Larrakeyah Barracks
Encyclopedia
Larrakeyah Barracks incorporating HMAS Coonawarra
is the main base for the Australian Defence Force
in the Northern Territory
of Australia
, and occupies the headland west of the suburb of Larrakeyah
in the capital, Darwin
. It was established in 1932–33, with building commencing in earnest in 1934, although many of the oldest structures were built in the early years of World War II
.
The name Larrakeyah is a transcription
of the name of the Australian Aborigine tribe known also as the Larrakia
people, the traditional owners of where Darwin was built and its surrounding areas.
The base is bounded to the east by the suburb of Larrakeyah, to the south by HMAS Coonawarra and the boat harbour on Darwin Harbour, to the west by Emery Point overlooking the approaches to Darwin Harbour, and the north by Cullen Bay.
HMAS Coonawarra
HMAS Coonawarra is a Royal Australian Navy base located in the city of Darwin and is home to twelve fleet units of the Royal Australian Navy.-History:...
is the main base for the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
in the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and occupies the headland west of the suburb of Larrakeyah
Larrakeyah, Northern Territory
Larrakeyah is an inner suburb of Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory.-History:Larrakeyah is named after the indigenous language group that occupied the area before European settlement, the Larrakia, who occupied much of the Darwin coastal area.Development of the suburb...
in the capital, Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
. It was established in 1932–33, with building commencing in earnest in 1934, although many of the oldest structures were built in the early years of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The name Larrakeyah is a transcription
Transcription (linguistics)
Transcription in the linguistic sense is the systematic representation of language in written form. The source can either be utterances or preexisting text in another writing system, although some linguists only consider the former as transcription.Transcription should not be confused with...
of the name of the Australian Aborigine tribe known also as the Larrakia
Larrakia
Larrakia are the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Larrakia Country which includes the area in and around Darwin, Northern Territory in Australia...
people, the traditional owners of where Darwin was built and its surrounding areas.
Geography
The base is on a mostly level headland running east-west, some 25 metres above the ocean. Darwin Naval Base is on a lower area on the south side, incorporating some reclaimed land.The base is bounded to the east by the suburb of Larrakeyah, to the south by HMAS Coonawarra and the boat harbour on Darwin Harbour, to the west by Emery Point overlooking the approaches to Darwin Harbour, and the north by Cullen Bay.
Heritage
Some parts of the base are heritage listed. These include:- Command Blockhouse;
- Emery Point—also important to the LarrakiaLarrakiaLarrakia are the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Larrakia Country which includes the area in and around Darwin, Northern Territory in Australia...
people as a place associated with the teaching of young boys; - Headquarters Building;
- Sergeants Mess; and
- Darwin Mobile ForceDarwin Mobile ForceThe Darwin Mobile Force was a mixed force of infantry and artillery raised by the Australian Army prior to the Second World War. It was the first regular infantry field force in the Australian military, although due to legislative restrictions that existed at the time it was established as part of...
buildings.
Units
ADF units at Larrakeyah include:- Headquarters NORFORCENORFORCEThe NORFORCE is an infantry regiment of the Australian Army Reserve. Formed in 1981, the regiment is one of three Regional Force Surveillance Units employed in surveillance and reconnaissance of the remote areas of Northern Australia.-History:In the late-1970s and early 1980s the need for a...
; - HMAS CoonawarraHMAS CoonawarraHMAS Coonawarra is a Royal Australian Navy base located in the city of Darwin and is home to twelve fleet units of the Royal Australian Navy.-History:...
—base supporting the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
's Armidale class patrol boatArmidale class patrol boatThe Armidale class is a class of patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy . Planning for a class of twelve vessels to replace the fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats began in 1993 as a joint project with the Royal Malaysian Navy, but was cancelled when Malaysia pulled out of the process...
s including HMAS Larrakia (ACPB 84)HMAS Larrakia (ACPB 84)HMAS Larrakia is an Armidale class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy .-Design and construction:The Armidale class patrol boats are long, with a beam of , a maximum draft of , and a displacement of 270 tons...
; - Elements of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical EngineersRoyal Australian Electrical and Mechanical EngineersThe Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the Australian Army that has responsibility for the maintenance and recovery of all land electrical and mechanical equipment...
; - Army Watercraft Troop; and
- Elements of NORFORCE.
External links
- Royal Australian Navy - official websites