The presence of Chinese people in the Top End has been recorded since the late 1800s. Chinese people had been living in the Top End as mining workers or railway construction workers from Port Darwin (now Palmerston) to
Pine Creek.
Lion Dance
The history of Chinese people in the Top End and their contribution is showcased at
NT Chinese Museum, located on 25 Woods Street Darwin City. At this museum, you can see some archival photographs, historical texts and stories, and collections of interesting memorabilia.
Inside the Chinese Temple on Woods Street
A 3D map in the middle of the museum also shows buildings around CBD before the bombing of Darwin during WWII. Some
cultural walking tours also reveal the untold stories of the Chinese people in early settlement.
Chinatown map in the olden days
The Chinese workmen built several historical buildings that can still be seen today, such as the
Old Town Hall and the Minning Exchange Building, which is now
Brown's Mart.
Chinese Temple on 25 Woods Street was also built by Chinese workmen. This Chinese Temple is also a home to
The Chung Wah Society, an association that aims to promote harmony and goodwill between Chinese residents in the NT and people of other nationalities.
Darwin Chinese Memorial Cemetery on 42 Flinders Drive Stuart Park also holds a living history of past, present and future Chinese people in the Top End. Some prominent Chinese people and children of prominent people at that time are buried in this old cemetery.
