Coonawarra

About Coonawarra

Coonawarra is a south-eastern suburb of Darwin in the Northern Territory, located approximately 11 kilometres from Darwin City centre within the City of Darwin local government area. At the 2021 Census it recorded a very small resident population of around 20 people, reflecting its character as primarily a defence and government land precinct rather than a residential neighbourhood. The suburb is situated on the traditional Country of the Larrakia people, the custodians of the Darwin coastal area. Its name derives from HMAS Coonawarra, a Royal Australian Navy shore establishment that operated in the suburb until 2003, with the word meaning 'swan' in local language.

Coonawarra is defined by its institutional land uses, hosting the Defence Establishment Berrimah and the Northern Immigration Detention Centre, giving the suburb a distinctly non-residential character. The surrounding suburbs of Berrimah, Winnellie, and Hidden Valley offer the nearest everyday services, retail, and light industrial activity. Darwin has no passenger rail network, so residents and workers rely on the Darwinbus network and private vehicles for transport. Stuart Highway proximity ensures good road connections to Darwin CBD and Palmerston, while Berrimah Road provides direct access to the northern suburbs.

Coonawarra falls under postcode 820 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Sanderson electorate.

Nearby Suburbs

• Bayview, NT 820
• Charles Darwin, NT 820
• East Point, NT 820
• Eaton, NT 820
• Fannie Bay, NT 820
• Larrakeyah, NT 820