Lyons Cottage
At the time it was built, Lyons Cottage was the first stone house in Darwin and it remains the only surviving example of colonial bungalow architecture in the city. Made from local porcellanite stone, roof tiles from England, and timber from Asia, the 1925 building once served as the home of a lawyer, John ‘Tiger’ Lyons.
The basics
This former residence for British Australian Telegraph Company executives today houses the not-for-profit Aboriginal Bush Traders shop stocked with carvings, jewelry, art, and books, as well as 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.
Things to know before you go
*Lyons Cottage is an excellent place to pick up gifts and souvenirs. *Admission to the cottage is free. *The house is not accessible to wheelchairs. *Give yourself 30 minutes to an hour to visit the site, longer if you plan to have a meal there.
How to get there
Lyon's 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.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Lyons Cottage is open to visitors daily throughout the year. Plan to visit in the morning for a cup of coffee in the cafe, followed by some time to browse the Aboriginal Bush Traders store. The gallery space is closed on Sundays.
- Crocosaurus Cove
- Parliament House
- Magnetic Termite Mounds
- Bicentennial Park
- Aquascene
- Darwin Waterfront Precint
- Myilly Point Heritage Precinct
- George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
- Mindil Beach
- Cullen Bay
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)
- Qantas Hangar
- Darwin Cruise Port
- Fannie Bay Gaol
- East Point Reserve