Government House, Darwin

Government House
General information
Type	Official residence
Architectural style	Victorian Gothic
Current tenants	Administrator of the Northern Territory
Construction started	1870
Completed	1871
Renovated	1878–1879
Grounds	13,000 square metres (3.2 acres)

Government House is the office and official residence of the Administrator of the Northern Territory. Built between 1870 and 1871, with later renovations between 1878 and 1879, the building is set on 13,000 square metres of hillside gardens in the centre of the Darwin business district, on The Esplanade.

Government House is the oldest European building in the Northern Territory. Government House has been the home of successive Government Residents and Administrators since 1871. The house is an example of a mid-Victorian Gothic villa, here adapted for the local climate by the addition of numerous shaded verandahs and porches. It has endured cyclones, earthquakes, enemy bombing raids, infestations of white ants and rowdy public demonstrations to remain one of the most spectacular and attractive buildings in Darwin.

On 17 December 1918, Government House became the focal point of political turmoil and union unrest against John Gilruth's administration. About 1000 demonstrators marched to Government House where they burnt an effigy of Gilruth and demanded his resignation. The incident became well known as the Darwin Rebellion.

Government House, was entered on the Register of the National Estate in 1980 and was declared a Place of Heritage under the Heritage Conservation Act (Northern Territory) on 15 March 1996.

Darwin's Government House in 1913, with Liberty Square in foreground.

From left: Minister Josiah Thomas, Sir Walter Barttelot and Administrator John Gilruth in 1912.

...
Wikipedia