisation where it was used as a seafarers centre. Originally the house provided for an office, bar, meals, and recreational facilities up until 1991 when a new building was completed and the house became an annexe.

The building was declared a heritage place in 2005 and subsequently restored by the Northern Territory Government to its present condition. It is one of only three pre-war houses remaining which were enclosed by a slatted or latticed verandah, the typical design at that time and now very rare.

Roadmasters House Museum documents the work of engineers and surveyors in the Northern Territory. In 2022 the museum exhibition is celebrating the Overland Telegraph Line Sesquicentenery.

Location Details

Roadmasters House

Address:

1 McMinn Street, Darwin NT

Open:

Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 10am - 1pm

Closed:

November - January

Email:
admin@ntnationaltrust.org.au
Entry Fees:

$5.00 for Adults

What we offer: