Stella Maris, Darwin facts for kids
The Stella Maris site is a special historical place located on McMinn Street in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It's known as a "heritage site" because it has important history.
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The History of Stella Maris
The Stella Maris site in Darwin has three main buildings. The oldest building was built in the 1930s. It was constructed by the Commonwealth Railways. This was a government group that managed railways.
We don't know the exact date it was built. However, a map from 1936 shows two buildings marked as 'Commonwealth Railways'. One of these is the building that still stands today. The other building was likely taken down in the early 1940s. A photo from 1936, called "an old railway house on the way to the wharf," might show this building. If it was called "old" in 1936, it could have been built even earlier.
From Railway to Community Club
The North Australia Railway closed down in 1976. After this, many of its buildings were sold or demolished. The Stella Maris site was given to the City of Darwin Council. This happened in 1979. The council then leased the site to the Stella Maris organisation. This group used the site as a licensed club.
Becoming a Heritage Site
In 1995, the council suggested that the Stella Maris Hostel should become a registered heritage site. This means it would be officially recognized for its historical importance. However, this first attempt was not successful.
The site was suggested again for heritage listing in 2003. This time, it was accepted. The Stella Maris site officially became a heritage site on June 10, 2004.
There are two other buildings at the back of the site. These were built in the 1990s. They are not considered historically important.
What is Stella Maris Used For Now?
On March 4, 2016, the Northern Territory Government made an announcement. They gave a ten-year lease for the site to the National Trust of Australia (Northern Territory). This group works to protect Australia's heritage. The plan was for the site to be used as a museum and a cafe.
As of August 2025, the Stella Maris site is still empty and not being used.
