Lyons Cottage
Highlights
- Explore the colonial bungalow architecture of Lyons Cottage, the last of its kind in Darwin.
- Admire the locally quarried porcellanite stone and timber from Asia, showcasing unique craftsmanship.
- Stroll along The Esplanade, soaking in stunning views of Darwin Harbour and its vibrant surroundings.
- Relax in the picnic area, enjoying a peaceful break amidst the rich history of the cottage.
Lyons Cottage is the only remaining example of colonial bungalow style architecture in Darwin. This simple cottage is built from locally quarried porcellanite stone, timber from Asia and slate roof tiles from England and was constructed in 1925 for the Eastern Extension Australasian and China Telegraph Company, successor to the British Australia Telegraph (BAT) Company.
Initially home to the telegraph company’s engineer, the cottage was leased to prominent lawyer and politician John ‘Tiger’ Lyons in 1948. In addition to having a highly successful legal practice, Lyons was a Mayor of Darwin in 1958-59 and served in local government until 1963 when he was elected to the Legislative Council where he served until 1968. He died in 1970. Dorothea Lyons remained in the home until 1972 when she sold the lease to developers who proposed to demolish the cottage and build a high-rise hotel on the block.
The cottage was seriously damaged in Cyclone Tracy after which the developers abandoned their plans. Lyons Cottage was proclaimed an historic reserve in 1978 and was acquired by the NT Government in 1984.
Images and Video
Features
Activities
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
Vision
Caters for people who are blind or have vision loss.
Hearing
Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
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