Darwin Goal and War Museum in Darwin

Thursday 29^th November 2012

Darwin Goal and War Museum

We drove out to Fanny Bay (Mary had a hire car) to explore the old Fanny Bay Gaol. I think we spent a couple of hours roaming around the gaol and it was worth the time only the heat was keeping up inside the buildings.

For about a century, Fannie Bay Gaol was the premiere detention centre or gaol in Darwin. This correctional institution was built in 1882 and it depicts the most important social histories of Northern Territory. It is also known to be the former Labour Prison and Her Majesty's Gaol in the city from September 1883 to September 1979.

children's wing

The original architecture of this historical gaol composes two blocks with 16 stone cells, a washhouse and a dirty kitchen. However, during the late 1920's, there came a need for a particular cell for women prisoners and so a structure for this purpose was built. Soon after, another area was established for the purpose of keeping Aboriginal detainees. Furthermore, a remand section, a watch tower and maximum security wings were erected in the 1950s.

It was only in 1887 when the infirmary at the Fannie Bay Gaol was constructed. This area was, in 1952, devoted to final execution activities. Two Romanian immigrants, namely Jonus Nopoty and Jerry Coci, were executed here because they were found guilty murdering a local taxi driver.

hanging room

Fannie Bay Gaol discontinued its operation in 1979 because the detainees were sent to the penal institution at Berrimah. The prison is now called Fannie Bay Gaol Museum, which exhibits a number of compelling displays such as the video footage and pictures of the Cyclone Tracy. The photographs and other references depict the aftermath of the tragedy. In addition, one can also visit the museum to see the gaol's female prisoners section and mess area.

Fannie Bay Gaol Museum, no doubt, imparts the depressive environment of the prisoners who were detained here.

After the Jail we continued on out to East Point to the old gunnery site and the Military Museum.

I had not been in the new Military Museum display, I think there were only a few bits and pieces in and old shed last time I was there in 1996.

The Darwin Military Museum was originally established as an artillery museum by the Royal Australian Artillery Association Inc to exhibit photographs and artefacts from Darwin's history during World War II.

my dad was here

This new museum has the very latest in interactive and multimedia displays, plus so much military memorabilia and equipment.

It was a wonderfully moving experience and an absolute must for others visiting Darwin.

We had lunch at the Cool Spot, a local cafe in Fanny Bay, on a very hot afternoon after visiting the military museum. It was a very busy and buzzy cafe with aircon inside and just the Darwin heat outside. The cafe had heaps of choices on the menu, all reasonably priced, good simple food, great iced coffee and great for families. I am told that lots of locals go there on weekends.

carly enjoying her Sangria

It was back to the girl’s hotel for some R&R by the pool before heading out for our evening meal. I had chosen Moorish Cafe, a tapas bar and cafe in Knuckey Street,in the heart of Darwin.

Moorish offers an extensive tapas menu ideal a hot simmering evening along with a couple of glasses of house-made sangria There was a choice of more than 28 tapas dishes: from mainstay items such as Bulgarian feta and chorizo to the more exotic rosewater-marinated quail, ceviche of local jewfish, berber-spiced kangaroo and the ever-popular North African meatballs. A good choice was everyone’s comment!

Friday 30^th – MrJ and I took the Greyhound coach out to Kakadu for the day – this I will write up in a separate page......................