Westpac Bank

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Explore the Colonial Revival architecture of Westpac Bank, a key piece of Darwin's historic Bank Corner.
Discover the resilience of this pre-war structure, rebuilt after bombing raids and Cyclone Tracy, reflecting community spirit.
Stroll through Darwin's central business district, where the bank stands as a testament to vital 1940s infrastructure.
Appreciate the unique contrast of Westpac Bank against its counterparts, showcasing the city's rich architectural heritage.

Today's Weather

31°C Partly cloudy

Google Rating

3.9 / 5 19 Google reviews

This bank, constructed as the Bank of New South Wales in 1940, is emblematic of the Commonwealth Government’s £1.5 million civil and defence work programme between the years 1938 and 1941 when critical infrastructure was added to the town after years of stagnation and is an important element in the Bank Corner precinct of the central business district. The bank was damaged during bombing raids in 1942 and again during Cyclone Tracy in 1975. On each occasion it was repaired and refurbished so little of its original fabric remains, although it retains its Colonial Revival style, which contrasts with its three counterparts on Bank Corner.

The Westpac Bank building is valued by the community as an inner-city pre-war structure and as part of the essential commercial infrastructure of any city.

31°C Partly cloudy

3.9 / 5 19 Google reviews

Images and Video

View: 1 of 10

Front façade of the former Bank from the street.

1937-42 - Bank of New South Wales, Darwin. — 1937-42 – Bank of New South Wales, Darwin.

1940 - the new Bank of New South Wales from Smith Street — 1940 – the new Bank of New South Wales from Smith Street

1942 - after the first air raids in February — 1942 – after the first air raids in February

1944 - view from Bennett Street — 1944 – view from Bennett Street

1952 - Note Commonwealth Bank across the road in Bennett Street — 1952 – Note Commonwealth Bank across the road in Bennett Street

1957-63. Note Commercial Bank across the road from Bank of NSW.

1961 - Bank of NSW in foreground; Commonwealth Bank across Bennett Street. — 1961 – Bank of NSW in foreground; Commonwealth Bank across Bennett Street.

1981 - Entrance to bank from Bennett Street. — 1981 – Entrance to bank from Bennett Street.

Contact and Booking Channels

Darwin City, Northern Territory

Address: 26 Smith Street, Darwin City, Northern Territory, 0800, Australia
Email: heritage.branch@nt.gov.au

Lat -12.46467, Lng 130.84339

Booking Channels

HASHTAGS #ntaustralia

Features

Activities

Walks

Accessibility

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)