Member - Colin (ACT region) posted:

NT history

Darwin became a strategic defence post after 220 Darwin people were killed in the only major Japanese bombing raid on an Australian city. At the peak of defence activity in the north, there were 120,000 troops and, since shipping was no longer safe, the railway became essential for supplies. Unfortunately, the rail and rolling stock had run down and the first troops arrived in converted cattle trucks, dubbing their northward ride the 'Spirit of Protest'. A unique carriage was made for short trips by placing a Leyland truck chassis on rail wheels. The contraption looked odd, but necessity was the mother of a useful invention!

The need to move troops and supplies led to suggestions of closing the 1000 kilometre gap between Birdum, where the northern line had reached in 1929, and Alice Springs. In the end, the Stuart Highway was sealed between Alice Springs and Darwin, leaving the legacy of a major infrastructure project to the Territory.
Colin - Subaru Forester
- size isn't everything - weight is ! -

Bob Y. - Qld posted:

The Barkly h'way was sealed at the same time, from the Isa to 3 Ways. There are some items of memoribilia at a couple of spots along there giving a little info on the task.

They did a bloody good job, considering the type of machinery they had in that era.

Unfortunately, some of this highway still remains on the Qld side, and is a nightmare, considering the amount and type of traffic that use it. Hooroo...

Bruce - cycadcenter posted:

Darwin and WWII is an interesting subject with an interesting book written a couple of years ago.

My dad was stationed there from 1942-45 and arrived just a couple of days before the first raid which he remembers vividly, as they had hardly any defences and in fact were shooting at the planes with 303's.

Interesting point is that more bombs were dropped on Darwin in the first raid than on Pearl Harbour.

Greg posted:

Tony track was definitely sealed Alice to Darwin during the war. I was in Katherine in early 1970 and main street was well and truly sealed and had been for a long time I would suggest.

As far as the road from Mr Isa to 3 ways I am sure my trips in the early 70's were on large sections of unsealed road on the NT side. I can recall being held up due to rain where they were sealing sections and had closed the road temporarily to all traffic.

Bob Y. - Qld posted:

Greg, This dirt would have been while they were resealing some sections. The NT section of Barkly H'way, has been a HIGHWAY since the 80's, not like the goat track on Qld side. Hooroo...