The former residence for British Australian Telegraph Company executives, Lyons Cottage today houses the not-for-profit Aboriginal Bush Traders shop—stocked with carvings, jewelry, art, and books—and a café serving dishes inspired by desert Aboriginal cultures and using local ingredients like bush tomatoes and Kakadu plums. A hologram exhibit inside tells the story of how the Overland Telegraph first linked Australia to the rest of the world. Lyons Cottage doesn’t often figure on sightseeing tours of Darwin, so opt for a private city tour if you’d like to visit with a guide.
Lyons Cottage is located on the southwestern edge of the city center, near Bicentennial Park on the waterfront. It’s within walking distance of Doctors Gully and Crocosaurus Cove.
Lyons Cottage is open to visitors daily throughout the year. Plan to visit in the morning for a cup of coffee in the café followed by browsing the Aboriginal Bush Traders store. The gallery space is closed on Sundays.
While most of Darwin was destroyed by Japanese bombing raids during WWII, Lyons Cottage managed to survive intact. The U.S. Army occupied the building between 1943 and 1945, after which it became a private residence. After Cyclone Tracy, Lyons Cottage was restored to its pre-1942 appearance and became a registered Heritage building.