Lyons Cottage, originally built in 1925 as accommodation for the Darwin Cable Company management staff, holds a rich history intertwined with the development of Darwin. Surviving the destruction of the 1937 cyclone and the Japanese bombing raids in 1942, the Cottage stood as a resilient symbol of the city’s past. Managed by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Lyons Cottage now houses Aboriginal Bush Traders, an Aboriginal art gallery and retail space showcasing authentic Indigenous products alongside a bush food café.
Following the war, Lyons Cottage faced potential redevelopment but was saved by heritage-conscious Darwin residents and the intervention of Cyclone Tracy. The building underwent restoration to reflect its post-1942 exterior while preserving the interior ambiance of the period between 1926 and 1942. In 1984, the Museums & Art Galleries Board transformed the Cottage into a museum of early Darwin history, ensuring its legacy as a significant cultural landmark in the region.
Since 2015, Lyons Cottage has been leased by Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation, trading as Aboriginal Bush Traders, further enriching the space with Indigenous art and cultural offerings. Managed by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the Cottage stands as a testament to Darwin’s past, welcoming visitors to explore its historical significance and engage with the vibrant Aboriginal art scene it now hosts.
