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Australian Aviation in Darwin

Australian aviation history can be seen at the Qantas hanger and the Aviation Heritage Museum in Darwin.

Each year a commemoration of the first flight from England to Australia in 1919 is held at the Fannie Bay site where Ross and Keith Smith and crew members landed their Vickers Vimy biplane.

An new air race from London to Darwin to celebrate the centenary of this aviation achievement will take place in 2019.

See details and entry forms here.

Please note; this event has been canceled due to security concerns

A special centenary race will celebrate 100 years of aviation achievement.

Fannie bay History and Heritage Society Commemoration 10/12/2017

A commemoration will be held at this site at 8.30 10 December 2019
to mark the 100th Anniversary of the landing at fannie Bay

Vic Hotel Aviation Display

As the closest point to the rest of the world, Darwin was the logical destination for flights coming from England or Europe, and the last fuel stop before leaving Australia.

A display of photographs and memorabilia can be seen at the Victoria Hotel in the Smith Street Darwin Mall. The caption reads "The Victoria Hotel- the aviators home away from home".

The first flight from England to Australia was accomplished by Captain Ross Macpherson Smith and his brother Lieutenant Keith Macpherson Smith as co-pilot with mechanics Sergeant W.H. (Wally) Shiers and J.M. (Jim) Bennett.

Fanny Bay Aviation Milestone

The flight is commemorated with a monument located on the beach top in Fannie Bay, close to the end of the runway for the original Darwin Civil Aerodrome.

The runway is now a wide street, appropriately named Ross Smith Avenue.

The old QANTAS hangar is still there, tucked in behind the netball courts, and is open to the public. (Access is via Lampe St)